First off, what are your offseason plans – how are you approaching the offseason?
For me, this is my first offseason. The biggest thing for me is to go back home and be with my family and take some time off. Let my body rest. Then, it’s back to working out and preparing for a big year two.
So nothing crazy – just working out and being with the family.
What have the coaches asked you to work on in your exit interviews – anything specific?
From the first couple, just working on gaining strength. It’s a 17-game season – at minimum. Just getting bigger and stronger to bolster my strength for a long season.
For me – I plan to self-scout. Going over tape to see what I need to fix on my own. For me to better my self as a player by being in the classroom watching film. That’s a key part of being great – that film study. Seeing what I need to work to take that next big leap – and on working on what I do well so that I can enhance too.
Did anyone help mentor you as a rookie and show you the ropes?
I was blessed to have such a great DB room with so many vets who took me under their wing. From the first time I walked in the building on day one, they showed me the ropes. So a shout out to all the vets in the room – we all learned from each other.
What did they show you – was it more about little things like just how to get around the city or more about technique and things like that?
It was more the little stuff yeah. Small things – like good food spots and just being able to hang out together. Them having me over at their crib and just hanging out. Being welcomed like that. It was like having a big brother.
That was the feeling I had since the first time I walked into the building. Any questions I had – about ball or anything outside of football – I could call them and ask them anything,. That was a key part in me getting comfortable as a rookie.
You ended up learning multiple roles on defense – how hard was it to learn the defense and the many roles you played so quickly?
That goes back to the vets. I did learn a lot of different roles. Cam Sutton helped me a lot with that – he’s done that on a high level – he played just about every position on the back end. Learning from him – how he approached each day and practices made it easier for me.
Was there one most difficult thing to learn on this defense? A role do you prefer?
No one thing. Being a rookie there were things to learn of course but there was no one thing that had me caught up and asking “What is this?”
As for a role I prefer? For me it’s whatever is best for the team. I’m a team-first guy – whatever the coaches ask of me I’ll give it my all to maximize it and be a positive contributor to reach the end goal – a Super Bowl.
What enabled you to have so much success so early?
Just the simple fact we have so manaus great guys here to learn from. We all learned form each other. It’s a great group and we have a great bond. That made it easier for everybody.
But what about how you approached things?
It’s just something I always prided myself on. In college I always knew what all the defensive back positions were doing. I was able to transition to the NFL with that mindset and that helped me.
And again, having those older guys to lean on and ask 1,000 questions and them being willing to answer them all.
Lots of potential flux next year in terms of free agency in the defensive backfield – how does that impact you personally?
We all have such a great bond – I wish everyone the success they deserve. That aspect of the business side of football is out of my control. I just focus on controlling what I can control. If it were up to me I’d have them all come back but it’s not up to me.
Any fun/poignant experiences that stand out from the season?
It’s tough to point out just one thing. We were all so close – we always vibe together. Maybe the rookie show. My group didn’t do the best, let’s just say that. We got booed. We tried to do a Wild N’ Out reenactment but it didn’t go as planned. It is what it is.
Lastly, what does success look like next season for you?
For me, just seeing my role grow on defense and special teams. Taking a big leap as a player and helping the team in a positive manner to make a long run in the playoffs. The Super Bowl is always the goal.
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