1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: We welcome you into the best podcast available, presented by 2 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 1: our friends at Cross Country Mortgage. I'm Jason Gibbs alongside 3 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: Andrew Gribble. This is a Rookie Minicamp review and a 4 00:00:20,400 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: little bit of Meet the Rookies, uh as we like 5 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,639 Speaker 1: to call it our annual podcast where we showcase a 6 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:32,200 Speaker 1: number of the new faces on your Cleveland Browns. Will 7 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,919 Speaker 1: meet Isaiah Thomas coming up here in just a few minutes. 8 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: Nathan's graa had a chance to sit down with him first, though. 9 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,879 Speaker 1: The guy that was taken at the top of the 10 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: Browns draft board in the third round at pick number 11 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: sixty eight, m j Emerson, cornerback out of Mississippi State. 12 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: M J. Welcome to Cleveland and talk a little bit 13 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,639 Speaker 1: about what your experience has been here so far. You're 14 00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: through rookie Minicamp, congratulations. Now you're into the day to 15 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 1: day grind here at the Cross Country Mortgage campus. How's 16 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 1: everything been for you here in the past week. Uh, 17 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: It's been a great process. Man. I'm just taking everything up, 18 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: you know. I'm getting no my rookie class, the coaches, 19 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: you know, and just trying to learn the system, you know, 20 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 1: trying to get it down pat. But other than that, 21 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: been good. It's been a good transition. What was it 22 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: like getting on the field and playing some actual football, 23 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: I guess for the first time in months. I know 24 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: you've been doing a lot of running, a lot of 25 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: combine type stuff, but how is it to actually start 26 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: playing football there? Man? It feels great. It feels great, 27 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 1: you know, because we're football players, and you know there's 28 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: a lot of things that we have to do, you know, 29 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: to get to this point. You know, the process was long, 30 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: but I'm just decided to know, to get back just 31 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: playing football. So you know how it's happy about that. 32 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: And you had some nice weather. The weather not too 33 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: shabby here. At some point later on, about six months 34 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: from now, we may have a different conversation, but the 35 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 1: weather pretty good. Well, what's been the biggest thing you've 36 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: learned since you've got here to Cleveland? The biggest thing 37 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: on the field, you will say on the field are 38 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,560 Speaker 1: off you know, a piece of advice and coaches giving 39 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: you or something along those lines here in this building 40 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: on the field, just um, a little little little details 41 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: you know that make you a better football player. You 42 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: know this little techniques and things that I wish I 43 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: kind of knew earlier on in my career. But yeah, 44 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: things like that. I wouldn't want to say, you know what, 45 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 1: because you know, I'm just giving out the recipe. But yeah, 46 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: little things like that and off the field, just like 47 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 1: um Cleveland and stuff like, you know, the culture here, 48 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: you know, it has a lot of cultures, so I 49 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: like that. I love culture. So yeah, and who who 50 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 1: in this ricky class if you kind of already grown 51 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 1: close to where you're spending the most time with, whether 52 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: it be in the meeting rooms or just outside of 53 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:58,080 Speaker 1: outside of the building here growing too, um kind of 54 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: was really all just you know, uh restaurant, I forgot 55 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 1: his name, I might say it wrong, goals logo or 56 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: something like that. But we all went there. You know, 57 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,799 Speaker 1: we all eat together, you know, just um just team Bundy, 58 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: you know, get to know each other. But no, all 59 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 1: of us really, I can't really just say one one person, 60 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: but yeah, we all just like, you know, kind of 61 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:19,519 Speaker 1: just bunding because you know, we're all going through the 62 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: same thing, so we all just try to know to 63 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 1: be here for each other. Hey, I get it. Logo 64 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: is it on the East bank of the The food 65 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: is fantastic man, the food seen here. If you're a 66 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: big foodie, you you will love this town. Lots of 67 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: lots of great places. Do you ever go to food? 68 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 1: Is there something that you like? A little