1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,440 Speaker 1: Joining us now, I'm Texans Radio. It's general manager Nick Kasserio. Nick, 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: good morning, How are you doing today on the day off? 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: Morna Fella is doing great? How are you got your 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: own promo too? How about that exclusive interviews with Nicko? Alright, 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: that not a day off for you and the coaches. 6 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,639 Speaker 1: You guys are hard at work today. But how do 7 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: you handle a day like today when the players don't practice? Yeah, 8 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: it just kind of it's a recalibration day, kind of 9 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 1: go through the last sort of three days we went 10 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 1: through on Sunday, kind of the first four days of practice, 11 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: just where we are as a team, even though it 12 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: was kind of not really a true picture because we're 13 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: still kind of in an ote le Ota version type 14 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: of practice. Understanding that Monday was the first opportunity for 15 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: us to being Pats. So now we have three days. 16 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: We've run, I don't know on almost two hundred plays, 17 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: so I had a chance to go through those plays 18 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: kind of see you know where the competition lies. There's 19 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: a lot yet in front of us. So kind of 20 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: good day to get organized, maybe start to work on 21 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: some other things, start to plan some of the preseason scouting, 22 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: maybe take a look at some things on the college 23 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:04,039 Speaker 1: scouting side, So there's a lot of balls in the air, 24 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: I would say, depending on who's involved in the department 25 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: that's involved. But really it's kind of good organized today 26 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: for the next three days, understanding that, Okay, at the 27 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: end of that period, we'll have another day off, and 28 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 1: then really we have three days before we get ready 29 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: to play the first preseason game, so we'll call it 30 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 1: a week out from playing real football against an opponent. 31 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: So we have to start to shift our thought process 32 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: in mindset and get ready for that. Nick your general 33 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 1: impressions once you put the pads on, because like we 34 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: all talk about, and you've said, everybody said, it's not 35 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: really football until they put the pads on. But then 36 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: you put the pads on and you start looking going 37 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: kind of like what I see. If there's been some 38 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: things that have stood out to you while you've put 39 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: the pads on from some of these guys here, Yeah, 40 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 1: I think one of the things that's really important is 41 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: when you do practice and pads, make sure everybody understands 42 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: there's a right way to practice and pads so you 43 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: can get a lot of productive work done. So staying 44 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: on your feet, playing with good techniques, staying off the ground, 45 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: not going below the knees. There's no cut blocks or 46 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 1: anything like that. We're really not tackling the backs. But 47 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:00,360 Speaker 1: when you do, offensive players have the ball is going 48 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: to put pressure on the ball, which we've seen that 49 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: over the past few days. So you start to see 50 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: you in your mind. You train your body and your 51 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 1: mind for really what's going to happen when you get 52 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: in the course of a game. So there's a little 53 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: more timing, a little better execution. There's some mistakes that 54 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 1: are going to be made or in pass protection if 55 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 1: you don't set inside out properly, or if you don't 56 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 1: block the tea correctly. So you can start to see 57 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: some of those things because there's a physical component that 58 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: goes along with that. So for the most part, the 59 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: players have done a good job working with each other. 60 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: We really haven't had too many dust ups or mixed 61 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: up so we've been able to get a good throats there. 62 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 1: Three days of productive work, So excited for the next 63 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 1: three days to see if we continue to make progress 64 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: as a team. Nick, what are you seeing so far 65 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: with Davis Mills and this passing attack that you're trying 66 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: to put together. Yeah, I'd say for the most part, 67 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks has done a good job taking care of 68 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 1: the football. I mean SAMs maybe yesterday where the defense 69 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 1: was able to get their hands on the ball, but overall, 70 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: the decision making has been good, the ball placement has 71 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 1: been good, and I think what you have to do 72 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: as a quarterback is sort of be able to take 73 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: what the defense gives you. So the way our defense plays, 74 00:02:58,320 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: if depending on a route, if it's a two man 75 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: oncet and they're playing a split safety coverage, there may 76 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 1: be only so many areas that you can go with 77 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: the football, so okay, let's get it a back or 78 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 1: get to the alternative receivers. So being able to see 79 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:11,799 Speaker 1: the defense, see