Adam Butler – November 26, 2021
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Friday, November 26, 2021
DL Adam Butler
(What are the challenges of playing against QB Cam Newton? Obviously, you went up against him in practice for a year. Just your thoughts on what challenges he poses and what makes him so difficult?) – “He’s a versatile guy. He can do multiple things. Obviously, he’s a threat with his feet. He’s good and you have to respect that about him.”
(What did you learn about with QB Cam Newton that you might not have known after playing with him for a year?) – “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”
(S Eric Rowe was joking about how QB Cam Newton will trash talk during the game. He’s like QB Philip Rivers in that way, would he do that in practice a lot with defensive players?) – “Yeah, he’s just a competitive person. That’s really all it is. He’s competitive.”
(How do you take it when there’s trash talk in your face? Do you get juiced up with that or does it annoy you?) – “I like it. I bring it back. I mean it’s football. That’s what it’s about.”
(Is preparation any different when you get such a big day like Thanksgiving, a family day? I don’t know if you have family here but is it any different on Thursday and Friday?) – “You can’t let anything get you off your routine. You have to try to stay on that same routine as much as you can. Obviously, there’s some things you can’t control that can get in the way but you just have to re-focus.”
(Did you watch a lot of football yesterday or non at all?) – “I watched a few games.”
Patrick Laird – November 26, 2021
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Friday, November 26, 2021
RB Patrick Laird
(It’s been an evolving running back room the last couple of weeks with you moving up, RB Phillip Lindsay coming in, RB Duke Johnson coming up for a game. I know you all get along obviously but is it a competitive room right now with you and everyone that is just hoping to emerge?) – “Yeah, competitive in the sense that we’re all a competitive group that wants to help our team win. But I’d also say it’s a complementary group as well. There are certain things that guys do well so we can kind of just play off of each other and game plan that way. It’s always great to bring in more talent. Yeah, I really like where our running back group is right now and everything that all of the guys can do.”
(How much did you know about RB Phillip Lindsay before he got here?) – “So we played each other in college. I actually remember the first time I met him, it was after a game that we played at Boulder and he came up to me and he knew my story. He’s like ‘Hey man, I know you’re a walk-on and now you’re starting. I think that’s awesome.’ So he was just like – to me, I’ve always thought he was a really good dude so we’ve stayed in touch over the years. We’re both undrafted guys. He’s a really good dude when you get to meet him.”
(You had a play that might have flown a little bit under the radar. It really shouldn’t have but it might have. On that first drive, you caught a swing pass on third down and it looked at the time when you caught it that there was no way in hell you were getting the first down. What was your initial plan when you caught the ball and does that rank as one of your most satisfying plays?) – “Yeah, it was definitely one of the most fun plays I’ve been a part of just because – I talked about this a few weeks ago with you guys. When you convert on a third down to keep a drive alive, it just feels great. So I was happy I could do that for the team. But yeah, that’s my role. It could be limited at times but when I have an opportunity that comes my way, I have to take advantage of it. That’s what the coaches expect. That’s what my teammates expect. So I was happy to do that.”
(When you first caught the ball and you turned around, you had two guys converging on you. Did strictly instinct kick in or did you have like an inkling before you caught the ball that you’d have to make a quick move?) – “I think it was just instinct. And it was funny because it was a teammate at Cal that was the first one to come at me. I didn’t even know that until after the game and he told me, so I felt bad about that. Not really. (laughter) He was another walk-on at Cal too, which is cool. So it was fun to play against him. Then obviously he made some good plays so I got that one on him but he got us on a couple of other plays.”
(S Ashtyn Davis?) – “Yeah, Ashtyn Davis. He’s a really good player. That was fun. Again, it’s more about making that play for the team and keeping the drive alive, and we ended up scoring a touchdown.”
(What was the reaction from your teammates when you have a play like that? You don’t get a lot of opportunities but you have a great play that keeps the chains moving.) – “I think – this team that we have, the guys, I think we love playing and competing with each other and whether you’re a starter or a role player or you got brought up from the practice squad and you make a play, everyone is going to be happy for you no matter who it is. Yeah, guys were excited on the sideline but they’ve seen me make plays like that before. Maybe a couple of guys said they were surprised but a lot of people were just happy that I made the play. That was pretty much the reaction.”
