Atlanta Falcons rookies speak to the media following practice at AT&T Training Camp

A lot of jugs action for you, Zechariah. >> Oh, yeah. That's daily, man. I got to >> How much you catch? >> I try to do 200. >> 200. >> 200 every day. >> What's the rhyme or reason behind it? >> Um, you know, I just, you know, you never know how many opportunities you'll get in practice. Um, you know, I may get a couple balls out there, you may get zero that day. Uh, so I just want to make sure that I'm just capitalizing on every opportunity that I'm possibly going to get. Um, you know, when it gets a lot of bullets flying and things like that. So, uh, you know, I just want to make sure I catch the ball. That's what we get paid to do. So, try to make sure I'm as best as that as I can. What's it been like for you just kind of catching the balls from all these different quarterbacks recently? >> It's been great. Um, you know, we have a lot of talent um, you know, on this team, not even just quarterback room everywhere. Um, but it's just been great to get a chance to, you know, catch the ball from all of them. Um, and just see how they work, go out there and just try to be the best version of ourselves for not only themselves, but for the team as well. It makes us want to go harder as receivers. >> What's it been like for you getting to just work with Drake more and learn from him in this camp? >> It's been great. um you know his locker is right next to mine. So when everything uh you know I want to learn from him and just pick his brain on and just stuff he he just reaches out to me and says like oh this whatever on the field or just off the field just talking to me as a regular person. Um so it's been great just having a vet like that and somebody who's done it at a high level um you know for for some years now is pretty cool just to see and and learn from. >> There's always a conversation about like how does a training camp or NFL practice compare to a Kirby Smart practice? So how does it do you feel like it's I wouldn't say easier but like you were well prepared coming in. I would definitely say well prepared for sure. Um just the way that coach Smart does his practices and just, you know, holds everybody to a high standard. He's on the mic every day making sure everybody's flying around from drill to drill. Um you know, it's pretty much fast-paced the whole time. The whole time. Uh you know, from special teams to team and then we might go live, we might go stud and he going to make sure you getting thuted and wrapped up and you know, you're not running out of bounds, anything like that. So I feel like he did a great job. You know, the coaching staff over there at Georgia has made it a smooth transition for me. Sure. >> Obviously been a mix of thud and live tackling here. I know that you don't know this because you're a rookie, but a bunch of different coaches here have not done live tackling in a long time in training camp. How much does that help you, especially heading into Friday's preseason game? >> I think that definitely helps us. Um, you know, just because it's not going to be the first time that we're getting tackled, um, you know, in a game on Friday, the preseason game. So, it just gets guys to, you know, really hone in and actually help us compete a little bit more, too. Like, once we get out there on the field, it's like, okay, I'm not trying to get tackled by him and that guy's not trying to make, uh, you know, get missed or or get jked or whatever the case may be. So, it really raises the standard for us to, you know, really attack practice as well. Um, and, uh, it makes it fun for sure. Just competitiveness. >> Bejian out there talking a little smack today. What are you like on the field? Are you participating in some of that stuff? >> Um, I think I'm I'm really more I let my game speak for the most part, but if somebody's going to, you know, start something, I'm I'm going to finish it for sure. Um, but I think I'll just let my game play for the most part, get back and try to be be there for my team. But if if my guys into it, then I make sure you know everything is good. For sure. >> Apparently Vjon started it, which is a little surprising. And when you see Vjon doing stuff like that, what's going through your head? >> Oh, yeah. I mean, uh, that shows fire and that shows passion. Um, you know, how you play the game and how >> somebody's having fun over there. Um, but but that's just cool to see. Um, you know, that's the competitiveness coming out of him. Um, you know, just to go out there and just, you know, make make the others better as well. um you know because some of that chippiness definitely does get certain things going like oh you want to talk to me like that okay let's do it so um you know it gets practice going a little bit and stuff especially from a player like that he's very electrifying >> the relationship with a quarterback especially when it comes to route running it has to develop over time and you're doing that with a bunch of different guys right now how do you work on specifically that relationship >> um you know it kind of just goes to the details I would say I just try to pride myself in the details and being where I'm supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there um just so the quarterbacks can be like okay maybe I didn't get the ball on this play, but they can look back on on film and see like, okay, he was open in this in this point, so maybe next time we get the play, I can go back to him. Um, and then kind of goes to what he asked me earlier with the jugs and things like that. Whenever the ball comes my way, I try to make it uh the best opportunities I