JAGUARS RUNNING BACKS COACH TERRY ROBISKIE
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
(On the status of the running backs room without former RB Leonard Fournette) “It looks young, it looks young. It looks energetic, it looks like a bunch of fresh guys, just a bunch of big-eyed guys that [are] looking at the goal, [they] just want an opportunity, they want an opportunity. I think they feel the opportunity is there. A group of guys that [are] ready to go meet the challenge, go prove themselves. Like I said, everybody in life wants an opportunity. I’ve got a group of guys that [have] got a shot, they’ve got an opportunity here and it’s right before them.”
(On being brought in to mentor RB Leonard Fournette and on the disappointment that it didn’t work out with him) “Again, I don’t know if I was brought in to mentor Leonard, to bring Leonard forward or whatever that is. I hope I was brought in to coach the running backs, I hope I was brought in to coach that room. And at the same time, I think we did some things in that room that came out of that pretty good last year. I hope I was brought in to coach that room and to be a part of an organization that wants to win, that’s trying to win. And I did that, that’s obviously what I did. I’ve got a group of guys in there today that of course—that’s what I’ve got to do, I’ve got to spend every minute of my energy and time with that group of guys, trying to get them ready to play. We’ll be opening here in whatever that is, about two weeks, a little less than two weeks, I think. We’ve got an opening game against Indy [Indianapolis Colts] and I’ve got to do, as you said, I’ve got to do what I was brought here to do, to coach the running backs room and get them ready to play.”
(On the skill sets of the young running backs) “Again, I think they’re young guys that are very, very energetic. They’re very, very proud of this opportunity. As far as skills sets, I think when you’ve played the position, when you’ve been a running back, you’ve got the skill sets to do what running backs do. You’ve got the skill sets to run the ball, you’ve got the skill sets—you better have, I shouldn’t say you’ve got—you better have the skill sets to run the ball, you better have the skill sets to catch the ball, you better have the skill sets to protect. Any one of those three that [are] missing, you’re flawed. So, my job is to take those young guys that [are] all new in the room, that we’re all trying to get to know, that we’re all in the room with, and trying to bring it all together and get on the same page. I’ve just got to bring them all together and whatever skill sets they have—that God has given them—I’ve got to try and get that out of them and do the best I can to get them to show their ability and to play to the best of their ability.”
(On importance of RB Chris Thompson leading the group) “In that room it’s phenomenal because to have Chris in there, any time that we’re going in and installing something new, especially with so many other things going on in the world, so many distractions today. With everything that’s going on with the world, the environment, the society—so many other things going on in the world today, it’s a true blessing to have Chris in there. Because obviously, I’ve been coaching for a long time, Jay [Gruden] has been coaching for a long time, we’ve never coached together so, trying to get on the same page has been a challenge and we’ve been rationing with it and getting it done. But to have Chris in there to just clarify something that may be as simple as 2 yards wider, 2 yards deeper. To have Chris in there who has done it and has done it consistently at a high level in this offense, is a plus. So, Chris is a blessing and I’m happy as [heck] that he’s here.”
(On whether RB Leonard Fournette was a problem in the locker room) “I couldn’t answer that question, I don’t spend time in that locker room. My job is to keep that group I’ve got in that meeting room. When it was time to go to the locker room, I was always, I guess I was a little bit late. My guys in the locker room, I can’t speak for what was going on in the locker room. I don’t know the dynamics of that. I kept my guys in my [meeting] room as long as I could before it was time to go to practice to make sure that we were prepared and ready to go. So, that was something I wouldn’t be able to tell you about, as far as what happens in the locker room.”
(On what they didn’t see in RB Leonard Fournette) “I don’t think it had anything to do with not seeing from Leonard. I think it had everything to do with seeing from the other guys, you know what I mean. Just basically, like we talked about a minute ago, as far as my blessing of Chris Thompson for being in the meeting room. I think it was the same phenomenal blessing to have Leonard on the practice field and have a bunch of young guys watching him out there on the field and showing us the way, showing us how we want to hit this one or how we want to run that one or whatever the situation was. It was just a blessing to have him out there to demonstrate it and to show it to the guys, of how we want it done. Because again, I’ve got a group of young guys that haven’t played a lot football. So, now it’s all about them and it’s about me trying to get their talents, pull the talent out of them and get them to play, get them to play well and get them to play up to par. And especially, they’ll be able to do that as a unit, to try to get them to do it collectively.”