(What impressed you about RB Phillip Lindsay as a runner? Obviously that’s a great story about you talking to him after a game in college. What impresses you just watching him as a runner, about his skillset?) – “He’s capable of a heavy workload. Obviously we’ve seen him run the ball. I think he’s run for 1,000 yards a couple of times, caught a lot of passes and made plays in the passing game. He’s just a versatile back. Yeah, he’s a great football player all around.”
(What did you think of RB Duke Johnson, who was elevated last week and got into the game a lot, especially on that last drive and got a few carries there.) – “Yeah. He’s an experienced back. I think he has the most experience of all the running backs. He’s another good guy just to have around. He’s always – I’ll ask him for tips and advice on stuff and he’s happy to give it. He’s a good running back veteran in the room and he’s not afraid to share his opinion on anything. He’s just been helpful since he showed up so I really appreciate having Duke around.”
Hunter Long – November 26, 2021
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Friday, November 26, 2021
TE Hunter Long
(It’s good to see you’ll get an opportunity this weekend. How has the rookie year been for you from an emotional standpoint in terms of not playing a lot? Has that been tough at all to deal with?) – “No, not really. I mean I knew coming in this year that I’d get some opportunities and have to try to make the most of them. I’ve tried to keep it even the whole year and attack each week the same, so this week was no different and the past seven or whatever (weeks) were no different either.”
(We already know TE Adam Shaheen will be out, so what you mentioned, trying to attack each week the same, is that easy or could it be difficult to do when you know an opportunity could be coming?) – “I don’t think it’s that difficult. I did kind of the same in college. I redshirted my freshman year and didn’t play a whole lot my sophomore year, so I’ve kind of been through this before where you just have to be as prepared as possible for when that chance comes. And when it comes, make the most of it.”
(Did you kind of know coming into your rookie season that it could play out this way and maybe that helped you prepare for it?) – “Yeah. I came into this year with really no expectations for where I was going to fall and what chances I was going to get. I think that probably helped the most. I’m not expecting too much or too little and trying to stay as even-keeled as possible through it. Obviously we have a lot of good tight ends and I love those guys, so it’s been awesome to see them do their thing. But like I said, I attack each week the same and I’m excited for this week.”
(What area do you think you’ve improved the most in since training camp?) – “Probably just understanding defenses and being able to read it fast. It was obviously – it’s not that much of a speed change from the college level to this level but there is definitely a speed change and with that, you have to adjust a little bit. I think just studying defenses each week – I mean the weeks I haven’t been playing, I’ve spent a lot of time studying defenses and watching film of other defenses. Probably just being able to recognize stuff faster and process a little faster at the line.”
(How much have you been picking the brain of your teammates and the tight end group?) – “All the time. They’re phenomenal tight ends and I got pretty fortunate to come into this room. Obviously I haven’t gotten a lot of playing time but I’ve been able to practice with those guys and see those guys and watch what they do and ask them all sorts of questions. I’ve got the best of both worlds in the variety of tight ends that we have. It’s been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it.”
(Is there one piece of advice that they’ve given you that’s really resonated with you?) – “Probably just even less football related is just stay ready for your time to come. I mean they’ve been great through all of it. I’d probably say that’s the biggest advice they’ve had is just be ready, stay ready and your week is going to come.”
(We know from your college tape that obviously you can catch the ball, you can run routes, you can block. Of those parts of the game, what’s been the biggest challenge at the NFL level and where it’s taken the most work? Blocking, getting open, route running?) – “I don’t think there’s just one thing that’s ben the biggest challenge. Obviously at the NFL level, everything is a little faster. The windows are a little tighter. The people are bigger, stronger and it’s the best of everybody in college. I wouldn’t say there’s one area but just getting accustomed to that. We have a great team here so being able to practice against them every week, it’s been – I’ve definitely gotten better being here.”
(Have you had an opportunity to talk to Head Coach Brian Flores this week and what is your relationship with him like?) – “Yeah. I have a great relationship with ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) and his message has kind of been the same. We obviously have a lot of tight ends but my chance is going to come and like the tight ends were saying, just be ready and stay ready. That’s what I’ve been focused on doing.”
