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00:05¿Qué te ha hecho en el tercer día?
00:07Los días, los días.
00:08Felt bien.
00:09Es muy bueno.
00:11Es muy bueno.
00:11Es muy bueno para estar en la alta,
00:13para poder tener la playa,
00:15la base,
00:16porque se puede aprender a la sheeta de papel,
00:18pero hasta que se pone
00:20pen a papel en la aplicación,
00:22y tenemos Coach Dinoco,
00:24Coach Kubiak,
00:25y en mi caso,
00:26Coach Sullivan,
00:27relleno,
00:27lo que hemos visto en la gente,
00:28lo que hemos visto en la gente,
00:29lo que hemos visto en la gente,
00:31lo que hemos visto en la gente,
00:34lo que hemos visto en la gente,
00:37incluido yo. Fernando,
00:39he hablado de la gente de YouTube videos
00:41y estudiando tape.
00:43Yo estoy curioso,
00:44antes de ser drafted,
00:46¿cómo se estudió Clint Kubiak?
00:49En particular,
00:50como un fan de fútbol en general?
00:53Sí, he won a Super Bowl
00:55a lot of them,
00:57I love watching NFL football on Sundays,
00:59so I watch a lot of Coach Kubiak
01:02and then when I was drafted and got here
01:04I was able to get the playbook.
01:05However, going now to be in the facility
01:08and having access to the film
01:10and seeing the application,
01:12seeing Kirk Cousins do it back in Minnesota,
01:15seeing Sam Darnold do it last year in Seattle,
01:18see the application
01:19and how it's supposed to be executed
01:22and what it's done at a high level
01:23is really beneficial for my development
01:25and that's something from coming day one
01:27just seeing it on the paper
01:29and taking it in, and then day two
01:31last night with the coaches really studying
01:34okay, this is how
01:35Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold did it,
01:37this is how their footwork and eyes looked,
01:39so can we put that on the field today?
01:41And I think we did.
01:41You talked about working with Brian Greasy
01:44in the pre-draft process,
01:45studying those kind of West Coast concepts,
01:47the under center play.
01:49Coming here to Las Vegas,
01:50how much has that helped you
01:51kind of hit the ground running with this offense?
01:53It has.
01:54I mean, I give a big thanks to him
01:55and the offensive line here
01:57in the rookie camp has been phenomenal.
02:00The centers have always,
02:02you know, we've gotten extra work
02:03with all the centers and the quarterbacks
02:04the past two days.
02:06Everybody really wants to work
02:07and it's a great feeling as, I mean,
02:10the other quarterbacks are really in tune
02:12but I need more work under center.
02:14And it's great when we can be in the hotel
02:17getting 25 to 50 snaps each, you know,
02:20last night and the night before day one
02:21and to really get that timing.
02:24And I still have a long way to go
02:26but those centers are phenomenal,
02:27consistent snaps and the offensive line
02:29did a great job.
02:29Fernando, kind of along those same lines,
02:31what do you think is going to be
02:32the biggest adjustment for you
02:33working under center?
02:34I know every quarterback coming out of college
02:36has to deal with that nowadays,
02:37but for you personally,
02:38what do you think is going to be
02:38the biggest adjustment to that?
02:41I believe it's the added footwork
02:42instead of being back there
02:44in shotgun.
02:45You only have to get back
02:46to make sure you get depth
02:47so you can best serve your offensive linemen,
02:49still be on time,
02:50still decipher the defense.
02:53And with that,
02:53it's really having an emphasis
02:55on those first two steps,
02:56on securing the snap
02:57and getting out of there
02:59and powerful with having quick feet.
03:01And that's something that
03:02Coach Sullivan and Coach Janoko
03:03and Coach Kubiak have talked to me about.
03:06I'm sure your world has changed so much
03:08since we saw you a week ago,
03:10but what have you learned
03:12inside the Raiders building
03:13that you didn't know from the outside?
03:17I've learned a lot in these two days
03:19and I think that's the best thing
03:21is the advice that I've gotten
03:22is as a rookie,
03:23you just try to learn the most as possible.
03:26So right now,
03:26there's a lot of information.
03:28You know, it's coming like a fire hose,
03:30but at that time,
03:31I'm just trying to take it all in
03:33to get better every single day.
03:35It's the attention to detail
03:37and it's really, you know,
03:39connecting with the teammates.
03:40It's so great in rookie camp,
03:41all coming together as an offense,
03:42as a defense, special teams,
03:43as a team together to have
03:46coherent practices
03:47so we can all get better at football.
03:49There's two guys from Indiana
03:50that also signed as UDFAs
03:52and Hemby and Williams.
03:53You know, how cool is it
03:54to be here with them
03:55and how beneficial has it been
03:56for you to be with them
03:57and kind of get integrated
03:58within the system?
03:59Yeah, Hemby, Williams,
04:00and then Jonathan Brady
04:02was also here on an invite.
