Greg Mancz – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
OL Greg Mancz
(What is your experience traveling abroad?) – “I have actually never been to Europe. The one time previous, we were supposed to go and I was injured so I didn’t get the chance to go. This will be my first time. I’ve been asking for a lot of tips. I’ve traveled to south of the equator a couple of times on casual trips but my only out of the country game was Mexico City back in 2016, so this is my first time really going across the pond.”
(Watch when you plug in stuff. Be careful.) – “(Laughter) That is noted, thank you.”
(T Austin Jackson was telling us he had not played the guard position since an all-star game in high school. Did he ask you some questions before or during the game?) – “I think as an offensive line, if you don’t ask each other questions, you’re sort of nuts. Every play is a constant flow of communication. As we continue to get more comfortable with each other, maybe the communication becomes more almost like we are completing each other’s sentences. But I feel like there is a dialogue, if you will, every play between all the positions. That’s pivotal to improving your play, being able to know what everyone else is doing.”
(Would you be giving away secrets – I noticed that right before snaps G Rob Hunt will tap you on the leg. I don’t know if I’m asking for state secrets but what does some of that stuff mean?) – “I think that’s a part of the communication. There are a couple different things that all can mean, but that is part of the communication, especially when it’s loud. It’s harder to hear verbal signals so you have to give physical signals – pointing, tapping and all that stuff. You definitely noticed a signal. You did not give away any secrets though. We’ll figure it out.”
(I’m trying to remember when you jumped in the lineup, QB Tua Tagovailoa was not in the lineup. So this is the first time potentially starting with a new quarterback, a left-handed quarterback. I’m curious, is the left-handed thing different? Does it change anything about your responsibilities?) – “I took snaps with Tua when I first got here and that was a question that I asked. He said no. My only thought was under center, because you always try to snap it to them, and he said, ‘No, you’re fine no matter how you snap it normally.” The answer to that question is no, there is nothing different. You just have to get it back there accurately.”
(You guys have had five different starting offensive lines in the five games so far. If this week there is some continuity, how much does that help just having that continuity?) – “I think every time you play, whether that’s practice, whether you’re in a meeting or in a game, you practice and you play with the guy next to you and you get more comfortable with them, right? When I first came to the media, I talked about diving in, getting to know the guys and seeing what they’re all about. That sort of stuff is important because like you said, when you play next to someone, and say I would have shown up that first day and played the first game, that would have been hard. I talked about the communication with him, about how you need to have the communication. You start to finish each other’s sentences as you play more and more together. I do think that is a developing thing every day. I think continually playing together helps but it’s more about building the relationships, working together and being able to finish each other’s thoughts and sentences.”
Raekwon Davis – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
DT Raekwon Davis
(Have you ever been to London or out of the country at all?) – “Yeah, I’ve been out of the country before. I’ve never been to London, though. It’s going to be a great experience for me. I hope my allergies don’t mess with me. (laughter”
(Where else have you been?) – “I’ve been to Cancun and Tulum. That’s about it for me. (laughter) That’s typical. I haven’t been to that many places.”
(How do you feel physically having been out of the loop for a few weeks and now having a little more time separation from the injury?) – “During that time period, I was just trying to get my body right. I’m trying to keep myself in good condition, hydrate and just take care of my body. I know they were out there on the practice field getting reps after reps, so I know I couldn’t really keep up with it. I just tried to keep my body in shape the whole time I was out.”
(What have you picked up from the Jaguars, QB Trevor Lawrence and their run game?) – “They’re a great team. They work together. They’re a great unit. They just try to really run the ball. They run the ball a lot. Trevor Lawrence gets the ball out fast. We’ve got to collapse the pocket and try to get to him.”
(What have you noticed about RB James Robinson?) – “He’s a quick, shifty back. You’ve got to be patient on him. You can’t peek out of your gap real quick. You’ve got to be real patient with that guy. He’s kind of short so it’s kind of hard to see him. You’ve just got to be real patient with him and let him declare the gap.”