(In terms of the tape you’ve watched of other defenses, is it just the team you’re playing this week and you’ve made sure to sit there with TE Durham Smythe and TE Mike Gesicki and TE Adam Shaheen and just study each opponent’s defense?) – “Yeah. Definitely the focus each week is the team (we’re playing) because I’ve got to stay ready. Anything can happen throughout the week so I’ve been ready every week to play. But then just watching other tight ends around the league, picking up stuff that they do and trying to incorporate it into my game, and then obviously watching the tight ends that we’ve got and incorporating that stuff.”
(What guys have you watched from around the league that you think you’ve been able to maybe try to take stuff from?) – “Pretty much all of the big names. Every team has elite tight ends now, pretty much. The tight end position has evolved so much over the past couple of years and there are a bunch of great ones out there. So just taking bits and pieces from different games and trying to mold my game into something better.”
(Would that include TE Travis Kelce, TE Darren Waller?) – “Yeah. (laughter) Those types of tight ends. I’ve tried to dive into football and watch as much football this year as I can. So yeah, those names are included. (laughter)”
(Have the guys on this team been receptive to you asking for advice?) – “Yeah, they’ve been fantastic. They’ve answered every question I’ve come to them (with). I’ve probably asked them too many questions. (laughter) I’m sure they’ve gotten annoyed a time or two but they’ve been fantastic through it and answered all of my questions. They’re great friends off the field and help me on the field so it’s been awesome.”
Brian Flores – November 26, 2021
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Friday, November 26, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Do you expect to have TE Adam Shaheen Sunday and if TE Hunter Long is indeed needed, what sort of skills has he shown you throughout training camp and in regular season practices?) – “It looks like we are not going to have Adam this weekend. Hunter has done a good job practicing really over the course of the entire year. He’ll step into that role and he’ll get an opportunity and, again, against a very good team. We’re going to need him to step up and play well for us.”
(Have you and General Manager Chris Grier seen, I remember thinking back to what you guys said in April, have you seen the skills to be a complete tight end? TE Hunter Long can catch the ball, he can block. Has he shown you that in opportunities going back to August and in practice and preseason?) – “He’s a young player. He’s trying to improve and get better every day – technique, fundamentals. He has a lot of talent and potential. There’s a lot of work that goes into playing in this league, specifically playing tight end in this league. There’s blocking, there’s route running, there’s a lot that goes into that position – protection, from a protection standpoint. A lot of potential. He’s doing a lot of good things, or he’s done a lot of good things in practice I would say, and he’s developing. It’s a little bit of a deep tight end room and he’s learning from those other guys whether it’s Durham (Smythe), Adam (Shaheen), Mike (Gesicki) or Cethan Carter. He’s made improvements in practice and he’ll get an opportunity this week.”
(You picked up RB Phillip Lindsay off waivers. Obviously getting another running back in here, what do you think of that..?) – “Obviously Phillip is a guy who has had a lot of production in this league. We’re excited to have him join our team and we’ve just got to get him acclimated to the way we do things here, get him up to speed on the playbook, the terminology and the sooner the better on that. He’s been in, he’s been working with Eric (Studesville) trying to get the verbiage, the terminology, the plays down. We’ll see how it goes. It’s been two days.”
(On running backs, I know RB Myles Gaskin has been the primary guy. Is that your anticipation going forward or do you want a situation, and I know there is competition every week, do you want a situation where RB Duke Riley, who has another elevation, and RB Salvon Ahmed and RB Patrick Laird and RB Phillip Lindsay and Myles are competing every week and every week you’ll take a fresh look at who will be your lead back that week?) – “I think every week the gameplan could be different based on who we’re playing. I think they each have a different skillset. I think they each can help us in different ways. I think they’re all selfless and want to help the team have success in any way they can, whether that’s running the ball, whether it’s protection, whether it’s protection, whether it’s catching the ball out of the backfield, whether it’s in the kicking game. There’s always competition and I think the gameplan will dictate how much or how little guys are in there.”