04:03So to have those Indiana guys,
04:05I've had plays of all three,
04:07I've handed the ball off to Hemby,
04:08I've thrown the ball to EJ
04:09and to Jonathan Brady.
04:11And to have those guys there,
04:13it's great to have rapport with them.
04:16However, looking forward
04:16to building with them
04:17and looking forward to creating
04:20a rapport with my new teammates.
04:22Fernando, I'm back here.
04:23What has the communication process
04:25been like with you so far
04:27in stepping up to the NFL language
04:29and terminology?
04:30It's been dialing it in
04:32and it's been trying to become
04:35more fluid with the whole operation
04:37of things.
04:37It's going to be a step
04:39from college to the NFL.
04:40However, with the great coaching
04:42we have here and great other players,
04:44it makes it really easy on me
04:45that I've already seen
04:46and a huge development
04:48in the whole offense,
04:49day one to day two.
04:51So to have so many great players
04:53around and coaches
04:54getting the NFL lingo,
04:56going in the huddle,
04:57saying it.
04:58And rather than just trying to,
04:59you know, kind of re-say
05:01and memorize a couple words
05:03that Coach Ginoko says
05:04in your earpiece to Coach Kubiak,
05:06really try to step out of the huddle,
05:08imprint the call, understand it,
05:10and then go in the huddle
05:11with conviction,
05:12be able to look the guys in the eyes
05:14and then so you can go out and execute.
05:16Everybody knows your life
05:17has kind of been a whirlwind
05:18the last few months
05:19from Heisman to championships
05:20to draft and everything else.
05:22Have you been able to settle
05:23back into routine
05:24or just working?
05:25Has that happened for you yet?
05:27Do you feel like you're getting
05:28back to that?
05:29Yeah, out of all those, you know,
05:31great milestones,
05:32I'm really happy about these past
05:34two days because it's back
05:35to football.
05:36It's good and I really enjoyed college.
05:39We were able to end off,
05:40the Hoosiers were able
05:41to end off on a high point
05:42and now back to the bottom
05:43of the totem pole.
05:45Yesterday I was like,
05:45wow, I have a lot to work on.
05:48And wow, the NFL players,
05:49everybody here in rookie camp,
05:50these are all really,
05:51really good players.
05:53So I need to elevate my level of play
05:55to then when you go to OTAs next week
05:57and training camp.
05:58So it's good to start back
06:00in the bottom of the totem pole.
06:01I have a lot to learn
06:02and a lot to grow up
06:03with great coaches
06:04and great players around me.
06:05I'm excited to do it.
06:06You talked about leadership
06:08being earned, not given
06:09kind of a couple weeks ago.
06:11We see you breaking down
06:12the huddle and stuff today.
06:13Are there steps
06:14that you've already taken
06:15to kind of establish yourself
06:16more as a leader
06:17here in rookie minicamp?
06:20Yeah, I think,
06:21I mean, I would never proclaim
06:24me as a leader.
06:25I'd let my teammates do that.
06:27But in rookie camp,
06:28everybody's trying to show out.
06:29It's essentially a tryout
06:31for all the rookies,
06:32including me,
06:33camp invites, UDFAs,
06:35any draft picks,
06:36as Coach Kubiak says.
06:38And so there,
06:38we're all just trying
06:39to rally together,
06:40keep each other up,
06:42whether it's bad play,
06:43good play,
06:44have a neutral mindset,
06:48and naturally, you know,
06:49getting to know the guys
06:50throughout these past two days,
06:51you know, giving them fist bumps,
06:53them patting me on the butt,
06:55kind of giving a little talk
06:56back and forth after the plays
06:57and stuff like that
06:59just naturally happens,
07:00whether it's, you know,
07:01another player, like, you know,
07:03whoever it is breaking down.
07:04The Hoosiers are planning
07:06the trip to the White House.
07:07I think 11th,
07:09May 11th, later this month.
07:10Are you able to make that trip?
07:11Are you planning on going there?
07:13I believe May 11th is the first day
07:16of OTAs.
07:17If I'm not mistaken,
07:19I have the calendar.
07:21However, you know,
07:22I mean, I don't have the calendar.
07:23Sorry.
07:24Well, maybe I do.
07:24I'm sorry.
07:25I gotta check Teamworks.
07:28If it is on the first day of OTAs,
07:31like I said,
07:31I'm on the bottom of the totem pole here.
07:33I gotta prove myself.
07:34I can't, I can't mispractice.
07:36I mean, I'm not,
07:37I mean, I don't know anything official.
07:38I don't have a calendar,
07:39but I just wouldn't, as a rookie,
07:41I don't think that's a good look.
07:43And I wanna, you know,
07:45try to best serve my teammates.
07:46And I don't know if that'd be
07:46accomplishing that goal.
07:48Cause it's, you know,
07:49all that'd be, you know, yeah.
07:52Fernando,
07:52you previously mentioned
07:53about Kirk Cousins,
07:54just how you think,
07:55how beneficial is it to have someone
07:57in that quarterback room
07:58that's, you know,
07:58has familiarity with Kubiak's offense?