sea food? 69 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: So if you can put me in the right direction, 70 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: then you know, let me know. We can do that. 71 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: We got a couple of places I think you might 72 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: like that we'll talk about off air. So all right, 73 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: not too shabby at all. Um, you mentioned the coaches 74 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: and something I read about your bio you spent a 75 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: lot of time with coaches at at Mississippi State, including 76 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: a guy that played some meaningful snaps in the NFL 77 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: and Terrell Buckley. What how did he help prepare you 78 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: for the next level here that is now the Cleveland 79 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:16,440 Speaker 1: Browns in the NFL. Coach, he's just seen the potential 80 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: in me and he kind of helped me build pro 81 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 1: at the college that you know, he just told me, 82 00:04:20,839 --> 00:04:22,800 Speaker 1: there's always doing a little things, you know, from take 83 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: care of my body, um, studying, answer film, just all 84 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:28,360 Speaker 1: the little things you know that makes you that that 85 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:30,359 Speaker 1: you know, play the huge role and your performance on 86 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 1: the field. So I pushed it in for that because 87 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: you know, he's been in my shoes, so he knows 88 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 1: know what it takes. And j You're you're kind of 89 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: lauded for your size. Your length of the position is 90 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,600 Speaker 1: defensive back in corner, a position you always wanted to 91 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: play when you were growing up and playing football. Honestly, 92 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: growing up, I always played quarterback my whole life. Real 93 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 1: I played quarterback. But in high school, my brother, he 94 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: graduated to play with maybe like three years before me, 95 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 1: he played cornerback. He's really good and um, coach, you know, 96 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: we had a quarterback at the time, and he just 97 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 1: you know, he wanted to play corner but I didn't 98 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 1: want to. But in high school, my head coach, so 99 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 1: he kind of forced me. I was like, Coach, I 100 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: don't want to play, you know, but I had to 101 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: build my confidence, you knowing, just you know, get get 102 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 1: to take me down. But I actually played, like I 103 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 1: want to say, I started like the last six games. 104 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: I got my first off Missity State. So after that, 105 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: I was kind of stuck with a position. But I'm 106 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 1: happy that he did change change my position, you know. 107 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: And I'm you know, I fell in love with everything there. 108 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, I think I think you played 109 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: your entire junior year in high school as a dB, 110 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 1: and that was like the first I think maybe the 111 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:42,479 Speaker 1: only season you played every game as a dB in 112 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: high school. If you were getting ready for college, you 113 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 1: had a lot of big schools obviously in Mississippi State 114 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: is what you went with. Miami, Oregon and a few 115 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 1: other big names as well lined up. What stood out 116 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 1: what made you choose Mississippi State just you know, the 117 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 1: family vibes, you know, um, over those two years. No, 118 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: they were my first offer also, so and then it 119 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 1: wasn't so far away from home. Um, you know, I 120 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: feel like, you know, they wanted me to be there, 121 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 1: so I wanted to go somewhere. You know that that 122 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 1: show answering. You know, they they talked to about the 123 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 1: most every other day, you know, when I was in 124 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: high school for those two years. So just building that 125 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: relationship with coach buckling Um just all all those guys 126 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: coached more Head and you know, it's kind of easy 127 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:33,359 Speaker 1: decision really. You know how much of an advantage is 128 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: it for that defense with the cow Bolls there a 129 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: big advantage, uh, Poland teams hate hate this time, but 130 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: you know it's kind of working on because defense. You know, 131 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,080 Speaker 1: we got signals or whatnot, So we we always used 132 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: on defense. So talking with m J Emerson, the Browns 133 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: top pick in the NFL Draft here part of our 134 00:06:57,000 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 1: rookie UH mini camp review on the best podcast available. 