(Is it safe to say that that considering how late he joined the team that it’s not realistic for RB Phillip Lindsay to be ready to play on Sunday?) – “I think it’s safe to say it’s hard to get somebody ready in a walkthrough and one practice and play him. Phillip is motivated to give himself an opportunity to do that. We’re going to try to get him as up to speed as possible but yeah, that’s not an easy thing to do – a walkthrough, a practice and you’re out there. I think a lot of this is getting to know his teammates, the names of all the offensive linemen, the names of all the receivers. I think that’s something that is an important piece to that and it’s hard to get that in a couple days, although he’s working towards it. He’s, ‘What’s your name? What’s your name?’ (It’s been) one day. He’s got a lot of juice, energy and excitement and we’ll see him in practice today. But we haven’t even seen that as far as more of a live practice. We’ll see what that looks like today.”
(C/G Michael Dieter was practicing this week. It’s the first week he’s been back. How have you seen him progress and could he be activated?) – “Dieter is making a lot of progress. He’s had a good couple of days. Again, yesterday was a walkthrough but Wednesday I thought he did some good things. We’ll see how it goes.”
(Both your safeties were not able to do everything in practice this week – your starters in S Jevon Holland and S Brandon Jones. Will they play Sunday?) – “We’re taking it day-to-day with both guys. Both are doing everything they can possibly do to get out there. Today will tell us a lot.”
(How is LB Vince Biegel coming long?) – “Biegel is doing well. He’s doing well. There’s no, are you speaking specifically about something?”
(In terms of his comeback and physically. He said the other day that he feels pretty good right now.) – “I think he looks good in practice. I didn’t know if you knew something I didn’t know. You get all the scoops around here. (laughter) He looks good. He’s looked good in practice the last few weeks. He’s been running around well, moving around well. Getting him implemented into the defense and the kicking game is a lot more this week. I’m excited to see him go out there and play this weekend.”
(CB Trill Williams was downgraded on the injury report and also CB Elijah Campbell hasn’t participated this week. Is it something serious with them?) – “Trill was injured in practice the other day so he’ll be out this weekend. Elijah, we’re going to see what that looks like today.”
(LB Elandon Roberts was the other guy who couldn’t participate fully this week. Is he in question at all for Sunday or do you expect to have him?) – “I expect to have Elandon.”
(There was optimism earlier in the week with WR DeVante Parker and WR Will Fuller. Are they getting closer to practicing?) – “Yeah they’re both getting closer. Not this week obviously. But both getting closer, both working to get back out there as soon as they can. I know that you guys hear that from me all the time but that’s just the truth. We’ll just take it day-to-day and see what it looks like next week.”
(WR Preston Williams has had few catches this year. Are you seeing the same receiver he was before he had the two significant injuries he’s had each of the last two years?) – “Physically, yeah he looks the same. He’s been out quite a bit so those fundamentals, those techniques – those fundamentals, you have to work to get those back, which he’s done. He’s still working to get all those fundamentals back. I think he’s in a good place right now and I’m anxious to see what this looks like in the second half of the season over these last six games.”
(We know how productive DT Zach Sieler is per snap. Have you and Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark talked about maybe getting him in a little more? Obviously, you have a lot of depth and talented guys there and you want to keep guys fresh. But do you think – he’s been generally in the 20-range of snaps, is that a good number for him?) – “Yeah, that’s a conversation that we’ve certainly had. Maybe get him eight to 10 more snaps. We kind of combine that with maybe taking eight to 10 snaps off of somebody else. You mentioned it that we’ve got a few guys there that we like. I think Zach has done a good job with the snaps that he’s been given and we’re always going to do what we feel is best for the team. If playing Zach more is what’s best for the team, we’ll do that. But I like the role he’s in right now. He’s been productive in that role. But yeah, we’ve had those conversations, certainly.”
Mack Hollins – November 24, 2021
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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
WR Mack Hollins
(Is the Friday video going to focus on thanksgiving?) – “What’s today?”
(Today is Wednesday.) – “I guess it’s not Friday.”