(After reviewing the film from the most recent game, what’s something that you think is important for you and your d-line colleagues to really keep in mind and try to be better at on Sunday?) – “Coming up with that gameplan and everybody just being all on the same page. Communication. And working together as a unit.”
(What’s the general feeling on the defense right now? I don’t have to tell you that last year you guys put up some really impressive numbers and this year it seems like things have really turned around. What’s the feeling?) – “I can tell you like ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) tells us every day: It’s hard to win in this league. It’s not going to come easy. But like I said for us, we’re just going to keep working. Just all working together, everybody on the same page, communicating together and just having fun.”
(Knowing how important it is to get a win this week, have you found it challenging to compartmentalize the task at hand and also the fact that you have to get on a plane on Thursday night – obviously it’s exciting as well going across to England. How has that been as far as keeping things separated and still enjoying yourself going across there?) – “I mean we’re on like a five-hour difference than London. ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) said get into bed at a certain time so lights off around like 9 or 8 p.m. Just trying to get that timing over there for our bodies. We don’t want it to just hit us when the game comes and we be tired and sluggish and moving slow. We’re just trying to keep up with the time over there, making sure we go to bed early, making sure we hydrate and taking care of our bodies. It’s hard this week because the time over there is different.”
(What time have you been going to bed out here to sort of…) – “I try to go at 9 p.m. Yeah, I try to go at 9 p.m.”
(How early are you getting up?) – “Probably like 6 or 6:45 a.m. Something like that.”
(That would be like 11:45 a.m. over there.) – “Yeah. Hey, I’m doing the best I can. (laughter) I didn’t say it was going to be right but I’m doing the best I can. (laughter)”
Preston Williams – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
WR Preston Williams
(Obviously the first practice with QB Tua Tagovailoa being back. How do you think he looked and with him missing three weeks, do you think that you and him maybe need to work a little extra to get that chemistry back? How do you think it looked?) – “Tua’s a professional. When Tua gets back, he’s always working on his craft. Even when he’s injured, just how he stays in-tune with the team, watching film, being at practice, calling the plays up. At times he wasn’t even playing and he’d come over to me and be like, ‘hey, what do you have right here? Just trying to make sure I know my stuff.’ Tua is professional. I felt good about him being back out there.”
(That sense of involvement from QB Tua Tagovailoa, like you said, when he’s not even playing. To come up to you and stay in communication, is that something that you’ve seen him kind of adapt over the past years? Is that something you’ve seen him mature into?) – “No, Tua has always been a leader in my eyes. I used to watch him at Alabama too. He’s seemed like the right guy for the job always, in my opinion. Tua is always making sure everybody is straight. When Tua goes down, we all stay and rally behind him. We’re glad that he’s back.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa is a guy that dating back to your last game last season, before he got hurt in that game, you had several catches and it seemed like you guys had good rapport working together. How much do you think back to something like that and building off that?) – “The plays get called and we just execute them. It’s the same thing that we do in practice. That’s how all of that went about. Tua will always throw to the open guy. I wouldn’t say he has any favorites. He’s going to make the right read and make the right pass.”
(I was asking Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey about the things that you need to do to make sure that you become the best version of yourself. In my opinion, the ceiling is quite high. He mentioned mastery of the offense and mastery of the playbook and the mastery of route-running. Tell me about how you’ve approached working on those sorts of things and refining your game?) – “This year I was asked to play a couple of different positions than I usually had been playing, so just learning the whole playbook. It’s different. It’s the quarterback’s job but when you learn the whole playbook, you can play faster. So I’ve just been playing three different positions and just working on my routes, just taking the coaching they’re giving me and just trying to apply it. I work on my craft every day at practice.”
(So is it X, Y and Z?) – “Nah, I don’t play the Y. I play X, F and Z.”
(Which spot is WR DeVante Parker usually?) – “X, Y and Z. We all play – this offense, we all play all positions so you’ve just got to be ready to hop in wherever.”
