1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: We are alive here at Grand Park for the final 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:04,200 Speaker 1: day of Colts training camp, when we are joined by 3 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: Colts linebacker EJ Speed. EJ Camp is over. How do 4 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:09,800 Speaker 1: you feel the team did during camp? I feel like 5 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: we compete it. We competed on our levels. We got 6 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: a lot of great guys at great positions. So anytime 7 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: if that's the fact that I feel like you can 8 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:18,000 Speaker 1: get good work on both sides of the ball, I'm 9 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: always honored because you know, we got three Pro Bowl 10 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: guys on our offensive line, so I get to go 11 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: against the best. You know, every day, I get to 12 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: go against the best. Now, one of the things it's 13 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: been a big storyline throughout training camp. We all know 14 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,319 Speaker 1: that Darius Leonard has not been out there, but that 15 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: opens up opportunities for guys like you and Zi Year 16 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: to take a lot of really meaningful reps. How beneficial 17 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,880 Speaker 1: has that been for you? I've been I mean it's 18 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: been good. We did a good job. I feel like 19 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: this camp of splitting up the reps as we always doing, 20 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: getting the one, twos and threes, plenty of opportunities to 21 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: get their feet with and you know, get comfortable with 22 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: the game. So um, I mean this year four now, 23 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 1: so everything is kind of like you know, it's it's 24 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: just in front of me, and I just get to 25 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: like let my god given abilities to show out now 26 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,479 Speaker 1: at this EJ. Where are you from the mental side 27 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: of things in this all or this defense rather under 28 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: Gus Bradley, are you playing where you need to in 29 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: terms of reacting not thinking under this new scheme. I'm comfortable. 30 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: I think, Um, they do a good job at paying 31 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 1: attention to the details. We got a slogan call keep 32 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:21,320 Speaker 1: it tight. So of course I had to load up 33 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 1: on the film and everything even coming into camp and 34 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 1: during camp and even this week or whatever like that, 35 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: I have to load load up on the film and 36 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: really hone in because this is my first time in 37 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: the defense. So um, But to answer the question, I'm 38 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: comfortable and I think I can play at a high 39 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 1: level in this day. And speaking of comfort, I mean, 40 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: you guys are cross training, sometimes you're with the mic, 41 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: sometimes you're the will Where where are you with where 42 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: you think you fit in best? Positionally in the defense, 43 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:48,520 Speaker 1: I like the wheel position. I definitely like the wheel position. 44 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 1: I also played some of the auto position. I play 45 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: some of the mic position down at Ota. So Um, 46 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: I think right now, I'll be more of the wheel 47 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: in the auto. And you know that's just that's how 48 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: that's how it's going right now. Out one of the things. 49 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: We're joined by Colts linebacker EJ. Speed. We've seen a 50 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: handful of undrafted rookies come in and play some good football. 51 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: Joejoe Dome and Sterling Weatherford. Take me back to you. 52 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 1: You know, four years ago, you come out of a 53 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: small school in Tarleton State. What are you able to 54 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 1: help these guys? You know they're kind of with a 55 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: chip on their shoulder trying to something to prove. What 56 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: have you seen out of them and what have you 57 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: been able to help them with. I think they did 58 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 1: a great job this camp. I think we were challenged 59 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: early to be physical and fast, and I think all 60 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: of them have that attribute. So when it comes to 61 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: you know, you're gonna make rookie mistakes. Sometimes you're not 62 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: in the right position sometimes, but as long as you're 63 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: playing fast and physical, you can always that's something that 64 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,160 Speaker 1: can't be I can say learned. That's something that you 65 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:41,840 Speaker 1: just got to have. Me and you so Um, I've 66 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:43,919 Speaker 1: seen those guys in the preseason games come out fast 67 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: and physical. Forward's had a good game last Yeast game. 68 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: I've seen Jojoe make plays and a lot of those guys, James, 69 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 1: I'm just proud of them. I mean, they came along 70 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: and they actually stepped up, and Coach Smith complimented them 71 00:02:56,200 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 1: all the time a linebackers coach, and yeah, I'm excited 72 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: to say. I'm sure everybody can't be here once the 73 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: roster has cut down or whatever like that, but I'm 74 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: excited to see it's somebody. There are guys that I'll 75 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 1: be following all throughout their career. You like Coach Smith, Yeah, 76 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: he's he's a technique guy. He homes in on the technique, 77 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 1: and that's something that that can never be That's something 78 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 1: that you can never be too comfortable with because it's 79 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 1: always something that you can learn from. So I think 80 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: throughout the week just honing in on a technique, technique, 81 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: and then on Sunday you just let it fly, you 82 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: know what I mean. And you're not even realizing that 83 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 1: you're doing techniques and stuff that we're taught. You're just 84 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 1: out there having fun and you're playing. You're playing the 85 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: game and you're letting it fly. So if you can 86 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: get your guys given ability with technique and everything like that. 87 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 1: It'll be I know you're brought up shack Leonard a 88 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: little bit. How is he still helping? He's not on 89 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: the field, but he's out here and you can you 90 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: can just tell he's just chopping at the bit. He's 91 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: po that he's not able to practice right now. How 92 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: is he still engaged and making a difference. I think 93 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: since I got here on lineback and court has had 94 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: a standard and every day that we come into the building, 95 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: we all all live by that standards. So even if 96 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: you're out or you're in, that standard still holds up 97 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: that you gotta be vocal, you gotta be with the team. 98 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: We break it out on family. You gotta be a 99 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 1: part of the family, and you gotta push the guys 100 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: around you. And we all do a great drive with that. 101 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,280 Speaker 1: We push Darius, Darius push us. And the same thing 102 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: for Ghost was out here Bobby and all the young guys. 103 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,599 Speaker 1: We know that the dress rehearsal is sadder the final 104 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,800 Speaker 1: preseason game. We know the starter is gonna play about 105 00:04:22,880 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 1: about a half. For you when you look that you're 106 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: playing the Buccaneers, how important is that I mean, we 107 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 1: don't know exactly what all they're gonna do, but when 108 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: you look at that Buccaneers offense, that's a really good 109 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 1: way to kind of prepare yourself for the season. Definitely. 