WEBVTT - A Conversation with Jets TE Coach Ron Middleton (6/13) 0:00:05.160 --> 0:00:07.600 The official pot is presented by win Bet Betting is 0:00:07.640 --> 0:00:10.680 a team sport bet together at win Bett. Eric Allen 0:00:10.720 --> 0:00:14.320 here at one Jets Drive with Jets tight ends coach 0:00:14.520 --> 0:00:19.880 Ron Middleton. So great to see again. So what's the 0:00:20.040 --> 0:00:25.640 process like when you guys get a new offensive coordinator? Obviously, 0:00:25.760 --> 0:00:29.200 Robert Sala and company make the change at the end 0:00:29.200 --> 0:00:33.400 of the year, Michael Flour explores other opportunities, eventually lands 0:00:33.400 --> 0:00:37.519 with the Rams. But when Nathaniel Hackett is selected as 0:00:37.560 --> 0:00:41.479 the guy, what happens for you? 0:00:43.200 --> 0:00:45.559 The first thing is hopefully I get to stick on 0:00:46.080 --> 0:00:51.280 and to stick around, you know, But yeah, Nathaniel and 0:00:51.280 --> 0:00:54.800 not go go way back. So a little different from me, 0:00:55.320 --> 0:00:58.920 and that I know the guy, know him personally. I 0:00:58.960 --> 0:01:03.880 know he's his quirkiness and and whatnot, but also know 0:01:04.080 --> 0:01:08.679 he's dare I say, ah, he's a really really good 0:01:08.720 --> 0:01:15.680 offense court, really good offensive coordinator. He's very smart, innovative, 0:01:16.880 --> 0:01:21.360 hard knows, but he presents it in a way that 0:01:21.480 --> 0:01:25.280 the makes it easy for the players to understand. There's 0:01:25.319 --> 0:01:29.399 some rhyme and reason too, even to the point of 0:01:29.480 --> 0:01:32.160 how we call it. I mean, you would think that 0:01:32.200 --> 0:01:36.160 would be important, but a lot of times that's that's overlooked, 0:01:36.600 --> 0:01:43.800 you know. So for me, I was hoping that that 0:01:44.400 --> 0:01:49.560 it was him that got the job because of our history, 0:01:49.600 --> 0:01:50.440 I guess, you know. 0:01:50.720 --> 0:01:53.640 So so let's talk about your history. Okay, you go 0:01:53.720 --> 0:01:56.640 back to Jacksonville together, right any time before that? 0:01:57.200 --> 0:01:59.920 Yes, we we could go all the way back to 0:02:00.160 --> 0:02:04.440 Gruden and Tampa. Yeah, he was a. 0:02:05.960 --> 0:02:12.400 He was QC system wide receiver coach. And that's being 0:02:12.560 --> 0:02:18.040 very generous generous. Uh, he was I think coach man, 0:02:18.120 --> 0:02:22.600 the Richard Man, the wide receiver coach just allowed him 0:02:22.600 --> 0:02:23.440 to be in the room. 0:02:23.680 --> 0:02:23.960 You know. 0:02:24.639 --> 0:02:27.720 But that's where that's where he cut his teeth. They're 0:02:28.200 --> 0:02:30.800 in Tampa and we go all the way back there. 0:02:31.639 --> 0:02:34.280 So it's what was he like as a young guy 0:02:34.280 --> 0:02:36.680 cutting his teeth and just getting the start in the league. Obviously, 0:02:36.680 --> 0:02:38.799 his father was offensive coordinator. 0:02:38.320 --> 0:02:42.120 Here, that's right, That's right, and he was actually a consultant, 0:02:42.520 --> 0:02:46.680 a quarterback coach. They're also at Tampa. Yeah, so I 0:02:46.760 --> 0:02:50.480 call him coach. You know, Nathaniel is Nathaniel, but that's 0:02:50.560 --> 0:02:56.280 coach Hackett, you know, energetic, smart, You knew he was 0:02:56.280 --> 0:02:59.600 gonna he was gonna go far in this business. 0:03:00.200 --> 0:03:01.440 Even way back then. 0:03:01.680 --> 0:03:03.600 I mean, it was the writing was on the wall, 0:03:04.840 --> 0:03:07.280 So I'm not surprised with any of the success. 