(If WR DeVante Parker is unable to play – we don’t know yet. What do you enjoy about the types of routes that he is often called upon to run?) – “I like DeVante’s route tree. DeVante can run any route they ask him to run. If they want to throw him a swing, they could throw him a swing and DeVante would get those YACs (yards after catch). DeVante was a first-round pick back in the day. DeVante is a vet. I looked up at DeVante when I got here. DeVante has been stringing me along and I just appreciate him.”
(WR DeVante Parker, even if he’s covered, will still make contested catches.) – “Yeah, he’s got ball skills.”
(Do you feel the same way with yourself?) – “Yeah, you’ve got to have confidence to play receiver.”
(How much better do you feel about your game today as opposed to one, two or three weeks ago when you were still trying to come back?) – “Just being away for the whole camp and not being able to work on my craft, that was just different. The fact that I’m back now and practicing and getting game reps and getting to work on my craft every day, I feel way better going into these next couple of weeks.”
(Do you have any connections to London or England? Have you ever traveled to Europe or anything like that?) – “No, I don’t have anything in London. I’m excited though. I’m excited to go play the Jacksonville Jaguars out there too.”
(I was working with a guy who does a podcast in London and you were one of the big topics of conversation on that show in London this week. Does it blow your mind that you have fans over there and the stadium is going to be filled with some jerseys of yours watching you play all the way across the pond?) – “I remember we were supposed to go out there last year and we didn’t go. They kind of were reaching out to me on Twitter. I didn’t even know I had fans in London until that week. That’s pretty cool having international fans like that. I support it, 100 percent.”
Brian Flores – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Did you lose a bet with DT Christian Wilkins?) – “Yeah, we had a wager. I pay my debts. (laughter)”
(How important to you is the continuity on the offensive line? For various reasons you’ve had to run out five different groups so far. I’m sure it helps finally having a set group and not having to mix and match all the time to find the best five?) – “You always want continuity. You always want to play the same group and build that communication, build those relationships on the field. You always want that for a myriad of reasons. That could change. That could be because of play or performance. That could be because of injury, which we’ve dealt with. Really all of that. I’m hopeful this week that we can continue to play the same group and build some continuity that you’re talking about. But yeah, I think it’s important. But every situation on every team, that can change basically on any play. You’ve got to be ready to make adjustments as well.”
(When T Austin Jackson was the 18th pick of the draft obviously most folks thought he’s the long-term left tackle. I’m just curious about the process that you and the staff go through for making evaluations about who should play where and who should play at all. What role, if any, does a guy’s draft status and expectation relative to that, play into the decision-making process?) – “I think once a guy gets here, I really don’t care where he was drafted. Drafted, free agent, trade, waiver wire. I think we’ve picked up – we use really all of those avenues to acquire players. When they get here, it’s about the way guys compete and players taking advantage of their opportunity and being productive in whatever role they’re given. So that’s really the conversation. It’s never, ‘hey, he was this pick or that pick.’ I try to do what’s best for the team, best for the organization. That’s always kind of where we start and it’ll always be that way.”
(With QB Tua Tagovailoa being designated for return, do you expect him at practice today?) – “He’ll be at practice, yes. And yeah, we’re excited to get him back. I know he’s excited to get out there. We’ll take it one day at a time still, but we’re moving enough in the right direction that he’ll be out there. He’ll have an opportunity to practice and hopefully play in the game.”
(How’s he feeling? I know you said he’s still dealing with a good bit of pain and it’s kind of about pain management or tolerance on his part?) – “Yeah, if you ask him, he’s 100 percent, he’s fine. So he’s not going to tell anybody any different. He’s made a lot of progress but we know he’s dealing with something. He’s going to tough it out. That’s just the type of kid he is. But we’ve just got to see how it goes through practice, get back into the swing of things and we’re hopeful that he’ll do well in practice today and be available this weekend.”
(I know backups always say that they prepare as the starter. If you do have uncertainty at that position about who will start for you Sunday, does that change anything as far as how today and tomorrow go, if there still some questions about who’s going to be the starter?) – “Are you speaking specific to injury?”
