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T.J. McDonald – November 9, 2017 Download PDF version

Thursday, November 9, 2017

S T.J. McDonald

(What has this experience been like for you?) – “It’s been humbling. It’s been tough to sit back and watch, but I’ve been doing what I can to be here for my teammates and it’s definitely made me appreciate the game. I’ve done everything I can to get back right and being around this building, being around these guys, has kept me going and kept me pushing.”

(You were allowed to be in the building the entire time, is that correct?) – “Yes, I was allowed to go to meetings. I was still working out. (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach) Dave Puloka, (Manager of Skills Development) Mike Wahle, (Director of Sports Performance) Wayne Diesel, they all helped me stay right. I felt good today.”

(How do you describe the feeling when this week comes around?) – “Last week was the longest week ever, I’ll tell you that. (laughter) That was the longest week. This week, the biggest thing for me is just trying to make sure I stay the same player and not get too high, not get too low. I’m not going to go out there and try to press, try to force myself to make a play. I’m just (going to) play the game like I know how. I’ve played a lot of games in this league, so just play the game like I know how, let the plays come to me and play hard.”

(What was the hardest part about this process for you?) – “Watching the games on Sundays, not being able to be in the stadium, not being able to get the true feeling of a win or be able to make the corrections after a loss and just be able to sit there and be in a shadow. That was tough, but I’m back here now and I’ve done everything I can to make sure that my body is right, my mind’s right and I’m ready to go.”

(Where would you watch the games? At home usually?) – “Yes, I’d watch the games at home. I’d watch the games at home or even, Tony Lippett is on IR and we’d watch the games together to be able to keep that camaraderie going and be able to see what the mistakes are and what the good things that we’re doing are. That’s been helpful.”

(Kind of weird, though, to be sitting there watching on TV?) – “Yes, especially when you’re healthy. You feel like you can go out there and help.”

(That’s probably the longest layoff of football in your life.) – “Yes. I was on designated IR my rookie year; but that was for about six weeks and I came back. I was able to practice, but this was a little different.”

(Did you turn off any of the games before they ended or did you stay with them wire to wire?) – “No, once I started watching, I was glued in.”

(Even the 40-0 game against the Ravens?) – “Yes. I was just seeing what things were going wrong. I’m in here and I see these guys work their ass off every day, so I definitely want to see the fruits on Sunday. When that doesn’t happen, I’m not just going to turn the game off. I just want to be able to see it and be around, and like I said before, these guys have been keeping me going this whole time.”

(How was it like at practice today?) – “It was good. I tried to run around as much as I could. I’m definitely taking this preparation very seriously and everything, so it was good. It felt good. It felt like I was able to run around. I’ve still got to tune up some things, stay in the meeting room and stay on top of things; but like I said, this is not something that’s new to me. It’s definitely a great feeling.”

(Do you feel like you’re physically able to play an NFL game on Monday?) – “Yes.”

(Is this going to feel like a season opener or how would you describe it? It’s a weird deal. November, your first game.) – “I guess it kind of feels like a season opener for me; but this team’s got one goal. We’re just worried about winning this next game, so it’s not about me. For me, I just want to go out here and play and help these guys win.”

(How can you and S Reshad Jones complement one another on the football field?) – “We’re just two guys that want to win. We want to win. We want to make plays. We’re going to play aggressive. I definitely feed off of him and all of that. We’re two dudes that want to win. I want to win. I’m passionate about the game and I think that in itself, is going to be able to help make a difference.”

(As far as the skillset is concerned, as well, how do you guys complement each other’s skillset?) – “We’re welcome to do whatever they ask us to do. Whatever (Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke) asks us to do, I feel like we’re both capable to play deep, play in the box, whatever they want us to do – come blitz. It helps us be able to show different looks because you never know which one’s down, which one’s back. We’ll be able to come out here and do some different things.”

(Have you fulfilled all of your legal obligations?) – “It’s in the process.”

(How anxious are you to hit a receiver coming across the middle and make your presence felt that way?) – “I definitely want my presence felt. That’s what I love about the game. I want to make those pads pop and that’s what I’m going to do on Monday.”

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