135 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 1: M J. You played as a true freshman right away 136 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: in Mississippi State, and obviously you're gonna be counted on 137 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: here right from the get go. What is what was 138 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: the biggest challenge to you playing as a true freshman 139 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: and and arguably one of the top conferences, if not 140 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: the top conference in college football. Uh. When I was 141 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 1: coming in, you know, as a true freshman in high school, 142 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: it was kind of it was very simple, Like the 143 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: play was very simple. Um, you know, we had like 144 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: maybe five plays. Like the plays we probably had five 145 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 1: plays that we rang. You know, it very something. You know, 146 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: well rolled to a certain way, you will road to 147 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: this passing strength and that was kind of or we'll 148 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: play man. You play man a lot. So just going 149 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 1: to college and just learning you know, the alerte to 150 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: check you know, certain formations, what was formationed call a 151 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: little things like that. You know, that was kind of 152 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 1: like that was kind of a little difficult, but you know, 153 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: you just gotta no lock in and just learn everything. 154 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: But that I would say that was probably motive. What 155 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: you know, I feel like my fist ass I had 156 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: enough you know to go play as you see, you know, 157 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: because I don't know it back now for anyone, so 158 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: you know, I was ready to play, but you know, 159 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: just learn um play. But really that was kind of 160 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: like the only that was kind of like the only 161 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: difficult thing. And in the SEC you got to I 162 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: think you got your first start in a game against 163 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: L s U and Jamaar Chase you'll be seeing him 164 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,679 Speaker 1: twice a year now, and and and the NFC North. 165 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if you crossed past with George Pickens 166 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 1: who's on the Steelers now, but clearly you're lining up 167 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: against a lot of town to guys. Yeahs uh man. 168 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: We had a good battle. Actually, I'm just wondering how 169 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: much is that prepare I mean, you're you're facing these 170 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 1: guys years ago and now you're gonna be facing this 171 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: kind of talent in the NFL. How much is that 172 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: SEC talent preparing for this? I feel like we prepared 173 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: a lot, honestly. You know, weekend we got you playing 174 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: no great talent, so of course that helped. No because i' 175 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: shop your arm, but yeah, that helps, It helps a lot. 176 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: M J. What's the greatest accomplishment you've You've won a 177 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 1: lot of awards on the field, You've also won a 178 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 1: number of accolades off the field, the SEC Honor Roll 179 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: Excellent Student three point five g p A. Uh, You've 180 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: done a lot in the classroom as well as on 181 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 1: the football field. Is there an accolade that you're most 182 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: proud of? Maybe not an accolade, but I'm just, you know, 183 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: just probably know someone like like that. You I'm just 184 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,920 Speaker 1: someone that you can look up to, you know, and 185 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:34,559 Speaker 1: use for motivation, you know, like people all around the world. 186 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: Honestly playing my area to just showing them that you 187 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: know anything is probably put your mind to it. So, 188 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:41,680 Speaker 1: I mean that's not really accolade, but that's something I 189 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 1: try to pride myself on, like when I'm out or 190 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: out and about I'm in my city or whatnot even here, 191 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: you know, I just you don't want to be a 192 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: positive role model for the youth and J. What's been 193 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: the biggest change in your life since the Browns draft? 194 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: To do? What's been the craziest thing that's happened in 195 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 1: the last few weeks things change maybe just you know, 196 00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 1: when I'm out in public, you know a lot of 197 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: people just recognize you. Know. So, do you have a root? 198 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 1: Do you have a roommate at rookie minicamp right now? 199 00:10:11,880 --> 00:10:15,319 Speaker 1: Are you? Are you guys rooming solo these days? I'm 200 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: solo right now, But I did have a room late 201 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: at first? Okay, yeah, was it one of the one 202 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 1: of the other draft picks or who was your roommate 203 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: at first? It was it was dB, dB nicple jolly, 204 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: Well you go buy jolly but sure, yeah, suh, I 205 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: got you. I got you all right before I let 206 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: you go here. We appreciate the time and we wish 207 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: you all the best luck here in this offseason as 208 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:45,320 Speaker 1: we get closer to training camp and this season. Um, 209 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: what role if your parents played uh in in your life? 210 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 1: And it sounds like you're very close with your dad 211 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:57,480 Speaker 1: and your mom. Uh what factors have they been for you? 212 00:10:57,600 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: What role models have they been for you as you 213 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 1: developed here? It? Well, I grew up with my father, 214 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: no single parent home. My mom she was an official 215 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:08,559 Speaker 1: shoes in and out sometimes, but my father ain't always 216 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:10,160 Speaker 1: been there for him, you know, showing me tough with 217 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 1: love and just you know, just just moding me into 218 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: a parent name of the day, and just how just 219 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: show him how to be a man, you know, and 220 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 1: just how to how to live in the right way. 221 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: So he's been at every step by the way, so 222 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: I appreciated that from him. What's the last few weeks 223 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: been like for them, I mean, for for the people 224 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 1: in your family with after this news and you're going 225 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: to Cleveland, What's what's that been like for them? I 226 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 1: don't really know, honestly. I already know. I mean, I 227 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: know my I know my paps cried when I got jocked. 228 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 1: I didn't even cry, but he end up crying. But 229 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,680 Speaker 1: I did. I did break down when I when I 230 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 1: got to Cleveland, though, I did have a little moment 231 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: to myself. But yeah, my pap was crying, my brother 232 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: was crying. So I'm pretty sure they're proud of me, honestly, 233 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 1: But I don't know. We're already talking too much about that, 234 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: so I might have the axle. I think we're gonna 235 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:55,000 Speaker 1: have to get everybody some winter clothing, and so they're 236 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: coming to see you. Winter coat, Manhattan gloves are gonna 237 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: come into play. So yeah, yeah, We're gonna need you that, 238 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: m J. We appreciate the time. Congratulations, We wish you 239 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:09,319 Speaker 1: now that but the best. We're looking forward to seeing 240 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: you in that fantastic dB room uh and watching you 241 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:15,559 Speaker 1: develop here as as we get closer to the start 242 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: of the season. Big things. Uh. We're hoping for big things. 243 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 1: We're rooting for big things, and we're rooting for you. 244 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: So best wishes and thanks a lot for joining us. Sorry, 245 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: thank you. That's m J Emerson And right now for 246 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 1: more from rookie Minicamp, Nathan Zigura goes one on one 247 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 1: with new edge rusher Isaiah Thomas. Very happy now to 248 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:36,560 Speaker 1: be joined by one of the newest members of the 249 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 1: Cleveland Browns from Oklahoma, defensive end Isaiah Thomas. Isaiah, congratulations, 250 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 1: welcome to Cleveland. Yes, thank you, glad to be here. 251 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: You get a nice day here. The weather is looking 252 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 1: good for the Rickey mini camp. You got some of 253 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 1: your teammates here with you. What's this whole process though, 254 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: been like for you? Coming out of school, lead your 255 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:54,959 Speaker 1: team in Saxy to the last two years, sixteen and 256 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 1: a half sacks, team captain at Oklahoma, and then you 257 00:12:58,040 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: get to the draft. Did you know, the Browns were 258 00:12:59,880 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: in trusted in you in this process, well initially not 259 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: really know. You know, they showed interest at the Combine 260 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: and at the Senior Bowl talking to them, you know, 261 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: they talked about how I fit into their scheme, and 262 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: you know that's also what they touched on. They called 263 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: me and draft me. Then you know, when they came 264 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: down to them, you know, picking me, they called me, 265 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: you know, kind of reiterated what they said at the 266 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 1: Combine and at the Senior Bowl. So then not you know, 267 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: after that, you kind of just hit me like, you know, 268 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: it's the reality now, you know, being here in Cleveland, 269 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 1: Like you said, it's been lovely so far, Weather Staff Facility, 270 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: So I'm glad to be here. So you get that call. 271 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 1: What kind of went through your mind at that point? 