0:03:07.560 --> 0:03:10.040 But then the next stop, how many years together were. 0:03:09.880 --> 0:03:16.400 You guys at Jacksonville? Yeah, I want to say four 0:03:16.520 --> 0:03:21.920 years together? Yeah, at Jacksonville, I think four he called 0:03:22.200 --> 0:03:26.239 he was offensive coordinator for a year and a half there, 0:03:26.360 --> 0:03:32.320 I think, but he was I want to say quarterback coach? 0:03:32.440 --> 0:03:35.119 Oh whatnot the other couple of years there? 0:03:35.360 --> 0:03:35.560 Yeah? 0:03:35.960 --> 0:03:38.440 Can you talk about you both were on the staff 0:03:38.480 --> 0:03:40.480 that had that run of the AFC Championship game? 0:03:40.520 --> 0:03:42.960 Correct, Yes we did, Yes, we were. 0:03:43.160 --> 0:03:46.960 Can you talk about his work because it's been well publicized, 0:03:46.960 --> 0:03:48.520 the work he's done with Aaron and we'll get to 0:03:48.560 --> 0:03:51.480 Aaron in a couple of moments, but maybe the work 0:03:51.480 --> 0:03:55.320 he did with the personnel there. Blake Bortles was a 0:03:55.440 --> 0:04:00.200 quarterback and there was a balanced offense there. But you 0:04:00.280 --> 0:04:06.680 guys had a lead in the ANFC Championship game, Patriots. 0:04:06.800 --> 0:04:08.320 Yeah, that's right, that's right. 0:04:08.400 --> 0:04:13.240 We always say we were a quarter give a take 0:04:13.600 --> 0:04:17.360 away from the Super Bowl And you know, I can't 0:04:17.480 --> 0:04:26.080 publicly tell you my disgust you know what happened in 0:04:26.120 --> 0:04:30.440 the game, but I don't want to be fine yeah, 0:04:32.960 --> 0:04:35.760 it was. I mean it's well documented. You can just 0:04:35.760 --> 0:04:38.560 look at the tape. You know, they called a touchdown 0:04:38.640 --> 0:04:42.080 back on us. You know, they took a turnover away 0:04:42.120 --> 0:04:46.440 from us. It was it was really really bad. 0:04:46.600 --> 0:04:48.240 How often do you think, how often do you think 0:04:48.279 --> 0:04:48.640 about that? 0:04:49.720 --> 0:04:54.680 Very often? Yes, I do, Yes, I do. I do. 0:04:56.040 --> 0:05:01.640 For that team, that team, everything came together for us, 0:05:02.040 --> 0:05:07.440 you know, the offense, I think we we we led 0:05:07.520 --> 0:05:11.000 the leg the league in time of possession. I think 0:05:11.040 --> 0:05:15.239 we led the league in rushing the deep, which which 0:05:15.320 --> 0:05:21.120 coincided with the defense. The nickname was Saxonville, you know, 0:05:21.240 --> 0:05:26.039 because we had some great pass rushers on there, but 0:05:26.080 --> 0:05:28.359 they got a chance to do just that rush to 0:05:28.440 --> 0:05:31.760 pass it because by the time the opposing team got 0:05:31.800 --> 0:05:36.400 the ball, they were usually behind and not a lot 0:05:36.400 --> 0:05:40.160 of time left and having to throw, which fell right 0:05:40.200 --> 0:05:47.080 into our defensive defens's hands. Special teams was we were 0:05:47.120 --> 0:05:56.040 were top categories, several categories. So everything worked together, you know. 0:05:56.080 --> 0:05:58.320 It was a It was a great chemistry and we 0:05:58.400 --> 0:06:00.919 had all the makings for for for getting to the 0:06:00.960 --> 0:06:03.200 Super Bowl, and like I said, we were a quarter 0:06:03.760 --> 0:06:04.880 or so away from it. 0:06:05.600 --> 0:06:08.080 But what does it say about hacked specifically, that he 0:06:08.160 --> 0:06:14.520 had that success with a guy like Portles. 0:06:13.800 --> 0:06:17.800 He knew how to use him. You know, Blake is 0:06:17.839 --> 0:06:22.760 well documented that Blake isn't or wasn't the most accurate passer, 0:06:24.920 --> 0:06:28.240 but what he did bring to the table was a 0:06:28.279 --> 0:06:33.760 grit and toughness second to none. He was a football player. 