STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR SCOTT ELLIOTT
Opening Statement: "Thank you guys for coming out and allowing us to talk a little bit about this phase of year. I think it should go without saying, maybe the look on my face, we look forward to this time all year long, especially through February and March. We had a great session today. Day One of Week One. I was able to talk to the guys as a group. Defense was first while the offense met, and then we had offense second. But in talking to the guys before we got started, I kind of shared three points of discussion or notes with them. One was an appreciation for them being here during a voluntary period, how much we take that to heart and how excited we are to progress the work that they've done on their own during the dead period wherever they were, whether it was in sunny climates or close by. But, we look to build on that going into phase two and phase three, getting into OTAs and minicamp. The second part of it was just talking to them about how the schedule lays out. So, phase to phase and then really broke it down into the weekly and [daily] schedule. So, we had some new guys here that haven't been a part of this process yet, so just broke that down for them to kind give them a lay of the land to understand how we devise the workouts and the runs and just high-level stuff of two days a week. We focus on acceleration, deceleration, change of direction [and] top-end speed. The other two days of the running sessions we're focusing more on conditioning, on how those two will complement each other, and we'll progress from week over week getting into minicamp to culminate it in June. And then the same thing, [I] just talked about how the lifts will start the foundation phase in the weight room, how we'll progress those in two separate phases to get us to the end of June. And then the third thing I talked to them about to finish it out before we got moving today was what our mind frame was in here when we ran in the weight room, and then to carry it throughout the building was, 'Earn the right.' So, we've got a big screen as you enter the weight room, and each year, I try to put a message on there. And this year, what stuck with all of us as a strength staff was, 'Earn the right.' We've been fortunate with the Ravens to earn a lot along the way, and this year it's all about 'Earn the right,' and it's up to them to decide what that right is. So, is it 'Earn the right' to start fast, to finish games, to play winning football, to 'Earn the Right' for one more rep, one more set, whatever that is. So, we're taking that as kind of our stance from a mental and perspective standpoint to start this phase one and hopefully grow it, get into a training camp and then a successful 2025 campaign. So with that, I'll open it up to questions."
Is there anything different this year that you've added, especially in phase one, based off of anything from last year that you decided to change up? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, foundationally the phase from last year and then the year prior, it is the same in what we're working on. Now, tools and toys that we've added along the way, we have done that. Down the way here in the indoor [facility] is a cool OHM machine. It's an isokinetic machine that allows us to get real-time data on their force output, whether they're doing heavy work or speed work. So that's a tool we've put into play in the weight room. We integrated it last year, [we're] being more comprehensive with it this year with a perch system that will measure the bar speed. And again, it's all in the notion of giving the athlete real-time feedback for whatever we're trying to do in that day. If they need to move the bar faster, we've got it on the iPad. If they're moving it too fast for whatever strength quality we're trying to get out of them, we know that we can add more weight and slow it down and talk to them about the why. So, it's kind of exciting to add those new toys in here and in the weight room, but still keep the foundations the same."
Does that kind of tech*nology process you to get a sense, a better sense of where they're at strength-wise?* (Jonas Shaffer) "Absolutely. In our scouting department – I [have] a biased opinion up here standing in front of you guys – is the best in the business. And so, what they'll do is we'll bring in Top 30 guys and we'll sit and visit with them. We won't put them through any of the assessments in here during that time. We'll take a lot of their data from their Pro Days and Combine numbers and then utilize that if they're UDFA or if they're a draft pick, and then we'll be able to implement that with our system when they come in."
When they bring in free agents, do they ever inquire about the training that you have here? (Kevin Richardson) "Yes. That's been a big thing over the last, I'd say, five plus years is when you're getting free agents, now they're looking at the whole picture of the building. Contracts [are] a huge part of it, but they're looking at your training room, your weight room, how you operate in those rooms, because they're looking at the entirety of the package as they're in that free agent process, and that's been big. Let's say over the last three years, it's really come into play when we bring in free agents prior to signing, and they're on their visit, we'll talk to them about how we train historically, who we've worked with that may be similar to them. Maybe it's at that point in their career position-wise, but we've become much more comprehensive in that regard."
