Michael Penix Jr. and other Atlanta Falcons players speak to media post-practice | Press Conference

Mike, how's it feel to be back out there 11 on 111? >> It feel good. It feel good. Excited to be back out there um doing all that team stuff and um it feel good. >> What was kind of your expectations for this week and and getting more of those 11 reps? Obviously Kevin's talked admium about how much work you've been doing outside of the 11 period, but kind of what was this week like for you and what were you wanting to show? >> Yeah, it was great. Just uh I just wanted to get get back in the rhythm of things. you know, obviously whenever you put a D lineman out there, things start moving a little bit faster. So, um just getting back to slowing the game down in in that aspect of it. So, and I I do feel like, you know, each day uh since since my first day out there, I've been getting better and uh getting more com comfortable and confident with that. So, >> what's the hardest part about from where you've been all off seasonason to being in whole team drill? Like, what's the hardest aspect of that curve >> into 11? It's just more reps. It ain't hard though, but that's just what that's what come with it. So, but it's not hard. It's It's exciting for me cuz like now I don't I get more than eight reps a day. So, I'm like great, let's go. >> Kind of took like a a minor hit. It appeared on Monday where like Chris got pushed back. >> Mhm. >> How much does that help at all? A little bit to kind of get brushed. I know it was a huge hit, but >> Yeah. Um it's great. I mean, obviously we uh we we don't want that obviously out there, you know, they they preach not to let quarterbacks get hit, but it's football, you know, that those things happen. you know, accidents happen, but it's good. I felt good. I feel confident. I completed a pass, thank God. So, feel good. >> Physically, based on the timeline that you're on, do you feel like you could start week one, you'd be ready to go in terms of reps and the way you feel? >> Yeah, I I feel great. Like right now, um I I got cleared to do 11 on 111 for practice, you know, obviously. Um, you know, but each and every day I'm getting better, getting more confident. You know, I I I'm not playing this week because, you know, obviously I only had three practices under my belt under uh doing 11 on 111 stuff, but uh I've been feeling really good. And, you know, as long as I keep the track that I'm on, I I definitely feel like I I will be where I need to be mentally and physically, you know, to to feel confident enough to go out there in week one. And, you know, as far as, you know, being healthy and all that, I feel good. So, >> Monday, we saw you scramble out, roll out to the right side. We know that's not your game. It's not you something we do a lot. But how did it feel get out and do that? >> Yeah. Uh um it felt it felt good. It felt good to get out of the pocket. Um probably got about six yards, but it's positive, man. But um it feels good, you know. I I that running aspect of it. That's that's the easy that was the easiest part coming back from, you know, as far as straight line stuff, you know, but um it felt good to be able to just be out there and, you know, reacting to the pressure and, you know, getting out of the pocket, you know, whenever I needed to. Did you want to play? Did you have that conversation? Did you want to play Friday? >> This Friday or soon? >> No, it's soon. I only had three practices. Lebanon. I don't want to go out there and do that, you know. But um I feel good though, you know. But that's at the same time, you know, like like I said, I only had three practices. >> What's the part in your game because there was so much a lot of mental reps for you, you know, picking up the new offense. What's the part of that that maybe you've seen the most growth in before you were cleared to do to do everything? >> Say that again. My bad. >> You were taking so many mental reps and there was a lot of stuff, you know, that you couldn't go full tilt for so long up until this week. You know, what part of your game did you see so much growth in before, you know, you were able to get out there, you know, with no restrictions? >> Uh, just being quick in my reads, you know, and just understand um each play call and why it's called and what we're trying to get out of it. So, I I definitely feel like, you know, all those mental reps helped with that so that I can go out there and play fast, you know, play smart cuz, you know, I feel like for everybody, not everybody will say it at the quarterback position, but anytime it's your first time out there at 11 on 11 on 11 is moving fast. You know what I'm saying? So, u to be able to slow that down and, you know, uh just continue to get those reps and get more comfortable in my shoes, it feels good. >> You mentioned having just three practices. Uh, how many practices do you think you would need to feel comfortable that we back to being old Michael Penn Jr.? >> It ain't no number on that. I just know three practices. It's like, d, I just got clear. It's like, hey, all right, let let me get my feet wet a little bit. But, um, it's no number