0:06:34.440 --> 0:06:37.840 And so the plan, you know, we had. We had 0:06:38.320 --> 0:06:41.440 RPOs for him, you know, to carry the ball. We 0:06:41.640 --> 0:06:47.800 had play action Leonard Fournette. You know, we rode rode 0:06:47.839 --> 0:06:50.520 that horse. That was when he was a youngster. So 0:06:50.600 --> 0:06:53.039 we rode that horse and set up the play action 0:06:53.279 --> 0:06:57.040 and and then Blake would do the keepers and nakeds 0:06:57.120 --> 0:07:01.480 and the r pos. Like I said that it was 0:07:01.520 --> 0:07:05.280 a very very balanced. I think he used all his weapons, right, 0:07:05.520 --> 0:07:08.680 you know, and that helped Blake out, you know, that 0:07:08.760 --> 0:07:09.160 really did. 0:07:09.200 --> 0:07:10.160 We didn't ask him. 0:07:10.040 --> 0:07:13.480 To drop back and throw it fifty times a game, 0:07:13.600 --> 0:07:17.920 you know, but we made our chunks. And you know, 0:07:18.160 --> 0:07:19.920 like I said, a quarter a little bit over a 0:07:20.000 --> 0:07:21.960 quarter away from the from the Super Bowl. 0:07:22.000 --> 0:07:24.280 Man, that was a crazy playoffs because I remember I 0:07:24.320 --> 0:07:27.040 think opening weekend you hosted. 0:07:26.600 --> 0:07:29.360 Buffalo hosted Buffalo. That's right, right. 0:07:29.560 --> 0:07:31.920 It was somewhat of an ugly game unless you like 0:07:32.000 --> 0:07:34.560 defensive football. I think that final was ninety six, and 0:07:34.560 --> 0:07:36.680 then the next week you're in Pittsburgh. I think that 0:07:36.800 --> 0:07:38.520 final was like forty five two. 0:07:38.760 --> 0:07:39.280 That's right. 0:07:39.440 --> 0:07:42.760 We had we had beating them earlier in the season 0:07:42.800 --> 0:07:45.840 there in Pittsburgh and then to go back in the 0:07:45.880 --> 0:07:49.600 playoffs and beat them in Pittsburgh. 0:07:49.680 --> 0:07:54.560 But that that was that was outstanding. It was good stuff, man, 0:07:54.760 --> 0:07:56.200 it was good. It was good stuff. 0:07:56.360 --> 0:07:59.560 Speaking of good stuff, what's it been like for you 0:07:59.600 --> 0:08:04.680 guys here in the early stages of implementing the Hackett 0:08:04.720 --> 0:08:08.200 system and a can you talk about maybe the parallels 0:08:08.680 --> 0:08:11.720 to the system that you ran in two thousand and 0:08:12.280 --> 0:08:15.840 twenty two. It's the same family, but also can you 0:08:15.880 --> 0:08:19.800 speak to Hackett as far as what you said before 0:08:19.880 --> 0:08:22.320 about matching his system to his personality? 0:08:22.400 --> 0:08:29.480 Yeah, you know, the system is basically the West Coast system, 0:08:29.800 --> 0:08:31.640 you know, that's what we were doing. I mean it 0:08:31.680 --> 0:08:36.000 was versions of it, but like you said, all of 0:08:36.040 --> 0:08:40.199 them or or branches of that West Coast system. 0:08:40.640 --> 0:08:42.160 You know, hack. 0:08:42.080 --> 0:08:44.840 When he when he does install, he goes back to 0:08:44.920 --> 0:08:49.359 the days when his dad worked with at San Francisco 0:08:49.520 --> 0:08:53.040 with Bill Wahhas you know, the original you know, the 0:08:53.120 --> 0:08:56.920 West Coast offense. You know, they where they were implement 0:08:57.080 --> 0:09:01.200 or installing, installing these plays way back then, you know, 0:09:01.320 --> 0:09:04.760 seeing Jerry Rice, Brent, Brent Jones, you know, a tight 0:09:04.840 --> 0:09:11.160 end run these plays or whatnot. So it's all connected, 0:09:11.640 --> 0:09:16.960 you know. Nathaniel puts his spin on it, you know, 0:09:17.280 --> 0:09:21.920 and he's modernized a couple of things, a couple of formations. 0:09:21.960 --> 0:09:24.320 You know, they didn't didn't didn't do a lot of 0:09:24.360 --> 0:09:26.720 motion back then, so we got a little motion now. 0:09:27.880 --> 0:09:32.600 But understanding, I think, I think more than anything he understands. 