272 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: Oh man? First off, my heart was being fast, like 273 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: like it's really happening, Like you know, like I believe 274 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:35,800 Speaker 1: this is the moment. You know. I looked at the 275 00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 1: TV seeing the Browns had the next pick and I 276 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: was like, wow, like it's here. Then, you know, the 277 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 1: Fancy got on a zoom call with me. Jim got 278 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 1: on there with me as well, and told me that 279 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,600 Speaker 1: I'm you know, look out because you know they're picking 280 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: me up next, and man's tears coming down and whatnot. 281 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: Really just everything I worked for, you know, just kind 282 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:51,560 Speaker 1: of kind of came out at that moment. Yeah, because 283 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: it's it's a dream come true. Literally it is. Yeah, 284 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: it is a dream come true. And you know, growing 285 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:57,959 Speaker 1: up me being from Tulsa, Oklahoma, you know, not too 286 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:00,200 Speaker 1: many people get recognized for their talent or you know, 287 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: we don't really get guys coming out like like how 288 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 1: people from high schools and Texas come out or you know, 289 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,680 Speaker 1: California and whatnot. So you know, me being one of 290 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: those guys being recognized, you know, kind of meant a 291 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,840 Speaker 1: lot to me in my community around Tulsa. All right, 292 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: so I have to ask you, did you think when 293 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: you'd be standing here as a your little kid, young 294 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: Isaiah Thomas. And we'll talk about why you're named Isaiah 295 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: Thomas to the second, But did young Isaiah Thomas think 296 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: it would be more likely that he would be doing 297 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: an interview after getting drafted into the NFL or into 298 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: the NBA. That's a great question really. Initially NBA uh yesterday, 299 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: even coached Ustefanski had us all like, you know, name 300 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: our favorite of athletes growing up, and mom was doing Wade, 301 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: you know, big, big time doing Wade fan. And you know, 302 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:37,600 Speaker 1: growing up, I was always a taller kid and whatnot. 303 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 1: So you know, when I was elementary scholam be in 304 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 1: the NBA one day, you know, play for the Heat 305 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 1: all this and that. Then you know I kind of 306 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: like filled out a little bit, got a little bigger. 307 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: You know, did football first, and you know that kind 308 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 1: of like became my first love. Then middle school, high 309 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 1: school played basketball as well, but you know football always 310 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 1: stood out, you know, and that would just kind of 311 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: grab me to be here where I am today. All right. 312 00:14:55,560 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: So Isaiah Thomas the name of familiar one. We've all 313 00:14:57,920 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: heard the name of Isaiah times for. How did you 314 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 1: come to be Isaiah Thomas? Yeah? So my dad big 315 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: fan of the bad Boy Pistons, big fan of Isaiah Thomas. 316 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: You know, he wanted me to be named Isaiah Thomas. 317 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: And you know him and Isaiah Thoms spells his name 318 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: a little different than not, do you know. I s 319 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: I H I still mom with the extra A in there, 320 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 1: and him and my mom had a happy medium. Isaiah 321 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 1: was in the Bible. My mom went with it, so 322 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: Isaiah Thomas, what came about? Now here I am and 323 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:21,560 Speaker 1: have you've you've never met him? No, I never met 324 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: Isaiah Thomas, but he follows me on Twitter. Though he 325 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: does follow me on Twitter. He actually retweeted my post 326 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 1: of mom before when I graduated, So yeah, he retweeted that. Yeah, 327 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 1: you know kind of I kind of went viral too 328 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: because of his name. During the Last Dance Michael George's documentary, 329 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 1: you know, everyone was you know in my d M 330 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: you know, talking crap to me and was not talking 331 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: about how I'm not as worthy as Jordan's. I'm like, man, 332 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 1: like what is this and sending out a little tweet 333 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: the next thing. I'm trending the next day. So people 334 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 1: are coming at you as though you are the Isaiah 335 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: Thomas And then did you have to send out to 336 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: be like, look, it's not me. We just have a 337 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: similar name. I was. I was replying back to some people, uh, 338 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: during the d M s then you know, sending out 339 00:15:58,040 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 1: the tweet I said. People are in my d MS 340 00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: like I was the one beefing with m J and 341 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 1: you know, blew up. You know, a hundred thousand you know, 342 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: tweets and likes and whatnot. Then uh kind of just 343 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: kind of like became like a big joke, everybody laughing 344 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: and whatnot. And then people was like looking at my profile. Oh, 345 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 1: you know, sorry about that people were playing. I apologize. 