can cuz if you're coming down with certain plays, then the QB is going to want to keep coming back to you. So, I always try to, you know, take advantage of those. >> Obviously, you and Drake, two totally different sizes, two totally different receivers. What do you feel like you bring to the table in a way that you can make some noise in your rookie year? Um, I think I just bring uh a level of professionalism as a young player. I'd say I feel like I had a good routine early on. Um, you know, from my dad just teaching me how to be a pro early with nutrition and just, you know, uh, attacking workouts and things like that and just trying to be a better person overall. And I think that, uh, goes to account of USC and Georgia as well, preparing me to get ready to go on the field and just, you know, show me how the standard is. Um, you know, but I think I can I can be electrifying and just try to take advantage of my opportunities when my numbers go up. There's been a lot of people that have held you at a high standard from USC to Kirby Smart to now here obviously. What's the personal standard you hold yourself at? >> Um I I definitely hold myself to a high standard for sure. Um you know I'm still mad about that that the 101 earlier. Um you know I should have got that you know it it hit my hands. So whenever it hits my hands I got to be able to come down with it. So um you know always I always do my push-ups every time and I'm like man I'm over here doing too many push-ups. I'm getting swole. I'm tripping. Um, but that's that's goes to the jugs as well. Just keeps me grounded. Like, um, you know, we can always get better. I'm not perfect, but I can always get better. And there's days where you be like, "Oh, I don't feel like doing it." Um, and then there's days where you're like, "I don't feel like doing it." But you still do it, which is going to help you get better for the next opportunity. So, I definitely hold myself to a high standard. Um, and just try to be the best version of myself every day. >> The push-ups are a self accountability thing. >> Oh, yeah. Definitely. Um, I think I started from a young age with my dad. Um, you know, in high school I used to like catch one hand a lot and stuff, too. But now I try to just go two hands. But if I drop one hand, I got to do 20 push-ups. But if I drop two, I got to do 10. So, it's always been like something I've done since I was a young age, and I just been carrying it over to hold myself accountable. >> What were you at today? 10. >> Yeah, I was at 10. Yeah. >> How much are you looking forward to just the first preseason game and facing other guys? >> Oh, I'm excited. Um, you know, just to get out there and feel the atmosphere from the fans is something that I'm uh really excited about. Haven't been feeling it out here. They've been coming to practice and things like that. So, um, you know, it's always cool and then just to get out there with my guys and just, you know, finally go versus somebody else is something that's pretty cool. So, I'm excited for for that opportunity and and can't wait for it. >> Has there been a rookie teammate that you've kind of really like bonded with or paired up with maybe throughout the camp that's just kind of helping you get through the grind? >> Um, I'll probably say the receivers honestly. Um, you know, we're around them most of the time. So, I'll probably say honestly Kea Marian, um, you know, Vinnie, Anthony, Mecky, um, you know, we're always together, especially in the rookie. We have extra rookie meetings and things like that. and um you know we do certain walkthroughs on our own um you know just to kind of learn certain things and pick it up together as well. So um I'll definitely say those guys on the offensive side and then Avon me and him uh been pretty cool always playing a little game in the locker room you know getting the locker room turned up. So um it's been pretty cool just to get to connect with everybody. Um even Perk too. >> All right coach said this morning that they're trying to find you know new ways different personnel to kind of get you involved in the offense. just how do you attack training camp trying to carve out a role for you to play this season beyond? >> Oh yes. Uh you know wherever the coaches want me to be. I mean I just try to take advantage of that and just do a lot with my preparation. Um you know I do a lot of walkthroughs and things like that just to put myself in position. Um you know so when I go on the field I've already done it and I try to be in the right spot for the quarterback and things like that and build the trust of the offensive coordinator and you know the head coach and initially and the team just to be able to you know get more opportunities. So trying to capitalize on all that. How valuable are those rookie meetings that you have to really kind of just like soak everything in and look at it again? >> Oh yeah. No, it definitely is super super valuable. Um, you know, some people may look at it like, oh, we're doing extra meetings, the vets get to leave, but I kind of look at it like I'm getting a a head start. Um, you know, initially, just extra notes. Um, you know, no matter how many times I hear something, I kind of write it down every single time. Uh it may be the first play we ever installed and coach is talking about it again for a play that's tomorrow like I'll rewrite it like I've never heard it just so it like can I've seen myself write it like 50 times. Um so I think that definitely does help us go out there um you know. Oh I'm sorry about that. We're on the field and just be prepared for those moments for sure. >> So you're a notetaker like you have to write