0:09:32.640 --> 0:09:37.160 It's not so much what he knows. What he can 0:09:37.240 --> 0:09:42.319 do is what the players, what they can learn and 0:09:42.400 --> 0:09:44.520 what they can do once they get on the grass. 0:09:45.760 --> 0:09:49.200 You played in the league for more than two decade. Yeah, 0:09:49.840 --> 0:09:52.320 that's right, and you've been coaching for a long time, 0:09:52.400 --> 0:09:53.720 starting out in the college ranks. 0:09:53.800 --> 0:09:54.240 That's right. 0:09:55.559 --> 0:09:58.959 What was your reaction when you heard that the trade 0:09:59.040 --> 0:10:03.280 was finalized The Jets were getting a future Hall of 0:10:03.280 --> 0:10:05.840 Fame quarterback to lead the ship in Aaron Rodgers. 0:10:06.080 --> 0:10:09.520 Yeah, you know, I've I've had run ins with not 0:10:09.679 --> 0:10:12.240 run INDs, I mean, I bumped shoulders with him. With 0:10:12.400 --> 0:10:17.280 Aaron before, it was always cordial he he always called 0:10:17.320 --> 0:10:20.960 me by my name, he knew me, which which I 0:10:21.000 --> 0:10:24.600 thought was a was a big deal. You know, Aaron 0:10:24.679 --> 0:10:29.040 Rodgers knows my name, knows my face or whatnot. So 0:10:29.160 --> 0:10:32.040 I was to say I was excited with being understatement. 0:10:33.320 --> 0:10:34.160 You know, it's. 0:10:36.920 --> 0:10:41.200 Except I will accept the expectations that come along with 0:10:41.320 --> 0:10:48.480 that because I know that that we will work to 0:10:48.679 --> 0:10:53.200 get the pieces around him to be the sharpest that 0:10:53.240 --> 0:10:57.199 they can possibly be. After being with him for the 0:10:57.280 --> 0:11:01.199 last couple of three weeks, I think I've never been 0:11:01.240 --> 0:11:02.920 around a quarterback like him. 0:11:03.280 --> 0:11:07.400 So why in your mind has he been so effective? 0:11:07.520 --> 0:11:13.760 This eighteen year run Green Bay just unbelievable. Again, you 0:11:13.840 --> 0:11:16.040 know the history of this game. He's one of the 0:11:16.040 --> 0:11:17.240 best players ever. 0:11:17.480 --> 0:11:23.040 Yeah, you know he's first of all, he's talented. You know, 0:11:23.040 --> 0:11:25.160 he's got a lot of talent. Man, to see him 0:11:25.160 --> 0:11:28.680 make some of those throws. Saw one today was we 0:11:28.679 --> 0:11:33.320 was installing earlier and was showing clips of him and 0:11:33.960 --> 0:11:37.240 he may just throw some type of just a dime 0:11:37.760 --> 0:11:41.040 right there if it had been a spill to hit 0:11:41.080 --> 0:11:43.560 the receiver and throw it was right on, right on, 0:11:43.800 --> 0:11:48.480 right on target. So, first of all, he's talented, he's 0:11:48.600 --> 0:11:52.760 very smart, and he's been in the system that there's 0:11:52.800 --> 0:11:56.680 a lot to say with familiarity, to say four familiarity, 0:11:57.160 --> 0:12:01.880 he knows the system, he's he's done it all. He's 0:12:01.920 --> 0:12:08.160 seen everything that someone could possibly give him. And you 0:12:08.200 --> 0:12:14.800 know that the I think he utilizes his weapons. So oh, 0:12:14.920 --> 0:12:20.600 that to me equals successful with eighteen US eighteen. 0:12:20.360 --> 0:12:23.200 Years, you know, four time NFL MVP. 0:12:23.360 --> 0:12:25.160 How about that? How about the. 0:12:25.160 --> 0:12:28.920 Best touchdown interception ratio of anybody who's ever played. 0:12:29.120 --> 0:12:33.600 Wow, Jets fans, we're in our final push and the 0:12:33.720 --> 0:12:37.000 clock is ticking. Win Bet is giving you a golden 0:12:37.080 --> 0:12:41.000 opportunity to win VIP prizes for the twenty twenty three season. 