First, how has the offseason been going? Still working out at the Minnesota farm?
Yeah I’m back at the house in Minnesota. I have my trainer and doctors out here and a nice workout routine. It’s a nice home base here.
A big difference since last time we spoke pre-Covid. What’s been the biggest thing for you in terms of how things have changed for you?
The biggest thing was playing and getting experience. I was fortunate to get the chance to start some games. Every game I play I try to take something away from it and become a better player. Technique, learning about the player I play against – just something to make me a better player.
I’m an especially self-analyzing player – I never just take what the coaches or other players say about me. I have my own system for taking my own notes to see where I struggled and did well.
Any areas you think you improved last season?
My pass protection – handling bull rushes and sitting down on the bigger guys. And in the run game – my power in driving guys off the ball. I’m definitely not perfect yet – I have room to improve but I thought I was better in both of those aspects.
Tell me more about you process for self-analyzing play. Was that something you took from others or developed on your own?
I took things from many of the coaches I’ve been around and added to it on my own. It’s evolved over time. One guy that also does that is Dan Moore. He and I don’t necessarily compare notes but we talk a lot about our processes and how we self-analyze.
In terms of the OTAs and camp, what differences did you notice in Canada’s offense so far?
There are a lot of similarities for sure from last year. There are some differences with the new personnel of course. With Ben retiring it creates questions on who is the next starter. That impacts who we rely on offense. Last year we relied on the quarterback position but who will be the bell cow this year? We have great guys at every position but the leadership role is more of a prove-it thing. We might not know until preseason or maybe a couple of weeks into the season what players we will fully lean on, depending on who the quarterback is. It all depends on the quarterback position and that can all change the playbook.
Overall, there won’t be anything very different though. Nothing crazy. It’s still football.
How does the decision on who plays quarterback affect you?
It doesn’t affect me whatsoever. My job is still my job. It’s the coaches’ job to prepare the quarterback regardless of who it is. We’ll have 100% confidence in their decision and play lights out for whoever it is.
But does it change what you are asked to do if it’s, say, Mitch or Mason versus Pickett?
There may be certain calls that are up for interpretation on the line – if a lineman sees a blitz and makes a call to slide guys on the line. But that’s up to the new regime and the quarterback. If there’s confidence in the line by the quarterback they’ll have the line make the calls, or they may want to make those themselves. The quarterback gives us the green light – he trumps all.
As you mentioned, some new guys were brought in on the line – have you had a chance to get to know them and how do you think that changes the complexion of the line?
They are good players and good people outside of football. Mason is a good father and husband.
I think they add to the intensity of the line. They give a different aspect to the line we haven’t seen before. They are aggressive players – something I think Coach Meyer wants on the line.
Was that something you think Coach Meyer wanted to focus on more – that aggressiveness?
I think all coaches want aggressive linemen. But every coach has a type and I’m not sure how to describe what Coach Meyer’s type is, but you see it and get that vibe in the room.
What does success look like for you next season?
My personal goal is always to start and my team goal is to win a Lombardi. Those are the top priorities for sure – anything less is a failure.
As a veteran player now, how does to feel to be a mentor to those younger players like Pouncey was for you?
It’s a cool aspect for sure. Chris Owens and I played together at Alabama – we had a relationship coming in. It’s a cool experience, that teacher aspect. That’s how you know you’ve gained a good knowledge of the game. When you can teach it, you know you know it. And being able to teach the playbook and technique to younger guys and seeing them grasp it – that’s how you really know you’ve developed as a player, when you can teach it to others and they get it.
A lot of players look it as a competition and don’t help guys, but it doesn’t hurt me to help them. It helps me when I teach others the playbook and technique. I don’t understand the logic of not wanting to help other guys. It’s two swords sharpening each other – like the biblical verse – iron sharpens iron.
You never fully master anything after all. If you think you have that’s not a good sign. Every day you should be trying to learn something new. If not it’s a failure. You should be looking to learn and grow every day.
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