Going to put Brown's in this thread shortly as well
On coming off the day off
Yeah, legs are a little bit more fresh, energy was pretty good out there. I think everyone just needed a little bit of a break, just step away from the stadium. When you’re here from 6 in the morning to 9 or 10 at night, it’s nice to not show face for a little bit, even though we kinda had to come up here for treatment, and people were watching film and stuff like that, but it was good. We came out, kinda missed it a little bit, but it was good to come out.
Will having every Sunday off prepare you for a seasonal rhythm
Yeah definitely, I mean everything that they’re doing is really getting into that rhythm. We had a lighter practice today, which would have been like coming off a game. The next two days are going to be throwing the pads on and really getting after it, then I think we’re gonna taper down then hit it pretty hard on Saturday again. I think it’s just all getting structured, like we had that night practice for those night games. It’s something we really haven’t had before, it’s more just getting into that structure, which is nice. It’s definitely getting our bodies ready for that.
Reviews of the new Under Armour gloves and shoes
We love it, they’ve done a great job, they’ve kinda fitted us into everything we’ve needed, now that it’s broken in, let’s hope it holds up.
When did they come in and measure for the stuff
Did that over summer, they did the initial stuff over spring, and they gave us our sizing stuff to fill out, and then after that, day one of camp, our bag was ready for us.
Is it nice to be more custom with the cleats?
Yeah, very much so. I’ve got a little bit fatter feet so it’s kinda nice we don’t have those slender Nike ones anymore, so I can kinda widen out.
Transition from receiving TE to traditional tight end?
I really enjoy it. I like being able to line up and not just run a route on a guy, but actually get to punch him in the face a little bit. It’s fun to get a little gritty in there. Just being able to work with all those TEs and learn the different techniques. It’s an art, craft of where hand placement is, your head placement, the coaching staff has done a great job of teaching us these new techniques. It’s really fun going out there, with routes you can kinda dictate your stems, work on your releases, and in line you’re working on hands and everything like that, it’s fun. It’s a whole nother part of the game I didn’t really get to enjoy as much and now I get to.
How did your weight change with the position change?
I’m up to 250 right now and I played last year at 220
Are you comfortable with the 250
Yeah very much so. Conditioning, Becton did a great job with it, putting on good weight. I’m moving around well and feel good, healthy, so I can’t complain.
Do you notice the fault line coming on and off the field
I do, I do, sometimes I think I, ah, maybe I’m not running in a straight line. It’s pretty interesting, kinda to see it and realize it’s right there. It’s a little bit concerning at times, but we’ll look past it.
What’s your role been as kind of an elder statesman for the TEs
Yeah, it’s been something I’ve definitely been ready for. I’ve gotten to learn from the best, with Richard Rodgers, Steven Anderson, and Treggs, seeing those guys, and Darius Powe, I got to see the leadership roles that they took with me, and teach me the ins and outs, and kinda show me it’s not about getting here for your first time and showing the skill that you have, it’s who can learn the playbook. Who can do the things that you’re asked to do or the extra mile and showing that on the field. Yes, everyone’s gonna produce skill over time, but can you get in there, learn the playbook and be confident in your routes. That’s what I’ve been trying to preach to the young guys, you’re not getting many reps, but when you’re in there you’ve got to know what you know. You’ve got to go in there, you’ve got to study, you’ve got to come out here and be confident, and I think they’re doing a good job of kinda getting their work in extra and they’re asking questions if they need it, and I’m always there if they need anything, so it’s been a role that I’ve enjoyed and we keep doing it.
When you got the gloves, did you have to practice to form the California that’s on the gloves?
I have not yet, I’ve just focused on whether the ball sticks to it, that’s the main thing I’m worried about.
Is most of the work you do with coach Ragle, or do you work with other coaches?
I do work with Ragle, Greatwood, Edwards, Baldwin, just all across the board. Most of it’s with Ragle, we go with the OL for two periods and work on footwork with the whole line. Whenever I need help, I go to both coaches and get as much tips as possible, and they’re always available to help out.
What have you seen from Saffle?
His change from spring to now, kinda looks like a guy that really can move out there. He’s harder to get around if I try to run a route, you see this big body, like oh he maybe can’t move so well and you try to get around him, you’re going a couple yards thinking he can’t get there, but somehow he’s getting there now. So he’s loosened up his hips, he’s a lot more explosive, he’s stronger, which I didn’t know was possible. He’s a guy that, he can grab and snatch you and throw you down in a second, so you just have got to be ready for it and clear his hands, but that’s another battle. He’s done a really great job of changing his body and adjusting to a new position like a bunch of us have.
