Raheem Mostert – August 2, 2022
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Tuesday, August 2, 2022
RB Raheem Mostert
(You got some kickoff returns today. I’m just curious how kick returning and being a running back pairs up together and how it helps you do one or the other?) – “When you’re out there, kickoff return is just like being at a running back position. With this offense the way it’s drawn up, you’re able to read holes and everything like that. I just try to mimic that in the kickoff return game. That’s something I’ve been doing for years. Even growing up, being a special teams type of guy, leading into the role of running back, I’ve always tried to teach myself that the game is simplified when you’re able to go out there and run plays and stuff like that in the kickoff return game. So just getting back out there – I haven’t been back there in a couple of years so it was refreshing to get back out there and be able to take those returns.”
(You’re excited. You’re smiling. How fun is it to be back out here with the pads back on. What was today like?) – “First off, let’s just say today was hot. I usually don’t sweat, so if you see a couple of things of sweat coming down my face, that means I was either working of it was extremely hot. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to enjoy this weather. How can you not? I was telling Coach Embree (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree) that when we were out in California, we were spoiled in that weather. Coming over here, it’s a little bit of a change. But at the end of the day, it’s good weather and being out here is fantastic. I’m always going to put a smile on my face. I’m just that type of guy. Once you get to know me, I like to have fun, and I don’t put the pressure on myself a lot because with anything in life, when you start to put pressure on yourself, it tends to lead you in a direction where you’re not comfortable and you’re not being able to perform at the highest levels that you want to or accomplish goals. Me, I just come into the building. I’m thankful to be in the building and go out here and play football like I’ve been doing for 20-something odd years.”
(You don’t sweat?) – “I don’t sweat. I have to have a real good workout in order to sweat. But as you can tell, I’m drenched. I’m just trying to get used to this weather and being back home and being back in my home state. It’s all a plus. It’s just going to get me better.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel had some interesting comments today. He was talking about going from being an offensive assistant to head coach, and how he’s trying to be self-aware about making sure that he’s that even though he’s the play caller, that he doesn’t lock himself in a room and become an introvert, and change the way he interacts with all the players. That spoke to me about what I perceived to be his emotional intelligence. Knowing him well, give me some insight if you can on his emotional intelligence.) – “His emotional intelligence, he’s very emotionally connected with the players. For him to be in a position where he went from assistant coach to head coach and having that role for the first time, it just shows you the type of connection he’s trying to build here with the team. We all go out here and we put on and do whatever we got to do for ourselves, for our family, and for the organization, and Mike instills that in us. He helps with those attributes. Without the emotional connection and the ties, you can’t really sit here and say that somebody is going to be successful like the way Mike has thus far in his career. It’s only right that we keep that train going.”
(Everybody shows people and the way they care about them in their own way. How would you describe the way Head Coach Mike McDaniel shows people he cares about them?) – “Doing the simple things. Being honest, upfront, and real with them. I think that’s the biggest thing that you have to account for when being a head coach. Not to bash any other coaches out there, but at the same time, you have to understand that we’re players first and then we’re fathers and husbands and uncles and all of that good stuff. You have to treat all of the players as men. When you’re able to do that, you’re going to get a group of guys that want to fight for you. That’s what Mike’s been able to do thus far. Just showing what he can do. At the same time, we do have games that we have to win as well. That’s the most important thing. And if you can get everybody to gel together and win some games, that speaks on the type of coach that he is.
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel talks a lot about how he wants players to be themselves. Do you think he leads by example?) – “Oh, yeah. I tell my wife all the time, Mike was quirky today. It’s one of those things where he’s implementing who he is in the team meetings, out on the field, in the meeting rooms. You just got to realize that and embrace it. It may be corky and funny to somebody else, but honestly that’s just how he is. That’s the person that he is. I’ve been with him for six years, so I know.”
(Has the bar been raised for quirkiness level?) – “He already set the bar high. You can’t go any lower. It’s going to keep getting high honestly. It’s fun to see.”
(What’s an example of something Head Coach Mike McDaniel has done or said that made you say that?) – “Interviews. When you talk to him about interviews, he says what he has to say and does what he does. That’s the type of person he is. I can’t right off the bat give an example. But I know if you go type in Mike McDaniel interviews, you’ll see a whole list on YouTube of all the good stuff and good content that he puts out there. It’s all fun. It’s all good to see too.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned that he announces the speeds from practice every day. How motivating is that for you guys as players?) – “It is motivating. It’s a competition at the end of the day. I know that I’m the fastest on the field. We’re not going to speak about two of the animals or whatever because they are not really that fast when it comes to a car. (laughter) But yeah, it’s funny to see those things and be able to compete at a level that we all race and have fun. I’m pretty sure I clocked a good time today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings in meetings and we’ll go from there.”
(What’s the fastest you’ve been timed so far?) – “The fastest I’ve been timed is a 20.8 (miles per hour). Tyreek (Hill) clocked a 23. I think I got a 23 today on a kickoff return. We’ll see though. (laughter)”