the adjustment, understand where you need to 80 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 1: go with the football, and doing that quickly. And one 81 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: of the things that our defense has done a really 82 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: good job of in training camp so far in the 83 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: secondary are some of the disguises, so showing one thing 84 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,840 Speaker 1: pretty snap and then post snap kind of rotating to 85 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 1: something different. So as a quarterback, you have to be 86 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 1: able to see that process that and understand, all right, 87 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: where do I need to go with the football. So 88 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: for the most part, they've done a good job all 89 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 1: three players. You know, Davis has done that, JD's done that, 90 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: and Kyle's done that as well. So I think yesterday, 91 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: you know, there's some plays and throws and maybe we 92 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: want to have back, but that's part of learning football 93 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: and understanding what happened on the play, and just I 94 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: would say mitigating the bad plays is the most important 95 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: thing for the court from the quarterbacks perspective, So through 96 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: that lens, they've actually done a pretty good job of 97 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: that so far. Nick Mark and I were talking about 98 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: this and we sort of joked as we were talking 99 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: about the receivers and oh, it's too early to talk 100 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: about the fifty three man roster, but yet I would 101 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 1: imagine it's probably top of mind for you probably at 102 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: all times. A is it? And be kind of how 103 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: do you balance that out as you watch and practice 104 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: and you want to instruct a player that maybe you 105 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: don't see be on fifty three man roster, but yet 106 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: you still want to see that guy get better. Is 107 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 1: the fifty three minion roster on your mind at all 108 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:16,720 Speaker 1: times as you start thinking about getting ready for that 109 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: week one? It's a great question. You're always thinking about 110 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 1: the team, the overall composition. So some things have started 111 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 1: to clare themselves a little bit understanding. We still have 112 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 1: we haven't played a preseason game yet, so there's things 113 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: that we've seen to this point. There's going to be 114 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: things that we see once we actually get into games. 115 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 1: But you're always trying to plan a little bit and 116 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 1: trying to figure out we're gonna have called seventy players 117 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: in some capacity that we're gonna want to work with 118 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:40,599 Speaker 1: and when we get to the final cutdown, so we 119 00:04:40,640 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: can't keep everybody, but if we can find a way 120 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 1: to keep players that we want to continue to work 121 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,359 Speaker 1: within the program like, that's part of our job and 122 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: responsibility just trying to figure out the right group of 123 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 1: players to do that with. So the final cuts are 124 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 1: the final cuts. The fifty three will be the fifty three, 125 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: but I wouldn't say that would necessarily be a finite 126 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 1: resolution to what the team composition is going to look 127 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: like once we actually start the season. In your experience, 128 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: are there players in training camp, practice who look a 129 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: certain way, then the lights go on, they might not 130 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: look as good or of the opposite some guys, but 131 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, game time and it goes up 132 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 1: another level or two. It's a great question market. Really 133 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: it goes both ways. So you might have one perception 134 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 1: or one thought about based on practice, and then you 135 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: get into the game and something happens either direction that 136 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 1: causes you to say, all right, you know what, maybe 137 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: let's go take another look at that, or what's the reason, 138 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: what's the rationale behind it is there's something that we 139 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: can do either to maximize or performance better than the 140 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,160 Speaker 1: practice field or look good in practice, didn't play as 141 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: well in the game. Okay, what happened, what's the dynamic 142 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: behind it, and see if we can come up with 143 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,559 Speaker 1: a solution as to how we can improve whatever has happened. 144 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,280 Speaker 1: So it happens all throughout the league, will certainly happen 145 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 1: when some of our players, really some players, when they 146 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,159 Speaker 1: just have the opportunity to play, to get on the field, 147 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: there's a certain comfort level, and there's been plenty of 148 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 1: players throughout the course of I would say my years 149 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 1: have taken advantage of our opportunity and really wanted to 150 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,039 Speaker 1: let the competition play itself out and not have any 151 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 1: predetermined notions about how you think it's going to go. 152 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 1: Nick at this time of year, imagine that more focused 153 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: on the Texas, what the Texas are doing. But there 154 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 1: is real football tonight and it's a divisional opponent. Hey 155 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:16,920 Speaker 1: will you Will you watch it at all or try 156 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 1: and get anything from that at all or just watch 157 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 1: the film later or is that something that it's a 158 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 1: first preseason game not really paying attention to it. Probably 159 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 1: a little bit of both. Probably have a personal vested 160 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:30,160 Speaker 1: interest in the game. Just relative to Josh and his opportunity. 