On coming off the day off
Yeah, legs are a little bit more fresh, energy was pretty good out there. I think everyone just needed a little bit of a break, just step away from the stadium. When you’re here from 6 in the morning to 9 or 10 at night, it’s nice to not show face for a little bit, even though we kinda had to come up here for treatment, and people were watching film and stuff like that, but it was good. We came out, kinda missed it a little bit, but it was good to come out.
Will having every Sunday off prepare you for a seasonal rhythm
Yeah definitely, I mean everything that they’re doing is really getting into that rhythm. We had a lighter practice today, which would have been like coming off a game. The next two days are going to be throwing the pads on and really getting after it, then I think we’re gonna taper down then hit it pretty hard on Saturday again. I think it’s just all getting structured, like we had that night practice for those night games. It’s something we really haven’t had before, it’s more just getting into that structure, which is nice. It’s definitely getting our bodies ready for that.
Reviews of the new Under Armour gloves and shoes
We love it, they’ve done a great job, they’ve kinda fitted us into everything we’ve needed, now that it’s broken in, let’s hope it holds up.
When did they come in and measure for the stuff
Did that over summer, they did the initial stuff over spring, and they gave us our sizing stuff to fill out, and then after that, day one of camp, our bag was ready for us.
Is it nice to be more custom with the cleats?
Yeah, very much so. I’ve got a little bit fatter feet so it’s kinda nice we don’t have those slender Nike ones anymore, so I can kinda widen out.
Transition from receiving TE to traditional tight end?
I really enjoy it. I like being able to line up and not just run a route on a guy, but actually get to punch him in the face a little bit. It’s fun to get a little gritty in there. Just being able to work with all those TEs and learn the different techniques. It’s an art, craft of where hand placement is, your head placement, the coaching staff has done a great job of teaching us these new techniques. It’s really fun going out there, with routes you can kinda dictate your stems, work on your releases, and in line you’re working on hands and everything like that, it’s fun. It’s a whole nother part of the game I didn’t really get to enjoy as much and now I get to.
How did your weight change with the position change?
I’m up to 250 right now and I played last year at 220
Are you comfortable with the 250
Yeah very much so. Conditioning, Becton did a great job with it, putting on good weight. I’m moving around well and feel good, healthy, so I can’t complain.
Do you notice the fault line coming on and off the field
I do, I do, sometimes I think I, ah, maybe I’m not running in a straight line. It’s pretty interesting, kinda to see it and realize it’s right there. It’s a little bit concerning at times, but we’ll look past it.
What’s your role been as kind of an elder statesman for the TEs
Yeah, it’s been something I’ve definitely been ready for. I’ve gotten to learn from the best, with Richard Rodgers, Steven Anderson, and Treggs, seeing those guys, and Darius Powe, I got to see the leadership roles that they took with me, and teach me the ins and outs, and kinda show me it’s not about getting here for your first time and showing the skill that you have, it’s who can learn the playbook. Who can do the things that you’re asked to do or the extra mile and showing that on the field. Yes, everyone’s gonna produce skill over time, but can you get in there, learn the playbook and be confident in your routes. That’s what I’ve been trying to preach to the young guys, you’re not getting many reps, but when you’re in there you’ve got to know what you know. You’ve got to go in there, you’ve got to study, you’ve got to come out here and be confident, and I think they’re doing a good job of kinda getting their work in extra and they’re asking questions if they need it, and I’m always there if they need anything, so it’s been a role that I’ve enjoyed and we keep doing it.
When you got the gloves, did you have to practice to form the California that’s on the gloves?
I have not yet, I’ve just focused on whether the ball sticks to it, that’s the main thing I’m worried about.
Is most of the work you do with coach Ragle, or do you work with other coaches?
I do work with Ragle, Greatwood, Edwards, Baldwin, just all across the board. Most of it’s with Ragle, we go with the OL for two periods and work on footwork with the whole line. Whenever I need help, I go to both coaches and get as much tips as possible, and they’re always available to help out.
What have you seen from Saffle?
His change from spring to now, kinda looks like a guy that really can move out there. He’s harder to get around if I try to run a route, you see this big body, like oh he maybe can’t move so well and you try to get around him, you’re going a couple yards thinking he can’t get there, but somehow he’s getting there now. So he’s loosened up his hips, he’s a lot more explosive, he’s stronger, which I didn’t know was possible. He’s a guy that, he can grab and snatch you and throw you down in a second, so you just have got to be ready for it and clear his hands, but that’s another battle. He’s done a really great job of changing his body and adjusting to a new position like a bunch of us have.