(Not specific – I’m saying if you did and wait and see like you said, you’re going to see how QB Tua Tagovailoa fares today. Most weeks you know, you have an idea by now who your starter will be and I know backups always prepare as if they’re going to be the guy. But if you have uncertainty at any position, whether it’s that position or any other, does that change – particularly with quarterback – does that change the way you do have, does it change the way you look for, does it change the way you practice, does it change anything as far as reps and all those things over the next couple of days?) – “As far as game-planning, no. I would say it doesn’t change conceptually what we want to do, how we want to attack, how we want to defend, how we want to play in the kicking game conceptually. I think we want to do is what we want to do, so we do that with either quarterback. Their skillsets obviously would change some things, but – I’m not sure if I’m answering your question correctly, but no, I would say we don’t really change anything from a gameplan standpoint or I would say not too much based on players. But specific to the quarterback, Tua is obviously dealing with something. Jacoby (Brissett) is dealing with something. We’ll see how this goes in practice. My expectation is that both guys will be available and we’ve got to see how it goes really with both guys. That’s my expectation, but I think we’ve got to see how it goes.”
(What was your reaction to the Jon Gruden situation and how the Raiders handled it?) – “I think it’s unfortunate. I think football is a game that, from my standpoint, what I love about the game is that it brings people together and it really brings people from all walks of life together. So you hate to see anything that brings any type of division – I guess that’s the world I’ll use. At the same time, I believe in forgiveness. I do. I never want to judge someone on the worst thing they’ve ever said or done. I don’t think anybody here would. I know I wouldn’t. So from that standpoint, I guess that’s how I feel about it. I would never judge someone based on the worst thing they’ve ever done or the worst thing they’ve ever said. But I do think the whole thing is unfortunate. Obviously there are consequences for your actions and the things you say and I think we all should learn something from it.”
(Is WR DeVante Parker or TE Adam Shaheen ready to practice?) – “(Adam) Shaheen will be out there. DeVante (Parker) will not. DeVante will not be out at practice today.”
(Back when you drafted S Jevon Holland, you had mentioned his communication and leadership skillset as something that attracted you to the player. I know in Sunday’s game, he played more snaps than any defensive back. I was just curious five games into the season, how do you think he’s coming along in that regard?) – “I think he’s doing a lot of good things. I think he’s still learning the NFL game. I think his communication as a young player is good. Hopefully it’ll improve. It’s something we harp on really on a daily basis with him. He’s a sponge. He’s a smart kid. He understands – he has a good understanding of the information we’re giving him and he’s done a nice job.”
(I’m not sure if you have done a London game before. Have you? And what are some of the challenges that come along with preparing for this game?) – “I’ve coached in two games over there. I think the biggest challenge is the time change. That is something that we are already talking to the players about. It’s five hours ahead. What time is it now? It’s 11 a.m. so it’s 4 o’clock there. That initial time change and getting your body clock on London time so we can be physically at an optimal level when we’re ready to play on Sunday, which will be 9:30 a.m. our time here and 2:30 p.m. their time. That’s probably the biggest challenge. But it’s a great atmosphere. That I know for sure. The fans there love the game of football, so it’s a great atmosphere and we’re excited to get out there.”
(With QB Tua Tagovailoa’s condition, are there extra factors put in specifically this week because it is a London game? That maybe when you’re considering whether or not he’s ready or not, that maybe wouldn’t come in on a normal week?) – “No. The flight, that could be something to consider. It’s a longer flight but with his situation, it’s not. This is really just let’s see how this goes at practice, can he make the throws, can he roll to his left, roll to his right, step up in the pocket. The one thing we won’t know is taking a hit. We won’t know that until the game but we’ll try to do as much as we can to get a feel for what that will look like or what that will feel like without having a setback obviously. I’ll say this, he’s a tough kid. He’s a tough kid.”