161 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: I think it's a really unique situation experience go back home. 162 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: They spent the day at the Hall of Fame there 163 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 1: the other day, so his can't roots run really deep. 164 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: So probably more excitement and anticipation really for Josh and 165 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: you know, Dave Ziegler and some of the guys that 166 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: we had the opportunity to work with together in New England. 167 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,480 Speaker 1: So that'll be exciting from that perspective. It's always good 168 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 1: to see football and you're gonna see kind of a 169 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 1: pool of players that you're going to have to evaluate 170 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: here during the course of the preseason. We know Jacksonville's 171 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: an opponent, so trying to get an idea of maybe 172 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: how things areize a little bit and some of their personnel. 173 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: You certainly start that process. So whatever information is available 174 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: to us, we'll try to use it the best of 175 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: our ability. Nick, A lot of people are talking about 176 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: the positive vibes at camp, and I know this is 177 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: kind of hard to quantify, but Lovey Smith and his 178 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: staff and the players, the fans and attendance, and it 179 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: just seems to be a great environment and the players 180 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: are responding to it. The interaction with the fans. Can 181 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 1: you speak to that at all and how that might 182 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: be affecting the team, help them the team and the 183 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: fan and team synergy if you will. Yeah, No, I mean, look, 184 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: we've had great support with the open practices. I think 185 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: we've had full stands for you know, the practices that 186 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: have been available to the public. So ultimately we appreciate 187 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: the support of the fans. I know, love He's talked 188 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 1: about their importance when we get into NRG, so it 189 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: kind of all plays off one another. I think the 190 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: most important thing is for our players is to have 191 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 1: a good attitude, to have a good mindset, have a 192 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,320 Speaker 1: good work ethic, and have good execution. So good execution 193 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,120 Speaker 1: leads to good football. Good football leads to excitement. And 194 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 1: that's where the fans can sort of interface a little 195 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: bit more with a team. So it's great to interact 196 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: with the fans. I've had the opportunity to go over 197 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: there and just spend a little bit of time after practice, 198 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: and they're very supportive and they're very excited, and you know, 199 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: it's our responsibility to try to give them a product 200 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 1: that they can be excited to watch. During the course 201 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: of the season. You're signing some autographs going through. I 202 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: call that the gauntlet where you walk through and I 203 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: try to stay out of harm's way. Nobody really wants 204 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: my autographs. Have you signed the red helmet yet? I 205 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: think I've signed like one or two red helmets, Like yeah, 206 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 1: so yeah, it's it's it's obviously there's gotten a lot 207 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 1: of positive feedback. It sounds like, so, I mean, who knew? 208 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: I mean, who knew? I'm not a design questions aren't 209 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:40,959 Speaker 1: for me, So I'm not mister fashion not at all. 210 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: Try to stay out of that. Yeah, but it's gonna 211 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: give you an energy boost, the red helmet. All right. 212 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:47,840 Speaker 1: We reached that time of the program where I asked 213 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: the proverbial question about the rookies. But I think It's important, Nick, 214 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: because in training camp you might see a rookie on 215 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: a day flash and then I don't know, maybe missus 216 00:08:56,880 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: practice the next day for something, maybe he's dinged up, whatever. 217 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,439 Speaker 1: You feel like the most successful rookies have been the 218 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: ones that are just there every day because there's such 219 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: an experience of being in an NFL practice and going 220 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: through this process. The rookie group that you have, now, 221 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: what have you seen from them from that regard, Yeah, 222 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: every day is an opportunity to get better. So if 223 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 1: you approach it through that lens, I'd say for the 224 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: most part, they've been on the field, they've been active participants. 