0:12:41.400 --> 0:12:44.440 The win Bet Green Room is the most exclusive space 0:12:44.520 --> 0:12:47.920 at the stadium with all inclusive food and beverage, lower 0:12:48.000 --> 0:12:52.280 level seats, and appearances by Jets legends and celebrities. New 0:12:52.360 --> 0:12:54.840 Jersey customers, all you need to do is wager at 0:12:54.960 --> 0:12:58.720 least one hundred dollars on win BET's sportsbook or casino. 0:12:59.120 --> 0:13:01.439 For New York customer, all you need to do is 0:13:01.480 --> 0:13:04.000 wager at least one hundred dollars on when that's the 0:13:04.040 --> 0:13:07.000 sports book. The best part you get an entry for 0:13:07.240 --> 0:13:09.280 every one hundred dollars you wager. 0:13:10.360 --> 0:13:12.720 Now, let me ask you this. Do you sense because 0:13:13.200 --> 0:13:16.440 we see him at a podium, or we see him 0:13:16.960 --> 0:13:21.880 doing interviews, you see him in a totally different light 0:13:22.040 --> 0:13:25.080 behind closed door, is in meeting rooms on the field. 0:13:25.120 --> 0:13:30.000 Do you sense a genuine excitement about being here? 0:13:31.120 --> 0:13:35.520 I do you know? I think it's I think you know. 0:13:35.640 --> 0:13:37.920 I don't know him personally. Like I said, he's known 0:13:38.000 --> 0:13:40.560 my face and called me by my name, but I've 0:13:40.600 --> 0:13:43.760 never sat down and had had a beer with him, 0:13:43.840 --> 0:13:48.880 or or or had an extended conversation with the guy. 0:13:48.840 --> 0:13:51.760 Orcot Scotch with him, He's like, I guess he likes Scotch, 0:13:51.800 --> 0:13:52.800 do does it? 0:13:52.960 --> 0:13:53.200 Yeah? 0:13:53.280 --> 0:13:55.320 Okay, that's good to know it. It's not I don't 0:13:55.320 --> 0:13:57.319 know what about stogies. He smoke a cigars. 0:13:57.400 --> 0:13:59.120 I bet you he would with you, Yes. 0:13:58.960 --> 0:14:03.240 Out standing, But he got me off track not thinking 0:14:03.240 --> 0:14:04.160 about stogies and. 0:14:04.200 --> 0:14:08.000 Scott what what he is with in. 0:14:08.000 --> 0:14:08.760 The meeting room. 0:14:09.040 --> 0:14:13.040 In the meeting room, you got to be on your 0:14:13.120 --> 0:14:17.000 p's and q's. He questions everything or or or if 0:14:17.040 --> 0:14:22.880 there's a better way to say it. He tries to 0:14:22.880 --> 0:14:26.240 bring he tries to use that better way, you know. 0:14:27.560 --> 0:14:31.000 On the field, if there's a if there's a way 0:14:31.120 --> 0:14:35.760 he wants a route to be run or whatnot, then 0:14:35.880 --> 0:14:39.080 he'll sit and he'll tell him. You know, and and 0:14:39.080 --> 0:14:42.120 and it's just instant credibility coming from the guy. You know, 0:14:42.240 --> 0:14:45.720 the players. Look, I told my tight ends, tight Ends. 0:14:45.760 --> 0:14:49.560 I say, hey, if this guy tells you something or 0:14:49.600 --> 0:14:53.880 tells you how to do something, do it okay, and 0:14:53.920 --> 0:14:55.840 then come tell me so I don't know, so I 0:14:55.880 --> 0:14:59.760 can reaffirm what he says. You know, it's his show man, 0:15:00.040 --> 0:15:06.120 it's his shows. He's earned that, and he's been out there. 0:15:06.560 --> 0:15:11.800 He's been out there with these guys, teaching, working with them, 0:15:11.840 --> 0:15:16.960 doing the sprints with them. And I think they appreciate that, 0:15:17.480 --> 0:15:21.240 you know, a whole whole lot. It's Aaron freaking Rogers man. 0:15:21.320 --> 0:15:23.640 You know, it is Aaron freaking Rogers. 0:15:24.440 --> 0:15:28.200 Do you expect to be in this position when Salah 0:15:28.760 --> 0:15:31.840 brought you on board in twenty one? 0:15:32.480 --> 0:15:34.440 That do you have? 0:15:35.680 --> 0:15:38.240 Obviously you have confidence in him, but as far as 0:15:38.240 --> 0:15:41.600 like a timetable twenty one, you guys embrace this youth 0:15:41.640 --> 0:15:44.720 movement and you go four and thirteen. The next year 0:15:45.200 --> 0:15:48.480 twenty two, you start out seven and four. You know, 0:15:48.560 --> 0:15:50.880 I've made the argument multiple times here on the pod 0:15:50.960 --> 0:15:54.080 that you guys would have been a playoff team had 0:15:54.400 --> 0:15:57.200 not health failed. 