it. >> Oh yeah. I think I've had like four notebooks already um throughout camp. Um, and I I try to make sure I keep him too cuz I saw I was watching quarterback. Um, and it wasn't this season, but it was the last season. >> Um, I think it was Kirk and he said he keeps his notes. So, I was like, I'm going to I'm going to do that. Maybe if I play so and so week one, we played in week 12, I'm going to go back and look at them notes like, okay, they did this and see if it's still similar. Um, so I've been trying to make sure I keep all my notes uh from camp and everything, too. >> So, did it just start? Like, have you been a noteaker your whole career or did that just start now? >> No, I've always been a notetaker. Um, you know, but I feel like after I like cuz I usually like take the notes or whatever and go to my room and I like reread everything and stuff and then be ready for the practice and whatever it is for that day. But I wouldn't usually like keep them in like a certain stack. I'll just go through the next one and then keep rewriting cuz I every time I hear something, I'm going to rewrite it every time. So, I didn't really like necessarily like, okay, let me go back and look at my first notebook. Um, you know, so I'm definitely going to add that in there and just see see how it goes. What do you enjoy about the vision that Tommy Reece has for this offense? >> Oh yeah, he's very very creative. Um, you know, it's pretty cool just to see the the ways that he can incorporate all the playmakers that we have. Um, you know, from the running backs, tight ends, receivers, um, you know, even adding quarterback stuff too as well. It's pretty cool just to see. Um, you know, and I was just looking at everything like it's a lot in the playbook and I'm just like I couldn't imagine having to like create this like it's crazy. Um, so he's very very talented and very smart, you know, the way he sets everything up and I'm excited for the year. >> And having Matt Ryan out here. >> Oh yeah. No, he's always talking to us. There's a great energy out here and um, you know, he's a great he's a legend. Um, you know, for the Falcons franchise and the NFL as well. So, it's always good just getting a chance to hear from him and um, you know, hear certain nuggets and things like that from him. So, I try to take everything in I can and he's very interactive. >> Every year the rookies have to do something whether it's like produce or uh, you know, talk about conspiracy theories or things like that. What have you guys had to do this year with this class? >> Um, yeah. So, we're starting like rookie performances and things like that. Um, I actually think I'm today. So, >> I'm trying to get prepared for sure. >> What are we What are we like what's on the docket? What are we singing? >> I'm I'm probably singing cuz they said it we they said it can't be a beat or anything. Um, it has to be ac cappella. So, >> uh, you know, I'm going have to try to get the crowd involved for sure. >> Who's gone already? Like, have you been impressed or do you feel like you can step it up a notch? Um Jack, our tight end, he's went um you know, the first time. Um and that's it. So, I guess we're going to keep keep going. I guess they called me up and said I was next. So, uh you know, I'm get ready for that. >> Was Jack good? >> Jack was cool for sure. He got real creative. You know, he had his little candy and stuff. He was throwing a candy in the crowd. It was pretty cool for sure. >> What song you going to do? >> You got to stay tuned if they post it, man. >> Are you confident? >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm confident. I'm confident. I've been practicing just in case they call. >> Oh, really? For sure. >> For sure. >> It's like a random draw pretty much or >> Yeah. It's no order. Um so like the first day they were trying to tell us like the other day they told me like, "Oh yeah, you're going to do your rookie performance today." I'm like, "Yo, I've been studying plays. I ain't been You can't tell me like 4 hours before it's up." So I was like, "I need a little bit more time." Um you know, and then they gave me like a the weekend to prepare or whatever. Um so I' I've been practicing for sure. >> What's more nerve-wracking? getting up and ready to sing in front of your whole group or going out there and >> Oh, definitely getting ready to sing in front of the whole group. Um, you know, I don't know. I I some just about like presentations and all that just make me nervous for some reason. Like I know what I'm going to say, but like I get out there in front of fans and I'm not nervous at all, but when I get up to like present or something, like it's it's definitely nerve-wracking, but I I do a good job, but my heart is definitely beating on it. So, I appreciate >> How long does that have to be? >> Um, they said no time limit, but I'm going to probably do like the I'm going to do the full song. Okay. Yeah, I'm going to do the whole song. >> Acappella prayers, man. >> That's what I'm saying. I'm going to have to get the crowd interactive with a beat or something for sure. >> How you how you feeling? Did you leave practice for a little bit today? >> Yeah, I'm feeling good. My chest tighten up on me, but I'm good. >> Perk, you have such a fun personality. We're just trying to get to know you, right? So, describe just who Harold Perkins is. >> Um, well, for one, I'm god-fearing. Uh, for two, I love ball. Well, for three, I love ball. Number two, I love my family and my teammates and um yeah, that's who me. I'm just trying to come out here every day, every day, and uh just be the best version of myself for real. >> You clearly have