Year One to year two is often seen as a critical year for body transformation for guys to acclimate to the NFL. Specifically to CB Nate Wiggins, what did you see from him in the weight room this past season? And then what hopes do you have for him? (Ryan Mink) "My hope for Nate [Wiggins] is to continue the trajectory. The vertical trajectory, the kid is already on, you guys see it on the field. He is a physical freak in his ability to go display his attributes out on the field. And all year last year, Nate did not just everything that we had asked of him, but did it to the fullest degree, and I think you saw that as a young kid coming in, a young body, young mind. And you saw how he was able to play all 17 games and in the playoffs, and play at a high level. So, I'm excited for Nate, that as we go into Year Two, you'll see even more physical maturation, especially coming out of Year One. You have a lot of Draft prep. In that process, in February and March, they're doing a lot of, really, their drills and their training sessions are really centered around what they're going to do in Indianapolis. So, what we're [doing] now, and that's to your point, is when we've worked through the season last year and we get into now this offseason moving to this year, now we can work more specifically to his game and playing football. So, I'm looking forward to his step he'll make from a physical standpoint."
Obviously, how do you see the program overall evolve in your time being here and taking over the leadership role? How has this program evolved? (Garrett Downing) "Yeah, fortunately, [I'm] truly, truly blessed to see the evolution over the last couple years of [where] you've got this time of the year, then you've got training camp, you've got in-season, and the buy-in that the players have allowed us to have in their daily routine and let us truly kind of step into their world and say what we're trying to do in here, whether it's in the indoor or in that weight room, is to help you be the best version of yourself. So, when we've evolved, that's allowed us to get more detailed with the guys because as we're working in training camp, we've got 90 [players], so we divide and conquer. Fortunately, I'm very, very blessed to have a great staff in that regard. Now that I'm talking about, and I'll come back to your point, [strength & conditioning coach] Ron Shrift, [assistant strength & conditioning coach] Kevin Hartman, [assistant strength & conditioning coach] Kaelyn Buskey [and] [strength & conditioning coach] Anthony Watson have been with me the whole time. And so with that buy-in, we're able to get more detailed. Now, I brought up the fun tools and toys, but now we've got the dialogue that each year I feel like we've gotten even better, and we still have room to grow in helping individualize their program to progress them. Obviously, the spring's huge, but in training camp and throughout the season."
Scott, related to that, but more specifically, injury prevention is so massive for NFL success. The team had a very healthy season last year, but over the last few years, because that was a major topic a few years back to these injuries. Where do you think as an organization, from a strength and conditioning standpoint, that you've made strides that maybe have meshed with seeing fewer injuries, whether it's ramping up more slowly, whatever that might be. Where do you guys think that you've made some progress that you've seen that kind of decrease in injuries? (Luke Jones) "Yeah, that's a great question, and we have been fortunate in that regard, and I always remind anybody that allows me to talk, and we get on this subject is you've got to have great preparation, and whatever each team or each weight room's preparation is, you've got to have great preparation, and that's got to be matched with great luck. And I truly believe over the last couple of years, we've seen both of those come together. At the end of the day, it's a very physical game. Things do happen that are outside of your control, and we've been fortunate to avoid those. And if we have incurred those situations, they've been more on the short-term side of things where we've returned guys to play. But I think it comes back to just the point prior to this. With the buy-in of the players, and we're able to individualize their structure of either their lift or their run. That's part of the preparation process. And then I think we've had a great turnout over the past couple of years – and this year included – of this phase. And I truly believe this phase is the foundation of which training camp and the whole year is predicated on. So, I think those are kind of two things that I hang my hat on that's allowed success. And obviously, you've got to pray for the best with the rest."
