T.J. McDonald – June 7, 2017
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Wednesday, June 7, 2017
S T.J. McDonald
(What motivated you to sign over the last couple of months as opposed to just waiting to see what team had an injury in September or October and had a need?) – “I think that just the culture here and (Head Coach (Adam) Gase reaching out. Just seeing that the team is on the rise, I felt like I had a great opportunity to play here, given my circumstances or whatnot. I came out here on a visit, I liked the vibe, I liked the culture and I went ahead and did it.”
(Do you want to play a lot in the preseason to kind of get accustomed to the system?) – “I’m a football player. I want to play. I want to play no matter what. Preseason is definitely a stride for me, just to be able to get used to the system at full, live bullets and whatnot; but at the same time, there’s going to be guys that also need to get some time that will be there for Week 1. I understand that. So however the coaches want to use me, I’ll be ready for whatever.”
(How awkward is this? Going through this, then minicamp and training camp but knowing that when the bell rings on the season…) – “I mean, it’s different for sure. It’s something that I don’t take for granted, I don’t take lightly. I know that I love football more than anything. This is something that is an experience that I’ve definitely learned from. I’m taking it all in but I’m treating every day right now like every day is a game for me. I’m just going out there, giving it my all and trying to take it all in and make sure that when my name is called, I’ll be ready to go. I’ll have my rest and all of that.”
(What lifestyle changes have you made?) –Just the people that I’m around and have my family close – I just had a son not too long ago, about three months ago. That’s something that has been a huge change in my lifestyle, having him close to me and whatnot. Just throughout all of this, I just want to make sure that I continue to do the right thing and make my family proud.”
(Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke just got through talking about the traits he likes in a safety. What is it you feel you bring to the table as far as your ability at safety?) – “I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. I feel like I’m a physical safety. If I’m down in the box, I have some range where I can go. I have some ball skills to go catch the ball. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. Whatever the coaches, whatever the position they want me to play in, or whatever the case may be, I like the scheme that we have going on. I’m getting comfortable in it. Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be able to do it.”
(Has that been established, what position you might be in, whether it be free or strong?) – “Right now, I’ve been working at strong, which is something that I’ve been used to. It’s a little different in this scheme than what I’ve done in the past; but, it’s nothing I can’t adjust to. It’s going pretty well right now. I’m just learning everything and soaking it all in.”
(Do you have much of a history with S Reshad Jones? And your thoughts on observing him close up?) – “I don’t have much of a history with him personally. I’ve definitely watched him. I know he’s a great player. He’s a guy that flashes on film. He can do a lot of great things out there on the field, so I have a lot of respect for him as a player.”
(How good could this trio of safeties be once you’re back in November or December with you, S Reshad Jones and S Nate Allen?) – “I feel we can be as great as much as we put in. I think that we can be definitely great. We’ll see how all of that works out. It will all work itself out. The best players are going to play and that’s how it’s always been in this league. I think we definitely have a lot of talent back there, for sure.”
(Have you put any thought into your plans in September and October when you can’t be here? What do you plan to do? How you plan to stay in shape?) – “I’m just going to continue to working out. I think that for me, I still will be in the building. I won’t be on the practice field. I still will be able to work out and stay in good shape, stay on top of the film, making sure that I don’t fall off in that aspect. So all the fine details, we’ll see how all of that goes. I got a little bit more time to figure all of that out; but I’m figuring that out now, talking with all the coaches, talking with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase. We’ll definitely have a plan making sure that I’m staying on top of both the game mentally and physically.”
(A lot of the players and coaches are talking about getting hands on the football. Are you satisfied with what you guys have been able to do so far during OTAs and how are you going to try to accomplish that going forward?) – “Yes, just staying around the ball. I think that we’ve done a great job flying around. That’s something we definitely emphasize, just staying around the ball, making sure that we finish and not being complacent with giving up any catches. They’re going to make plays. The offense has some great players, so they are going to make plays; but as long as we are consistent and staying around the ball and trying to make plays and not being content with anything, I think we’ll be alright.”
(You’ve been around DE William Hayes. What stands out to you about him as a person and as a player?) – “His personality is one of a kind for sure. (laughter) His energy is great. He’s a guy that took me under his wing when I first got into the league. We have a good relationship. He’s a funny guy. He’s going to bring energy day-in and day-out. The best thing about him is he’s going to be the same Monday through Sunday. He’s definitely a great locker room guy and a good guy to have in the locker room.”
(From a player standpoint?) – “High energy. He’s going to be stout versus the run. He’s going to have a high motor at all times. You feed off of that as teammates. We are all out there, we’re going to war together. You feed off of that energy. He definitely brings that.”
(What do you think of his theories?) – “I don’t want to get into his theories. His theories are way out there. (laughter) His whole dinosaurs thing. If I go over there in the locker room right now to talk to him about it, he’ll talk for 30 minutes. I don’t want to even hear all of that.”
(When you and your agent talked about how you would approach this year in terms of looking for a team, did you all talk about trying to find something for multiple years or was it the conclusion to try to do something for one year, try to re-establish your value as a quality safety and then go back into the market next spring.) – “Yes, that’s something that … I’ve been a four-year starter in this league. I’m going into my fifth year. This is unfortunate; but for me, I feel like I’m confident in my ability on the football field and that’s something that I have to re-establish. I understand that; but I’m willing to put that confidence in myself and be able to go out there and do what I do for this year and see where it takes me from here.”
