Shaq Davis Interview - Saints Training Camp, Day 18
Shaq Davis talks about his confidence in Saints training camp and some of the contested catches he's been making.
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:04 >> Well, what's your review?
00:04 I mean, when you went back and watched the whole game,
00:06 we obviously saw the highlights.
00:08 Do you feel like game one to game two, you made a big leap?
00:11 >> Yeah, just making most of my opportunities.
00:13 Every time I get a chance to go out on the field, in my position,
00:17 I come in undrafted, so opportunities don't come as like most of the guys.
00:23 So it's just going out and farming every time I get a chance to.
00:25 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:29 >> I noticed taking some special teams, how's that been for you?
00:32 Did you do much of that in college?
00:34 Or is this kind of like relatively new for you?
00:36 >> No, I played a little bit of special teams in college.
00:39 It's just, special teams is going to get guys on the roster.
00:42 So whatever it's going to take to get me on the roster, I'll do whatever.
00:45 Special teams is a big step, so I like special teams.
00:49 >> What's been the biggest leap for you from July 20 whatever to one month of
00:54 camp and two preseason games?
00:57 >> Actually knowing what I'm supposed to do, standing playbook,
01:00 because knowledge is power.
01:01 If you can already know what you're doing,
01:03 you just go out and play fast instead of trying to play and think at the same time.
01:06 So just me getting a full understanding of playbook,
01:09 being more comfortable with that, I could play at fast speed.
01:12 >> Where have you mostly installed, which receiver position?
01:16 >> In the slot mainly.
01:17 >> Yeah, is that your history too?
01:21 >> Nah, well my senior year of college, I played both inside and outside, but
01:24 I was primarily an outside receiver.
01:26 So I'm kind of familiar with the slot, but I feel like I'm catching on.
01:30 >> Probably like the matchups.
01:31 >> Yeah, yeah.
01:32 [LAUGH] >> Did you think you had a touchdown?
01:36 >> I did.
01:37 [LAUGH] >> Yeah, I mean,
01:38 that was a, did you know Jameis was gonna come to you?
01:42 >> He told me, he said, just run.
01:44 I said, all right.
01:45 So I came out the break and I looked, the ball was in the air.
01:48 And before I ran out, I was like, there's four guys right here.
01:50 I looked, I said, man, so I tried to go make a play, but
01:53 I just couldn't come down with it.
01:55 I'm gonna get some of those this season though, hopefully.
01:57 >> Now, what was your evaluation on Sunday night as far as that's concerned,
02:02 as far as making competitive catches, making a big play?
02:07 >> Well, me being a big play receiver,
02:09 that's kind of been my trademark since I was in high school.
02:11 So I'm just trying to build off of that and
02:13 just keep improving each and every day, make more plays as I'm here.
02:17 >> When you say trademark, you mean those weird catches in traffic or
02:23 securing the ball, getting hit when you, right as you catch it?
02:26 >> A little bit of everything.
02:27 Just when the ball comes my way, just go make a play on it.
02:30 And if it happens to be in traffic or
02:32 me taking a hit while making the catch, then that's what it is.
02:36 >> It does seem like there's already been in the first two games some catches where
02:39 you had to make some interesting adjustments with the ball in the air based
02:43 on what people were doing.
02:44 In the first game, I think on the two minute drive, you just really hit hard and
02:47 caught it.
02:48 You remember that one?
02:49 >> Yes, sir.
02:50 >> Yeah, is that something, is that just kind of happening organically,
02:55 naturally, without thinking about it, or are you-
02:58 >> Just when the ball comes my way,
03:00 my thought process is, like I said, not many opportunities are gonna come, so
03:03 just make the most of it.
03:04 And when the ball comes your way, you're supposed to make a play on it.
03:06 So that's what I'm doing right now.
03:08 >> How important is this game this weekend to you?
03:12 >> Say that one more time.
03:12 >> How important is this game this weekend?
03:14 >> Every game is important.
03:16 It's just me, it's another day of evaluation,
03:19 just going out and putting good stuff on film, go out making plays,
03:22 try to earn my spot on this team.
03:23 >> How much pride did you take this tournament from HBCU?
03:29 >> It's a lot, cuz there's a lot of dogs in HBCU football land, so
03:34 we get overlooked because of the competition level we play.
03:36 So just me, like my school, South Carolina State, we put a lot of guys in
03:40 the league, but they're mainly defensive guys.
03:43 So it's just me coming in as an offensive guy,
03:45 trying to make a stand for it, pressing that side of the ball.
03:49 >> What are all the sports you play?
03:50 Is it only football?
03:51 What other sports are you going out to?
03:53 >> Yeah, I ran track and played basketball.
03:55 I played a little bit of basketball in college too.
03:57 >> Yeah, right, what position?
03:58 >> In basketball?
03:59 >> Yeah. >> Three through five.
04:01 >> Three through five.
04:02 What do you think you're the best at?
04:05 >> Basketball, but I mean- >> No, I mean,
04:07 in the position three through five, which one are you?
04:10 The better wing, or are you a better center?
04:12 >> It ain't matter, I'm first.
04:13 >> It ain't matter?
04:15 You can shoot, you got range, all that, right?
04:18 And then, in track, what did you run?
04:21 >> 4 by 100, anchor.
04:23 >> You were the anchor on 4 by 100.
04:25 Okay, and do you have a,
04:28 like from all the film you've watched after your games, do you have a favorite?
04:31 Catch, do you have any favorite catches that you may remember?
04:34 >> All of them are my favorite.
04:38 >> [LAUGH]