a really good relationship with him over there. I mean, what? Yeah. What What is that relationship like so early in camp? >> It's been good really since day one, since we uh got here. Um like he said over there, it ain't it wasn't no nothing about us was competition. Um we both came in together and we both been working to help each other get better. And um I know if I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and he doing what he supposed to be doing, then we good. >> How do you make each other better? >> Just staying hard on each other every day. Uh when I'm when I'm doing something I know I could do better, he tell he letting me know and vice versa. If I see him doing something that he could do better, I let him know. So I say that we all we always be quick to critique each other and help each other too. >> Did you see Bejon chirping at him today? >> And who Kendall? >> Oh no, I ain't seen that. you know, I would have said something. >> But it's all love though. Uh even with B. Um he go in the locker room, even on the field walking around. He want us to be good. So he always talking to us. Um whether it's good or on the field, we we we always go back and forth. So it' be good good competition. >> Like uh Pepper, >> how does going up against a bunch of these really good offensive pieces that they have make you better as a defender? Um, I feel like it helps me be better because I feel like I'm one of the best. Um, and going up against one of the best is going to make you better. So, I say that. >> Does it feel like uh you and Kendall are almost like a perfect compliment for each other? You know, he's got he's got the size, he's got the the long arms, and you got the speed. Like, it's almost like you guys are are a great, you know, one-two punch. >> Yeah. I I feel like we we complement each other very well. I feel like that for sure. Most definitely. I just came in so sorry if I'm re asking this but kind of just what was your reaction when Jaylen went down and also just was there any conversation about maybe how you can have maybe a bigger role >> um when that happened kind of messed me up a little bit because obviously it's practice you know no one wants to get hurt in practice um like I said before I'm praying for my dog um know he going to shake back my intercept back but major comeback and um my role on the team whatever my team needs me to do that's what I'm going to do >> Harold you know what it's like to be hurt you've obviously dealt with your fair share of that throughout your career so far. What would be your advice to Jaylen mentally and trying to get through that? >> Um, I tell him, uh, be yourself. Um, cuz it's going to be it's it's going like times right now. I know at least for me, I didn't want to talk to nobody. I didn't want to be bothered. Um, you going I told him I told him it's like you going to really see who messing with you. You know, when you down bad or you at your lowest, you going to really see who got real love for you. How would you describe kind of the mentality um mentality of this defense and what the identity wants to be? >> You can repeat that one more time. >> What do you think the mentality is of this defense and what the identity is going to look like this season? >> The mentality of our defense, we want to be the alphas. Um we want to come out and we want to stamp stamp things from the go. And I feel like our mentality the same thing. Mentality of the alpha >> of an alpha. >> Alpha. >> Alpha. Sorry. >> Alpha. Perk. Perk. What are you excited about when it comes to the preseason game on Friday? >> Just playing, letting go and playing. Um, obviously we've been practicing a lot, >> so we actually just to go have fun. >> I know it may be shocking to you, but around here, the live tackling hasn't been a thing for a lot of coaching staffs, especially in training camp. How much does that help you, especially heading into that first preseason game of the year? >> I feel like it helps a lot. Um, especially being a rookie. We ain't probably tackling in I don't even know how long counting. So, I feel like it helps not just letting our first time go live is this Friday. So, I most definitely think it helps a lot. >> How did your journey in college build you into the player that you are today and getting you ready for this opportunity? >> Um, obviously we all know we can't control how our life goes and how it turns out, but I feel like my ups and my downs. Um, it helped me become who I am today. >> What's kind of been like the I don't know, have you had a like rookie moment or anything out there like that makes you kind of like, oh, now I'm in the NFL. Like, this is training camp. Like, does it feel different? >> No, it's ball. Uh, we going to see. I ain't having no NFL moment right just yet. >> Yeah. >> Have they Have they said like directly like, "Hey, you know, Jaylen's out. We're going to need you to do or maybe we need Kendall to do a little bit more off off the edge on the outside." >> No. They didn't say nothing like that. >> No, nothing at all. >> No. No. No. You tried to get the inside score. >> I'm trying I'm teaching you the questions. That's like a B minus question. >> How much do you enjoy getting after the quarterback? >> No, I love that. That's what I do. So, uh yeah, I love doing that. What have coaches told you about like why you've gotten more of the more time with the ones? >> Coaches don't tell me nothing. We don't sit around and talk about reps and how many reps you take. And I feel like >> me as a player, I do my part. I do my job to earn more reps to get on the field. So if that's what's going on, I guess I'm doing my part. >> When you got