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  • 3 days ago
Dohnte Meyers on Performance at Bengals Training Camp
Transcript
00:00Like every day, we're kind of calling it in.
00:01Do you feel like you're making the impression you wanted?
00:04Honestly, I just feel like it's nothing short of a blessing to come in here,
00:09to go to work, this locker room with these group of guys.
00:12We just kind of soak it in.
00:13It's been amazing.
00:13It's been a blessing.
00:14And I've been just kind of being present with my feet on it.
00:17What is the, I mean, you play in the CFL, you come here.
00:21Do you notice, does the difference feel dramatic?
00:25Or do you feel like, no, I'm just playing ball.
00:27Do you feel like I'm still just playing football like I always have?
00:30Yeah, I feel like I'm playing football, you know.
00:33They put the pick, skin down, and you compete, offense versus defense.
00:37You know, I play offense, so you try to go make a play out every day.
00:40And I feel like, you know, that's kind of what is that task every day.
00:43You know, we have a great defense.
00:45We try to compete.
00:45And whether it's in Canada, whether it's in Cincinnati,
00:49I just let it play football, you know.
00:50So that's just kind of what I've been embracing.
00:52How did, you know, how was the reaction been from other teammates,
00:58quarterbacks as you continue to, do you notice, like, a few recognitions
01:02that you're making plays?
01:04Or do you feel like you're earning some respect a little bit in that way?
01:07Well, honestly, I feel like it's always been a familiar vibe.
01:10I came in here early, if I'm not mistaken, early April, early May,
01:14in offseason.
01:16And from the beginning, we just hit the ground running.
01:19You know, we've all been pushing each other.
01:20We've all been competing.
01:21So I kind of feel the similar vibe that I had first experience when I got here.
01:26The guys with close name, we all were here earlier.
01:28We're all working together.
01:29So it kind of feels the same out there in practice.
01:31We're all pushing each other.
01:33We're all kind of working together and just trying to execute.
01:36Did you talk to anybody or lean on anybody in terms of making a transition
01:41from playing where you play to coming into the NFL?
01:43Like, was anybody that gave you advice on how to try to come in
01:46and make an instant impact or anything like that?
01:49Other than the people that's already in the building,
01:51I know me and Pau's connected, TJ.
01:55Me and him were kind of in contact in this offseason.
01:58Kind of had a break, so I had a chance to pick his brain,
02:00kind of glean from the experience, especially being in the locker room,
02:03being in a similar offense and working with similar coaches.
02:05How did you get connected with him?
02:08So him and my receiver trainer back home, Stephon Brown,
02:11they know each other.
02:12And they connected, he connected, Steph connected me to TJ,
02:16and then kind of, that's how that connection happened.
02:17What was his advice?
02:19What was the best thing that he told you?
02:21He gave me a lot of sound advice.
02:24I would just say, more importantly, he just talked about the preparation.
02:27Here, a lot of people are talented, the athletic, they're strong,
02:31they're capable.
02:31A lot of it, you separate yourself through preparation.
02:34That's something I gleaned to, and that's the kind of message
02:36that's been echoed my whole life.
02:37How much do you feel like your gig here, though,
02:40is going to be about making an impact as a returner?
02:43Is that kind of where you feel like you need to make a big impression as well?
02:46I mean, you've made plays on offense, but when the preseason game starts,
02:49is that what you kind of have your mind on?
02:51If I can make an impact there, that might be my path?
02:54Honestly, I just cherish every opportunity.
02:57Regardless if it's a returner, in the offense, every opportunity is scarce.
03:02I believe if you're on a professional football team, they call your number.
03:05Whatever that role is, you're trying to maximize and just show them
03:07that you know you can be trusted.
03:08I feel like that's kind of what my role is now.
03:11Just prove that you want to earn the trust in the locker room and respect.
03:14Regardless of how I got here, you want to be respected among your peers
03:17and know that they can rely on you to make plays.
03:19What's the biggest adjustment for the camp?
03:21What's the biggest?
03:25Honestly, I haven't had time to think about that.
03:27I'd say just the preparation aspect, just switching me from the offense.
03:33I would say the one less person on the field and just the size of the field.
03:38A lot of things happen a lot quicker, you know,
03:40so that's something you kind of have to adjust to, a lot of one-on-one matchups.
03:44You had a couple one-on-ones today.
03:47Flacco knows, I think one was he got pushed out of the pocket.
03:54I mean, do you remember that play where he was running out?
03:57It looked like you made an extra move, but I don't remember that play.
04:01What's the team period?
04:02Team period.
04:03First team period.
04:06That's his.
04:06Okay.
04:07Yeah.
04:08I'm probably going to see it.
04:09Okay, got it.
04:10I asked Coach Pritchard about you.
04:12I think the word he used was juice.
04:14He got some juice.
04:15What do you think?
04:16Oh, I appreciate it, man.
04:18Any comment for the O-son, pretty good time.
04:20What do you think he means by juice?
04:23You know, just kind of bring it to the day.
04:27Especially being a smaller friend guy, I'm going to kind of have some,
04:33people call it glitch.
04:35Sometimes, you know, I'm going to try to glitch out there
04:37and just try to use it to my advantage for him to recognize that.
04:42Was there a point in this camp where you said,
04:45I'm not in Canada anymore?
04:47Any play, any guy?
04:52Honestly, I switched my mindset once I signed.
04:54You know, understanding the opportunity at hand and that mentality kind of
04:59beginning once I signed back in January.
05:01So once I step foot in the building, you know, I'm in the NFL.
05:04So be a pro and connect myself as such.
05:07When you know it's going to be hard to make that 53,
05:10what's that mindset like to start camp and then go through the first week?
05:13Say that one more time?
05:14When you know how stacked that receiving room is
05:16and what it's going to take to make that 53-man roster,
05:18what's the mindset like for you as you kind of go through and start camp?
05:22Honestly, that's not something I've set my mindset on.
05:26As you guys know, camp is a long day.
05:27So I just kind of focus on my preparation and opportunities at hand,
05:30whether it's meetings, try to be my best self at meetings, recovery, practice,
05:35and just finish the day each and every day.
05:36Show up to the building, being the same person, being consistent,
05:39and just put my best foot forward.
05:40Honestly, I just want to contribute to the team
05:42and honestly compete with everybody and make everybody better.
05:46Thank you very much.
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