on that, you know. It's no number on how many practices I feel, you know. Obviously, I feel like I got to trust trust my body, you know, um, see how how my body feels, you know, and, you know, mentally and stuff like that as well. So, I say that's it's more of that than a number of reps and stuff like that. >> You've been through this obviously twice before. Are you you feel similar now compared to the previous times like where you were like timewise? >> No, it's different. Um I had a different different procedure uh that that extended my recovery period. Uh so it's a little bit different. >> Yeah. different procedure in order to you hope make it more stable in the >> That's exactly what it was to make it more stable. Yeah. >> We were talking to Tommy uh earlier this week and it was after your first day back and he said that there was so much joy out on the field amongst you and he said even like teammates wise there was a lot of he felt a lot of joy amongst the offense seeing you back out there. Did you feel that as well that first day when you stepped on the field? >> Yeah, for sure. I mean, I feel like everybody knows what I've been through throughout my career, all the injuries, the up uh as far as like all the injuries, ups and downs and stuff like that. So, I feel like a lot of people is was excited to be able to see me back out there and, you know, obviously doing what I love, you know, because I at the same time, you know, for everybody like you you don't want to see anybody go through, you know, injuries and stuff like that, but we all know it's a part of the game. But whenever you see a brother, you know, get through that, you know, and come back healthy and, you know, come back out there and competing with with you is is definitely awesome to see. So, >> how's your mind doing? >> I'm great. All right. you gotten I'd imagine the more reps you've had, you trust your knee a little bit more now. >> Yeah, that that's that's all it is, you know, just reps, you know, and um that that builds confidence, you know, so yeah, absolutely. >> Anything else? >> Saw someone drop a basketball to you in high school. >> They did. >> It's probably the same one that circled around when I was getting drafted. >> Like you said, when's the last time you took a shot? >> I couldn't even tell you. It's been a while. I ain't I ain't seen no hoop in so long. I wasn't a shooter, though. I was just a dunker. >> Yeah, I understand. >> I still got it, though. >> All right. >> I didn't say you didn't. >> No, I'm just playing. I know it. >> All right. Uh, but John, first things first, Michael Panick's getting out there for 11 on 11s. What did it mean to you to see him out there and and kind of what was the overall vibes like on that first day? >> Yeah, I mean, it was it was great. Um, it was just cool to see him like before practice. he was just like in his routine uh prepping to get ready to to get back to 11 on 111s. Um but I think it's really cool just to see all the teammates around him, especially on the offense, like really bring them in and understand what he brings. But um that's that's my dude, man. And and I'm happy that he's back cuz I know that injury uh really sucked for him and his family. So it's just cool to see uh one of our brothers back out there just just playing free. >> How did it look to you this week? >> It looked good. It looked I mean, it was definitely a ramp up for him. So, I mean, it's you just take it one day at a time and I think he, you know, felt comfortable. I think he looked fast like he he told me this morning that he would that he would get me in a race and I'm like, "Mike, I'm Mike, chill out, bro. Chill out, bro." Uh, but it's just cool to see his confidence up and and him going out there to to go have fun, man. >> With Kellian's run game, are are there things they're asking of you that are new to you that are changed for you? What do you like about it? What what makes it click in your opinion? >> I mean, for me, like so I I ran this this run scheme in and off, I'm sorry, in college uh with SARKC. So, a lot of lot of I don't want to explain too much, but a lot of different things to come at you. You you really don't know what we're going to do. Um so, I really appreciate that. Um meaning like we have a lot of different var variations, but for me, man, like it's it's it's to create space for yourself. um and you know that he does a really good job and being intentional and trying to get us to the second level as fast as possible because he you know when we get to the second level I feel like that's what we're super dangerous um as runners. So I I've been appreciating what uh Coach Callahan does for this for this run game. >> When he explains concepts to you, how how far back has he gone tapewise? >> Oh, we gone we gone far. We we going back to I think Adrian Peterson when he was with the commander. Um well I mean commanders now. Um but yeah we we we've gone far back. Uh I've seen DeMarco Murray. I've seen a lot of different guys man. Like so I think it's uh it's cool to see how far he's you know obviously how long he's been coaching but just all the backs that he has coached and all the