What was it like having RB Derrick Henry here last year? Did you adopt anything that he does and incorporate it into this phase? (Giana Han) "Yes, actually. So, having Derrick [Henry] in is incredible, and I'd say the most fun was Derrick, he stayed around after the season for a couple of weeks before heading back down to Dallas, and talking to him even more at length. Through the season, as you guys probably saw, Derrick's a pro. He comes in, he does his work, he goes about his business, and he's out. And getting to know Derrick and getting to dive in even more about what he does in Dallas, it's incredible. And yeah, there's some things that we've taken in, and I'll say this about Derrick. It was this time last year [that] we were talking, and I kind of asked him that question, and I'll ask vets that have been around, and I know they have a real detailed offseason program. A lot of times, I'll talk to the trainer or strength coach that they work with, and I said, 'What do you want to include from what you do in Texas back here?' And he said, 'Give me everything you've got.' He said, 'I'm a clean slate. Give me everything you've got.' And I think about that period in the offseason when he stuck around before heading back to his family, he brought up [that] there was a workout that he had asked me to write before going on break last year between minicamp and training camp. And by the end of it, long story short, he had his brother doing it, everybody in the weight room doing it. And so, there was this nice connection between what he does in Dallas and what we do up here, and as you can see, you saw what he did last year on the field, it's working for the guy."
I don't think I got a chance to ask last year about QB Lamar Jackson losing his weight and focusing on his body. What was the emphasis for him? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, yes, 100% with Lamar [Jackson], it's to take what he did last year and continue that process. As you guys saw, he is in great shape at this point last year. He is again this year, and then we wanted to just lay down some lean muscle tissue as we got into the season. And you saw that as we got into the season, he was up a few pounds and then played at that MVP-caliber level. Obviously, if I had a vote, I know what I would've voted, but that's the plan for this year, as well."
Are there any general benchmarks for each phase that you have early on in the process? (Carita Parks) "Oh yes, of course, of course. So, benchmarks. So, in the weight room, what we're looking to do is, this is called our general preparation phase. So, we'll break it up into two four-week blocks, and it'll progress in each four-week block week-over-week. But this first phase, these first four weeks, we're looking for symmetry. So, no matter what they have done or not done in the last couple months on their free time, we're looking to balance out right to left, front to back. So, quad to hamstring, right leg, left leg. So, we're looking to kind of rebalance everything out [and] essentially pour the foundation. Then, as we get into that next four weeks, when we get into OTAs and the minicamp, that's when we'll get into our power phase. So, the movements will become a lot more explosive, and it will shift from unilateral focus into bilateral. So ... two legs, barbell on the back. It's a much more compound, explosive lift. So that's how it will progress going through the spring with the break. And then essentially, we'll do a similar notion once we start training camp, and kind of rebalance the tires on these Ferraris and trucks and then build the speed, build the power, and we undulate through that throughout the entire year."
Obviously, G Daniel Faalele is a big ball of clay. Has the programming for him changed going from tackle to the inside? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes. And the program for [Daniel Faalele], yes, it's evolved, but it's always been the same. Daniel's such a big, strong and mobile guy. So, as we've worked with 'Big Dan,' it's to get him to unlock that next level that he's got into dominating every time he steps out on the field. And you guys saw it this year, having the opportunity to start and play every offensive series of every game [last] year, you saw how much better he got. So, in the weight room, we're tailoring his ability to do that from a physiological standpoint."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On the best thing he's done from the end of the season: "I went on a golf trip with three of my high school buddies. We went out to Pebble Beach, played Pebble Beach, Spyglass, Spanish Bay and was able to play Cyprus [and] Pasatiempo. That was probably the best thing I've done so far."
On his 'Masters' sweatshirt: "Yes, I just went to Augusta for the Masters, too. I went on Friday and Sunday, and that was my first time going, so it was a pretty cool experience."
On if Rory McIlroy inspired him to hit it into the creek, too: (laughter) "I was actually sitting on [hole] 12 when he and Bryson [DeChambeau] came up, so we saw Bryson go in the water on [hole] 11. I was walking on 13 and then saw Rory go in the water, and I think that's the crazy part about golf. The leader sets the pace for everybody, so once he came back to the field, then it got really interesting after that, but he got it done. [A] career Grand Slam is pretty cool."