(On the improvement and expectations to increase running touchdowns this season) “I’m wishing, I’m working hard to get that accomplished. I’m a part of that, that this department, that Doug feels, I feel extremely disappointed, probably a little bit more. Because the first thing you see Gene, was he said he was disappointed we didn’t have enough running touchdowns. And when they say running, that’s when I fall in. So, I’m disappointed, I’m as disappointed if not more disappointed than the head coach. The only thing I say, we’ve just basically go to continue to put out such a position to have more opportunities to get it done and when we get in that position when we get down there, we’ve got to just have the mindset that we’re going to pound it, we’re going to get it in [and] we’re going to do whatever the [heck] it takes to run it in. We can sit down and say, ‘They’re in this front, in that front, they’ve got an 8-man front, or 8-man box.’ We’ve got to make up our minds, we’re going to run it, we’re going to run it in and whatever the [heck] it takes to get it in, we’ve got to get it done and I’ve got to be a part of that process.”
(On being involved in the Voting “Get in the Game” Jaguars campaign) “Oh, I think we’ve done all we could—we continue to keep doing as much as we can. That is a phenomenal thing to be a part of, this is the first time, obviously, in my career I’ve had an opportunity to be a part of something, phenomenal thing. It’s been fantastic for us. We’re like scratching the match to kind of get it all started, to get it going and it’s a flame that burns deep down inside of us. I think it’s a big, big plus to have the support of the head coach, the organization, the owner and to have so many people at the top level that [are] kind of leading us and taking us to it. So, that’s been phenomenal, I’ve enjoyed it, every minute of it. It’s been—I think the difficulty of it has been to keep track, because there [are] so many things going on. You know, it’s kind of like what they say, you’ve got one little fireball in here, when you put that one out there’s another one on the other side of the track. So, that whole thing has been phenomenal. I’m happy as [heck] to be a part of it, I hope we can keep it going. And what started off as a little spark, has certainly picked up into a big fire and a big flame, I hope we can keep it going.”
(On the progress of the undrafted running backs) “No, I mean, all of the undrafted—again, in my room, all the guys in the room have been really, really good. We have not sat down one day and said, ‘Oh boy he didn’t get drafted, oh boy you didn’t get drafted.’ All of the guys in the room have worked, they’ve worked extremely hard, they have studied, they have prepared. They’ve been very, very attentive in the meeting room. And on the football field, like I told them, they’ve continued to do what they’ve been doing all their lives in just playing football. I think the thing that’s a blessing for them is I haven’t—and I don’t think anybody has treated them like an undrafted guy. We’ve treated then like a Jacksonville Jaguar, we’ve treated them like a—I have treated them, I’ve tried to treat them like a running back that’s on the team for the Jacksonville Jaguars. We haven’t sat down to say, ‘You didn’t get drafted, well you’re a free agent, oh boy you’re [not] going to make it, oh boy you’re not good enough.’ Every guy in that room is working like he was drafted, and I’ll say we might not be, but every guy in the room has worked like he was drafted in the first round. It hasn’t really phased them that, ‘I’m a free agent, I’m not a free agent, I’m a third-round draft choice, I’m a fourth-round draft choice.’ The guys are very, very fired up, very enthused about the opportunity and I think they’re all doing a great job of coming together and working with each other and helping each other to succeed.”
(On whether RB Leonard Fournette was late to RB meetings) “He was not late to my knowledge, no. I don’t remember him being late to any of my meetings and he was very, very attentive.”
(On last conversation with RB Leonard Fournette and advice for him going forward) “The last time I had a conversation with him, he and I were speaking on the field Saturday at the scrimmage. We spoke there we talked about going out and playing fast and playing with energy. And let’s go play [well] and do a good job. We hadn’t talked after that. Any advice I’d give to Leonard today, would be [to] continue to be Leonard, go work hard, do what you do. You’ve been playing football a long time, if you get another opportunity, go play football and enjoy.”