sent out, like for one, like how did that must have been really encouraging or how did you feel knowing that they were saying that in you? >> I felt regular. I do this every day. This ain't nothing new. How how valuable is it for you to be out there pract being able to practice with the ones I mean looked at? >> I feel like it's valuable, but at the end of the day it's football. I'm not I'm not >> I'm not going out there saying, "Oh, I'm repping with the twos today. I'm repping with the ones or the threes." That's not my mindset. My mindset just go out there and kill whoever I'm out there with. >> Kendall had said that the trash talk has started already with pajamas. Have you had any with anyone out there? >> I talked to a little I talk to everybody a little bit. I just be uh talk smack to everybody. We keep it in a family though. We ain't putting that on the net. >> We'll do a couple more here. >> Okay. So, tell us about your personality on the field. I mean, we see some of these guys who are super quiet off the field, but something happens when they get out there and they talk some smack, like Bejon. He's the nicest person ever, but he opens his mouth sometimes. What are you like? >> Um, I feel like I'm the aggressor. I don't really talk unless somebody talk to me for real, but I most definitely feel like I'm the aggressor for sure. Hey, coach talked about the rookies getting extra study time and and taking advantage of that. Have you uh felt that and have you tried to take advantage of that extra study time? >> Yeah, most definitely. Uh so at the end of our day, um when all the vets and stuff go home, the rookies will be in here like extra 30 minutes, meet with our coaches on whatever we meet about. And I most definitely feel like that's helping us a lot just because, you know, I mean, obviously we all started started in camp at the same time, but just us being able to uh stay after and just get more reps mentally or physically, I feel like that's that's good for us. >> What's something extra in that process that you've learned? Maybe being able to kind of have that extra time. uh whether it's watching film, reading keys, um or just getting the playbook and cuz we in you know in camp they they throw everything on you with installs and all of that. So sometimes you just got to slow down and the stuff that you think you know that they put in last week go back and review it and why the stuff that they study putting in. You got to know that too. >> Were you talking smack to the John Robinson out there? Can you explain that that situation? What was going on there? >> Just owe you in Texas going back and forth. What happened on that play? >> Uh, it was just a good play by both teams and I was running the alley. He was running through the alley. Um, I'm smart enough not to hit B. John, >> so just talking smack after the play a little bit. >> Who started the smack talk? >> Him. >> What did you tell him? I'm sorry. >> He would have been down. >> But it's fun. I Me and Bian talk to each other every day. I mean, it's fun. It's um OU Texas, but that's my big brother now. He looks after me. And so just going up against him all the time and being able to joke about the games we played against each other. Very fun. >> You just said that you guys talked to each other. >> Perkins available over here, y'all. >> You just said that you guys talked smack to each other every day. When's the first time he really kind of did that to you in practice? >> Right there. >> That was the first time he actually said something to me. >> Did it catch you off guard? >> No. No, I didn't. He talks a lot of smack, but that was the first time he ever said something to me. >> What can you say about your teammate Harold? >> Great person. Great. Yeah. Keeps me going. Tells me the plays when I mess up. Um, he helps me out a lot. Uh, great great player. >> Yeah. Why? >> You want to you want to comment on this? >> I was going to let y'all finish. You're >> good. >> So, I got a question. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> what's it like being out there helping your teammates? >> Uh, it's good. you know, we all help each other and just being able to, you know, pick each other up when we're down. You know, we all have bad plays and bad days, so just being able to pick each other up when we down. >> Uh, how is, uh, how was your position, coach? >> Great. Coach Roode is great. Um, he's a great person. He deals with me and Perk a lot. Um, but dealing with us and he No, he's great. He's he's a linebacker coach. she used to play at linebacker. So, he understands sometimes when if we mess up, he understands why and not just why did he doesn't ask us why, he explains to us. So, it really helps us out a lot that he played the linebacker position. >> How have you guys helped each other just through this NFL process and and just being a part of the Falcons as a rookie? >> Uh going through the same process. Um you know, we came in together and it's not a competition between each other. Um, it's a we're competing against whoever we're going against and that's how we got to look at it and that's how we have been looking at it and you know when we're both on the same page it's great. >> What about the effects of the opportunities that were there and coach this morning talked about the rookies and how he's pleased with you where you guys are grasping your opportunities. >> Uh, just just put in the work when nobody's watching. So when your name is called you'll be able to perform. >> What has the conversation been about? Just kind of rolls especially when you see a guy like Jaylen Walker going down. just what was your initial reaction and