08:02Yeah, I think that
08:03when we're watching the film,
08:04we see, you know,
08:06Kirk Cousins operating at a very high level.
08:08So I think it's gonna be very beneficial
08:10hearing him talk, observe,
08:12and just being around him,
08:14trying to get some osmosis from him
08:16in a way where,
08:17trying to absorb information.
08:19And I'm really looking forward
08:20to that relationship.
08:21Talk about that osmosis.
08:23When you come in the building,
08:24you see guys like Tim Brown
08:25and Marc Gasol and Jim Plunkett,
08:27you know,
08:27what are those conversations like?
08:28And what are some, you know,
08:29pieces of advice that you would say
08:30they gave you that has even
08:31helped you this young
08:32in your career?
08:33Like Mr. Davis told me,
08:35the strength of the Raiders
08:35is in their alumni.
08:37And I think that's present
08:38when you see all these alumni
08:39out on the practice field
08:41or in the building.
08:42I think it's a very special thing
08:44about this cornerstone franchise.
08:47and it's them giving evidently,
08:49you know,
08:50if they see something on tape,
08:51I'm sure they'd tell any of the players,
08:53but it's more of the Raiders standard
08:56and the commitment to excellence
08:58that they're gonna push
08:59because that's what they did
09:00when they were players
09:02and I'm sure they want to see it now.
09:04You got a lot on your plate already
09:05anyway with what's going on here,
09:07but this coming Tuesday
09:08is gonna be the first Hispanic
09:10Football Hall of Fame
09:11and you were named the Hispanic
09:12College Player of the Year.
09:13What did that mean to you
09:14to be recognized as such?
09:15Well, it was a great honor
09:16and there's been many
09:17great Hispanic players.
09:18Like we just mentioned,
09:19Jim Plunkett,
09:20there's a lot of other
09:21great college players,
09:22Hispanic players in college this year.
09:24So being named that
09:25is a great,
09:26it's a great honor.
09:29Really makes me proud
09:30for my grandparents
09:32immigrating from Cuba
09:33and to be able to,
09:35I mean all four of my grandparents
09:36immigrating from Cuba,
09:37being able to,
09:38them being able to live
09:39the American dream
09:40and then now allowing me
09:42to be on this stage,
09:43it means a lot.
09:45The Raiders went on
09:46to draft a whole lot
09:46of defensive backs after you.
09:48What have been your impressions
09:49of those guys early
09:50and what's the battle
09:51gonna be like with him
09:52throughout all the way
09:53through training camp?
09:54It's been great.
09:55I've been talking to all of them.
09:57My locker mate right now is Stukes,
09:58so to have him next,
10:00you know, battling him
10:01and seeing such a great player
10:02on the other side of the field
10:03and just all the defensive players,
10:05you know,
10:05it's been,
10:07it's been great.
10:08I think it's gonna really test
10:09the offense and the offensive,
10:11especially the offensive rookies
10:12and look forward to all of us
10:13growing together
10:14and best serving the organization.
10:16You met with Clint Kuviak
10:18a handful of times
10:19during the draft process.
10:20What are your first impressions
10:21of him as a coach?
10:24Yeah, I think that,
10:26I think that he's a great teacher
10:27and be able to get little nuggets
10:29here and there from him,
10:31accompanied with coach
10:33and coach Sullivan has been very beneficial
10:36and to have such a genius offensive mind
10:38running such a coherent
10:42and complimentary system
10:44is a really good place
10:46and really good situation
10:47to be in,
10:47be in as a quarterback.
10:49So I'm blessed
10:50and I'm ready to get to work
10:51and you know,
10:52I have a lot to improve.
10:54They know that.
10:55I know that.
10:56So it's ready,
10:57ready to improve.
10:58To that point,
10:59you've been here 10 minutes
11:00in the grand scheme of life, right?
11:01But you're talking about all the things
11:02that you picked up
11:03over the last two days.
11:04What are you a little bit surprised by
11:05that you thought you'd get faster,
11:06but you're kind of struggling with
11:08right now in your mind?
11:09Yeah, there's, I mean,
11:10there's a lot to learn.
11:10There's a lot to learn.
11:11I'm a rookie.
11:13And I've learned a lot
11:15in these past two days.
11:16I feel really good
11:18coming out of this rookie minicamp
11:20with the entire system,
11:21the entire like day one
11:23and day two of the system,
11:24imprinting it,
11:25be able to run it
11:26rather than, you know,
11:27really having the application
11:29and the schematic on paper part.
11:32I feel really good
11:33coming out of this rookie minicamp.
11:34But I think it's going to be
11:35that repetition under center,
11:37getting those quicker feet.
11:39And just,
11:40you can always be faster
11:41and more efficient
11:42in your reads
11:43and decisiveness.
11:44Fernando,
11:45Q Myers to Red Nation Radio.
