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Patrick Laird – November 26, 2021 Download PDF version

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.”

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