schemes that he's coached has been it's been fun to watch. >> Is there more on you physically in this game? I just noticed yesterday a lot like it seemed like you were just like really banging in there. like between the tackles it was like a different look to kind of the way it's been before. >> Um not really not really more uh they just want to create opportunities. Uh and for me like I appreciate it and you know I think probably what you saw was a lot of different other run schemes that we've run that you probably haven't seen here in a long time. So you know like I told him like it's it's back to college for me. And you know, the thing I enjoy is we'll throw one at you and then the next play or the next time we run the ball, like it'll be a completely different scheme and just create that var um variety of plays is has been fun, but yeah, there's there's a lot to go into it. >> The other day the social media team did one of those questions was about name the most famous person in your phone. I feel like that wasn't fair. Did they >> not famous? I'm not famous. Yeah, but you're >> u Well, I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Um I mean I I I didn't see the the question board cuz I I want to say >> you compete because it wouldn't have been fair. >> Shoot. I you know, but I appreciate them saying me, you know, they see me every day, so it's cool. >> Other than MC, what's your kind of your top five famous folks in your >> Man, I got some I got some I got some cool people. I met I met some I met some cool people. I'll keep it. I I'll keep it in. I'll keep it in. I'll keep it in on that one. >> Uh we talked about the run game, but it seems like the screen game too is going to be an important to this. Is is there also different wrinkles you think for for you especially in it with Tommy Reese's offense? >> Yeah. Um lot lot of a couple new screens. Um, you know, we've been doing, uh, uh, the same kind of screen the past year, uh, which which has been effective, but, uh, I love us having to add more screens, um, and screens that, you know, can go across the play. Like, there's just so many things that we can do with with that scheme. So, you know, thing I like about Tommy, man, is, you know, he what if he sees something work, you know, he's he's going to add it. Um, and if he sees another team do it really well, shoot, we'll we'll add that, too. uh because we just have the players that can, you know, execute the plays and and make it all work. >> The evolution of the run game here and just the versatility that's being added in. How much do you think that that can show off what you talk about all the time, what you believe this offense is capable of? >> I mean, I think when it when it works how it's supposed to, I mean, this offense will be will be dangerous. Um because one it opens up the pass game in a very high level and then you know even if you put eight guys in the box or if you want to stack the box like we still have so many more variety of runs that that can work against it. So you know I I I really appreciate that and you know even when we're studying and looking at different defenses with me me and coach Petri like he'll tell me you know this is how this run will work. This is how this run will work against this defense or against this look. So, we have a run scheme for every single look and and it's it's cool to watch. >> You and coach Petri have a great relationship. We know. >> Yeah. >> He's so hands-on in between plays, whether it's you or the other B- Rob. >> Yeah. >> Um, talk about the dialogue that's happening and just that connection and how much that benefits you guys in that room. >> I mean, it's it's everything. Um, the the thing with Coach Petri is, you know, there's always something that we can get better at every single play. you know, it the play could look perfect, but maybe our footwork is a little little off. So, he's he's very big, you know, with the little details. And it doesn't matter who you are. Uh it doesn't matter what you achieve. Like, he he doesn't care about none of that. And that's how I want it. Like, he's going to coach me even harder than, you know, maybe somebody else, but he's going to coach us all very hard because he just knows the standard. He knows the expectation. He set the standard when I got here. Uh, so every single running back that comes in here just appreciates him because one, he makes them better in all facets of their game. Pass game, run game, blocking, every single every single aspect, but then on top of that, like he's going to coach you super hard and you know he's going to love you up and joke around with you, but when it's time to work, like we going to work. Um, so he's uh he's one that, you know, I appreciate every single day and you know we just continue to get better every day together. >> How's your plant? So, it's in uh it's in Kevin Winston's office. Um you getting sun? >> No. Well, well, I got to water it today. Um but it hasn't died. Like, it still looks good. I got to send I got to send a picture right now to to show proof. But yeah, it's doing pretty good. >> Has everyone's plant died? Has everyone >> Well, Cash gave