(For a lot of these guys, it’s their first time going out of the country or seeing London and whatnot. For someone that has done some of these international trips, what’s your message to them when it comes to enjoying the trip but also remembering that it’s a business trip as well?) – “I think this is a great experience for a lot of guys on our team who haven’t been outside of the country. Some guys were getting a passport for the first time. I think we mentioned what the game does for a lot of people. I know for me personally, the game has opened up a lot of doors for me, and I think this opens up a door for some of our players who haven’t played or haven’t been outside of this country. I don’t know how many of you guys know this but my first coaching job – or coach, it wasn’t even a job – was with a club team in Italy. Guys were smoking cigarettes at halftime. (laughter) it’s a little different from what I’m dealing with now but it was a great experience for me and something I will cherish my entire life. Coaching for the Napoli Briganti in Naples, Italy. So that was fun. That was a personal experience of mine and I think our guys are going to have a similar experience going out to London and doing something that is very different than what they’ve done before.”
(Was there wine at least at halftime?) – “Plenty of wine. There was plenty of wine. (laughter)”
(How did that come about?) – “I had about three or four buddies from college, who once they were done playing – I went and started working and they basically were paid to join a club team in Napoli. Not a lot. It was housing and a little bit of a stipend. But it was a great experience for them to go over, visit Europe – live in Europe, not even visit. Live in Europe, play some football and they were kind of player/coaches. We had some time off in the summer in the NFL. I think we had four or five weeks, so I went over. Not to coach at first but just to spend some time with friends. One of the coaches had to leave, they asked me to coach and that was my first coaching job. I was the defensive coordinator for the Napoli Briganti. I coached one game. We lost 6-0. Then we traveled to Italy. (laughter)’
(What did you run? What defense did you run?) – (laughter) “It was a 4-3. Do you want to get into that? (laughter) I ran some strong safety pressure. Tutto bene is about all I’ve got for you. It was a great experience. I still talk to some of the guys that are on that team now. I made some great friendships and it’s a good story to tell.”
(You said it opened a door for you. I’m just curious how that one – granted you held them to six points but how did that one game open doors for you?) – “I was in scouting at the time. I knew I wanted to coach right after that, along with a few other things. I was having a lot of thoughts about the future at that time, and it’s one of those things that presented itself. Everything happens for a reason. It really does. I think that’s one of them for me and I think I’m here where I am today, coaching, because of that time period where – I never thought I was going to be coaching. I thought I was going to be hanging out drinking wine and it turned into (that).”
(What is the thing that you remember most about Napoli – about your time there, about the city? It’s a great city in Europe.) – “It’s a beautiful city. It was really – I’m big on relationships and the time I had with some of my closest friends, guys who were the best man at my wedding and just friends that are real close to me. More than – the place is beautiful obviously. Naples is beautiful. Amalfi Coast, all of that, it’s a beautiful place. But I’m more about people and more about relationships, so that’s kind of what I remember the most. One of the criteria for me to coach the game or coach for these guys, was I told them that they had to fly my then-girlfriend, now wife, out. They agreed and then we lost, so the season was over. Then we traveled. We traveled Italy. (laughter)”
(Did you play at the soccer stadium or where did you play?) – “No, no, no, no. (laughter) We played at some little field.”
(You dug into the food while you were there, didn’t you?) – “Yeah, I had plenty of food and wine. Plenty. (laughter)”
(Do you guys have an activity for Saturday? Maybe go to a game like you have done in the past? The Dolphins are really loved in London. Do you have some plans? Maybe meet with Christian Pulisic or some of the U.S. National Team players that are there?) – “No. Once we get there, I think our focus is going to be on the game and the Jaguars and their team. And they’ve got a good team. It’s a young team. It’s a talented team. I think they’ve been in some close games. They’ve got some good young players and they’ve missed some opportunities and they’ve had some opportunities to win some games. So I think our focus will be on them and the challenge of this week.”
(What have you seen from Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence?) – “I thought this guy is talented, big arm, accurate, can get out of the pocket, make plays and he’s getting better every week. That’s what I’m seeing.”
Liam Eichenberg – October 12, 2021
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021
T Liam Eichenberg
(How’d you feel going back to left tackle? Obviously a position you’re very familiar with from years in college and even Week 1.) – “It was great. It was a great opportunity to get back out there at left tackle. Just take a little bit more time to get back in the swing of things, get back in the groove. It’s tackle – right or left. I’m excited just to be able to play.”