On what CB Marlon Humphrey has to do to get to the Masters: "Marlon [Humphrey] has to have a talk with God or something to get there. He has gotten better. He's always blowing up our group chat about his golf swing and how he can get better and asking me for tips. I was like, 'I don't know why you're asking me. I'm not the person you should be asking,' but he has gotten better. He said he just broke a hundred for the first time – 99 – so I was like, 'You're one step closer to the tour.'"
On who's in the golf group chat: "It's a Marlon [Humphrey], Tony Jefferson [and] Geno Stone group chat, so we were once Ravens, but we all got scattered all over the place. Tony's got the golf bug right now, too, and Geno's been golfing for a while, so we just talk about it from time to time."
On his potential contract extension and what he knows about it: "Obviously, it would be my first one, so not too much, but haven't had too many talks about it to be honest. They're busy with Draft stuff and all that stuff going on. I'm not in a big rush, so if it happens, it happens. Cool. And if it happens this offseason, [that's] cool, too, but I'm not in a rush to get it done necessarily."
On if that is something he wants to have resolved one way or another before the season starts: "Yes, I would like to. I don't really worry about outside stuff during the season. That's been [my mindset] since high school, honestly, whatever it may be, and this is obviously a different beast. But yes, I kind of just want to be able to play football and focus on that, and if that stuff is going on during season, then that's what I have agents for, so they'll do a good job with that. That's such a hypothetical at this point, that I'll just cross that bridge when I get there."
On how he approaches the offseason now compared to being a rookie: "I don't think too much has changed. My rookie year, I went back to school, so that was different, but it is definitely important to take some time off and kind of let your mind and body decompress from the season. I kind of just black out for six months there from July until January [or] February, so you kind of have to chill a lot. I think that's a big thing for me, just being able to see people that I've grown up with and kind of connect with family and friends and stuff like that. It's huge for me mentally [to] be able to golf a little bit, but then for me, you're kind of sitting on the couch one day, and you're getting that itch again to go start working out and start getting back into it. For me, that happened earlier this year. I just felt like I was more excited to get back to work, so I didn't take too much time off after the Bills game, but the philosophy I feel like has been the same and will stay the same in the future. I feel like it's kind of the same for a lot of people in the league, just find your family again and just talk to people that you haven't had time to during the season."
On if he wanted to get back to football sooner because of how the season ended: "Yes, I think [it's] a little bit of that and a little bit of me maturing. At this point in my career, I'm three years in now, and every offseason I feel like I've been more and more wanting to get back to it, and I feel like I've started working out more quickly after the season has ended each year. So, who knows, maybe in Year 10, we'll start working out the day after season is over. But yes, I feel like it's a little bit of that, a little bit of a sour taste [and] a little bit of just wanting to get back into it."
On how soon he got back into football after the season ended: "I'd probably say it was like two or three weeks. I wasn't going crazy hard, but just getting my body back moving, throwing some weight around and stuff like that."
On if the secondary has talked about starting faster next season: "Yes, it's funny you say that. Talking about golf, I was literally just thinking about this, randomly, but I don't know if you followed the Masters this year or golf, in general, but the past two tournaments – if you guys want to listen to my soapbox – [at] the Masters, Rory [McIlroy] didn't have a great finish on Thursday, the first day of the tournament, and then had a really good Friday [and] Saturday [to] put himself in the lead and kind of set the pace for Sunday. For him, obviously, he's one of the best players ever, but I feel like it's kind of synonymous with our sport. You don't really want to compare yourself to others, but when you put yourself behind the 8-ball, and now you got to kind of see where everybody else is at and know what you have to do to get in the playoffs and ultimately win the Super Bowl. This past tournament, Justin Thomas came out and tied the course record and didn't play amazing the final three days, but [he] ended up winning the tournament, so you kind of put yourself in an advantage if you start off hot. Those games count for the same amount of wins and losses at the end of the season. Last year, [we] didn't get off to a great start. [We were] kind of behind the 8-ball, but we found our way at the end of the season. Who knows if we started off well [if] we would've had a chance at the [No.] 1 seed and stuff like that, so it's important for us this year to ... I think it's important that we've gone through that and understand how hard it is to climb out of that hole and how we can change that this year."