11:47With all that being said,
11:48all the, everything you're learning,
11:49is it getting a little overwhelming
11:50or does it feel like it's
11:51slowing down a little bit
11:53even though it's only day two?
11:54It's good.
11:55It's great.
11:56It's great to finally be back
11:57in football
11:58and have that information.
11:59And that's how you want it.
12:00You want it to be overwhelming
12:01because when you are,
12:03it doesn't need
12:04a negative connotation,
12:05but when you're positively stressed
12:07by getting a lot of information,
12:08it allows you to grow.
12:10And so, all of us rookies
12:12and trial guys
12:13being able to get stressed
12:15by the information,
12:16I say that in quotation marks,
12:19will allow us to grow.
12:20And we saw that from day one
12:21to day two.
12:21So, it's been,
12:22it's been a great opportunity.
12:24I think it's really
12:24going to help us rookies
12:26into going into many,
12:29it's OTAs.
12:30Sorry.
12:31What are your first impressions
12:32of Malik Benson so far
12:33after working with him?
12:34He's great.
12:35I connected with him a couple times
12:37yesterday on seven on seven
12:40and great playmaker,
12:41really fast and great hands.
12:44So, look forward to getting
12:45more work with him,
12:46creating that rookie rapport.
12:48He's also a great guy
12:49and great character yesterday.
12:50Always wants extra work.
12:51You know, the receivers,
12:53quarterback centers,
12:54we were there doing
12:55a walkthrough last night
12:56and he was the first one there.
12:58So.
12:59I'm sure being here,
13:00you've dreamt of this
13:01moment your entire life.
13:03Are there any surprises
13:04that have come your way so far?
13:07I think it's the realization
13:09that you have the Raider logo
13:10on your chest
13:11and you're playing NFL football,
13:12which is great.
13:14And it's a great privilege.
13:16And with that comes a lot of responsibility.
13:19Responsibility, like Coach Kubiak says,
13:20of being a Raider in this off week.
13:22Making sure you're working out
13:23every single day.
13:25You know, having your decisions focused
13:27on becoming the best player you can be
13:28and the best serve the team
13:29and the best serve the organization.
13:31So to have that little moment of awe,
13:34like, wow, NFL.
13:35Then now it's NFL.
13:37There's a lot of responsibility in that.
13:39What a privilege.
13:40And let me control the control bowls every day
13:43so I can best serve my teammates.
13:45What do you have to do to earn your shield?
13:47I have no idea.
13:48I mean, I've only been here two days.
13:50I would be lying to you if not,
13:51but I'm just going to try to improve
13:53every single day
13:53and hopefully one day I could earn my shield.
13:57But yeah.
13:57Saying you still have a lot to learn,
13:59what about that challenge excites you?
14:02Because you've been there before in your career.
14:05I think it always excites me to learn
14:07because that means there's a room for growth.
14:10It's when the coach says,
14:11hey, you have a lot to learn.
14:13You have a lot of room to grow.
14:14It shows that your best football is ahead of you,
14:18whether it's, you know, any of the rookies.
14:20I believe we all have a lot of room to grow,
14:23including me.
14:24And so to hear that from the coaches means
14:26that they see, you know, potential.
14:29Our potential is nothing unless you improve
14:31every single day and control the control bowls.
14:33So looking forward to growing and being back
14:35on the bottom of the totem pole
14:37and working my way up and earning the respect
14:39of my teammates and becoming the best player
14:41I can become and best serve them.
14:43Thanks, guys.
14:44Thank you, guys.
14:45Have a good one.
14:46God bless.
14:53Any questions for you, Aaron?
14:56We saw you spending most of the practice just observing.
14:58Is that injury related?
15:00Why are you participating in this?
15:02It was really just a heavy load from yesterday.
15:05So I just wanted to keep it safe and just get mental reps.
15:09From the moment you were jumping in the pool a week ago to now,
15:14how has your world changed?
15:16I've been ready to get the ball since that moment.
15:19So it's very exciting.
15:20It's a very pleasant moment just to actually be here
15:23and just learn from other guys and also be around the coaches
15:26to gain information from them.
15:29Does it feel real now?
15:31Or is there a moment where it did go from draft process to wonder?
15:35I don't know yet.
15:37It's kind of uncontrollable.
15:38Now you're actually here.
15:39It was really, like, situational.
15:41So, like, in that very moment once I was drafted,
15:43I was like, man, I'm ready to get the ball.
15:45Like, I've been waiting on this for so long just because, like,
15:48the process, as far as, like, the senior bowl, combine,
15:51it's just, like, really a waiting process.
15:53So just actually being able to be here is, like, a moment to, like,
15:57just actually come true.
16:01Awesome.
16:02Can you talk about, like, the – sorry.
16:05Can you talk about the approach that Rob Leonard is taking
16:07to this defense and is it beneficial for you to have a defensive
16:10coordinator who has that background in defensive line?
16:13Yeah, extremely.
16:14Just because, like, everything that I'm being taught is, like,
16:19everything that I've done at Auburn.