0:15:57.280 --> 0:15:58.280 Yeah, and then. 0:15:58.080 --> 0:16:02.160 Obviously in consistency at the quarterback position. Uh seven and 0:16:02.240 --> 0:16:05.840 ten overall, but nearly doubled your win total last season. 0:16:05.920 --> 0:16:08.960 And now here we are, people are looking at the 0:16:09.040 --> 0:16:12.200 Jets and saying, you know, that's a championship contender. 0:16:12.680 --> 0:16:17.680 Yeah, we got a chance. I'll say that we got 0:16:17.680 --> 0:16:18.120 a chance. 0:16:18.360 --> 0:16:23.280 I'm not stamping anything right now, but we've got a chance. 0:16:23.320 --> 0:16:26.760 We got a legitimate chance to to do something special. 0:16:28.520 --> 0:16:32.720 I think with the combination of youth, I think with 0:16:32.960 --> 0:16:37.600 the you know, Aaron Rodgers brings a whole different element 0:16:38.200 --> 0:16:44.000 immediately to everything that you do. But you know, the defense, 0:16:44.520 --> 0:16:47.520 defense top on, one of the top defense in the league. 0:16:48.240 --> 0:16:53.520 Last year, we did have some some highlights, some some 0:16:53.520 --> 0:16:57.440 some we came close to to a lot of things. 0:16:57.640 --> 0:17:01.640 We were closer than what our record showed last year. 0:17:03.840 --> 0:17:06.560 And I emphasized last year, you know, this is a 0:17:06.560 --> 0:17:09.760 whole different It's a whole different deal, a new you know, 0:17:09.840 --> 0:17:11.879 we we we got some questions to answer. 0:17:14.760 --> 0:17:17.120 Uh offensive line, you know. 0:17:17.160 --> 0:17:22.080 We we've got to show that up a couple of 0:17:22.080 --> 0:17:25.160 guys uh Breefe, you know, coming coming off of injury. 0:17:25.640 --> 0:17:29.080 You know, he's a weapon that that that that we're 0:17:29.119 --> 0:17:34.560 counting on, you know, Garrett and the receiving corps. You know, 0:17:34.720 --> 0:17:38.480 let's take another step forward so that Yeah, we would 0:17:38.560 --> 0:17:41.040 much rather be in this position. Don't get me wrong. 0:17:41.119 --> 0:17:42.879 And I'm not pole mouth, and I'm just trying to 0:17:42.920 --> 0:17:45.480 be realistic about about it all. But you know, we 0:17:45.600 --> 0:17:47.359 still got to go out and do it, you know, 0:17:47.440 --> 0:17:49.399 and there's still some things that has to fall in 0:17:49.520 --> 0:17:51.639 place for us to be what we want to be. 0:17:52.359 --> 0:17:54.000 You know, we got. 0:17:53.840 --> 0:17:58.280 To avoid those injuries, you know, And I know injuries 0:17:58.320 --> 0:17:59.920 are a part of it. But I bet if you 0:18:00.119 --> 0:18:03.159 go back and you look at the successful teams, the 0:18:03.200 --> 0:18:07.480 most successful teams historically in this league have been the 0:18:07.480 --> 0:18:12.880 most healthy teams in the league, in and out each 0:18:12.880 --> 0:18:13.560 and every year. 0:18:13.720 --> 0:18:16.399 So I mean that's the big thing. Let's let's be healthy. 0:18:16.920 --> 0:18:21.560 The SOLA will get them, will get them in that 0:18:21.720 --> 0:18:25.600 team mentality, I have no, no, no doubt about that. 0:18:27.280 --> 0:18:30.200 We will be prepared, We will will go about it 0:18:30.440 --> 0:18:36.399 in in a in a smart manner, put guys in 0:18:36.400 --> 0:18:39.199 in in the right spots or whatnot. But you know, 0:18:39.400 --> 0:18:42.880 like I said, we there's still some things have to 0:18:42.920 --> 0:18:45.240 come together for us, for us to get it done. 0:18:45.280 --> 0:18:47.639 And you know that's that's part of the NFL. 0:18:48.480 --> 0:18:51.840 Let's talk about your group. Okay, Tyler Conkin comes in 0:18:51.880 --> 0:18:56.000 the fifty eight receptions and year one. What do you 0:18:56.000 --> 0:18:59.639 want to see from Tyler in his second year with 0:18:59.640 --> 0:19:02.920 the jet but more importantly first year with Aaron Rodgers, 0:19:03.119 --> 0:19:05.159 first year under Nathaniel Hackett. 