On how it feels that players at the Combine mention that they look up to his style of play: "It's kind of weird, honestly. I saw a couple clips of some guys at the Combine saying that, and it's flattering, and I feel like it's happened so fast. I feel like my rookie year was yesterday, and to have people saying that they, whatever it may be – emulate [my] game or try to pick my game apart to add to theirs – it's pretty cool to hear, and I just hopefully try to continue that trend, not only just football-wise, but as a person, too."
On if he plans to watch the Draft: "I don't plan on watching every pick. It'll probably be on [TV]. I'm not going to be actively watching. Maybe, I'll watch when the Ravens pick, but I don't really have a huge preference on who they pick or where [they pick]. [The Ravens scouting department] have done a great job, before I was even born, so I'm going to let them handle that, and I'm going to play football and do my job. I'll probably be with my friend Nick Jackson, who played for Iowa [and] had a really good pro day, so we'll probably be with him around that weekend. But yes, I'm not going to be up Tweeting about it, probably."
On if he has a preference of playing primarily safety or having more a hybrid role, playing nickel also: "I've gotten that question a lot, and my answer has been the same every time. I really don't care at all, whether it's game to game or drive to drive, play to play. Whatever it needs to be, I'm more than happy to do it, and I feel like I'm more than capable of getting the job done, so I appreciate the coaches and the staff for entrusting me with all that responsibility, and [I'll] try to do my best with it and do as well as I can at all those positions. But it really doesn't make a difference to me – I'm just trying to go out there and make football plays."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On if he felt like the offseason went faster or slower than last year: "I feel like it flew by. I trained here this offseason, so yes, before you know it, now we're starting the offseason [conditioning program]. It's exciting. It's always fun getting back, seeing all the guys. I got a good workout in today, so I've just got to keep stacking [and] build off [last season] for next season."
On how good it was to see T Ronnie Stanley signing back and knowing it wasn't going to be another season with so much turnover: "It's awesome to have Ronnie [Stanley] back, a player at his caliber, playing at a really high level. He helps our team out tremendously, so I'm excited to have him back. Obviously, [with] Pat [Mekari] going on to Jacksonville, I'm excited for him and his opportunity there. The more people you can get back, I feel like the better it's going to be. Obviously, there'll be pieces that we'll add, but we have the foundation. Now, we just got to keep building off of that."
On if he's had any conversation with the front office about the fifth-year option with the deadline coming up along with the potential contract extension: "[There have been] no conversations yet, and I've let my agent handle that. I'm just focused on just becoming as good of a football player as I can be for this team, just coming in here every day and putting my best foot forward, and [I'll] let all the other things take care of itself."
On if he took note of the Eagles C Cam Jurgens deal signed today: "Yes, I was just made aware of that. He's obviously one of the best centers in the league, a really high-caliber player, so I'm excited for him."
On if he'd like to have any clarity on his contract before the start of the season: "Honestly, I'm really not even focused on that right now. No, that's why we have agents. Neil Cornrich will handle that all for me, and like I said, I'm giving my all to the team right now, and that's my focus, and that's how it should be."
On if he's reflected on what the team needs to do to get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl: "There's a lot of things though that we can get better at as a team, collectively. At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, and we're in these big games and those situations, we've got to be playing our best football. Obviously, I don't think we did that against the Bills. [We had] costly turnovers, but at the end of the day, we were right there towards the end of the game to where we had a chance. So, [we] just have to build off of that, get over that hump, and I'm confident with the group that we have – the guys that we have on this team – and I'm excited to build off of that."
On if it was a little emotional seeing OL Patrick Mekari sign elsewhere: "I'm excited for him. Obviously, it's going to be a little different without him. He's helped me tremendously my first three years, but I know he is going to kill it down there [in Jacksonville], so I'm super happy for him."