16:20So it's really similar to exactly what I've done.
16:22So it's really an exciting position to be in.
16:25Is there any, you know, like, pillars or qualities that he's trying
16:28to instill in these defensive guys kind of early on?
16:32It's really just to be the attacker.
16:34That's the main one.
16:35Be the attacker and always be forceful in what you do.
16:40So far, what's been the main thing since you've come to the NFL?
16:44I mean, I know it's rookie camp and it's been a short time,
16:46but what's been the biggest challenge for you in terms of learning
16:50how to go through this process and training as a rookie?
16:53I would say it's mainly just getting a routine,
16:56figuring out what works best for me, what time I should wake up,
16:59what time I need to be in the building.
17:00Also, like, just becoming disciplined with that is, like, the main point.
17:04And just, like, being able to be consistent with that is the main focus.
17:07So just being able to have my routine and be consistent with that
17:10and discipline, I feel like I'll be in the best shape as possible.
17:14Can you talk about the jumping in the pool moment?
17:16Was that something that you decided you were going to do?
17:19Were you cracking up peer pressure to get what happened there?
17:21I was just, like, more so, like, if I was to get picked today, I was like,
17:24no matter what I got on, I'm jumping in this pool.
17:26So, like, that was just, like, I was like, you know what?
17:29It's going to be a hell of a moment.
17:32What do you envision your role being on this team?
17:35Definitely a violent player, but also learning from the guys ahead of me.
17:40That's the main point.
17:41But also, like, taking notes and being able to be a part of, like,
17:45a great defensive line, but also being an attacker as well.
17:48So just being able to bring all those things in one
17:51and just being able to contribute on the field is, like, the best part.
17:55Have you gotten to chat with a lot of those guys ahead of you yet?
18:00Yeah, the main person was Max.
18:02I mean, I talked to Max probably, like, twice already.
18:04He called me draft night, and then I called him the next day
18:07just to get, like, a couple pointers.
18:09But just being able to soak in as much knowledge as I can.
18:12Once everybody gets in, it's going to be the best part.
18:15Can you share what some of the pointers are that Max Crosby gave you?
18:19Really just be respectful.
18:21You don't got to talk as much.
18:23Show in and show out when your time comes.
18:26Get ahead of the vets. Show them how it's done.
18:28If my name is called, just be ready.
18:31So, like, just being able to be myself
18:33and bring everything that I have to the table up front
18:36without a hesitation.
18:37Just don't be scared of nothing.
18:39That's the main one.
18:41Obviously, you're a pass rusher by nature,
18:42but your role at Auburn was kind of a little bit more
18:44of that outside linebacker role, kind of staying straight up.
18:47You know, what do you think is the biggest things,
18:49important emphasis for you as you kind of transition back
18:51into being more of a traditional defense end?
18:54It's really more so of just, like, being able to be consistent
18:57with my hands as well, just playing the run
18:59and being violent through the run.
19:02So, it's just being able to correct those pointers,
19:05but also, like, understand the game ten times more
19:08because, like, everything is still new to me,
19:10but also understanding formations,
19:12understanding, like, what you can get in different formations
19:15and, like, just, like, knowing what to come just to be able
19:18to have a heads up over it's really just, like, football intelligence.
19:21So, like, just being able to increase that,
19:23it allows me to play ten times faster.
19:25How would you describe the vibe with your draft class,
19:28the connection you guys have?
19:30We got a great class.
19:31Right now, we're not in the locker room right now.
19:34They got us, like, in a section away, but it's more so, like, yeah.
19:37So, it's a very camaraderie vibe, very spirit.
19:42Everybody happy, happy to be here.
19:43The trial guys happy to be here.
19:45So, it's always fist bump, shaking a hand,
19:47and just being excited around the guys.
19:50It's the energy that matters just because everybody's going to feel ten times better
19:54going out on the field.
19:55What was the kind of the reputation or the impression you had of Fernando
19:58before meeting him and now what is it after meeting him?
20:01Yeah, my agent called Fernando when I got drafted.
20:04So, like, he immediately called him, but it was exciting
20:06because I always watch his interviews just because I thought he was a funny person.
20:11Like, he's just a hot character but also very, like, respectable.
20:16But being able to be alongside him, like, I'm going to definitely learn pointers
20:19just, like, from him because he's a very, like, outstanding guy.
20:24So, like, just being able to be around good people like that.
20:26But I feel like the entire building is like that.
20:28So, like, that was one of the best things when I realized, like, once my name was called,
20:33I was like, you know what, I'm going to be around, like, a lot of good fucking people.
20:37It's a bit of a weird question maybe, but you said Max called you
20:40and then you called him back the next day.
20:42Was there a moment where you're like, I'm really about to call Max Crosby
20:45or is that just, like, you know, I belong now, like, I'm just going to call him?
20:48Yeah, I was like, I belong here.
20:49So, it was more so, like, I was just calling to, like, actually, like, get pointers.