346 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 1: I didn't mean that. It was just funny though it's funny. Well, 347 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: what I love about that too, is though that you 348 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: actually come from family that like the bad boy Priston. 349 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 1: So I'm sure you wanted to defend Isa again some 350 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: of these things that were being said about it. Yeah, definitely. 351 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 1: I was like, I like the guy myself. You know, 352 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: it follows me on Twitter, you know, cool guy and whatnot. 353 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: You know, just by seeing how he is on you know, TV, NBA, 354 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: TV and whatnot. I don't, you know, let me have 355 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: these guys back, you know, replying to people. I know 356 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 1: it's not me, but then again, I'm like, he's a 357 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: great guy also, so like, don't give him too heart 358 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 1: of a top, but yeah, it's pretty cool. Let's go 359 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: back to high school. Multi sport athletes played both ways football, 360 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 1: power forward and basketball. Want to stay championship, it's not mistaken, 361 00:16:46,760 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: all right, So let's start with football. Tight end come 362 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: with seven touchdowns something like that. My senior year escort 363 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: several touchdowns. Yes, so so football and basketball. So the 364 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: football and basketball. Then in basketball played the for high school, 365 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: played old line a little bit my freshman and sophomore 366 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: than uh, you know, as I got older, you know, 367 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: we had some more guys coming, so coach let me 368 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:08,800 Speaker 1: play some tight end and the receiver senior years scored 369 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: a handful of I want to say it was around 370 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: five or so, but you know, I've got some touchdowns 371 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: and then you know, kind of led me to being, 372 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,200 Speaker 1: you know, noticing football as far as the want the attention. 373 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:18,880 Speaker 1: Coaches like like how it was lengthy inside. So when 374 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:20,679 Speaker 1: it came about you know, both sports really you know 375 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: helped me out to be an athlete. Did you think 376 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 1: when you went to college did you know for sure 377 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 1: you were going to be a defensive guy or were 378 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 1: there some people who were looking at you as a 379 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: tight end as well? Definitely for a defensive guy growing up, 380 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: always played defensive end, always did at some some form 381 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 1: of fastest on the D line, and you know, going 382 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: into high school and college as well, it was the 383 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: same thing. You know, coaches always asked like did you 384 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:40,199 Speaker 1: ever want to play receiver? I was like now, I know, 385 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: I know, I'm pretty good at defensive end, so you know, 386 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:44,239 Speaker 1: they all recruited me for defensive end. You know, how 387 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 1: to get to the quarterback. Sixteen and a half sacks 388 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:47,400 Speaker 1: the last two years, eight and eight and a half 389 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: third Oklahoma. What do you love about getting after the quarterback? 390 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 1: And what makes you so good at it? I say, really, 391 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 1: what makes me so good at it? And it's not 392 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 1: even on the field thing, you know, I think it 393 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: just comes to natural as a sense, because well I 394 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 1: wouldn't even say that because I know I worked hard 395 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 1: to get to me to get to where I am. 396 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: You know, how to put in a lot of hours 397 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: and whatnot, you know. But I say, other than like 398 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:07,479 Speaker 1: the physical talent and hard work, I say, it's just 399 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:10,439 Speaker 1: like my mindset, you know, mentally, you know, knowing what 400 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 1: I what I had and didn't have growing up, you know, 401 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: seeing my family sacrifice so much for me to be 402 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: where I am today. I think that's what motivates me 403 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: and you know, keeps me discipline as far as why 404 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: I'm so good at what I do and what got 405 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: me here now? So that's kind of your why? Oh, yes, 406 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 1: most definitely, Yeah, I definitely got some people I can pinpoint, 407 00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 1: but but in the whole of my family and you know, 408 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: some of my close friends for sure. The reason I 409 00:18:28,960 --> 00:18:31,200 Speaker 1: do this for