0:19:05.240 --> 0:19:07.520 Yeah, First of all, I want to see him healthy. 0:19:07.840 --> 0:19:10.480 You know, he had this abdominal deal or some deal 0:19:12.000 --> 0:19:17.760 that he's that he's nursing right now. So so that's 0:19:17.840 --> 0:19:21.600 first and foremost to get him healthy. Once that's Once 0:19:21.720 --> 0:19:25.160 that's the case, then then then he's gonna what he brings. 0:19:26.040 --> 0:19:29.040 What he brings to the table is something that that 0:19:29.160 --> 0:19:35.440 Nathan Nathaniel will will utilize and and I think Aaron 0:19:35.520 --> 0:19:36.800 Rodgers is gonna love the guy. 0:19:37.200 --> 0:19:39.719 You know what do you think Roger is gonna love 0:19:39.720 --> 0:19:41.200 about that skill set? 0:19:44.680 --> 0:19:49.160 He's He's an explosive route runner, you know, in his 0:19:49.359 --> 0:19:52.639 in his world, in that ten to twelve yard range, 0:19:52.680 --> 0:19:55.959 he can he's got some he's got some quicks and 0:19:56.000 --> 0:20:01.119 some explosiveness that can can really take advantage of that 0:20:01.240 --> 0:20:06.040 underneath coverage. He does have enough speed to stretch the field. 0:20:06.080 --> 0:20:09.760 He has a nice little little knack for getting into scenes. 0:20:10.240 --> 0:20:10.480 You know. 0:20:11.760 --> 0:20:14.240 I know Aaron likes the deep ball and whatnot. He 0:20:14.400 --> 0:20:18.760 and and he'll be a viable weapon for him in 0:20:18.800 --> 0:20:23.959 that in that aspect. But the twelve fifteen, twelve to 0:20:23.960 --> 0:20:27.440 fifteen yard range, like I said, he can, He's got 0:20:27.440 --> 0:20:31.879 some quickness and explosiveness to create mismatches in that box 0:20:31.960 --> 0:20:32.639 area there. 0:20:33.240 --> 0:20:37.840 What about cj Usama? I mean, you guys, I don't 0:20:37.880 --> 0:20:40.680 want to put a percentage on how much twelve personnel 0:20:40.720 --> 0:20:43.159 that you guys used last year. And you know, I 0:20:43.160 --> 0:20:47.119 think when people think about the two, they're thinking more 0:20:47.240 --> 0:20:53.040 about Conklin's maybe past receiving exploits, and then maybe CJ 0:20:53.240 --> 0:20:55.600 is more of your typical blocker. 0:20:56.160 --> 0:21:01.760 Well, I wouldn't, I wouldn't wouldn't categorize like that, but 0:21:02.359 --> 0:21:04.320 I will say we I think I think we ran 0:21:04.400 --> 0:21:07.320 a lot of twelve personnel last year, and rightfully so 0:21:07.440 --> 0:21:09.520 if you put that much money in a room, I 0:21:09.560 --> 0:21:10.320 would hope. 0:21:10.119 --> 0:21:11.800 That you. 0:21:11.240 --> 0:21:14.120 Know, get them out on the field, you know, and 0:21:14.480 --> 0:21:19.360 not counting anybody's money, I ain't saying that, but I 0:21:19.400 --> 0:21:23.919 think we purposely tried to use them, you know, because 0:21:24.000 --> 0:21:27.680 of that fact, and also because they were good football 0:21:27.680 --> 0:21:30.080 players and you're trying to get your best eleven out 0:21:30.119 --> 0:21:32.920 on the field. They both of them definitely was part 0:21:32.960 --> 0:21:35.080 of our best eleven. 