225 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: You know, we've had a player or two, we've had 226 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 1: a manager a little bit. I mean Tristan just started 227 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: practicing yesterday. Tq's kind of been in and out, and 228 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 1: then there's been kind of a group of players that's 229 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:28,839 Speaker 1: been on the field every day. If on the field 230 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: every day, then you have the opportunity to improve. You 231 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:32,439 Speaker 1: have the opportunity to get the reps, you have the 232 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,839 Speaker 1: opportunity to experience to play, You have the opportunity to 233 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: watch yourself what happened on the play and go back 234 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: to study. So from that perspective, you know, I'd say 235 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,599 Speaker 1: it's been fairly positive. I think the attitude of the 236 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: group has been good. They work really hard, They say 237 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: less and do more, which is something that you like 238 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: to see, especially from younger players, understanding that they haven't 239 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 1: experienced any of this on a lot of different levels. 240 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: So they've embraced the program, they've embraced the competition, and 241 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: they've embraced the challenge and the opportunity that comes along 242 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: being out there day after day and being consistent with 243 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 1: your performance, because ultimately, consistency is what's going to win 244 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 1: in this league. Well, last year you talked about we're 245 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 1: building a program here, and the class you drafted last year. 246 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: Now they're in their sophomore season, so to speak, in 247 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: this league and it seems like they're handling themselves very well. 248 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:18,680 Speaker 1: What about them, Yeah, I'd say all five of them 249 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: have definitely improved relative to where they were called a 250 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: year ago at this time. So it speaks to their attitude, 251 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: it speaks to the work ethic, it speaks to the 252 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: work that they've put in the offseason program with you know, 253 00:10:28,679 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: Mike Eubanks and the sports performance group and staff, and 254 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 1: they've been available and they've been on the field, They've 255 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: reshaped their bodies, they've gotten stronger, they're more experienced, they 256 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: have a routine that's been established, and now they're able 257 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: to go out there and just focus on playing football 258 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: and improving, improving as a player. And all five players 259 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: you've seen kind of each day, I would say, remnants 260 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: and you know, samples of that. So the goal is 261 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: to continue to do that. I think Nico mentioned something 262 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 1: yesterday when he got asked a question. It's really about 263 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: stacking good days on top of each other, and really 264 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 1: that's the most important thing. Don't get too far ahead 265 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 1: of yourself. Kind of living the present, focus on what 266 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: you have to get accomplished that day. Then once you 267 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: get through that day, kind of rewind what happened. All right, 268 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 1: go to the next day and see if you can 269 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: continue to make progress, because that's how you're ultimately going 270 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: to get better as a player. When you get done 271 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: with practice, Nigga, you guys come off the field and 272 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: you pull up your ipadter computer and you go to 273 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: watch practice. Are you looking through an evaluation lance? Are 274 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: you looking through because we know you got the coaching 275 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: background too. You look at through a coaching background, Hey 276 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: they should have done this on this particular play, and 277 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: how tough is that to be watching for an evaluation? 278 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 1: But then you see something from an ex no standpoint, 279 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 1: you're like, wait a second, we should have done this 280 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: or they should have done that. How going through the 281 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: film after you get through practice, how long has all 282 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: that taken? How do you kind of balance those two aspects? Yeah, No, 283 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: it's it's really it's looking at everything. I mean, I'll 284 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: watch every play, every drill, watch a kicking game, and 285 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 1: just try to you're looking at a number of different things. 286 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: So we've run a lot of team plays, so when 287 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 1: the team plays, you're looking at the actual play. Call. 288 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 1: What's a call on offense? What's a call on defense? 289 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 1: Do we execute the assignment our players in a right spot? 290 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: If something is a miss, what happened? Maybe making a 291 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: little note and then you know, whether it's PEP or 292 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 1: a coach or whomever, just say hey, you know what 293 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: about what happened on this play? What are your thoughts? 294 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: Because sometimes you make a judgment about what happened and 295 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,439 Speaker 1: you attribute, you know, to one player, it might be 296 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:15,200 Speaker 1: about another player. So you just want to make sure 297 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: you have the overall comprehensive understanding. So you're looking at 298 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: it through that lens and then you're looking at it 299 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: I would say from a competition standpoint, like I'd say 300 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: the punt return drill that Frank and Shawan did yesterday, 301 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:28,199 Speaker 1: it was a really good drill because you're able to 302 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 1: see I would say a lot of different factors. Engage blocks, 303 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: defeat blocks, run. You see their short space quickness. You 304 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: see the ability to get off blocks and play with power, 305 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: to play with good body position. You see some speed, 306 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: and you see the players that want to compete. I think. 