20:52Just, like, I asked him, like, what is something that you actually messed up your rookie year
20:56that, like, I should, like, actually, like, take note of?
20:59And just, like, he gave me a great response.
21:01He was just like, brothers, be yourself, be respectful.
21:03And, like, you don't got to say much.
21:04All you got to do is work.
21:06That's all we care about.
21:07And you're going to be able to fit in perfectly.
21:11All good, guys?
21:12Thank you.
21:12Thank you.
21:13Thank y'all.
21:13Appreciate it.
21:17Thank you.
21:19Trayton, you came into college as a walk-on and, you know,
21:24wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school.
21:26I was just curious, was there, at that time, early in your college
21:29or even late in high school career, is there a time that you didn't think
21:33where you're at right here today could be a reality?
21:36I mean, yeah, for sure.
21:38You know, my path was never the most, you know, perfect path
21:43or, you know, what you would draw out for yourself.
21:46And, you know, it's hard to imagine yourself at the highest point,
21:50you know, watching the best of the best in the world, you know,
21:54when you're in that time.
21:55But, you know, I just kept trusting the process, trusting the people I love
21:59and, you know, trying to gain knowledge everywhere I was.
22:02And, you know, I just kept getting confident, more and more confident
22:04in my abilities as I kept getting older and wiser
22:07and, yeah, I'm super happy to be here now.
22:10Can you tell me the opportunity to ask this to Dalton, but not to you,
22:13just what it's like for you two to be reunited here at the NFL level?
22:17Yeah, it's honestly like a dream come true.
22:20I mean, I couldn't have imagined, you know, coming to a, you know,
22:24reaching this point in my career and getting to do it with my best friend in the world.
22:28So, you know, it's like we were coming into this brand new thing, you know,
22:32joining a brand new team, but I'm doing it with, you know, my closest friend in the world.
22:37And it was a surreal moment, you know, when they picked him and, you know,
22:41we were screaming on the phone together.
22:42So we're super happy to be here and we're ready to get to work.
22:45How big is that for as far as communication on the field as well?
22:48Because you guys know each other so well.
22:50Yeah, 100%.
22:51Yeah.
22:51I mean, we got to a point, you know, playing at Arizona where I didn't even have to say anything.
22:55You know, we had been in the same defense for a couple of years
22:57and I could just look over and know he knows exactly what I'm talking about.
23:00So, you know, now we're speaking in different language, but it's football at the end of the day
23:05and I know exactly how he operates.
23:07And, you know, we've been sitting in each other's hotel rooms going over to, you know, over the tape and
23:12stuff.
23:12So, you know, we're going to get it right and we're going to make sure that we bring our best
23:17every day.
23:18You had talked about that too.
23:20The first call was just kind of like kind of freaked out like this is crazy.
23:22What was the first like real conversation like when you guys said,
23:25oh, this is real, like we're actually going to do this?
23:28Yeah, I mean, so yeah, I mean his first call, you know, I honestly spent the whole call just screaming
23:34on the phone.
23:35Like I'm just screaming, no way, no way.
23:39Because I was just free, I just couldn't believe it, like, you know.
23:42And then, so yeah, when we got on the phone the next day, just really like, you know, the day
23:47had calmed down a little bit.
23:48It was just, we just couldn't, we still like, it was still like a shocking moment.
23:51Like, but, you know, super thankful, you know, the Lord works in mysterious ways.
23:56And, you know, he was working his magic on this one.
23:58So, yeah, it was really, really cool.
24:01I heard you have a different locker mate though.
24:03Fernando said he's next to you and getting to know you.
24:05What would have been your impressions of him or what's he been like out of the gate?
24:08He is a super funny guy.
24:11It has been so much fun sitting next to him in the locker room.
24:15I only been there for what, like three days or something like that.
24:18But, no, it's been super cool getting to know him.
24:21I'm super excited to get to be his teammate.
24:23I love the way he attacks his work.
24:25And, you know, he's a cool guy off the field too.
24:28So, super cool.
24:29Played in a pretty unique defense at Arizona under Coach Gonzalez.
24:32I'm just curious about what was it in your role in that defense?
24:35You know, do you think he'll prepare you for the league and kind of what's going to be asked of
24:38you?
24:39Yeah, Coach G, you know, he works in pretty much all different coverages.
24:43So, I got the chance to kind of play some safety, play some nickel, you know,
24:49play some middle of the field safety in all type of different ways and, you know, different looks.
24:54So, you know, I got to learn, you know, defensive concepts instead of just, you know,
24:59what do I do in this play and playing a memory game.
25:02So, being under Coach G and Coach RC and those guys, you know,
25:07they taught us a lot about schemes and how the defenses work and how you fit into that scheme.
25:14So, it's definitely been helpful taking this step here.
25:18So, I understand what's going on, what we're trying to accomplish and understanding my role within it.
25:23You're playing both safety and nickel today out there on the field.
25:27Has the coaching staff indicated to you that they want to use you in kind of like a versatile role
25:32playing both back deep and kind of up near the line of scrimmage?