(On the transition of the running backs room into OC Jay Gruden’s new offense) “Devine [Ozigbo] has transitioned extremely well. He’s the guy that’s been a little spark in the room. He’s got some light in his eyes. You remember last year, he played—he ended up playing quite a bit for us in the last game against Indianapolis. He did some things extremely well. I’m looking forward to him to pick up this year against Indy right where he left off from last year. I don’t want to sit down and say he’s made the team, but from what he’s been doing, if he continues to go and continue to look as good as he’s been looking, I hope he can be here, play against Indy and continue to do the things he did last year. As for Q, Ryquell [Armstead] has been out, he hasn’t been in as much, he’s had some little knicks and knacks that he’s had to deal with, a sore groin, a sore hammy [hamstring]. So, he’s just basically been meeting with us mostly on the computer, he hasn’t been out on the field doing a lot of work with us yet, he’s kind of off to the side doing his work.”
JAGUARS RB CHRIS THOMPSON
September 1, 2020
(On his reaction to the yesterday’s news that RB Leonard Fournette was released from the team) “Yeah, we were shocked about it. He came in the room a couple of minutes before our team meeting and let us know that he had gotten released. We didn’t believe it. We thought he was joking because, you know, he laughs and jokes with us all the time. It wasn’t really until [Head] Coach [Doug] Marrone said it in the team meeting that we really believed it. It was a shocker for everybody. The mood was just different that day, or different yesterday at practice but you know, it’s the NFL and we just have to rock with the decision that’s being made.”
(On what he’s seen from younger backs such as Devine Ozigbo, James Robinson, and Ryquell Armstead) “I’ve liked just looking at their skill sets. They’re guys that, in my opinion, I think they can do a little bit of everything. They’re good pass catchers. They can run routes pretty good and their vision is amazing, especially James [Robinson]. I think he’s one of those guys to me, in my opinion, [that] probably has the best vision out of all of us and it’s been great to see a young guy like that be able to come in and be able to make the plays and hit the holes that he’s been able to hit. I’m excited. I’m excited for all [of] the guys. Nate [Nathan Cottrell], he’s the fastest running back that we have right now so I’m excited for him and his future. Ryquell [Armstead] and Zig [Devine Ozigbo], they’re both guys that were here last year and now with Leonard [Fournette] not being here, they’re going to be able to get a lot more opportunities. From what I saw, from what Rock [Ryquell Armstead] did last year and Zig, especially in that last game against the Colts, I think they have a lot of potential [that] we’re going to see here moving forward.”
(On the most difficult thing in the transition to Offensive Coordinator Jay Gruden’s offense this year) “I think for a lot of those guys, it’s more so been the terminology. It’s hard for guys, especially young guys that were in the offense last year, the two guys as rookies, and now just having to forget everything that you learned last year and try to learn something totally new. For us, especially as running backs, we try to do everything we can to relate words and phrases and run plays to what we know already or what we’ve been taught before. That transition for some guys is, I feel like, was kind of difficult at first in the beginning. I have a certain way that I’ve learned Jay’s offense. The running backs that were here last year and Coach Robiskie learned their offense a little bit of a different way as far as which key words and stuff to listen to, so I’ve been able to help those guys with those details. Being able to try to make it [easier], for me, I think just try to make it easier for those guys. Then, when Coach Robiskie has questions, I’ll pretty much say everything I can answer without him even having to ask Coach Gruden because I’ve been around him for a long time so I feel like I’ve been able to help them even on the run. When we’re putting it in plays this morning to go outside and run, Coach Robiskie asks me sometimes, “What is this play? What do you got on this?” Then, I’m able to break it down and give them the details about the route or the run play or whatever. It’s been cool for me. It’s almost like I can be a mini coach so I’m coaching up the young guys as well and that’s something I think I want to do once I get out. It’s been fun. It’s been a nice experience for me.”
(On his thoughts on how the Jaguars organization has approached social justice efforts) “Honestly, I’ve loved it. I’ve loved everything that this organization has done. Early on, when we started our meetings, one thing we did was the march and I was able to meet a lot of guys then because we weren’t able to do OTA’s and mini-camp and stuff. To have the only minority owner [Shad Khan] in the league has been great to get a different outlook on things. Being able to have him in meetings sometimes, just talking to us, and seeing the way he thinks and where he came from to get to where he is; I think it’s all been amazing. I’m glad we [have done this], as well as all the other teams in the league. Especially, I’m going to call out the [Baltimore] Ravens because I’ve seen what they did over the last couple days. That’s huge what they’ve been able to do. It’s things like that that we’ve been talking about as far as just helping our community and in the future, try to make it national, try to make it a national thing and [then] be able to maybe get to [Washington] D.C. and talk to them about some things. I’m excited that all the sports leagues are doing these things and getting into something different because politics is something we’re always told to stay away from and just stick to being athletes. But, we’re more than that and I’m glad that we have our owners and management just having our backs in this situation and the tough times that we’re not going through it but our people are having to deal with somethings right now. I’m just happy to see everything that’s been going on.”