(I need something to look forward to.) – “It’ll always be there, so look forward to it. (laughter)”
(Is there ever a time where you feel underappreciated as a receiver? Because you’re a pretty darn good one and I know people for years, a couple years, might think that special teams along with it. Do you feel your receiving skill is underappreciated?) – “I don’t know if underappreciated would be the word. I don’t know. Appreciation is not ever what I’m looking for, whether it’s my special teams play or offensive play. Like I say every week, winning is what I look forward to. I was able to make a catch and we won. Fantastic. I’ve had weeks where I didn’t make a catch and we won. Fantastic. I’ve had catches and touchdowns that we’ve lost. Worthless. I wouldn’t say I feel underappreciated or anything. When my opportunities come, I try to make the most of them because I never know when the next one will be.”
(You were on the receiving end of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s long touchdown pass. What’s your opinion on his downfield throwing?) – “It’s 100 percent when it came to me so I’d say it’s great. The ball was where it needed to be. I was able to tightrope the sideline because of where the ball turned me into. So yeah, it went well.”
(You came into the league as a fourth-round pick so obviously people saw you as a wide receiver who could contribute on offense. When did you become comfortable with the idea that if it’s going to be mostly special teams, so be it?) – “I was okay with that when I got to college. That’s how I got my scholarship. That’s how I became a four-time captain. Special teams has always been my thing. I think I got drafted in the fourth round more off special teams than offense. Obviously I led college in deep balls or yards per catch or whatever it was. Cool. But I also led college in (special teams) tackles. I had just come off an injury in college and was still drafted above some of my teammates who were excellent in the offensive realm. Special teams has always been something that I’m totally fine with playing. Yeah, it’s be great to play offense too but if my worst thing is playing four core special teams, that’s not a bad gig.”
(You had a special teams tackle in this last game down near their goal line. This might be an odd question but you wouldn’t think that a receiver would be a particularly good tackler, especially since you probably don’t get to practice it as much as linebackers and defensive backs or do you practice tackling more than the average receiver?) – “Yeah, I’m probably a good tackler for a receiver but a bad tackler for – like if you look at my games, I’ve left a lot of tackles out there because I’m not as great of a tackler as I’d like to be. But I’ve never, I’d say over the last year and a half, I’ve never – when we do certain offensive versus defense drills, I’ll go with the defense. If there’s specific tackling drills, I’ll work defensive stuff because that’s a small time in practice, five percent of practice, where I can work on defensive stuff. The gains I’ll make doing the offensive side of the drill versus the gains I’ll make on the defensive side, it’s better for me to go to the defensive side because I’m going to have a lot of opportunities where I can make tackles. That’s really helped me over this last year making a lot of those tackles I would have missed.”
Durham Smythe – November 24, 2021
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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
TE Durham Smythe
(Opening Statement) – “To start off, I want to say I left my Mike Gesicki shirt in Texas. I have one. Post bye-week when I’m back up here, you guys will see that. It will be perfect timing, right in time for the Pro Bowl push, so I’ll have that on but that’s a little delayed right now. The relationship isn’t one sided, so you can’t think of it like that.”
(What did you think of TE Mike Gesicki’s press conference?) – “Yeah, I mean that’s just kind of the guy he is. A guy that gets a lot of attention around the building and then he passes it on to guys that maybe aren’t talked as much about – the offensive line, other tight ends like myself. That’s just kind of the guy he is. It comes back full circle and says a lot about him.”
(Did his comments elicit any sort of response, joking or otherwise, to you from General Manager Chris Grier, Senior Vice President, Football & Business Administration Brandon Shore, Head Coach Brian Flores or anybody in the building?) – “Me and all those guys have a good relationship. I think we’re both in a place where we can joke about. ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) comes up and we’ll joke about it here and there – me, Mike (Gesicki) and him and all those guys. It’s kind of fun just because we are close enough in that relationship where we can joke about something like that. We’ll continue to do that and pry at the bear a little bit.”
(Was there any serious clarity that you gained in terms of Head Coach Brian Flores or General Manager Chris Grier kidding around with you about TE Mike Gesicki’s comments but also saying, ‘don’t worry about it we’re going to take care of you?’) – “Not yet. Obviously when you’re at this point in the season, things like that come up but the guys around the building are focused on football and that’s going to be the answer regardless. We really are. Three games in a row now that we’ve won and just trying to keep that ball rolling. There’s so much else to focus on right now.”
(Did you know beforehand that TE Mike Gesicki was going to wear your jersey?) – “I actually had no idea. Our security guy, Drew Brooks, sent me about three pictures of him and people’s reactions. I was actually driving on my way to the building. I had no idea so it was pretty fun.”