0:21:36.760 --> 0:21:36.960 You know. 0:21:38.720 --> 0:21:41.399 And then with Breech getting hurt last year, you know, 0:21:41.480 --> 0:21:45.280 that took an element. We tried to do some things 0:21:45.920 --> 0:21:49.600 with that personnel grouping to put some more playmakers on 0:21:49.640 --> 0:21:54.560 the field, if you will. Hopefully, hopefully we can build 0:21:54.600 --> 0:22:00.280 on that. Hell, I'd like to go thirteen person so 0:22:01.320 --> 0:22:04.040 you know, we're working for that. You know, I don't 0:22:04.080 --> 0:22:08.119 know how I'm gonna get that done, but we're gonna, 0:22:08.119 --> 0:22:10.679 We're gonna, We're gonna do our We're gonna do what 0:22:10.720 --> 0:22:13.560 we do. We will talk about the tight end position 0:22:13.680 --> 0:22:15.919 and we will make plays when our number is called, 0:22:15.960 --> 0:22:19.240 and I just hope we on speed out for them. 0:22:19.359 --> 0:22:22.720 Yeah, you know, I mean c J was not as 0:22:22.760 --> 0:22:27.920 busy as Tyler, but when he did have those receptions, 0:22:28.320 --> 0:22:30.280 a lot of those ended up being big point. 0:22:30.960 --> 0:22:31.840 Big place. C J. 0:22:32.280 --> 0:22:34.920 You know, he you know, he he was dealing with 0:22:34.960 --> 0:22:38.920 some nagging injuries last year. Also, you know, he he 0:22:38.920 --> 0:22:41.120 he finally got in a groove, got healthy, and got 0:22:41.160 --> 0:22:45.679 in a groove. You know which which which helped and 0:22:45.840 --> 0:22:49.360 could feature him more or more specific things for him. 0:22:49.359 --> 0:22:52.600 But yeah, he's the he's the jack of all trades, 0:22:52.680 --> 0:22:55.200 c J Is. You know, he's gonna give you everything 0:22:55.200 --> 0:22:59.959 he's got. Nobody plays harder than him, nobody. He's very smart, 0:23:01.320 --> 0:23:04.600 he can do a lot of different things. He's a 0:23:04.760 --> 0:23:09.359 he's a big body, so you know, there's a reason 0:23:09.400 --> 0:23:12.400 why you know, he's he's been in the league as 0:23:12.400 --> 0:23:15.360 long as he has and and he's respected as much 0:23:15.359 --> 0:23:16.359 as he's respected. 0:23:16.560 --> 0:23:19.960 People forget about Jeremy Ruckert. He was a rookie last season. 0:23:20.000 --> 0:23:23.720 He was dealing with some physical elements himself early on 0:23:23.880 --> 0:23:27.920 in his career. Coach Alla had high praise for him 0:23:28.080 --> 0:23:32.160 last de summer before the season ended. Do you expect 0:23:32.600 --> 0:23:34.040 him to make that jump now? 0:23:34.240 --> 0:23:38.439 I do. He's you know, that's we've talked about that. 0:23:38.680 --> 0:23:40.240 If what he. 0:23:40.200 --> 0:23:44.879 Put on tape the Miami game, you know, was was outstanding. 0:23:45.640 --> 0:23:50.240 I think that that performance going into the off season 0:23:51.440 --> 0:23:55.960 really put him in a great place mentally, give. 0:23:55.880 --> 0:24:00.240 Him a lot of confidence, a lot of confidence and 0:24:00.040 --> 0:24:03.320 and he has visual evidence now of hey, I can 0:24:03.359 --> 0:24:05.800 do this and I can do this at a high level. 0:24:07.000 --> 0:24:09.680 And that's just scratched the surface of what this kid 0:24:09.720 --> 0:24:13.960 brings to the table. Man, he's smart, he's tough, he's athletic, 0:24:15.600 --> 0:24:17.600 all the makings, you know. Now, we just got to 0:24:17.640 --> 0:24:21.440 keep him healthy and find his niche and before long 0:24:21.520 --> 0:24:23.240 he's going to be a household name. 0:24:23.280 --> 0:24:23.680 I think. 0:24:24.080 --> 0:24:26.159 So when Joe Douglas tells you that they're going to 0:24:26.240 --> 0:24:30.560 take Zach Goointz in the seventh round. 0:24:30.600 --> 0:24:32.639 Yeah, what are you thinking? 0:24:32.720 --> 0:24:36.040 Because Joe talked about the importance of some of these 0:24:36.040 --> 0:24:39.760 guys late in the draft having the freak factor to him. Yeah, 0:24:39.800 --> 0:24:42.680