his away, so that's that's that's insane. I don't know. He was like, I just gave it away. I didn't know what to do with it. I was like, bro, they gave it to you. Um and then I think TG's doing pretty good. I think I think he's actually taking care of it. I gotta ask B Rob. Uh Nate, I feel like he's taking care of it, but I don't know. But I I I'll show you mine. I'll show you mine. >> All right. >> Dolly Parton. >> Yeah. I mean, I went to Nashville and I saw like her u her house uh when I went to Nashville a couple years back. And it was it was super cool to see that. I don't know if it was her house, but I think it was like a museum type. I don't know. But uh yeah, it's pretty sad that that she uh she passed away. Um so yeah, rest in peace to her and her and her family. >> You're video game player, right? >> Yeah. >> What's kind of your favorite game? >> I've been playing uh college football 27 and then I've been playing FC uh 26. So I'm just waiting for 27. That's the soccer game, but I'm on it all the time. Me and uh my best friend Jonathan. Um you know, I know he's been doing acting stuff, but we've been on every single day like getting after it. So cool. >> Play play remotely or he lives here? >> No, he lives in LA. Uh but we play like online. >> Yeah. >> Who do you play with in college football? >> Oh, Texas. Texas every single time. Um Yeah, that's that's I don't play nobody else. >> Speaking of to a degree, speaking of that to a degree, Kendall Daniels talks a lot in practice. >> Yeah. >> And we've gotten his side of it and his teammate side of it, but he talks to you. >> Absolutely. I I love it. I mean, I told him before um this, you know, we started training camp, I was like, "What's the one thing that you need from me that's going to make you better?" And he was like, "Just talk. Just get in my ear." And I'll be in his ear. And knowing me, like, I don't talk at all. Like, that's not that's not my game. But when it comes to him, I always have something to say. And it's easy because he went to Oklahoma State first and then he went to Oklahoma. Like, what are we doing? Um, so it just it's just good to like tick him off. Uh, but he huge talker. uh like he gets under some guys skin, but I I enjoy it. I love it, man. Like I just have fun with it. And I said, "If you gonna talk," he I told him this week, I was like, "You ain't talked this much this week." I was like, "I ain't hear you at all. I even see you in my in my vision." And he was like, "I'll get back to it." So it's cool. It's cool to see it. >> So you know what buttons to push? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. He It's But he's he's going to be a great player. Like obviously everybody sees it, but you know, I enjoy how he works every single day. >> How much does it help you to play this week? >> Say it again. How much does it help you to play this week in Miami? >> Um, I don't know. They they'll let me know uh soon. Um, but yeah, just go from there. >> Well, Kevin said, is that you plan to play a lot of the ones? I mean, is it how helpful can it be if you are out there? >> I mean, it'll be great. Um, but I know like they have a they have plans, they have things that they want to do. Uh, so I guess we'll just we'll see you on Friday. >> Yeah. >> Your friend Jonathan, is he is he a famous actor? you mention. >> Yeah, he he's one of the one of So, what is his last name? >> Davis. John the Davis. >> Banks. >> Out of Yeah. Outer Banks. >> Okay. Excuse me. >> Shout out. >> Yeah. Yeah. He's Yep. Yep. Yeah. It's my It's my brother right there. >> He's about to play uh He's about to play Snoop Dogg in the in his biopic. So, it'll be It'll be cool. Yeah, it'll be cool. >> Yep. >> Do you have a part in that? >> I do not. I'll be I'll be I'll be in the season. We'll be in the season. Uh they're they're just about to start shooting. Yeah. Yeah. This would be cool. >> And you said a few weeks back, you know, after you got your deal, you know, about the legacy you wanted to leave for other running backs, you know, Jir gets his few days later. What's it been like now? You know, a few weeks have passed, you know, kind of the response and kind of letting that legacy that you wanted to leave, you know, kind of set in. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, ju just cuz I got the contract, like that's that's just a goal from, you know, God to bless me with that. But for me, like, you know, I feel we're still just getting started. Um, just in my game and how I've been progressing and just my career, like I feel this this season right here, um, I'm always trying to be better than the last season. Like that's that's been my goals, like always be better than last season. So, you know, just how I've been working and how we've been working in practice. like I think we're going to show uh that because we work super hard here and coach Defensky like sets a standard and I take it to heart and it is I I think I like that it doesn't matter who you are like everybody's going to get coached up the same way. So that's what I like about this team and it just it just shows how he cares about everybody. So yeah. >> How's everything been the last