(Can you talk about the excitement of going to London and if there is something you’d want to experience? Have you been to London before and just the trip itself?) – “I think the biggest thing for our team is not to get distracted in regards to this trip. I think the most important thing is going over there and focusing on what we need to focus on, which is winning a football game. And kind of coming together and focusing on our responsibility. That’s the only focus for me. I think my parents were going to go, but I’m not sure if they are still going or not. That’s about it.”
(I know you are oftentimes focused on your own assignment, but T Austin Jackson moving over to guard right next to you. What did you notice out of him in that switch, which he said he hadn’t done since the Army All-American Bowl as a high school senior. What did you think of him at guard?) – “I thought he did a great job. For him, playing there for the first time, especially at this level in the National Football League. I thought he did a good job. He’s strong, athletic. He’s a great football player. I think he attacked that the best he could and he put some good film out there. I thought it was good for him. I was happy to see he did well.”
(The offensive coaching staff had a streamlining process of calling the plays this week that they incorporated. I don’t know if you even knew about that or noticed it but it was just Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey going straight to QB Jacoby Brissett. Did you notice anything? Any difference in the efficiency of it, having more time, that the offense had with the play?) – “I couldn’t notice, if I’m being honest. I’m in the huddle and then whatever play Jacoby says, I just run. That’s a question for Jacoby. I couldn’t tell you. I thought the game was called well, I thought our offense executed. Obviously there is stuff we need to clean up and that’s what we’re doing this week. We’re reviewing the film and trying to fix what we did incorrectly.”
Jesse Davis – October 12, 2021
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021
G/T Jesse Davis
(How did it feel on Sunday making another move going back to right tackle? How do you think the offensive line performed as a whole?) – “Yeah, there is some familiarity over there so it didn’t feel too bad. I think the o-line, I think we’re getting better. Obviously there are a lot of things to work on. But I’m just focused on getting better myself.”
(With you being a veteran and captain, have you given much advice to T Liam Eichenberg on playing tackle and handling all the responsibilities that he has right now?) – “Yeah, he’ll come to me with some stuff that he wants to work on or what he thinks and what do I think. I think he’s on a good start. He plays well, he knows what he’s doing and he’s got good technique. We just have to finish as a group. We’ve got to keep blocking guys longer. I think he’s doing good.”
(Given that you’ve gone through so many changes on the offensive line this season, how would you feel if this five were the five that has a string of games together where you can really get to know one another?) – “I think that’s every o-line’s goal is to play with each other and have it solidified. We’re week-to-week is kind of how we handle this. Who’s the best we got and we’re going to play with that. If you’re out there, then that’s who we’re playing with.”
(I wanted to get your thoughts on the London game in general. Obviously a lot goes into it with the long flight, the schedule adjustment and the time change. Just your thoughts? Do you look forward to the London game? Is it something that the players look forward to? What’s the sense of the upcoming trip?) – “We’re just treating it like another game. Obviously, it has its challenges with travel, sleep and everything else but we try not to look too much into that. I think we are just focused on our opponent and how we are going to get better as a unit.”
(On offense, the coaching staff had this streamlining process of just having one voice go to the quarterback. I know it doesn’t change much for you because you just hear from the QB himself. Did you find it more efficient and Head Coach Brian Flores talked about the time that the offense had with the call, did you find that helpful?) – “Yeah, I have no clue about what you’re talking about. I think the communication was better this game for sure. I think we were more focused on our opponent and how we were going to block that up. I think it went well.”
(Yesterday Head Coach Brian Flores said that he saw QB Tua Tagovailoa doing some throwing, that he looked good and he’s working his way back. I was curious what you’ve seen out of Tua and if he is able to come back this week, what that will mean to the offense and what that will mean for the team?) – “I don’t really know too much about his situation other than when he’s ready, he’s coming back. That is the plan and we are going to run with it and we’re going to do good. I don’t know when that will be – this week, next week or two weeks – but we are focused on our opponent this week.”