On if he gets any pride seeing how many other teams want to build a team by investing in their offensive line like the Ravens: "I think games are won in the trenches. On the defensive and offensive side of the ball, you have to have really good players, and you have to play at a high level. You saw it in the Super Bowl; two really good O-lines and D-lines going at it. At the end of the day, it's a tough position. You have to do everything possible to be elite at that position. You have to be obsessed with getting better, and that's what makes a position so fun. It's not an easy position. It's something that has to be worked on, and the more elite players that you can have at that position, I think the better your team's going to be."
On if he's been following the tush push debate this offseason: "No, is there a debate?" (Reporter: "Yes, some people are trying to ban it.") "Honestly, I love the play. I'm sure defenses don't, but anytime you can excel and have a high percentage on short yardage – and if that's the play that you go to – then I don't know; I enjoy the play."
On how important continuity is along the offensive line: "I think it's big. I think whoever's in there has to play ... No matter what, we're expecting to play at a high level. Obviously, having 'Rog' [Roger Rosengarten] step in and play at a high level like he did last year, it was super big for us. Especially being a rookie, that's not an easy thing to do, and especially [playing against] the guys in our division. I'm super proud of him, and obviously, those guys who played their first year, we have to expect another big jump, and the guys who have been playing have to take another step. Anytime you can get more reps together, I think the better off you're going to be, but at the end of the day, the five guys that are out there have to be playing at a high level to make things to go."
On what he saw from OL Andrew Vorhees last year: "Andrew [Vorhees] is a starting-caliber player. Obviously, the thing with him, just obviously coming off the knee injury, and I think OTAs last year was the first reps he's gotten in two years, so he's just making jumps and jumps each and every day. I thought he played at a high level for the games that he was in, and then obviously, dealing with the ankle injury was unfortunate. He's another guy that I have utmost confidence in when he steps in there that he's going to play at a high level."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On what he takes away from Phase One of the offseason workouts: "I think first and foremost, just being around the guys, guys who you truly care about, being back around the game that you truly love and obviously knowing that things didn't go the way you wanted them to go the last outing. So, it's about improving on that and then also coming in and getting great work from [strength and conditioning coordinator] Scott [Elliott] and his staff. I normally follow their plan anyway throughout the offseason, but it's pretty cool when you're able to get to work with the guys also out on the field, so it's just something that I enjoy."
On how his offseason has evolved over the years and if he has a better idea of what he needs to get done to be ready to play: "Yes, absolutely. I think experience is the best teacher in life, and I think at this point in my career now it's kind of crazy. Thinking back, I still remember my first OTA, just a wide-eyed rookie, in a sense. And you're just saying, 'Oh, what do I expect? How good of a shape should I be in April [and] May?' But now it's kind of like you've been through the fire, been through the ringer, you've gone through it. So now it's just about, okay, making sure I got a great foundation. And then just building on that foundation throughout the off season and then making sure you're ready to roll, come training camp, but also knowing that that's a ramp up period as well. Before the season, because it's a long season."
On he's looking to accomplish during this time having done this for multiple seasons now: "I think there's a lot of things that I can accomplish throughout this time and for myself, personally, throughout this eight-week program, get stronger, get in better shape, create a better bond with my guys. Just enjoy Maryland, for what it's worth, and just be around the people, be around the building, enjoy all the free food, stuff like that. So, I would say a lot of those things and just happy to be here."
On how long it takes to turn the page from last year and look forward to what's next: "Yeah, absolutely. I think you just have to use the letdowns, in a sense, as motivation and fuel for your fire. I think, honestly, it's different for each and every person, but for myself, I would say there's a sour taste in your mouth until you're able to actually play another game, because you can go against your guys and things like that, but it's different when you're actually trying to unleash on someone else in a sense. So, I think it'll always be there, and you just have to use it as fuel until we're able to line it up and strap it up later in the year."