307 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,559 Speaker 1: I mean Frank was. I don't think he was more 308 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: excited about practice than he was all year. I mean, 309 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: this is stopped me on the way that was like 310 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 1: his favorite drill. So he stopped me on the way 311 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: over and he had a smile from ear to ear 312 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,199 Speaker 1: and I was like Caddy to canary and he's like, hey, 313 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: let me tell you what we're doing today practice, And 314 00:12:56,240 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 1: like in thirty seconds he told me and then he 315 00:12:57,760 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 1: took off running like a four three forty just to 316 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: go out to see. Well, really, if you just think 317 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,839 Speaker 1: about the drill, So it was one on one punt 318 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: return versus punt protection. So it really comes down to 319 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: technique and does the player do it the right way? 320 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: It's not about scheme, but ultimately that's what football boils 321 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 1: down to. Can you execute the fundamentals the proper way? 322 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: Can you play with the right body position? Are your 323 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 1: feet outside the framework? Do you have your hands inside? 324 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: You play with knee bend? Can you get in a 325 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,600 Speaker 1: good position trail technique position on a punt return? So 326 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: you're looking at fundamentals and it takes scheme out of it, 327 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 1: which ultimately that's what kind of football boils down to. Boy, 328 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: he's one of those guys. I felt like running through 329 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,959 Speaker 1: a brick wall after listening to him yesterday. John Carroll guys, 330 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: my goodness, they had a picture John got reteeted on 331 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: my timeline. There's like six of you from John Carroll. 332 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: I'm like, man, one of them was a visitor, so 333 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: he's not part of the program yet. I met one 334 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 1: of your sports science guys on the hallway. He might 335 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: have been new this year or something. What is the 336 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: Sports science department? Those personnel members? Can you share with 337 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: us some of the things they do? Yeah, it's really 338 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,959 Speaker 1: an awesome group. We've hired some folks here over the spring. 339 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 1: You know, we brought some people on board over the 340 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 1: past two years. So they're looking at it just from 341 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:08,559 Speaker 1: a I would say, a player performance perspective and looking 342 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: at some of the volumes and some of the speeds 343 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:13,559 Speaker 1: and some of the loads that take place during practice, 344 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,839 Speaker 1: and really they take the information to disseminate that disseminate 345 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: it to you myself, to lovey and so we can 346 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 1: evaluate and it's really I would say, a comprehensive approach 347 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 1: and just a collaborative effort to make sure if maybe 348 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: there's some things that we need to do in practice 349 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 1: to modify or adjust. But there are kind of experts 350 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: in their area, so we're really lean on them and 351 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 1: listen to their input and ultimately, you know, try to 352 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: take the information and make the right decision. But have 353 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 1: a lot of really I would say gifted people, very 354 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 1: skill and very knowledgeable about their specific subject. How long 355 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: did it take for you when you first start here 356 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 1: about sports science and some of the things that the 357 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: people in that realm we're talking about for you to 358 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 1: knock up come on football. How long did it kind 359 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: of take you to get over that sort of hurdle, 360 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 1: because I would imagine there are going to be a 361 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: lot of skeptics. They are like, wait a second, we 362 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: got this, we practice, We're fine. How long kind of 363 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 1: take you to get over that? Her? Yeah? No, I 364 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:04,800 Speaker 1: mean really, it's just the sport is evolved in that area, 365 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: and I think the more progressive you are and your 366 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: thought process, the better. And I think a lot of 367 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 1: it is about education and just understanding some of the 368 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 1: dynamics that go into it. So it's say, from a 369 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: personal perspective, it was educating myself so you can ask 370 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 1: the right questions and not really jump to any sort 371 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 1: of conclusions. So there's a lot of data and information 372 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: that's available, and our job is to try to use 373 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 1: it to the best of our ability to make the 374 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: right decision for the team. Nick, how much water should 375 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:30,520 Speaker 1: I drink before I go out to the field in 376 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: the morning, and should have salt in it or something? 377 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: What do I do here? Yeah, Well, if you're gonna 378 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: sweat and you're gonna lose a lot, then you should 379 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: probably have some type of electro light or you know, 380 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: I can't show it here, but you know I have 381 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: some electro lights or some things that I drink before practice, 382 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 1: but stay in hydrate. Hydrated is important because of how 383 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: the body responds, especially in our weather is important, and 384 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 1: it's it's we're kind of laughing, but all of this 385 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: is really related, yes, and it factors in the overall 386 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: performance of the player on the field. So our job 387 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:03,479 Speaker 1: is to educate them onto as to why this is important. 