Brandon Jones – October 12, 2021
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021
S Brandon Jones
(I wanted to get your thoughts on the London game. Have you been overseas before and what’s the sense of the players? Obviously there’s a lot that goes into the London game with the time change, the flight and the schedule. What are your thoughts on the upcoming London trip?) – “I’m really excited. I’ve actually never left the country yet. I just got my passport a couple months ago. So I’m excited for that, just to get out and see some new things. Obviously, traveling and losing time is going to be huge for us. I think if we can stay on top of that as a team, that can kind of give us somewhat of an advantage. But yeah, I’m overall excited. The mission and the gameplan are still the same. We are attacking it like it’s a normal week, even though we leave on Thursday. I’m really excited to get out of the country for the first time and I think it’s going to be awesome.”
(Assuming you have the time to do this, what would be one thing that you would really like to see in London?) – “I don’t know what exactly. I’m really big on food. I love food, so getting to be able to try some different food would be cool. Obviously (fish and chips), you know what I’m saying being out there in London. I don’t know. Probably just being able to see a new environment, that’s just cool in itself. Just to be around some new things, see some different faces and different culture things and all of that. I would say the food for sure, if I get a chance, eat some of that London food out there.”
(When you look back at the film of last week, getting ready for this game. When you see what happened with the Buccaneers offense and how explosive they were able to be, do you think a lot of that was a case of QB Tom Brady being the GOAT or do you think those were mistakes that you guys made that are correctable?) – “From the defensive side of things, we are kind of an 11-piece puzzle. Everybody has to be on the same page and if one person is wrong, then we are all wrong. If we are able to get on the same page and do the same thing, it’ll easily put us in a better position than we have in the past couple weeks. At the end of the day, we just have to do a better job of executing and everybody on defense, like I said, just be on the same page and play our brand of football. We know how we want to play. We know we want to start fast. Obviously, Tampa’s offense is super explosive and they have one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game in Tom Brady. We knew the difficulties with that, but like I said, the defense being an 11-piece puzzle, we have to come together and play as one.”
Jaelan Phillips – October 12, 2021
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021
LB Jaelan Phillips
(It seems like every week you are making more and more strides. You got your first half-sack the week before and then getting your first solo sack this week, how did that feel? And having it come against QB Tom Brady, which you mentioned previously is a guy that’s been playing as long as you’ve been alive pretty much.) – “It’s funny that you ask that because people keep asking me what it felt like to sack Tom Brady. I said it before the game, your opponents are kind of nameless and faceless. So honestly to me, it didn’t really feel like anything more than just a sack. Frankly, we’re not getting it done on defense so me getting a sack in a game doesn’t really mean too much in the grand scheme of things. I just think we need to keep improving. I need to keep improving what I’m doing, my technique and my assignments, and we definitely need to keep improving as a defense.”
(Just wanted to get your thoughts on the trip to London. Have you been overseas before? What is your excitement level? As a player, obviously there’s a lot of travel involved and it’s a long flight. Are you looking forward to the trip? Are you kind of dreading the flight? What are your thoughts on the game itself and the trip coming up?) – “I’m definitely looking forward to it. So my aunt, Shawnee, was stationed out in Germany. She was in the Army. She was in the band in the Army. So my sister and I, when I was probably 11 or 12 years old, flew out to Germany and we did like a trans-Euro trip where we went from like the Netherlands to Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, France. I’ve actually never been to the U.K. but I’ve always wanted to so I’m super excited. I love traveling. I think we’re like an hour away from London, so it’s not like we get to do a bunch of touristy things, which would have been cool. I’m definitely excited to go. It will be fun.”
(You mentioned that you wanted to sort of pick things up collectively on defense to get more pressure, so what does it take for a defense to get more rush? Is it individual guys winning their matchup? Is it scheme? How do you think the guys can more effectively put pressure on this week that can lead to a win?) – “I think most importantly, we have to stop the run on early downs. We have to stop the leaky yardage and that way we can get to those get-back-on-track and passing scenarios. Then once we do have those opportunities, it’s about coordinating the rush between the ends and the tackles, and just getting everything how it’s supposed to be. Like I said, we’ll just keep working to come together as a group and keep improving on what we’re doing, and just keep it pushing.”
