Noah Igbinoghene – June 15, 2021
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Tuesday, June 15, 2021
CB Noah Igbinoghene
(You’re still obviously needed mostly on the boundary especially with CB Xavien Howard here, but Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander told us a couple weeks ago that he does envision you getting some work in the slot. Has that work happened to this point? Have you done any work at all in the slot or have you been entirely on the outside?) – “I’ve actually worked both positions and it’s really going really well, so I’m excited. I’m excited to see what the coaches have for me. I’m just following the plan and the process they have and see what happens.”
(What level of growth do you think you got from your rookie season? What are some of the lessons that you took that will help you become a better pro?) – “Honestly the offseason – my first offseason was huge for me. Just finding a consistent routine, just a consistent schedule, just working out and conditioning and just doing the same thing over and over again every single day. That was the biggest thing for me and my growth this offseason I feel like. So the offseason was huge for me. It was a blessing just to go through it. God really moved in my life this offseason, so I thank Him and I can’t wait for the season.”
(Speaking about God, in what way? How did God move in your life?) – “I just grew as a man, obviously like everybody does. Just grew up. I was young last year. I’m still young now, but I’m growing up as a man and figuring things out and I’m growing up. It is what it is.”
(I guess part of that grow-up process is kind of realizing where you’re at in your career as a young player, as a first-round pick, with some high expectations. Kind of how do you deal with all that and just work to continue to improve so that you can prove yourself on the field?) – “I just keep my head down and keep working. It’s all I can do, really. Follow the process, like I said before, and everything will work out for itself.”
(What has helped you this offseason kind of have a better mindset into what you want to accomplish?) – “Honestly like I said before, just a consistent routine. Just a consistent schedule. Just the same thing over and over again – the little details – over and over again. Last year (in the) offseason it was rough for me because (it was) the COVID year. There were a lot of things we couldn’t do. We couldn’t really – I didn’t have a consistent workout place at all. This year everything was laid out, planned out, month-to-month-to-month. I feel better going into Year 2.”
(It was great last year how you shook off a tough start obviously against the Bills and Seattle. You played really well against Jacksonville. You played well when needed late. What allowed you to rebound and come back from what might put some rookies in a shell? You didn’t go into a shell.) – “Honestly the coaches and the older guys and just my teammates. They all surrounded me. It’s just a family here. So honestly it wasn’t really that hard. I just kept my head up. Everybody kept supporting me. I just kept working. Honestly that’s all it is. You’ve just got to keep working.”
(And are you looking forward to that opportunity in the slot should that continue to come into August?) – “I’m looking forward to playing wherever they want me to play. (laughter)”
(I don’t want to name every receiver in the room, but just WR DeVante Parker, WR Preston Williams, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Will Fuller V, WR Jakeem Grant, all these guys that have different varied skillsets – I’m wondering how seeing these different types of receivers helps you develop your game at this stage in your career?) – “They all have different skillsets and it’s amazing just to see them. They’re all growing as well. I can’t wait. We’re going to get some work in. We’ll get some real work in this offseason. We’ve worked so far. I can’t wait to see where we go and where they (progress) as well, where they grow as well.”
(Who’s helping you study film? Who’s helping you get to that next level from an understanding quarterbacks and offensive concepts standpoint?) – “Just my coaches, honestly. I come to work every single day. I listen. I take notes and that’s really all it is. Just follow the process every single day I come to work and it’ll happen.”
(Kind of a fun question for you. What’s it like being represented with an agency that’s full of MMA fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley? Are the perks pretty fun? Do you get to go to a lot of free matches? What’s it like being with their agency and with the guys they rep?) – “It’s great to see those guys. Honestly, I haven’t really been to a lot of matches. I’ve only been to one I think, but UFC is amazing. I’m glad to have them at my agency. I’m close with all of them, so I have good relationships with all of them and I can’t wait to see where they go as well.”
(Do you think fighting in UFC is kind of like football in the same sense where football – you’re an individual player, you’re trying to work out for the team, but everybody is just constantly striving to improve? Do you kind of see the same kind of tone in both those sports?) – “Yeah, that’s every sport. That’s every sport. It’s the same thing.”
(Just throwing this out there. What has CB Xavien Howard told you about his contract situation?) – “That’s honestly none of my business. (laughter)”
(Has CB Xavien Howard talked to the cornerbacks room?) – “I don’t know who he’s talked to. I don’t know nothing. (laughter)”
