Thursday, August 1, 2019
(On how camp has gone for him in the first week) “Camp is camp, like you all know, you all can see. It’s hot, so that’s just one part we have to fight. We have to fight knowing the plays, we have to fight the opponent and we have to fight the heat, so it’s a lot going on. But at the end it’s going to make us mentally strong and prepared for any type of weather, so it’s going good so far. I’m still in the learning curve and learning plays, so I’ve got a lot of great guys behind me that are pushing me, that are motivating me, so it’s on a good track so far.”
(On how much of a resource veteran DL Calais Campbell has been) “I mean, it’s Calais Campbell. You all have seen his work, you’ve seen what he’s been doing for the last 10-plus years. So, having a guy like that, that wants to teach me, that needs me, I’m going to listen to anything he tells me to do. And what he’s telling me to do, I can do it, so when I do it, he’s making a play and I’m making a play, we’re going to be an unstoppable duo.”
(On how he feels about exclusively playing on the defensive end and not getting any reps in at linebacker) “I mean, I’m not worried about it now, I’m good playing with my hand in the dirt. It’s actually fun, I like it a lot better. I’ve made a lot more plays, better get-offs, so playing with my hand in the ground is probably [different] the first couple days, but now that I’ve been doing it for so long, I’m adjusting to it really well.”
(On how much flexibility he will have in the defense) “Right now I just have to learn all of the plays and learn it like the back of my hand. So, once I get going, once I know the plays then [they’re] probably going to start moving me around, but right now they have me in one spot. I’m going to focus on that spot and I’m going to play that position tremendously.”
(On the most surprising thing he’s seen while making the transition into the NFL) “You have to be dominant every play. You can’t take plays off now, because a lot of people are counting on you. Competition is a lot better, so you have to bring your A-game every play, every snap. So, just having that mentality every play takes a toll on somebody.”
(On if he misses Yannick Ngakoue not being at training camp from a mentorship standpoint) “I have two All-Pros with me, [Marcell Dareus and Calais Campbell]. I have Abry Jones and I have Calais with me. They are teaching me so much about the game. I know when [Yannick] comes back, my game is going to get so much better. Right now, we are just focused on winning and I know when he comes back, we are going to have a good tandem going on.”
(On if he’s eager to practice with Baltimore and play against some different players) “I’m trying to get out of this weather, I will tell you that. Finally getting to compete against somebody else and see if my game really increased or not because you are seeing the same thing every day, your mind gets like, ‘Alright, this is how I play.’ Once you get against another person, it’s like, ‘OK, I can really play now.’ Once we get to tackling, I feel like we are going to see who the real ballers are.”
(On if any of the veterans told him that this training camp was easier than previous training camps) “I’m not going to say that, because [Head Coach Doug Marrone] might hear this and try to change something up. I will just say from experience, it’s a tough camp for me because it is my first one. I don’t know what they did last year, but I’ve heard a couple guys say it’s a better schedule overall. I don’t know how that camp was, so I can’t speak on that.”
(On if his wrist is bothering him) “Not at all. I’m still getting off the ball, still doing what I need to do, still playing football. If you think about it, it’s going to get in the way, but if you don’t, it is what it is.”
(On going over to the strength and medical staff during practice) “That is just a little extra work I want to get in with [Strength and Conditioning Coordinator] [Tom Myslinksi] so I can prepare myself. I don’t want any doubt in my mind and ‘Mylo’ is there to help me out and I do it during breaks, so I’m not really missing anything.”
