Terron Armstead – December 22, 2023
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Friday, December 22, 2023
T Terron Armstead
(A player like Dallas LB Micah Parsons, why is he so hard to defend?) – “He’s a freak, a monster. He plays really hard too. He’s not just a guy who relies on his talent and ability. His effort is second to none. Somebody you always have to keep an eye on. You have to know where he is pre-snap and know where he is post-snap.”
(Is this a team, from what you saw on film, that when they get ahead on the scoreboard, their defense plays even better then what they’ve been playing? Do they play differently when they have the lead?) – “Not necessarily differently, but their d-line and pass rushers get more opportunities to pass rush. They got some pass rush specialists over there that are very good at what they do, and have really perfected their craft in pass rush. With a lead, you get more opportunities to do so. I would say that’s the same for most defenses. Get a lead, you’re going to get the chance to be more relentless.”
(With RB Raheem Mostert being at the doorstep of 1,000 yards, I know for linemen that’s a major goal for you guys. How proud are you guys of what he’s accomplished this season?) – “Yeah, that’s a milestone. We’re all going to wear it. We can’t wait for him to clip that 1k and more. We see the work he puts in everyday and his journey. That’s my brother. He’s inspiring, motivational through his whole career and just how he goes about his business. I can’t wait for him to break that 1,000.”
(You guys, from an offensive line standpoint, are battling a lot of things but are there for the team. What’s that process and mindset like fighting through these injuries in this final stretch of the year?) – “Yeah, I mean it don’t matter. It don’t matter. Everybody is dealing with something. It’s just the game. We train in the sense that everybody is available and ready. When you get later in the year, you have to see what that depth is like. Man, we got guys that come in and we don’t miss a beat because it don’t matter. The scoreboard is not going to say that we’re out three o-linemen or four o-linemen. It don’t matter. We got to line up and play, regardless of what you’re dealing with and who’s in the game. You got to go play.”
(What was it like seeing OL Liam Eichenberg specifically help you out battling through what he’s going through?) – “Liam is tough. He’s as tough as they come. We definitely needed him to be in there and do everything that he did and we’ll continue to lean on him. He’s stepping into more of a leadership role. It’s been great to watch his progression and move positions and honing in at center. Being a very smart guy, putting guys in the right position, ID’ing correctly. He’s been monumental for us.”
(You mentioned it doesn’t matter when guys get hurt, you still have to keep rolling. From the outside looking in, you’re leading the league in fewest quarterback hits and you’re probably close to leading the league in most different offensive line combinations. I’m kind of wondering how have you been able to keep it rolling? Does it ever surprise you on a unit where cohesion and continuity is so important, you’ve been able to overcome it all?) – “Yeah, I mean it goes to the work that’s been put in. That’s not to be dismissed at all. (Offensive Line Coach) Butch Barry and individually, everybody coming in and working on their craft and development – off days, we get a whole group in here on off days. We go out there and we work our technique and go through calls and we simulate games and all those things. So it’s not for nothing. Then we got the full operation too. We try yo give Tua (Tagovailoa) enough time to let him do what he does. He’s incredible. He’s laser quick, reads really well pre-snap. We just try to do our best.”
(RB Raheem Mostert was talking yesterday about being a 30-plus year old back with injuries and people doubt you for that. Have you all connected at all about that?) – “About being over 30?” (laughter)
(They’re narratives that once you hit 30, it’s downhill, so being at the top of your game still at that age.) – “No, I think it’s a blessing man. It’s a blessing to be doing this game for an extended period of time. Being over 30, because we know that’s the mark that people look for the decline or whatever. But guys like Raheem and myself too, we’ve always been – the narrative’s been written for us. It’s been a cap on what I’d be able to do, what Raheem would be able to do. We write our own stories. I got my own pen and paper. I write my own story. Regardless of what this play was or what this game was, I know who I am. I know the work I put in. And same thing for Raheem. He’s had injuries. He’s been cut. He never wavered from what he believed in and himself writing his own story. Record holder. Franchise record holder. Who would have thought? Him. He thought the whole time.”
(I know guys really appreciate the value you provide on Tuesday in terms of the structure to coming in and improve. Is there someone in particular you feel proud of? Like a big brother. A guy who has really taken advantage of Tuesday sessions and you’ve seen significant growth from them?) – “Yeah, I mean we’ve had everybody come in. But Rob Jones, Kion Smith. Yeah Kion Smith, that’s my son. (laughter) That’s my oldest. He’s one that I would say the most. He’s not going to miss a day or opportunity to work. But it’s really just that’s how the group is, how our room is. If the guys are feeling well enough to get out there, we go put the work in.”
(What’s your sense on how unique those Tuesday sessions are among other teams?) – “I’m not sure. I’ve been like this my whole career. It’s a day to improve, to get better. Off days and offseason. It’s hard to really make technique jumps in season. You want to do what you’re being coached to do. In practice, you only get so many reps to take that step. So off days and offseason is when you see the most growth.”
(Did you get a look at OL Austin Jackson in practice, and if so, how did he look?) – “Oh no, I’m on the other side, so I didn’t get a chance to check him out. I knew he came out there today and moved around in indy. I’m not sure how much team he did. But he’s somebody that’s been putting in overtime to be available. But I don’t know his status at all.”
(I know a lot of the time wide receiver and cornerback battles get hyped. Do you get hyped when there is a star pass rusher on the other side? Not sure how much he ends up being on you but obviously LB Micah Parsons is a name that’s mentioned a lot.) – “Nah, I just try to go out and do my job no matter who’s over there. All them guys get paid to rush the passer, so I just try to do my best to keep my quarterback clean and create lanes for the running backs. I don’t really go off who’s lined up. I just try to execute and keep the quarterback clean. I’m going to have a plan for each individual rusher for sure, but I don’t get into the names.”