25:34Yeah, that's, I mean, that's obviously a question that's better suited for them.
25:39But, you know, I'm going to learn them both.
25:41And wherever I can fit best and help the team win some games, that's what I'm going to do, baby.
25:45Yesterday, I was talking to you.
25:50You were known for your high character in leadership.
25:53How does that translate to this level?
25:56Yeah, I think building a great team starts with being a great teammate first.
26:02And that's something I learned the importance of throughout my entire football career, honestly.
26:07And, you know, coming in as a rookie, you know, you want to be confident.
26:11You want to be ready to learn, but you want to learn from the vets.
26:14You want to learn from the coaching staff.
26:16And that's what I'm here to do.
26:18That's why I'm going to steal knowledge from everyone I can.
26:20I'm going to copy the vets that have done it right and have been succeeding for years at this level.
26:27And then, yeah, as far as, like, leadership, you know, just kind of continuing to be the guy that I
26:32have built, you know, at Arizona.
26:35You know, if I need to take up a leadership role, obviously playing safety, you're kind of the quarterback of
26:41the defense.
26:42Like, I'll be ready to step into that position because I've done it before, so.
26:46Let's talk about that leadership role.
26:48Yesterday I was talking to Dalton, and he said that you took him under, you know, you took him under
26:52your wing.
26:53And he said that you have, like, some old head tendencies in the way that you prepared, your attention to
26:57detail.
26:57Kind of like, what does that mean and kind of how do you think that that's rubbed off on him
27:01as a player?
27:02Yeah, I mean, we was trying to, we was really coming up kind of around the same time.
27:07Like, I had gotten a little bit more snaps and then, you know, he started coming up in that spring.
27:11And that's kind of when we really dove in together.
27:14I think when he says old head tendencies, I think he just mean because I don't do nothing.
27:20Like, I just be at home and just watching tape and stuff.
27:22So, you know, he got, we just found a routine that worked for us.
27:27And, you know, we found ways to keep getting better in all aspects of our game.
27:31So, yeah, no, it's been super good for both him and I, for sure.
27:36What's the biggest lesson you learned from the book, the self-centered perspective?
27:40All right.
27:41That's my dad's book, if anyone's wondering.
27:45I mean, honestly, like the best thing I took away is the acronym.
27:48He's kind of, you know, turned it into a little program now.
27:51Just so it's heart, so it's humility, efficacy, accountability, resilience and trustworthiness.
27:57I wear it on my wrist every day just to remind myself those are, you know, the values I want
28:03to show and prove to myself every single day in life and in football.
28:10So, yeah, I think that's, that's the main thing.
28:13That's the main takeaway from that one for sure.
28:15Do you feel you got a lot of those lessons before he put them out to the world?
28:18Absolutely.
28:19Yeah.
28:20It's, yeah, it's funny you say that because like I read the book obviously in his voice and all I
28:25just, it's just taking me back to being, you know, in fourth grade, first year tackle football.
28:29Like the things he's telling me is the same things he's writing down.
28:32So, no, but it was, it was definitely cool to read it in a book and realize that he's been
28:37teaching me that stuff my entire life.
28:40You obviously have a close relationship with Dalton, but you're coming in with two other rookie defensive backs in this
28:45draft class.
28:46What are your impressions of Zeke and Jermatt so far?
28:48Yeah, really cool guys, of course.
28:51I'm super excited to have, to be able to play alongside both of them.
28:56Zeke looked great.
28:57We got, we got some good, you know, communication, put some good tape together in this mini camp.
29:03Jermatt's making sure he's right.
29:04You know, our, the training staff here is fantastic.
29:05So they're going to make sure he's good to go.
29:08And I'm super excited to get a chance to play with them.
29:10I think we're really going to do some good things for this organization.
29:14All right.
29:14Thanks, Jay.
29:15Thank you.
29:15Thank you guys.
29:22Go ahead.
29:22Questions for try guys.
29:25That's great.
29:25One of the things that John Spicek said about drafting you is that whoever, you would just line up wherever
29:31you were lined up and just block who was ever in front of you.
29:33Like, is that kind of just been your mentality throughout your football career?
29:36Pretty much, yeah.
29:37Play wherever they need me.
29:38Play whatever gets me on the field.
29:39And yeah, just block the guy in front of me.
29:42For communication with Fernando Mendoza, what's that been like?
29:46It's been great, you know, getting to know him, getting to talk with him just off the field, on the
29:49field, working the playbook.
29:50We had a little walk through last night, just kind of getting some snaps, getting some, you know, just time
29:54together.
29:54So it's been great getting to know him.
29:56What's been your first impression of him just as a person off the field?
30:00He's just a guy's guy, honestly.
30:01He just connects with everybody.
30:03He's super friendly, easy to talk to, you know, getting to know everybody.
30:05So he's a great leader and I'm happy to be working with him.
30:08You talked about getting used to playing under center.