388 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: Not drink a bunch of water, because you know I'm 389 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: gonna try to. There's actually a science and data that 390 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: suggests if you do these things, your body's going to 391 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: be adequately prepared. And then as well, after practice, here 392 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 1: are the things that you have to do to help 393 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: aid in your recovery. I bet those boys that junction. 394 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: Would I like for Bear Bryant to get that information 395 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: from the sport? How about a lux member we had 396 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: was coached by Lovey the Big Sandy, and he even saying, 397 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: you guys don't eat water. Yeah, you need to play 398 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: Bear Bryant back in the day. Nick, we have a 399 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 1: lot of old school people in football. But there's nothing 400 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: wrong with that very much. I mentioned that the Hall 401 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: of Fame game, Nick, and I was thinking about this 402 00:16:38,080 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: driving up. I've never been in Hall of Fame. I 403 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 1: would love to go one day and hopefully go one day. 404 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: You've been around a lot of Hall of Fame but personnel, players, coaches, 405 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: whatever the case might be. Has there ever been a 406 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 1: moment where you're like, WHOA, I just met such and 407 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: such because you've been around him and at some point 408 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: you don't take it for granted, but I mean, heck, 409 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 1: you're around Tom Brady almost every single day. I mean, 410 00:16:57,560 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: it doesn't get any better than that. But it was 411 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 1: there ever a kind of hall fame somebody that went 412 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: into Hall of Fame at some point where you're like, Wow, 413 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 1: that was really cool. I just met X. Yeah. No, 414 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 1: I've had a good fortune of being around a lot 415 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: of good players. I think one thing that we actually 416 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:14,399 Speaker 1: did we actually made a trip to the Football Hall 417 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,239 Speaker 1: of Fame. I forget what year it was, And I 418 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 1: think just that overall experience kind of puts in perspective, 419 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: let's say, the level of greatness and the standard of 420 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: excellence that is required to be really great in this league. 421 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:29,160 Speaker 1: So I would say that experience more than anything else, 422 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: because when you're around players and team in different people, 423 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 1: you try not to get too caught up in that 424 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 1: because ultimately we're working together and trying to put together, 425 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 1: you know, a good product on the field. So you know, 426 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: Fortune has been able to be around a lot of 427 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 1: good players over the course of my twenty some odd 428 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: years in the league. But I'd say when you walk 429 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: into the Hall of Fame and you see some of 430 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 1: those busts and you go wow, I mean, holy cow, 431 00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: I mean we actually, you know, Bill had a really 432 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: good has a good, really good relationship with Jim Brown. 433 00:17:57,880 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: I'll never forget the first time that Jim kind of 434 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: came out to one of our practices. I can't remember 435 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 1: if it was at the super Bowl or wherever it was, 436 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: but I would say his presence and demeanor. I mean 437 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,160 Speaker 1: when he walks in, you're going, whoa. Yeah, I mean 438 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: this guy was a badass, but he's very dignified and 439 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 1: you know, he's just got a presence about him. So 440 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 1: when I was you know, at the time, I forget, 441 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: I wasn't in the league for that long, but going, wow, 442 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: this guy likes pretty impressive Jim Brown. Yes, it's always 443 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 1: the people, am I right, that you were a fan 444 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: of before you got into the business that strike you 445 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: the most in a way, right, Yeah, Because when you're 446 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: growing up as a kid, you're watching that look Jim 447 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:38,679 Speaker 1: Brown like I was. I wouldn't even have thought at 448 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:40,400 Speaker 1: that time. But then you go back and you see 449 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: some of the highlights, a legend, holy cow. And then 450 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: I would say, from Jim's perspective, I'd say the impact 451 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 1: that he had on the game in a short period 452 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: of time, and then what he's done off the field 453 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: and his kind of post football career, I would say 454 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:56,440 Speaker 1: speaks volume to who he is just as a human being. 455 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 1: Is the Auto Graham the most underrated old time quarterback 456 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: in NFL history? Maybe it's problem. We're gonna have like 457 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: another draft like last season, so we'll do that another time. 458 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: I like Auto. Nick, thanks so much for joining us. 459 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 1: We really appreciate the time and looking forward to the 460 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:14,040 Speaker 1: rest of the practices. Thanks, guys, appreciate it.