how do you feel like you guys >> you know it was devastating you know seeing him and and you know he's helped me out a lot playing the position playing that edge so it was it was real good and you know it was it was bad seeing him go down but I haven't talked to about to coach Rude or anybody about any role change or anything I'm just going in and I'll do whatever they tell me to do. >> What do you feel like kind of the identity of this offense wants or defense wants to be? fast and physical, you know, and and different and versatile and we want to be feared and we have to install that this Friday when we have a preseason game, you know, we don't take preseason games off. So, just uh going up against our offense, instill in fear and not having them want to go against us. Be able to coach should be able to pull us off and not tell us to go. That type of mentality, just a pit bull mentality, always wanting to uh practice hard and go against the offense. >> You appear really comfortable just talking, being loud out there. Why is that? like kind of where does that come from do you think in your game? >> I feel like I've always been like that since I played high school basketball. Uh a quiet defense is a bad defense and so just growing and and you can I was that young guy before like in college not knowing a play and then somebody talking loud it just reassures you of what you got to do. So just being able to communicate helps a lot of things. Even saying stuff during the play or after play you know you're tired but it helps you out a lot. No, I can't think what the safety's thinking, but me communicating out loud, it helps both of us be on the same page. >> When do you think you viewed yourself as a linebacker? >> When? >> Yeah. 20 23 24 now. >> Not 24. I played linebacker, but I didn't consider myself. >> I don't know, man. It I never woke up one day and was like, I'm a linebacker. It was just I just kept practicing at it and figured if I kept gaining weight, I'll become one. >> Without Divine, I mean, how how hard was it? I mean, who was kind of louder? Was it you? Was it like who who kind of assumed that role? >> Um I guess we were already I don't think that it was uh stepping in the role just just playing not getting too high and just still playing at the level that being consistent and not worrying about if I was going with the ones, twos or threes or fours. You know, every time I'm out there it's going to be the same Ker Daniels no matter if I'm going with the ones or the twos or threes. So just having that mindset. If I go with the twos, I go with the twos. If I happen to go with the ones, I go with the ones. So, I haven't been able to really sit down and really think, "Oh, I'm going with the ones this day. I'm going to have to go harder." You know, I always go hard. So, it's just have to you have to think you have to think that every day. And like coach Vendibble say, every day is a job interview and you're being evaluated all the time. So, >> did you have an opportunity to see much today of Cameron Sample on his first day with the team? >> Who? >> Oh, no. I was not. I didn't know if >> No, I was not. So like when you are with the twos are are are you the green dot guy? >> Yes. >> How how I mean how easy is that? Is it is it hard you know trying to to >> Mike linebackers are nothing's easy about playing Mike linebacker. >> So what's the hardest part about it do you think? Wearing the green dot of the >> having to say the call. Having to say the call is probably the hardest thing when you're tired having to get a long call to the defense and once you get the call you still have to make the checks and set the front talk to the back end. So, you know, everybody's depending on you to to get the call in. If you're dead tired and you can't get the call out, nobody performs well. >> So, what's the the longest or hardest call you have? >> I can't tell y'all what it's called, but it's it's long. It's you just it's saying it the second time. You have to say something one time, you have to say it again, and that's when that's when it comes out as very tired. >> How do you practice it? >> Yeah, I practiced it the first time I ever had to do it cuz in college we did signals. So this off seasonason, I would just go into the meeting room and I would just say the things out loud and I was like, "What if we got this call?" And I would just say it out loud over and over and over because it's something that I never did. And so that's that's the one way I'll do it. >> Having a preseason game, I mean, for you guys as rookies, is that really live bullets almost to the fact that it's not just out here playing another player? Is that something you guys look forward to as rookies, kind of getting to feel real NFL competition? >> Yeah, you know, in college, you don't really do anything like that. I mean, you go live against your own team and it's like a couple plays, but it's never a game. The first time you ever go live is during a game. So, this will be fun and get a preseason game and get my routine going cuz it's very different in in the NFL. I'm uh I was told that it's very different than a game day in college. There's not a lot of meetings. So, you have a lot of time to prepare your body and do all those type of things. So, it'll be good for uh a lot of the rookies to get into that routine and see my bad. see what they they're good at and what works and what doesn't work. >> All right, Ethan, it seems like you've kind of put some things together over the last couple of days. Has anything clicked for you out here in your first training camp? >> Um, honestly, I just learned so many things overall like the run in past