Tyreek Hill – September 21, 2023
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Thursday, September 21, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(I saw in an interview where you were complimenting the offensive line, talking about how they have a good approach this year. What are you noticing on that?) – “It’s just a confidence, man. I feel like going into year two, everybody’s together, everybody’s playing under one accord and it’s a beautiful sight to see man. I know for Tua (Tagovailoa), whenever he drops back, he has no defenders in his face. He’s able to get the ball out quick and efficient to the speedsters. As a receiver, I love that. I love when I’m able to like run a route two yards deeper and get open and Tua is still able to get the ball out, so shout out to the offensive line. Without those guys, there would be no ‘Cheetah;’ there would be no ‘Penguin.’ We’d just be like another receiver in this league. So offensive line, they’re doing a great job.”
(If WR Jaylen Waddle can’t play, how does that affect the passing game?) – “Well, obviously we’d love Jaylen to play. I love him like a brother, man. But obviously, health is everything. In the NFL, the mindset is next man up. That’s how we’re going to approach it going into the game. So if we got Jaylen, that’d be perfect. We want Jaylen out there because obviously he makes our offense more explosive, more dangerous. But the mentality is always next man up.”
(How does WR Jaylen Waddle make your job easier?) – “Oh, guys can’t double then. Teams aren’t able to just put me as the key focal point. You have two guys on the same team who can do literally the same thing. It’s more dangerous when we’re both on the field.“
(How much of this is an opportunity for guys like WR Braxton Berrios and WR River Cracraft to show what they can do?) – “Oh, it’s huge. I feel like all of the moments that we had in training camp, OTAs – this is what it’s for. I know when those guys had opportunities to go against ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), Jalen (Ramsey) and stuff like that, I feel like those guys are ready and prepared. A lot of people are going to be shocked to see Braxton and River show out on Sunday if Jaylen doesn’t play.”
(I wanted to ask you about WR Erik Ezukanma, as well. What about his skills make you think he could become a really good NFL receiver?) – “I mean, just look at him. He’s 6-2, he’s 210 (pounds). He’s built almost like ‘T.O.’ (Terrell Owens) a little bit. He’s very freakish, very athletic. He loves the game of football. I think having myself in the room with him, helping him develop into that next level receiver – even though we got two different playing styles – I still stay on him about working hard and stuff like that. I’m teaching him the small nuances that I know in the offense.”
(Who taught you football when you were young?) – “My dad. I got to give all the credit to my granddad man. Herman Hill, I have to give all the credit to him. Throughout my whole entire life, I played football and I feel like he always told me having a strong IQ goes a long way. You can be as talented as you want to be, but knowing about football, understanding positions and understanding where to be at on the field will help you make it in the league or wherever you want to go. So I got to give a shout out to my dad. He’s done a fantastic job.”
(You’ve gone from one of the best offenses in the league, if not the best with you and QB Patrick Mahomes, to one that’s running on all cylinders and is really good. Have any of your formal Chiefs’ teammates or friends text you either this season or last?) – “I can’t even tell you that. (laughter)”
(About QB Tua Tagovailoa and how the offense runs? Because it runs smoothly and quickly here. Do your friends in the league and former Chiefs text you about that?) – “I don’t know. I don’t want to get into that. Shoutout to my boy Pat (Mahomes) though. He just had a birthday. Obviously we still communicate and guys are fascinated by our offense, the way that coach got me motioning around. They are like, ‘bro, where does that come from?’ I’m like, ‘you know what, I have no idea.’ Obviously guys around the league are fascinated about what we are doing down here in Miami. It’s a copycat league, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see it here soon across the league.”
(How important is it to you to have the No. 1 offense in the NFL?) – “It is. I feel like being the highest paid receiver in this league, I really take pride in that. Everything I do, I want to be the best at everything that I do – not only in individual stats, but also as a team. If I’m able to bring the same mindset each and every day at practice, I feel like it’s going to translate over in the game. That’s what’s been happening. Our pre-snap penalties are down, guys are moving fast out of the huddle in practice and it’s translating over to games. Guys are knowing where to line up and stuff like that. It’s all translating over to the game. I feel like having the best offense, I feel like who wouldn’t want to be a part of that as a competitor?”
(In this age of analytics and tracking everything to hydration. Do they track how much you run on game day, like how far you run in a game with all of the motions?) – “Oh yeah, they do. That’s why sometimes on Wednesday’s, I be having a day off or whatever. I don’t really be injured. I don’t get hurt. The ‘Cheetah’ don’t get hurt.”
(What’s the furthest you’ve run?) – “As far as distance, they don’t tell me. They just be like you had a long day, so we’re going to ease it off of you a little bit.”
