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Minkah Fitzpatrick – November 12, 2018 Download PDF version

Monday, November 12, 2018

S Minkah Fitzpatrick

(Two weeks in a row now of moving around at different positions. How has it gone, how would you assess how you’ve done at it?) – “I think I’ve done pretty well. I’ve done my assignment, done my job just about every play. We do a really good job of preparing during the week. We all move around, whether it’s me, Bobby (McCain) or somebody else. We just move around a lot, so we’re kind of prepared. I think we’ve done a good job overall as a secondary doing that.”

(The biggest difference for you moving to the boundary from the slot, what’s been the biggest difference?) – “It’s just a different position. Both places you’re covering guys, but one is a little bit more space than the other one. Just different feels. You’ve got to kind of ease your way into it and not overthink it, and just go out there and play ball.”

(What’s easiest for you of the three positions you’ve played?) – “The easiest one? I couldn’t say which one was easiest because they all have different things that are hard. The safety position is harder mentally than the other two. I think nickel is overall the hardest, both mentally and physically. Outside corner is a whole different monster on its own. Just being out there, I would just say all three of them are pretty hard.”

(Any surprise that you’ve played a lot of snaps outside, at least yesterday?) – “Was there any surprise? Not really.”

(Not just yesterday specifically, but from the beginning of the season when really this wasn’t discussed as a possibility to now you doing it.) – “It was (discussed). Really, just behind closed doors, they always told me to be prepared to move out there. I’ve always made sure I knew what they were doing out there. They knew I could do it. They trusted me to do it. There was no surprise really.”

(How much do you enjoy being able to move from position to position. How much pride do you take on being able to maintain a high level at every spot?) – “I take a lot of pride in it because it’s not something that a lot of people can do and it’s not easy to do. Sometimes I do wish I had one position just to be safe and sound at. But I think it just adds to my stock, my value to the team. It’s not just me that’s moving around, it’s other guys, other pieces that are moving around. Just as a secondary, being able to do that is pretty special.”

(Which of those spots do you think suites you best?) – “I’m not sure yet. I’m just out there doing what I got to do. I’m still a rookie, still trying to find my way and do what I’ve got to do to make plays.”

(How do you feel going into a bye week? Are you fresh? Do you need it?) – “I feel pretty good, honestly. We do a good job of taking care of our bodies here. I have a couple of nicks and bruises, but a couple of days rest and recovery and I’ll be alright.”

(You’re a rookie in the NFL and you have your first bye week. What’s on tap for you?) – “I’m going to hang out with my family for the first couple of days, then I’m going to head back to Tuscaloosa and hang out with some of my people back there and check out the team. That’s it really.”

(You’re going to watch freshmen play this week?) – “That’s all right. That’s all right. (laughter)”

(You always take pride in that. At Alabama, you guys are kicking everybody’s butt. How much pride is that for you?) – “It’s really good seeing my boys ball out. A lot of the young guys that I (took) under my wing when I was there, just seeing them make plays and having fun out there and playing with that passion and energy that we all try to play with is really awesome. I get really excited every time I watch. It’s Bama. You always take pride in that.”

(I know most of your film study obviously is on receivers. But, over the years, just even going back to Alabama, are there any boundary corners you admired watching that you might have maybe observed anything they’ve done and now incorporate that now that you’re playing some out there?) – “One guy I’ve always loved was Patrick Peterson. I love watching him play. He is one of the best, if not the best cover corner in the league. I just look at how he’s an athlete and he uses technique. A lot of guys are athletes out there and they just use that. He uses his athleticism and his technique and that’s what makes him who he is. What is it, six or seven years in the league (for him)? He’s been dominating year in and year out as one of the top cover guys. I just love watching him play.”

(Do you angle to return punts and stuff? CB Patrick Peterson does all of that.) – “No, we’ve got guys here. I could do it, but we’ve got guys here that can do it.”

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