(On his usage this season) “Truthfully, it’s been a little difficult to really try and stay locked in. Unfortunately, there were a lot of second halves where we didn’t need three points, we needed six and seven. It was nice to be able to go out and be utilized a lot today. I can finally, I think, look back on the season, because I could’ve ruined it all today, I could’ve missed five kicks and it would’ve been a terrible percentage, so it was really nice that, together, we were able to close out 33 of 34, which is pretty gnarly. I couldn’t have done it without Matty [Matthew Orzech] and Logan [Cooke] and the other guys blocking for me. I’m super, super pleased with the season. I missed one too many, so hopefully the media will realize that All-Pro isn’t a fan vote and hopefully I’ll get some recognition. Obviously, Justin Tucker is the best there is, but not this season.”
(On why he’s been so successful) “My last warm up in San Diego was Week 4 in the preseason, we were in San Francisco, and I told the then-Assistant Special Teams coach, ‘I figured it out. I figured it out. I’m not going to miss anymore.’ I’ve missed four times in three seasons. I don’t think there’s anybody better than that right now. A lot of it is Doug [Marrone] bringing me in, giving me a shot and saying, ‘Hey, you want it? Go make it,’ and having that confidence in me. [Special Teams Coordinator] Joe DeCamillis has been a saint for me. He kicks my butt when he needs to and he encourages me when he needs to. I don’t think he’s ever praised me, but that’s okay [laughter]. Mike Mallory has been an awesome, awesome, awesome assistant. It’s been a really good group of guys and honestly it’s been easy for me.”
(On if his performance this season validates his contract extension) “I’ve been very strategic with – last year, if I was going to get an extension – it was either going to be in the offseason or it was going to be after the season. I wasn’t going to deal with it because there’s just too many distractions – you get all the money and the cars and the houses – and you can’t do it. I very firmly – I mean, Jake Elliott, got a bunch of money and he’s missed in every game since he’s gotten that contract. So don’t sign in the middle of the season. Do your job and enjoy the offseason when it comes time, but until then, you have to go one-for-one every time. To answer your question, yes, I’m glad I’ve been able to perform up to my contract, because that’s a big deal. When you get that big contract, you have a big old target on your back and hopefully that target’s a little smaller now.”