(Part of his reasoning with that was that you established a new career high in receiving yards. Your thoughts on this season and how you’ve progressed?) – “Yeah, I’ve said this before. I think this league is one where once you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. That goes across the board. There are really good players at every position that aren’t playing or aren’t getting the opportunities that they think they should. When you do get the opportunity, you just have to make the most of it. That’s kind of what this league is about across the board. I think over the last couple weeks, dating back to the beginning of the year, I just try to catch the ball when it’s thrown to me. That’s what I’ll continue to do and move forward.”
(You caught one of the trick plays right? QB Tua Tagovailoa to WR Albert Wilson to WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “Yes.”
(In practice, are you always wide open on that play?) – “Yeah, actually Mike (Gesicki) is the one on that play that has to take the defense backs out. Every time before he ran it, I was like, ‘Hey man, this is the biggest play of the game for you and me. Make sure you’re hauling ass.’ That was the funny part about it.”
(We didn’t see TE Adam Shaheen at practice. We haven’t been told what his availability is for Sunday. Obviously you know how to do everything he does and vice versa. Does your workload increase this week in terms of preparation if he doesn’t play?) – “That’s to be seen. Obviously, there’s a lot of variables like you mentioned with him and other players. I don’t know the full extent of all of that. At this point, I think we all prepare in our room like we are going to play the majority of the snaps because already we’ve seen this year there’s been some COVID instances in our room, some injuries. I think we all prepare every week to get the majority if not all of the snaps and then we kind of just play it by ear once we get into the game.”
(I meant more workload in terms of preparation and not the game itself because the game itself we’re not sure if he’s going to play. I would imagine it’s the same amount of work either way if TE Adam Shaheen is here or not for you. There’s no extra responsibilities you have to learn if he’s not in the building this week?) – “It’s the same. In terms of preparation, I kind of approach it the same way as the game, prepare the same way every week regardless kind of thing. It’s going to be similar regardless.”
Jaylen Waddle – November 24, 2021
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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
WR Jaylen Waddle
(You haven’t had a lot of return opportunities, but are you feeling like you’re close to breaking one? We’re all waiting for the moment, that Jaylen Waddle return leaving everyone in the dust.) – “(laughter) I mean I’m not pressing it. But if I get an opportunity, I’ll try to make the most of it.”
(I know most of the focus is on receiving. Is that much of what you focus on at all during the week? The return element, how much time is spent on that either from a film study standpoint or from a practice standpoint, on that aspect of the game?) – “Definitely a lot of time throughout the week. Knowing the return, knowing how I’m going to hit it on the blocks, how I’m going to set it up. A good amount of time goes into it, of course.”
(What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Do you have a plan on where you might eat?) – “My favorite Thanksgiving food? Some turkey, some good homemade mac and cheese. That sounds kind of good.”
(Are you going to QB Tua Tagovailoa’s house?) – “Tua did tell me to come over there. I might come over there. I plan on going all around and just picking up plates really. (laughter)”
(To all different teammates?) – “Yeah for sure, for sure. I got to get around to the bigger guys. They eat good so I definitely got to stop over there. (laughter)”
(How many plates do you plan on having?) – “I’m going to stack up for like a good four days. I’d say about four or five plates.”
(Do you bring a dish? Is there a dish you cook?) – “No. I’m not bringing nothing. I’m just bringing myself. (laughter) I’m not bringing nothing.”
(I saw this argument online. What’s better – Thanksgiving dinner itself or eating leftovers afterwards?) – “That’s tough. Them leftovers hit different. I’m not going to lie, them leftovers hit different that day after.”
(Who is the best cook on the team?) – “In college, Raekwon (Davis) used to barbecue. I think that’s the only person’s food I had. I’d say Raekwon. He used to barbecue back in college.”
(I know we talked last week about you being top four, top five, now fifth in the NFL in receptions. I know winning is the most important but would finishing in the top five in the league in receptions as a rookie be meaningful to you?) – “Yeah, of course. Just having a lot of receptions and positive plays is always good, so definitely.”