110 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: They have one of the greatest players to ever played 111 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: the game over there in their locker room, and Tom 112 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 1: Brady one of the you know who I'm talking about 113 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:44,719 Speaker 1: number so so yeah, So it's like so anytime that 114 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: you get to play somebody that's in that room, I 115 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: think that the effect the effect of a player like that, 116 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 1: it goes through the locker room and everybody kind of 117 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: like the bar is raised and everybody lives up to 118 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: that standard. So I don't expect Tampa Bay to come 119 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: out lacks of days school, even if he's not playing 120 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,280 Speaker 1: anything like that. And they got some good talent over 121 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 1: I've been watching films, so it'll be fun. You talked 122 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 1: about how this is training camp number four for you 123 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 1: and you're headed all the roster cuts. I'm sure you 124 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 1: can go back to when you were a rookie and 125 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 1: you're you're not really sure where you are. Do you 126 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: have a different mindset this time where it's more like 127 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: you're really preparing for that EJ. Speed's making this Yeah, 128 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 1: you're making this team. Is there a different mindset kind 129 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: of as roster cuts, downs comes for you here and 130 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 1: year four? Uh No, it's definitely not. I don't look 131 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: at it as like, Okay, EJ, you're making a team. 132 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 1: I look at it as like every day you're coming 133 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,400 Speaker 1: to get better. So, um, of course, like I'll be 134 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 1: I'll be lying if I didn't say that my rookie 135 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: year is different, feeling the pressure of cuts and all 136 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: that type stuff, But I still I still attack the 137 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: game with the same tenacity, in the same like grit 138 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: because I want to be I want to be great. 139 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: I got goals that I haven't reaciating this speed, So 140 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: I just I want to be the best for myself, 141 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: for my family, for my organization that took the you know, 142 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 1: a chance on me coming out of a Detol school 143 00:05:55,800 --> 00:05:58,840 Speaker 1: in the fifth round as big. So I'm grateful. I'm 144 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 1: grateful for God. I'm grateful every day that I'll wake 145 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: up and I just want to just I just want 146 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: to give him my all every time I stop on 147 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: the field. We talked about those young guys trying to 148 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 1: make the team, Joe Joe Doman and sterling weather for 149 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: James Skulski. You've been in their shoes, scratching and clawing, 150 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:13,919 Speaker 1: trying to find your niche, trying to find your place 151 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: on this roster. It's all about compassion this time of year, 152 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: because those guys have been busting their tails with you 153 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,839 Speaker 1: every single day for the last four months. But you know, 154 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 1: between the practice squad and then just being released out right, 155 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: some of those guys might not be able to realize 156 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: their NFL dreams here with the Colts. How tough is 157 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: it for you being teammates with these guys, being in 158 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,679 Speaker 1: the going through the grind for the last four plus months, 159 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: and then some of them it won't happen for them. 160 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 1: I think anytime that you put your all into something 161 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: as a young person, as an older guy or whatever 162 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: like that, when you fall short on the goal at hand, 163 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: it's not as bad. And when you watch somebody put 164 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: their all into it, like those guys have always got 165 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 1: confidence that even with that mindset and that ability that 166 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: you have to like that's a that's a that's a 167 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 1: gift to be able to mentally you're all into something. 168 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 1: So I don't think that like being cut from a 169 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: team is actually a bad thing because you will have 170 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: another opportunity somewhere in life if it's not football. If 171 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: you take that same mentally into broadcasting, you will you're saying, 172 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: you know what I'm saying something, So I mean, I 173 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: if those guys have become broadcasting, you might have some competitions. 174 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 1: I'm gonna tell that now because for sure. So I'm 175 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: just holding this spot down for the next guy. That's 176 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: exactly what I'm doing. So yeah, basically, what I'm saying 177 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 1: is I feel like those guys would be great with 178 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: whatever they Sure, they got great mindsets. I mean you 179 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: should hear them talk like you get a chance, give 180 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: them an interview and just ask them about mental mindsets. 181 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: They have great stories from what their dad has told 182 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: them and everything like that. So it's good, all right, 183 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: as we sit here and talk. Now camp is over. 184 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: Do you celebrate? Not yet? Not yet? We felt short 185 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: last year and that's that bitter taste of selling my 186 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: la in my mouth from where we went down to 187 00:07:56,800 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: um to Jacksonville and feel short. So we got a 188 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: lot of making up to do. So I don't think 189 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: that it's the time to celebrate. I don't think that 190 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: it's the time to relax anything like that. It's time 191 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: to get better. Well, there you go, there's e J. Speed, 192 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: Colts linebacker EJ. Thank you so much to have a 193 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: great season. Man, good sir, thank you.