(On what he is going to bring as runner in the season opener versus the Colts) “You know, hopefully, I’m able to do everything that I possibly can and maybe even get more running opportunities when we get here and play the Colts in, I think, twelve days or so. With Leonard [Fournette] being out, we just all, as a group, we just don’t know how those things are going to work out. In 2017, I was kind of in a similar situation where I had to take a bulk, or a load, of the carries and/or I’ll just say the plays in the game. For me, I thought it worked out well up until my injury so I’m excited for the opportunity if it’s there. You know I’ve been a running back; I’ve been running the ball all my life so it’s not something that I can’t do. It’s just a choice that, since I’ve been with Jay [Gruden] for so long and I’ve had some nicks and bruises here there, he’s just wanted to protect me because I’m one of the guys that he doesn’t want to miss games. So, for him, I think he feels like, “Hey, if I can just keep him in the pass game, if I can keep him in the open field, then I can keep him healthy.” But we’ll see. I think only time will tell. At this point, they haven’t really discussed anything with us just yet.”
(On how the running back room is viewing the opportunity following the departure of RB Leonard Fournette] “I mean that’s one thing that we have to do. We have to, for one, just deal with it and that situation. From there, we have to go back to work. For me, I have to be one of those guys, since I’m the oldest one in the room, to be able to tell these guys like, “Hey, this is unfortunate. I didn’t want him to leave here. I was really getting to know him and just having fun just being around him everyday and getting to know who he truly is and his background and everything.” But, [I’m] just letting those guys know that these things happen and we didn’t know what decisions were going to be made here in the next couple of days [since] we have to cut [the roster] down to fifty three. You just have to roll with the punches, and we all have a job to do. So, we just have to go out and do our jobs to the best of our ability. Whatever decisions they make upstairs, it’s not in our control. We can control what we do out there on that field [and] what we do in the meeting rooms and that’s it.”
(On his mindset knowing his snap count is about to change) “I think for me, I’m excited about it. I would say I am. I think there’s going to be more opportunity for me and to be able to show what I can do [and] be able to show the fanbase and the people that brought me here what I’m capable of doing. As far as some of the young guys as well, I think it’s going to be a big opportunity for them. We have two guys in their second year and then two rookies that’s fighting for jobs and they’re going to be out on that field playing a lot more than they have. With Zig [Devine Ozigbo] and Ryquell [Armstead], they’re going to be playing a lot more this year. I’m excited for the opportunities. Every single day I just get myself as ready as I possibly can, as far as the way that I practice [and] the way that I condition after practice, because anything can happen at anytime or injuries happen. That’s just part of the game so you never know. You can’t sit back and say, ‘Hey, Leonard is going to be the guy. He’s going to take all [of] the reps or whatever’ and then something like this just happened and it shocked all of us. So, for me [and] the way I prepared, the decision came as a shock, but the opportunity, not so much.”
(On preparing the rookies for the final days of cuts as a veteran player) “I’ve just been talking to them. The best thing is just knowing that you can only control what you do out there on field. Then, on top of that, it’s all about your work consistency and how you handle pressure. I feel like some of the guys today, they were put in some situations where they were taking a lot more plays. The rookies were taking a lot more plays and stuff today and coming off the field a bit tired, as expected. But I was just telling them like, ‘Hey, this could be the situation that were in. This could be you on Sunday or next Sunday when we play. You could be in for a couple [of] games so they’re trying to see how you can handle that if they have to make you the guy type deal.’ I think they’ve been handling it well. One of the guys said this morning, ‘I just want to know what’s going to happen. I just want to know where I stand’ and I was like, ‘Bro, you can’t control it. You just have to wait. You have to let it happen. Whatever you’ve been doing, you just continue to do it and be consistent and they’re going to make those decisions. You can’t change their minds about it regardless.’ I know it’s something that they’re nervous about, but it will all work out for them.”
