TIGHT END QUINTIN MORRIS
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(On what made him want to re-sign with the Jaguars) “I think I knew at some point in the
middle of the season, like, ‘Hey, like I know I’ve only got one year, but this is definitely where
I want to be,’ and I think Liam [Head Coach Liam Coen] and the staff that he’s built
definitely played a big part in that and just seeing what they’re building here. It was kind of a
no brainer. Even talking to my agent, I’m like, ‘Jacksonville is where I want to be. I think it’s
the best fit.’ And I think what’s being built here is special.”
(On how much he grew last year under Coen) “I mean, a lot even going through training
camp, obviously, coming off last year, it was kind of a hard year. I had talked to Liam about
that, just coming off some injuries and going into the first year of free agency, being on a
new team, learning a whole new offense and being under a whole new staff. It was a lot,
and he helped make that process smooth and even though there’s ups and downs, it still
was smooth and there was a lot to learn from, and I really felt like he did a lot as far as
unlocking another part of me and really players on the team. He just brings that dog out of
everybody.”
(On when he got indication Jacksonville wanted him to stay) “They expressed interest kind
of throughout the season and kind of talking with James [General Manager James
Gladstone] and stuff. And then it was just all about working out a deal and getting that right.
And I mean, at the end of the day, I knew if we could get something done here, this is where
I wanted to be.”
(On how much more growth he can have) “I definitely think there’s always a lot of untapped
potential. I think it’s definitely a lot more comfortable as in the sense of just coming back
being in a familiar system now, kind of understanding the coaches, understanding what
we’re building, understanding the offense and what we’re trying to accomplish. And so, it’s
a lot less, I’d say thinking and stuff, and you can kind of really go out there and play.”
(On the relationship between the front office and players in Jacksonville) “I mean, that’s
just the people that are in the building, you can have those honest conversations and you
really become close with these guys. And I knew from the jump, coming in with Liam, in
training camp, he would come up to me and have conversations, not only asking about me
but asking about my experience other places, things that I see around the building, maybe
things that can be changed and things like that showing that type of care. And I’m sure
everybody’s seeing kind of how he is in the media, just the type of coach he is. He can take
ownership and it’s hard to come by coaches like that and he’s what a lot of guys call a
player’s coach. Again, it was a no-brainer when I said, ‘Where do I want to be next year?’
Back in Jacksonville.”
(On what CB Montaric Brown’s extension and other extensions prior to free agency say
about the front office) “I mean, it’s going to be something special. Again, these are all a
bunch of pieces that are coming together. And I think what they’re doing is going to be really
special. I think also the talent, and not only the talent, just the people that they’re bringing
in. Again, Buster [Brown], Jakobi [WR Jakobi Meyers], guys that obviously, Jakobi coming in
and I felt like he was really that spark and he really pushed the whole team and stuff and we
got over that hump, and then Buster’s been making plays day in and day out and I knew it
was only a matter of time. So, it’s nice to see all these pieces coming back and stuff, getting
extensions or whatever that may be and ready to see Duval in the championship.”
(On how big the familiarity with the team and coaches can help next year) “Oh, it’s huge. To
the normal eye, people don’t see how much it goes on in the classroom aspect of playing
football, but it’s a lot. And especially when you’ve kind of done things a certain way on
another team and then you’re coming into a new team and it’s somewhat the same but
maybe call it something different and learn different ways, different techniques. It can be a
lot sometimes, but there’s different ways to skin a cat. So, just learning all the new ways
and be able to come back to some and now it’s familiar and you can, again, like I said, go
out there and play and it’s less thinking.”
LINEBACKER DENNIS GARDECK
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(On when he thought a reunion was possible) “I feel like the relationship has always been a
positive kind of mutual relationship, so I think it was kind of a fingers crossed just waiting
for an offer to come across the table but super excited to be back.”