few days? Quite a whirlwind. >> Uh it's been great man. Uh happy to be here in Atlanta. um trying to get back into football shape. Um obviously coach know that. So they basically giving me one day on and one day recovery and one day on this week so and next week we'll build off of that. >> What went into that decision to unretire? >> Uh so I wasn't supposed to retire. Um said I wasn't going to tell the story, but I'm going to tell it. Um yeah, man. Uh got a phone call um from my mom's doctor um telling me that she don't have much longer to be on this earth. Um so I let the team know. Obviously they wasn't trying to let me leave, but uh that was the only thing I had left to retire. So I retired. Um dealt with that after losing my mom. I lost my grandma. Then after my grandma, I just lost my dad. So y'all obviously know what I've been through. Um so to get a phone call from Cleveland, um shout out to AB for just calling me and seeing where I was at mentally. Um he was just asking me that I want to play football again, you know. Um did I still love the game, you know? Um and I was like, "Yeah, I love it, man. I need to come back because I'm at my lowest right now." So, um, he told me to come in and do a workout and we'll go from there. Uh, got to Cleveland, went through the workout, everything went well. Um, but we couldn't get the numbers right. So, I told him, man, just call me back when you figure it out. And I guess after working out, uh, Coach Stfansky saw me in the end and they was like, all right, yeah, we need another end because I guess our guys went down. So, they need a veteran in the room. So when he called me, I was like, man, this is perfect because it's close to home for me. So I'm originally from Alabama, if you guys know. Um, so this is like home. So I'm just happy to be back and happy to get back started. >> Thank you for for sharing that with us. And and I mean, I guess just like >> coming back from all of that, obviously a very emotional time for you. Does it feel good to be back out here, you know, doing what you know, what you love for a very long time? >> Yeah, man. because I can see this as my uh happy place. >> Give me a second. >> Yeah, all the time. But yeah, this is my happy place, man. um come back, play football. Um I was in a dark place, but you know, um coming out, running out on the field, you know, the fans, not only just the fans, man, the joy that I get from winning and just getting sacks, you know. Um I started late in high school. Uh my senior year in high school, man, I didn't know how to play football. My coach always told me just to go get the quarterback. So, ever since you told me that, man, I've been good at it. Um, when I retired, I think I had 70 sacks, man. So, now I'm trying to reach a 100. So, any way I can get to it'll be good. But, man, I'm happy to be back, man. And like I said, this my happy place and ready to get going. >> Who did you lean on this spring? >> This spring, one of my good friends. Um, obviously when I retired, you know, a lot of people fell off. Um, when I retired, you know, I wasn't a bigname guy anymore. So, lost a lot of friends, man. But I had one friend that was there with me, um, Wallace Gilberry. He was a guy >> that played 10 years in the league. And when I was in Kentucky, he was in Cincinnati. So, that's how we connected. And he's from Mobile, Alabama. Um, so me being from Alabama, that's not that far. Montgomery and Mobile is not that far from each other. So, u man, he took me up under his wing, man, and was there with me the whole time, man. So, big shout out to him for sure. >> When you say you want to reach 100 sacks. >> Yeah. How do you feel? Like, do you believe you can play for a while longer? >> Oh, yeah. For sure, man. Like I said, I started late if you understand what I'm saying. So, I didn't play from pee-wee on up high school. I played my senior year in high school. So, I'm still young in the game, man. body still feel good. But you know how people see in comments and say that I retired that I'm getting old, but that wasn't a reason and I just told y'all what happened. So man, yeah, I got a lot left in the tank for sure. >> So like how much were you like training from I guess October onward. >> So when I retired, I was like, man, should I stay retired? So I know my trainer was always calling me um basically when I was in a dark place, he was calling me, man, let's get a workout in or something, Z. So, I started working out twice a week and then I started posting my videos and when I started posting my videos, that's when a lot of interest came from like Cleveland and and then Atlanta call. So, that's how I ended up here today in this chair. >> Darius, uh, you could have gone anywhere and played, you know, potentially. How important was it, you know, to be in a place with people that you know that you're comfortable with, >> you know, as you come back from, you know, not just getting back in football, but from, you know, a lot of personal stuff that happened in your life. Uh just trying to figure out the right situation. Um obviously when I was going to Cleveland, they was telling me that they wanted me to be the third