(Going back to training camp and even some of the game weeks, in the media viewing portion of practice, sometimes we notice that you are working alone with a couple of coaches during position groups. Is there something specific you guys work on in those instances or is it as simple as you’re kind of a hybrid edge defender so it’s not like you’re only an outside linebacker or only a defensive end? You’re kind of in a position of your own.) – “I wouldn’t say that necessarily because we’ve got guys who do multiple things. But for me, just working with the coaches individually, you know I’m a young guy. I haven’t had any experience in the league. So for me, it’s really essential for me to get my techniques and fundamentals down because if I don’t have those, then I can’t do anything. So I make sure to work extra with the coaches and they’ve done a great job of making sure that they’re on me constantly to just try to hone in and hone in. It takes 100,000 reps or something like that to perfect it. So for me, I’m just getting started really and just trying to hone in on my craft.”
(I have a question for you about the University of Miami. Obviously with the news that Tyler Van Dyke is going to be the starting quarterback, you spent a year with him. I just wanted to get your thoughts on Tyler after spending the year with him and what were your impressions of him?) – “Yeah, ‘TVD’ is awesome. He’s a great kid. He’s hungry and very poised. I remember when he came in last year, he seemed like he was older than his years. I think last game he did pretty well and kind of got into the flow of things, so I can only expect him to go up from there and keep getting better. I think the Canes are definitely in good hands with ‘TVD.’”
(I found it very interesting that getting your first full sack on QB Tom Brady, you’re not thinking about the opponent. But it’s also Tom Brady. I understand right now you are in the middle of the season, but do you think 20-25 years from now, you’re going to look back and say ‘I got the GOAT. My first sack was against Tom Brady.’) – “Oh trust me, I got the game ball from equipment afterwards. (laughter) Like I said, the more important thing here is us improving as a team and as a defense. But yeah, obviously that’s definitely something you tell your grandkids. I’ve been jersey swapping every week so I have this vision when I’m older and have my bigger house and I’ve got my little man cave, I’m going to have all the jerseys hung up and all of the collections I have. That ball will definitely be a staple in the collection.”
(I have to follow up by asking you more about the jersey swapping. Tell me some of the guys you have so far and if you had your choice of two or three guys in the NFL, who I could hand deliver to you right now, what jerseys would they be?) – “So the first week I didn’t do anybody. I don’t know anybody on the Patriots. But then Greg (Rousseau) against the Bills, I had to get his jersey. Kolton Miller against the Raiders, I played with him at UCLA so I got his jersey. Bobby Okereke on the Colts, he hosted me on my first official visit to Stanford, so I got his jersey. Then last week I got K.J. Britt, who I was at The Opening and the Rivals camps and stuff with. Then two guys I really want are Von Miller, just because he’s a guy that I’ve looked up to for a long time and we’ve actually had a couple of back and forths on Instagram and stuff. So that would be really cool to get his jersey. And then I would say probably somebody like JJ Watt or somebody. One of these elite d-ends that I’ve been watching since I was a kid. That would be really cool to get their jersey.”
(Sticking to the Canes angle, you mentioned swapping with Gregory Rousseau. Did you get a chance to watch what he was able to do on Sunday Night Football with the Bills?) – “Oh yeah, I was watching it live when he got that. And I was with ‘GB’ (Gilbert Frierson) and Nesta Silvera, so we were going crazy when we saw that. That was awesome.”
(You’re really navigating this first year in the league together from afar. How often do you guys keep in touch? How much do you and Gregory Rousseau talk about what you’re going through and whatnot?) – “We talk now and then. Greg and I didn’t play together, so we didn’t have that bond. Like we weren’t ever super close. But we just have a mutual respect for each other and I definitely tap in with him to see how he’s doing. Quincy Roche is somebody who I obviously was really close to because we got to play together. He was somebody who I talk to basically every week and just see how things are going up there and he asks the same thing. I love keeping tabs on the guys that I play with and I just want to see everybody have great success.”