(On how different this free agency was to last season) “Yeah, I don’t think I was running or
even fully weightbearing this time last year. So, from a training standpoint, it’s a lot more
fun to be with a group of guys working out, getting ready for next season, not relearning how
to run and having to work through that sort of stuff. And then I got my family out here today,
but I know just as a whole, we are so excited to kind of be able to get our feet set and not
just hit the ground running with the season. So, I’m super excited and ready to be out here.”
(On the length of his contract) “Today I’m just excited to be back in Jacksonville and it’s
about being back with a good group of guys both in the locker room and the coaching staff.”
(On where he will fit into the evolution of the defensive scheme) “That’s a great question.
Still just getting, I feel like that second year is kind of—within a season, everybody says the
big jump is from game one to game two because you’re kind of settling into your identity
and who you’re going to be as a team, as a unit, offense and defense, special teams. So, I
feel like there’s going to be another big leap just between year one and year two, just kind of
having an identity set and going from there. I think those things are kind of always fluid,
seeing as pieces kind of come in as the year goes on. So, I don’t think there’s anything that
anyone is tied to at this point, and it’ll be it’ll be good to be back with the guys and that will
kind of start to dictate and shape roles.”
(On how much the fun and energy in Jacksonville factored into his decision to come back)
“Yeah, it was a bittersweet ending to the season but I still kind of left with like, I feel
renewed as a professional football player. I’m excited to come to work. I’m excited about
the future and I think what excited me the most was the growth and development piece.
Being an older player, it kind of starts to look dark. Like am I improving anymore? But both
Tem [Linebackers Coach Tem Lukabu] and Campy [Defensive Coordinator Anthony
Campanile] have done a great job of, ‘Hey, there’s still more meat on the bone,’ and that’s
exciting for me. I think that’s where a lot of it came from is, ‘Hey, I know I can give you guys
more.’ There’s more to learn. Granted, it’s all probably from the neck up at this point, but
there’s still so much more to learn and grow in my game. And I know those guys are going to
get it out of me and I’m excited.”
(On how beneficial familiarity with the system and coaches can be) “Yeah, definitely getting
to know them and having a better relationship is important, but just being around them,
period, has been awesome for me. They’re guys that you enjoy being around. You like who
you come out as a person being around [them] and definitely as a player. They get the best
out of their guys for a reason and I’m excited to continue that and hopefully continue to
progress.”
CORNERBACK MONTARIC BROWN
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(On if he wanted to stay in Jacksonville) “Yes, sir. It feels great. It feels unbelievable to get
things done and to stay here. I enjoyed my time here since I’ve been here. Man, we’ve got
something special here and just to continue that, it feels great.”
(On his communication with the front office) “I’ve been speaking with the Jags the last
couple of weeks. Closer to free agency, it kind of hyped up and went up and right before, we
got the job done.”
(On who he called when his contract was finalized) “My mom. My mom, I called her and
when I called her she was just so excited but it’s something we talked about a long time ago
and we just spoke it into existence. Just to see things fall in place and to see it from my
journey and see where I came from it means a lot and it was a crazy feeling and
unbelievable when I told her.”
(On his social media post about re-signing) “I had to post it and look away from my phone.
My phone been going crazy lately. Just trying to get back to everyone but my phone’s been
going crazy lately.”
(On why he wanted to stay in Jacksonville) “This is somewhere I always wanted to be. I got
drafted here. The Jaguars took a chance on a seventh rounder, and I’ve enjoyed my time
since I’ve been here. Just playing with these guys, these coaches, this organization, it just
means a lot to me and I want to continue that.”
(On most of the secondary returning this season) “The chemistry is always strong. It’s just
built even more. We’ve all got a connection. We all play good together to keep that going, it
just means a lot and the sky’s the limit.”
(On having success in the NFL as a late round draft pick) “Just taking it one day at a time,
working and keeping a chip on my shoulder, using that as fuel and motivation. Never being
satisfied with doing good one day or one year. Keeping it going and just keep building.”