guy um in the pass rush room, you know, in the DM room. But when I got the call here, they was like, "Man, we need you like to come in and play for us." So I was like, "All right, that's a better situation." And then I'm familiar with the head coach, man, cuz you know, he was with me in Cleveland. So I felt more comfortable coming here. And like I said, man, my mom, man, rest her soul, man. She always wanted me to be in Atlanta with the Falcons. Like I said, I'm from Alabama, so she always wanted the fam to come up and support me for the games because that's a closer ride. I think two and a half, three hours. >> Um, so to get the phone call from Atlanta, it was great. And that's another reason why I picked Atlanta. >> Zarius, your defensive coordinator, Rick, he's been through a lot, same as you recently as well. What's that relationship been like? Obviously, it's in the early days, but what's it been like with Rick? >> You know what? When I first met him, he told me his situation. I don't know if he knew about mine or not, but he told me and I said, "Coach, come here, man. Just give me a hug, man. Cuz I know exactly what you going through, man." So, that's how we immediately connected. Um, and when I sat down and talked to him, he kept it kept it 100 with me, man. He was like, "Z, whatever you may need or however you may feel in the game, just let me know and we can adjust." So, I'm a Dcoordinator that's willing to do that type of stuff, man. Um, tip my hat off to him, man. And I can't wait to get an opportunity to play for him. >> We talked to Nate Ali earlier today and he mentioned you bring the iPad out and you're coaching up the younger guys. You're already doing that. You haven't been here long. Why is that important for you to do that? >> Uh, cuz it's all about passing the game to the next generation. Um, when I I can remember when I was a rookie, I had guys like Terrell Suggs, Eric Wed, CJ Mosley, um, just a bunch of guys, man, older guys that was veterans. And I I learned from them, and that's why I was able to go off and do great things in the NFL because, you know, I took notes from them guys. So, um, now that I'm in year 12, you know, I think it's time to pass the game down to the younger generation, man. And uh we got some great guys in the room. Uh like I said, I'mma take him up under my wing and help him the best way possible. >> What are your first impressions of Nate Holly? >> Uh great coach, man. Uh I love him, man. Uh guy who can get the job done, man. Um but I can't wait to get started, man. Hopefully next week I can put the pads on and uh we'll go from there. We just talked about the emotional journey obviously that you've been on in the offseason, but what were your emotions when you realized I'm getting an opportunity to not only play football again, but to be at a place that is close to where you grew up? >> Man, I don't know if people believe in God, man. But it's nothing but God. U obviously he had a plan for me and he knew what I was about to go through. So, um, now that I'm past that, it's really just getting back on the field, man, and being who I am. You know, Zadirius Smith dog crawling, getting sacks, and helping the young guys. You know, >> you talk about finding uh the joy. Sorry. Go ahead, Sam. >> I was going to say, have you allowed yourself to think about running out into the first home game with some family members here to see you? >> That's a great idea, man. I'm thinking about that. So, I've been thinking, should I do a Greyhound bus, you know, two Greyhound buses and just park it in front of my church because that's the people who my mama always wanted to come was the church family. Um, so to park two buses in front of the church, possibly put it on Facebook like if you guys want to come to the game, just get on the bus. So, I'm working on that right now. >> Yeah. >> You talk about finding the joy in in the game again and coming back to you. And there was a moment, you know, it's your first game up in Indie and you're not playing this past weekend, but the whole team rushes onto the field and there's a very clear shot of you running onto the field as well. >> Uh when you kind of take that whole moment, like how much of that moment was that joy just like coming back? >> Um just after what I just told y'all. Um and if y'all go back and watch the video, you'll know the reason why now. um cuz I haven't been that happy in a long time, you know. So, just to be around a great group of guys, um I feel like in the locker room, we can relate to each other because we are the chosen ones in our family and don't nobody really take care of us. So, to come here and be able to have that joy again, I I feel comfortable here and it's feel like family in the locker room. So, that's where I get the joy from for sure. Zarius, what did you learn about yourself over the last year plus? >> I could say after I retired, um, being more of a family man, being with the kids, taking them to school, giving him a bath. I would say with my oldest son, building that relationship with him because he's 12. So you got to think about, sorry my voice at 12 years old, me being in the league for 12 