game just because like I have so many great people in the room like with Coach Callahan and Jake. Like I just learned so much from just like being here for a couple weeks, you know? So, I'm really just blessed to be here. >> What would be your review of the drills that he's putting you through day in and day out? I feel like the biggest thing is just like attention to detail with everything, you know, like at the end of day like we're athletes, but at the same time to do our jobs at the maximum level, we have to have perfect detail, you know. >> What's the describe for us what it's like stepping from college into a Bill Callahan meeting room? >> I feel I feel like the biggest thing is just really kind of what I was saying earlier, the attention to detail. Like everything's just a lot more detailed and a lot more professional, you know? Like I feel like in college like I mean you rely more on like your athleticism and just how big and strong you are. But here I mean everyone else is just as big as you and like possibly more athletic you know especially like Han. Um but you know just the attention to detail and just like when it comes to the players just like knowing everything that you're supposed to be doing. >> Has hand been the guy that's really open your eyes in terms of that's an >> everyone's been standing out like it's just it's most definitely a higher higher level you know. Did you have to complete one of his rookie scouting reports? >> Um, I have not. >> No. Okay. Find somebody. >> You had a rep today against James. He's coming off on your right tackle. You seem like you did okay. Kind of. How did that feel? What went into that snap? >> I feel like the biggest thing is just like at the end of the iron sharpens iron. And as he's getting better, I'm getting better. So, like we're just giving ourselves we're giving each other 100%, you know, every single play. And I mean, that's what it really is. That's what camp is really about is just about getting better, getting ready for the season. So, >> how much are you looking forward to Friday? >> I'm excited, you know, like it's really like a dream come true cuz I mean this is a place I've always wanted to be at and kind of see like all my dreams kind of like come together is really an amazing thing. It's truly a blessing. Yeah. >> What's it been like to pick the brands of like a Chris Lynstrom or a Jake Matthews and what have you been able to learn from them? >> Um, I feel like the biggest thing is just like being a professional. Like they're always like on top of like the routines. Like they have a routine pre-practice, postpractice, before they go to bed. Um, and like just like talking to them about just like football and like their experiences are just like kind of like open my eyes to the game. I feel like kind of like coming in is just like you see all this new stuff. It's kind of like Star Wars out there and um like with just like even like Burge like they're all just like great resources that really help me kind of like slow the the game down, you know? >> What is Star Wars look like on the football field? What is it when you describe it? Like >> um just like when like Luke Skywalker was flying and I destroyed the Death Star. That's how it felt like with just like everything flying around like you're trying to figure out what to do, you know? >> How much did last year help you? Like I I'm sure it's hard to not be able to play, but high level practices, high level off field, all that stuff. I mean, how much did it help you? How much did it kind of improve you as a guy and as a player do you think last year at Ohio State? I feel like at the end of the day kind of what I was saying earlier like iron sharp is iron and I was blessed to be able to go against like guys like Curry and McDonald you know every single day and even though like things didn't turn out exactly how I imagined it to go to turn out I still became a better person athlete by being there and better player overall. >> How much just kind of from where you were at 2023 2024 at Rice to where you're at now where have you improved the most? I mean how much did last year again again just the high level of comp you got to play in high level of comp here? How much has that helped you grow? >> I feel like the biggest thing is really just like understanding of the game and being more a professional cuz I feel like um earlier in my career I more so just like relied on like my size and my strength to just like kind of manhandle guys, but once you get to higher levels like at Ohio State and especially here, you know, like everyone else around you is like incredibly athletic. So you can't just like try to muscle guys like you really have to add technique and composure to everything that you do. >> What's been like one rookie maybe that you've kind of like bonded with or kind of paired up with that's kind of helping you get through the grind of training? Honestly, like all the rookies, especially the guys in the online room, like Brock Meer, like we were together at the um Senior Bowl, so like I kind of knew him already coming here, but like really all the rookies like you know, um Perk, he's a funny guy. Um you know, Vinnie, um Lamechi, like Riley, um Cam, like they're all just like great people that like we even hang out like outside of here. Like we watched um the Spider-Man movie um last week, you know, together. It was like a rookie group and that was a really awesome experience. Has there been kind of a development of of confidence like, hey, I think I can handle myself at this level just as far as as far as the way the practice has gone so far. >> Yeah, absolutely. Cuz like kind of