Raheem Mostert – October 18, 2023
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Wednesday, October 18, 2023
RB Raheem Mostert
(There are “Raheem The Dream” signs now at Hard Rock Stadium. How cool is it to see the fans kind of have fun with it and really support you?) – “It’s pretty cool. I even, if you take a look at this – this is ‘Radio Raheem.’ (laughter) One of the video guys put that in my locker, laminated and all. I was like, ‘Yeah, let me go ahead and cherish these moments.’ It’s fun man, honestly.”
(It’s about to get a lot of fun, obviously, Sunday Night Football. Does it get any bigger than that at this point in the season? How much do you look forward to a matchup like this where really all eyes in the NFL really want to see the Eagles and the Dolphins, two of the top teams in the league?) – “It’s two teams that are 5-1. An unbelievable matchup. I know the stadium is going to be rocking. Sunday night, they’re coming out with the mean green unis (uniforms), and I think those are cold. It’s going to be fun, man. The atmosphere is going to be great. I know that – me personally, I was with Philly my rookie year, and I know what the fans bring, the energy and the boost that they’re going to have for their team. We just have to be able to control the exterior of everything and handle it well.”
(What do you see from Philadelphia’s defensive front?) – “Man, their defense is stout, especially up front. They’ve got a plethora of guys on the d-line that they can just rotate any time and make unbelievable plays. I know ‘BG,’ Brandon Graham, he’s one of my guys, and I know that he’s going to be amped up and ready to go. He’s probably going to talk a little trash, because I know how he is. (laughter) But it’s going to be fun. I can’t wait. They’re a good defense, especially with the linebackers and the backend too. They’re all complementary. They play good ball.”
(Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio was a consultant for that team last year. Has he popped into any offensive meetings this week to discuss maybe things they like to do?) – “No, he hasn’t, but I’m sure he’ll give us some nuggets here and there that are just going to help us improve our scheme and our abilities to go out there and execute at a high level.”
(You mentioned the fans, sorry to go back to this, but playing there, what’s maybe the craziest thing you’ve seen the Philly fans, who are known for being pretty nuts, do?) – “Craziest thing that I’ve seen is just throwing things at players, of course. That’s like routine, but they dig a little bit deeper, too. They try to get into your personal life as well. Fortunately, I’m not the victim of that, but it’s just fans being fans. They have a lot of pride over there, and like I said, I know them very well.”
(You said earlier this season that you feel great physically, especially compared to last year. Is that physical part what points you the most as what has lent itself to your production?) – “When you’re able to stay healthy and do – I’ve put in a lot of work this offseason and even in-season, I’m trying my best to maintain my body. I get vet days here and there, and I like them and all, but you do have to have some giddy up to your game, and I’ve been able to find that rhythm and that pattern and routine. So you just have to stick with that routine, and I’ve been able to do that. As you can tell, it’s been working out for me. So I just have to stick to the script of course and keep things pushing.”
(How about just winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week this week? What was your reaction to finding that out?) – “I found out during the team meeting when Mike (McDaniel) opened up the team meeting with that announcement. Honestly, I didn’t think it was me. I thought it was going to be Tua (Tagovailoa), because he’s been playing so well, and he’s been doing unbelievable things. I believe he was (AFC Offensive) Player of the Month, so I thought he would get that. I’m sitting next to Cedrick Wilson Jr., and he was like, ‘Heem, it might be you.’ I’m like, ‘Nah, it’s Tua. It’s got to be Tua. He’s playing unbelievable ball right now,’ and then it turned out to be me, so I was excited about that.”
(Have you heard on social media from people who are absolutely thrilled to have you on their fantasy team?) – “(laughter) Yeah, quite a bit of people. Fantasy – honestly, I wish I was into it. I’m just so dialed in on perfecting my own craft, as a lot of players are, that I missed the opportunity to be with a bunch of folks to join a league. I should’ve joined Austin Ekeler’s. Austin Ekeler has – I think he’s in fantasy football, and I should’ve asked him.”
(Pick yourself first overall?) – “Ah, I probably would, I’m not going to like. (laughter) I would, I would, I would. You’ve got to. You’ve got to, right? I know Austin (Ekeler) would.”
(Just the idea of 11 touchdowns in six games, when you hear that number, can you get your head around it even?) – “Honestly, I just feel like I’m just going with the flow of things. Eleven touchdowns is actually a lot of touchdowns, now that you think about it, but I just go with the flow of everything. Right now, we’re doing unbelievable things, especially on the offense and it’s fun to be a part of.”
(Does that put stress on you to come up with 11 different touchdown dances?) – “(laughter) No, no, no, because I still have to go back to my celebration, my surf celebration. But I try to coordinate with the rest of the guys in regards to the touchdown celebrations. I asked the group today in walkthrough what’s going to be our celebration this week, so we’ve got a little bit of time. Friday is our cutoff day.”
(Who is the leader of the pack in that? Does Head Coach Mike McDaniel ever jump in with ideas?) – “No, Mike (McDaniel) doesn’t jump in, but I think it’s me, (Jaylen) Waddle, Tyreek (Hill), Tua (Tagovailoa). Tua actually came up with the Remember The Titans (celebration). He didn’t do it, I was like, ‘Bro, what are you doing? Come on, you’re supposed to be a part of that.’ It’s a collective group. Rob Hunt, he comes up with them too, and then Terron (Armstead), Terron pitches some ideas out there as well.”
(Do you have any idea what the single season touchdown record is among all players? Do you know what it is? What is it?) – “I’ve got my eye on it. I know. It’s my number, ‘LT,’ (LaDainian Tomlinson) he did that in 2006. I’m fairly familiar with that record, and it would be an honor to even get close to that. I know I’m in a little hot streak right now, but LT’s record, man, that’s unbelievable. I remember that was his MVP year, and growing up watching his tape and that highlight, man, it’s just remarkable. I mean, I still do to this day. He’s a legend, and I was fortunate enough to meet him when I was in San Fran, and we had at least a 20- or 30-minute chat on the field. Man, it just was remarkable. He’s a special guy. He’s a special cat.”