On how he assesses last season from an individual standpoint: "Yes, [there were] a lot of ups and downs last season, first and foremost, from the defensive perspective. [We] didn't start the season the way we wanted to start, including myself with certain games and things of that nature, so just having that motivation and knowing that you don't want the season, something you're able to control, to start out this way, and that's something that we all can control and build on right now in this moment. So, it's about doing that, making sure we're in the best possible shape, but also making sure that we're mentally there and ready to go through the ringer or whatever the case may be and just having a tighter bond, even though it was really tight, despite the adversity that we faced throughout the season last year. Not a single person dropped their head or looked for a way out. So just building on that and just hitting the ground running. And for myself, just improving [and] just being better. Yes, All-Pros, this and that, all that stuff is fine, but it's about getting hardware, and that's something you accomplish as a team. So, that's more of what I want, because all the individual accolades, that stuff will come once you're successful as a team."
On how important this time period is in building chemistry with his teammates: "Yes, I think this time period is amazing for actually building a better relationship with the guys and going through the different workouts and things like that. And when you see your guy tired next to you, and you're tired as well, but it's about that's how you create that thick bond amongst each other, just knowing we're going through the ringer together, and it's not just a one-sided thing. It's about like, 'OK, if we're going to truly be a brotherhood, it's about fighting through it together and overcoming it as well.'"
On the message it sends to his teammates for someone that's far along in his career to be here during this optional period to get to work in with the guys: "I'm not quite sure what that says to people. I just know it's more so about how I feel and how I do my thing and how I enjoy being here, enjoy working with the strength staff here, how I enjoy being around the guys here and just being blessed enough to be on a team to be able to do something that I truly love. And when I think about it from that perspective, that's more than enough motivation for me to get my butt up and come up here. It's like, yes, I can be doing a lot of different things, but at the end of the day, I still will be training. It is awesome to be able to train here with great people."
On his expectations for ILB Trenton Simpson as he enters Year Three: "First and foremost, for those guys that left, I'm very happy for those guys. They got themselves a nice little payday, as well, so I'm happy to see those guys do that. 'CB' [Chris Board, I'm] very happy for him, Malik [Harrison] and all of those guys. But yes, Trenton [Simpson], man, I have a great deal of respect for him. I got some good sessions in with him this offseason, as well, and just trying to build on our bond with each other, as well, knowing what he's thinking in certain situation and also just knowing what I'm thinking, as well, and just getting out and doing more things to create a tighter bond, but I think the guy has all the athletic ability in the world – everything you would want. I have great faith that he's going to be able to put it all together, and with the addition of our coach [inside linebackers coach Tyler Santucci], I'm very excited about that, as well. Trenton is [too], so it's going to be awesome, and we're excited to get to work. What's going to happen is going to happen, but we know we're going to prepare like every day is our last day, so that's the mindset, and I'm very excited for him and his future."
On if he gives his draft opinions to the organization and if they ask: "You'll see some guys, maybe some guys from Georgia or some guys that I may know, but if I'm being completely honest, when I first came into the league, I was more so in tune with the Draft and everything like that. But if I'm being honest, right now, [I] probably [know] the top guys, but with no disrespect to anyone, I probably can't tell you the 'backers, how many inside 'backers that are coming out this year, if I'm being perfectly honest. I try to get away from the game in a sense. I love the game, but it's also about getting away, and then when the guys get here, that'll be my focus then. Then, I'll do my research and see what each and every guy is about."
On if he's met Georgia S Malaki Starks or have a sense of what he means to Georgia's culture: "Yes, I think I met [Malaki Starks], dapped him up and everything like that, but when those guys are [there] right before into a game and stuff, those guys are focused on what they're focused on, and that's getting a 'W.' So, I have a great deal of respect for him. I heard a lot of great things about him, another Georgia guy [who's] really, really mature for his age [and] a really good player. Also, I know [Georgia head coach] Kirby [Smart, defensive coordinator Glenn] Schumann [and] all those guys have a great deal of respect for him and the way he plays the game of football, but I don't really know him, personally. I've watched the games and stuff, how he always shows up on film. So, if he does come here, that'll be a great addition for us. But 'EDC' [executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta] and those guys up there, man, they know what they're doing, so I'm sure they're going to get the best possible fit for the team, as well as a person."