what's it like to get to come 410 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 1: here with one of them. I'm guessing you're close for 411 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:34,719 Speaker 1: any guys at least time a d line together with 412 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: Mr perry On Winfree, who is what a personality. I'm 413 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: that guy. But that's gotta be cool to kind of 414 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: have that continuity. And your other def teammate, Nick Benito, 415 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:43,920 Speaker 1: gets drafted in this one as well, so right off 416 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:45,679 Speaker 1: that defensive line. A lot of talent go in the NFL, 417 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:47,440 Speaker 1: but two of you guys coming right here to Cleveland. Yeah, 418 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: it's pretty cool being with perry On. Uh. Like in college, 419 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,640 Speaker 1: we we definitely complimented each other very well. His first 420 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 1: season was in that season and then that twenty twenty 421 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,679 Speaker 1: seasons when I like came, you know, until myself. Then, Uh, 422 00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: we worked well together. He played some de tackling and 423 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: knows I played a little bit of both as well. 424 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: So us learning the book playbook together, working off each other, 425 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: you know in games, you know, are our competitive nature 426 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: is just second to none, and also just us like 427 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 1: you know, always giving each other tidbits on what to do, 428 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,600 Speaker 1: what not to do, giving these each other tidbits on 429 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,600 Speaker 1: what the offensive line has in tendencies or whatnot. So 430 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 1: we feed off each other very well. When he's giving 431 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,159 Speaker 1: those tidbits as he's like screaming them at you, like, 432 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,880 Speaker 1: oh my gosh, get to the outside dog, We're going 433 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:26,679 Speaker 1: to kill these guys. It's over. Yeah. Sometimes he's so 434 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 1: passionate to the point where he's like giving it away, 435 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: like he's like on the field and I'm gonna be 436 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 1: get covered me. I'm like a first of all, he 437 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: heard you first of all here, Now we gotta run 438 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,640 Speaker 1: something else. But yeah, yeah, he's passing. He loves the game, 439 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: and I think that he definitely feeds off of everyone 440 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 1: else and they definitely feed off him. If anything, there's 441 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: no doubt. I mean his interview, I like, as this 442 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 1: is my tenn season here with the team. I've talked 443 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: to every rookie after they've been drafted, every single one. Yeah, nothing, 444 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:50,680 Speaker 1: I've never seen anything like Perry on Winfress. It was 445 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:52,800 Speaker 1: the same at Oklahoma to like his first year even 446 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 1: before he know made a name for himself on one 447 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: that he was confident on who he was, what he 448 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 1: was gonna do. He came in with the energy and 449 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:00,119 Speaker 1: swagger that he came in with the interview like when 450 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: he got drafted, just just like now, you know, he 451 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: hasn't done what he's wanted to do yet obviously because 452 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:05,720 Speaker 1: he hasn't had the chance to show it. But but 453 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:07,959 Speaker 1: but he's he's determined, and he shows that he'll let 454 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: you know, and I'm definitely confident that he'll do it. 455 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 1: So when you were at Oklahoma, obviously the Browns were 456 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:15,119 Speaker 1: very much on the radar of Oklahoma Sooners fans. Baker 457 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:17,359 Speaker 1: Mayfield was here as the quarterback. So was it a 458 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 1: team that maybe you were more aware of than you 459 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: would have been otherwise before you got drafted, Like, oh 460 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 1: I know about the Browns to the brown Yeah, yeah, yeah, 461 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: most definitely. You know, definitely know a lot about this team, 462 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: you know, ever since obviously you know they have guys 463 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 1: in my position. You know that that's had success here, 464 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: you know obviously in recently with Myles Garrett, other defensive players, 465 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 1: Olivia Vernon and uh, you know, the Davy and whatnot. 