years, I missed out on so much from being around him. So I say just growing as a father and as a young man, you know, >> being as vocal as you are, is that has that always been part of your your game? Yeah. >> Yeah. I always tried to uh communicate the loudest. I mean, I think it started when I was in middle school playing basketball, just communicating and trying to be, you know, you get a lot of stuff done just by just by talking. You know, if you go out there and be quiet, a lot of things can go bad. And I feel like when the whole defense is talking and communicating, um the play the play shows. Was that kind of a a goal to bring that sorry uh kind of to the defense when you first arrived here? Did that come about a little more naturally once you felt comfortable? Like >> it definitely was a comfort thing. You know, you don't want to come in and just I mean, you're going to come in and communicate, but you the guys don't know you. You don't know the guys really. So, you're just trying to um break the ice and try to earn their respect cuz anybody can go out there and just say anything, but the guys don't respect you. It's kind of hard to listen to a guy that they don't respect. So just having to earn a respect of the older guys but going out there and and communicating at a high level they um they respect you a little bit more. >> You noticed in kind of the fiveman fronts you've slid off to the edge at times. Uh as a pass rusher, how do you feel like your game where is it and where do you think it can go? >> Um it has to get better. It definitely has to get better. Um I wouldn't consider myself a pass rusher yet. Uh just outside linebacker sometimes but um you know it needs to get better. you know, I've I've been put in that position a couple times, so just being able to work on it. But it's good that I'm getting different exposure and, you know, our whole linebacker room can be moved around to that spot and we all have. So, just being able to um put that in our arsenal as a linebacker core um be great. >> And the last last one for me is um I can't think of maybe a better linebacker for you to be paired with than Devon Dappo like in the league. Just your backgrounds, your skills, >> what have you learned from him and how much has he imparted upon you? It's helped me a lot just because he's been a safety before just like I was in college and he actually made the transition in the NFL. Um, so his was a little bit harder than mine. I got to play a little bit of linebacker in college. So, just being able to learn from him and see what he sees and we think alike a lot of times just because we both play that position and having to guard slots on third down and being third down backers. um being three down backers, being able to play first, second down, and not having to come out on third down, being able to stay in and guard bigger tight ends or even slots. So, um it's good, you know, having him in front of me and being able to help me. >> Other than Divine, has there been anyone you've leaned on so far this summer? I mean, I feel like all the the whole defense, uh, everybody just has helped me and, you know, everybody give me a little bit of tips here and there, like the back end, Jesse Bates, and, you know, Xavier Watts and AJ Terrell and Mike Hughes is just, it's been great just listening to those guys and they help me out and they tell me to take over the huddle. You know, hearing that from guys that's that's been in the game and, you know, made a lot of money and made an impact on the game. so far. I mean, their careers. It's been great for me to be able to listen to those guys and understand if they're they're on my side. You know, we're all in this together. We're trying to win. >> And I know Nate Ali's not your position coach, but talked a lot about nicknames this morning. Do Do you have one yet? >> Uh, no. They just called me KD. I had the logo in college, but I feel like I got to earn that one before I start start saying that. >> Yeah. >> Tell us about your progress since you've been here. Did you give yourself if you could give yourself a grade, what would you say beginning up to now? >> Um, if I can give myself a grade from the start of camp, I'll say a C++. You know, just being able to There's a lot more I got to get better at. Y'all see the good plays, but there's a lot more things that I can I can work on. I don't just say that just to be humble, but there is a lot more things that I need to get better at, and I know that. So, just being able to come in with the same mindset every day. Kendall on sorry one more that good a good play that you had was uh that screen against Indie where you kind of read it immediately. I don't think I've ever seen somebody just predict play like that. How can you walk me through how you saw that so quickly? >> Um the play fake I mean it was just >> uh I would say just film study and you know having guys you know the guys on the outside they helped me out a lot once they saw it. They was yelling screen. So, just being able to get my eyes in the right spot and seeing the lineman um get out late, just being able to go and make a play and just try not to miss the tackle.