like what I was saying before about like kind of like it feeling like Star Wars like first coming in. Um being able to like rely on Callahan and Burge and and Chris and Jake. like I've been able to like learn so much and now I have more confidence in like going into team and going into individual and one-on- ones just because, you know, I've prepared for this and like I I've really come a long way since I first came here. >> Ethan, I know you're drinking information from a fire hose right now, but what are some of the more valuable things that you've learned from Bill Callahan so far? I feel like the biggest things are really just like that initial contact, you know, cuz like with guys here like and how athletic they are like if you just give them time to like build up like a rush like it makes your job a whole lot harder. So like you know like fast feet fast hands are like really like the biggest things especially in past pro and also just like being professional like just being on top of everything that you're doing like you not knowing what you knowing like not um your job but also like the guy next to you too and the overall purpose like what we're trying to do and how that kind of like may affect like the defense you know um so really just like a lot more detail on everything that I do. >> You also mentioned a couple of the veterans that you leaned on a bit. I mean, you're in a room with some guys that have played a lot of football. How valuable is that for you? >> It's incredibly valuable cuz I mean, every day I feel like I'm learning something new, not only from Callahan, but also from them, too, cuz like they have their own personal experiences like playing and like they're always like open to for questions and they're always like ready to help, especially like Chris. Like Chris is like a really great guy that I've been leaning on, you know, like I ask him questions like almost every single day and um I'm just really grateful to be in a room like that. When did you have your moment where you thought, "Okay, this is the dream that I've waited for." >> Um, >> aside from obviously getting drafted. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's what I was about to say. But honestly, I guess like really just like getting to the dorms, you know, like being in the dorms and putting my stuff and I was like, man, like this is really happening. Like I'm really like my first NFL training camp and like how much of a busting it is. So even though the days are long, like this is exactly like what I prayed for, you know, and I'm just so grateful. >> Are you a big Star Wars guy? I'm a good guy. Uh, honestly not a whole lot. Um, movie guy, like I'm kind of starting to get into it, you know, like my favorite movie like Scarface, you know, um, The Irishman, but yeah, like I'm not a huge Star Wars guy. I just had that one reference. >> And then every year we talk about um, you know, the rookies coming in and sometimes they have to put like rookie reports together, conspiracy theories, that kind of stuff. What's going on for the rookies in this class? What have you guys had to do? >> Honestly, like we really haven't done much. I mean, I feel like the biggest thing is like we have to get up in front of the team room and sing a song. Um, like like we just started that, so like but we haven't really done anything like rookie wise. >> Who's already like sang and what song was it? >> Uh, Jack Ving sang um Candy Shop. >> Yeah. >> Was he good? >> He wasn't bad. You know, he he tried. >> What's yours going to be? >> Um, that's a really good question. I got to figure that out. >> Has perk point yet? >> No, not yet. That's going to be like musty. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's must see TV right there. I wish I could record that, but >> Nathan, how would you describe this rookie? >> Cool. Appreciate that. Um, honestly, like I feel like the biggest thing is just like brotherhood. Um, I feel like my like my biggest worry kind of like coming in was just like, oh, like this is going to be so business-like that everyone kind of like keeps to themselves, but um like the rookies like we're all like we like all in this together. and even the older guys and the best on the team like like we're really like a brotherhood and I feel like um that that's kind of like rare to find you know I feel like not all places are like this and I'm really grateful for it like I feel like anyone in the locker room like you can just like sit down and talk to you know >> awesome >> Ethan what what's it like going through uh NFL one-on-one drills against uh you know pass rushers kind of the frequency the intensity can you help me understand what that's like >> honestly like the intensity is a lot higher for sure and like you know initially I was kind of like oh man like this is like one-on- ones, I guess, like you know, just like like great guys like Pierce, you know, but um as like I continue to like lean on like the guys in the room and coach Callahan and and um just like and even like the other guys on the other side of the ball, you like I kind of like got more comfortable and learned a lot. So, you know, I'm starting to kind of like settle down and like know and try to like experiment with things, too. Have the defensive lineman after a rep or anything kind of come back to you and been like, "Hey, I saw you did this it, you know, maybe try this next time." Like has >> Um, not necessarily after rep, but like in like the locker room like I'll go to Pierce like, "Okay, like what did you see?" You know, and like stuff like that. Like cuz at the end of the day, like we're trying to make each other better. Yeah. >> Yeah.