30:11He said that he's taking extra snaps with you guys at the hotel.
30:14What's that experience been like, kind of helping him get used to that process?
30:17Right, yeah, that's been awesome because, yeah, we didn't do very much under center at A&M either.
30:20So it's been great, you know, getting those extra reps, you know, just texted.
30:23And yeah, I met at the hotel room last night and just, you know, got some extra reps under center.
30:27So getting ready to roll.
30:28Well, kind of like bonding with him, you know, trying to learn something together kind of early on.
30:33Right. Yeah, it's cool.
30:33Yeah, just spending time with him, getting to know each other, you know, getting a connection with him.
30:36So, yeah, it's been awesome.
30:38There's so much talk about a quarterback learning to take snaps under center.
30:41But as you mentioned, center is the same thing.
30:43Like you have to adjust because you're doing a lot of shotgun.
30:45How different is that process to snap to somebody that's right behind you?
30:49I mean, it's a little different, but nothing that hasn't been too hard to pick up.
30:52You know, I've been working that the past couple months, you know, getting ready for this process,
30:55getting ready for the NFL.
30:56So hasn't been too much difference.
30:58Just, you know, building that connection, you know, exactly how he likes it,
31:00because, you know, that's what matters.
31:02So do you feel you can play all five positions at the NFL level?
31:06Yes, sir. 100%.
31:09How much did you talk to teams about that throughout the process, knowing like, you know,
31:13hey, I can do whatever you guys ask of me.
31:15I've showed it at the college level.
31:16Is that something that they talk to you and you talk to them about throughout this process?
31:19Yes, sir. Yeah, quite a bit.
31:20Because, yeah, I just want to get on the field as quick as possible,
31:22contribute to the team, help out the team.
31:24So wherever they need me, that's where I'm going to be.
31:25Where along the offensive line do you feel the most comfortable?
31:28Any of the five.
31:29I play mostly left tackle in college, but whatever they need, I'm comfortable playing.
31:34What are your first impressions of Rick Dennison?
31:37I love him as a coach.
31:38He's funny.
31:38He's fun to work with.
31:40You know, he's super detailed.
31:41I just love being in the meeting room with him, and it's just a fantastic time getting
31:44to learn the playbook with him.
31:45Have you had any conversations with Linderbaum yet?
31:48I have not, no, but I'm excited to.
31:50What are you excited to take away from him?
31:53I just want to be a sponge and learn everything I can.
31:55You know, he's a veteran guy.
31:56He knows what to do, and I just want to sit down with him and pick his brain,
31:59hopefully not bug him too much, but just learn from him.
32:02What's the key to playing at the intensity level that you played it, but don't commit penalties?
32:07I think you only had one that was called on you last season.
32:10Right, yeah.
32:10It's just a mindset, just being locked in, just being disciplined.
32:13You know, you've got to do your job, but you've got to do it right, too.
32:15So it's just a mindset and something you've got to work and practice every single day.
32:18So Rick, your class as a whole, so far, how have you guys been able to kind of juggle
32:23having fun and being high energy, but also being serious and treating this as a tryout?
32:27I mean, yeah, it's just a job every single day, so you've got to come in and go to work,
32:31and then, yeah, there's time when we're just sitting around in the hot tub, cold tub,
32:34just messing around, talking around a little bit, just talking about other things.
32:38But when it's work time, it's work time, and everybody knows that.
32:41Versatility seemed to be a key throughout the entirety of the draft class.
32:44How important is versatility, not only to yourself, but to everybody else that's here at camp right now?
32:49Right, it's super important. It's extremely important because, you know, being able to be versatile,
32:53play multiple positions just increases your value and how much you can help the team.
32:56So it's all about what the team needs, so you've got to be able to help out however much you
32:59can.
33:00What do you feel is the most challenging, in terms of being able to play all five positions?
33:04I was wondering, what's the most challenging part in terms of being able to do that at a high level?
33:11For me, mentally, it wasn't really a problem because I pride myself on learning the playbook
33:14and learning all five positions, but, you know, just getting those reps at all different positions
33:18because the technique's a little bit different, steps are a little bit different,
33:20just banking all those reps, so just look forward to doing that in practice and on my own.
33:24You guys walked in with your name tags yesterday.
33:27Was there any, like, icebreakers you guys did to get to know each other off the field?
33:33I mean, just kind of talking in the locker room and then in the O-line room, you know,
33:36just, you know, favorite foods, favorite musics, just the kind of stuff like that,
33:41just getting to know each other, getting to learn a couple things about each other.
33:44Can you talk about what the coaching styles of Kubiak and Trinoco and Denison have been so far
33:50and kind of what are the things that they're trying to instill in this offense?
33:54Super hands-on, very detailed, extremely detailed.
33:57You know, you do it right and you do it until you do it right.
33:59So, yeah, extremely detailed and I'm just excited to continue to get to work with them.
34:04You guys all good? Thank you. Cool. Thank you. Appreciate y'all.
34:06Thank you.
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