(In recent weeks, more of the trick plays have gotten into the gameplan. When those get called into the huddle, do your guys’ ears perk up, like this is going to be exciting? Are you like making sure everyone has to execute this right? Is there an excitement level that brings?) – “I think it’s more of an execution thing. Knowing that if we want this play to work, it’s got to be right on the dot. I think it’s more about us knowing our assignment and keyed in on what we need to do to make this play work.”
(One of the things that QB Tua Tagovailoa has done well this year is that in fourth quarters he has a high success rate in terms of completions and scoring and things like that. What do you know about Tua relative to how he performs in clutch situations?) – “He doesn’t really let pressure or things like that get to him. It’s hard to rattle him. I think the fourth quarter is crunch time and you need something, and he’s confident in his ability to go out there and perform well.”
Jerome Baker – November 24, 2021
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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
LB Jerome Baker
(What do you think about facing QB Cam Newton this weekend?) “I’m excited. Growing up, I always looked up to him. I’m definitely excited to play against him.”
(You faced him a couple times last year. You maybe thought you’d face him Week 1 this year. Just having that experience against him.) – “It definitely helps, just to play against him and you see the type of player he is actually playing against him. He’s Cam. He’s going to talk, he’s going to compete and we’re definitely up for this challenge.”
(When S Eric Rowe was out here a few minutes ago, he was talking about how QB Cam Newton has a way of getting under your skin as a defensive player. How much of that have you experienced and how eager are you to shut him up?) – “Me personally, he doesn’t really do it to me too often, just in the few games I played against him. But like I said, in the eighth grade when he was at Auburn, I was that kid in the back of the class looking up YouTube videos watching his highlight tapes. I’m still that fan of him. Just to go out there and compete against guys you looked up to is definitely fun. He’s Cam. He has a personality but at the end of the day, he loves to compete. If anybody knows that, I know that because I watched him quite a bit. I’m definitely excited.”
(What do you remember the most or was most challenging about him when you faced him last year with the Patriots?) – “I remember last year that we didn’t know exactly how they were going to use him in the run game. That first game, we would come back to the sideline and try to coach it up. It’s pretty hard to do that the way they were doing it. I remember the second game we were coached up and did a better job of containing him. At the end of the day, he is still Cam Newton. He can run the ball, he can throw it, strong arm, he’s a veteran. We definitely have to get after him and throw different looks at him. We’re definitely excited.”
(What type of dual threat does RB Christian McCaffrey presents to your defense? A guy who has been successful for a while now in this league.) – “Do you want me to talk about him?”
(Yeah, about McCaffrey.) – “He’s definitely one of the best backs in the league. He can take it 90 yards on a run play or he can catch a bomb for 60 yards receiving. He’s one of those guys that it’s pretty hard to stop him. You really have to contain him and limit his plays. It’s definitely going to be a big challenge with him. I’m excited because I cover a lot of running backs and it’s my first time going against him. I’m definitely excited to go up against him and see where I stack up against him. This will definitely be a fun one for me.”
(What’s more challenging from your standpoint in terms of defending a scrambling quarterback, an incredibly fast guy like QB Lamar Jackson or a really big guy like QB Cam Newton?) – “It’s not really challenging for me per se. It’s more the d-line. Our d-line does a great job of containing those guys, knowing the gameplan and just following the gameplan. If I would give anybody credit, it’s our d-line. They come in and they’re ready to work. They know how important it is to contain a guy like Lamar. They know how important it is to squeeze the pocket on a guy like Cam. I give it all to them. If I had to say what’s the most challenging, I’m going to give it to the young guy that’s running a 4.2 or something like that. Lamar, he’s definitely a challenge. But the one thing about Cam is he has something to prove. I think a lot of media takes away from his talent now that he’s older. He still has a strong arm. He has a bright mind so he’s seen it all. He has that hunger, that chip on his shoulder. I’m going to give it to Lamar but I’m definitely going to still give it to Cam.”
(When you found out that QB Cam Newton was re-signing to Carolina, did it immediately flash that ‘oh, we’re going to be playing them in a few weeks?’) – “Yeah. It definitely did, I was just happy for him to get back into the league. It was definitely cool to say we’re definitely playing him later. This week is this week, and now it’s time to get it done.”