466 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: Then then also having Baker Mayfield as well, you know, 467 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 1: Oklahoma actually gets a lot of the Browns games. I 468 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:43,120 Speaker 1: want to say probably every every Sunday. We get every 469 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: game almost, and so I'm really familiar with the Browns 470 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,520 Speaker 1: offense and defense, you knowing what they do, who they have, 471 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:49,719 Speaker 1: so definitely when it came about to the draft process 472 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:51,119 Speaker 1: and that happened, I was like, oh, yeah, I know 473 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 1: the guys there. You know Jacob Phillips also a linebacker, 474 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,120 Speaker 1: really close with him. Actually um played in the high 475 00:20:56,119 --> 00:20:58,640 Speaker 1: school All American Game with him. So another another good 476 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 1: close friend of mine who I can also pick his 477 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:01,720 Speaker 1: brand when he gets here. By the way, he's a 478 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,719 Speaker 1: tremendous dunker of the basketball. Really. Oh yeah. They had 479 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: a dunk contest last year here with some of the 480 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:08,639 Speaker 1: guys and he wanted going away. So I'm sure you 481 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,440 Speaker 1: can get up there. Can you throw it down pretty good? Almost? Definitely? Yeah, yeah, 482 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 1: I don't know who's the reigning dunk contest champion, but 483 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:17,480 Speaker 1: I oh even oh still today? Okay, yeah, well, Jacob, 484 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: I'll see you soon. I see you. So yeah, all right, 485 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 1: I'm gonna leave you with this one. I really enjoyed 486 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 1: talking with you. But is there one thing you want 487 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: Brown's fans to know about you that maybe they don't 488 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:27,840 Speaker 1: know something that you want them when they see Isaiah Thomps, 489 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:29,119 Speaker 1: they see that name on the back of her, they 490 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 1: want you want that in their mind. Well, yeah, you know, 491 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:33,200 Speaker 1: I know there's a lot of Isaiah Thomas is, you know, 492 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:35,040 Speaker 1: a couple of you know, famous ones and whatnot, but 493 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: you know, when it comes to football, you know, there's 494 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: only one of me. You know, I don't think you 495 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:39,719 Speaker 1: can you know, replicate to duplicate what I do out 496 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 1: there on the field. And you know you're gonna see 497 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: a lot of guys. You know, you're gonna see a 498 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: lot of energy and passion with me despite where I met, 499 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,879 Speaker 1: you know, special teams defense whenever I get in so 500 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:49,840 Speaker 1: you'll see that guy out there and definitely giving that 501 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:51,920 Speaker 1: love and passion. It was great talking with your best 502 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:54,160 Speaker 1: to Luck. Welcome to the Browns. Thank you all right. 503 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 1: Thanks to Nathan's Girl and Isaiah Thomas for a great 504 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: interview off the field there rook minicamp. Also thanks to 505 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 1: m J Emerson for his time as well. The Brown's 506 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 1: top pick in this year's NFL draft, Gribbs, We've had 507 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:12,159 Speaker 1: the conversation rookie minicamp not really what it used to 508 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 1: be when you literally had an entire roster show up 509 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 1: for rookie Minicamp. Now it's more one on one and 510 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 1: individual training and individual learning. Is our coaches trying to 511 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: figure out what they have in these new draft picks. Yeah, 512 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: I think it was one of those things that you 513 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: stumbled on during the pandemic that actually turned into be 514 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:33,960 Speaker 1: something you like doing. And I think that's what happened 515 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:36,440 Speaker 1: with the Browns last year, where they only really to 516 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,440 Speaker 1: bring in a couple of tryout guys for Ricky Minicamp 517 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:40,639 Speaker 1: last year, and they raved about how great it was 518 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 1: to get all this one on one time with their rookies. 519 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 1: Remember James Hudson was the only offensive lineman on the 520 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: entire field getting to work with Bill Callahan, and I 521 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: think that you get that kind of individual tutelage and 522 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,200 Speaker 1: and it doesn't overwhelm the guys when they're coming in. 523 00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: I think the coaches like it. I think the players 524 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 1: like it when we hear from them about it's kind 525 00:22:58,800 --> 00:23:01,160 Speaker 1: of a good way to kind of slowly break them 526 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:03,840 Speaker 1: in so that they're not totally swimming and overwhelmed when 527 00:23:03,840 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: they get on the field for for O T A s. 528 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: And then you throw in the fact that you do 529 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:11,480 Speaker 1: a lot of work to bring in those tryout guys 530 00:23:11,520 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 1: that you know most almost all of them are not 531 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:16,000 Speaker 1: going to be here. But then again, we have the 532 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: story this week of Felix Harper, a tryout guy that 533 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,199 Speaker 1: was brought in because you need a quarterback, and now 534 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 1: he's on the team. So I mean it's there's there 535 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:24,400 Speaker 1: are these diamonds in the rough. So I think it's 536 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,800 Speaker 1: a much more targeted approach with some of these trial 537 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:29,359 Speaker 1: players than maybe just getting enough people so you can 538 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 1: run a practice. Yeah, I think Shad O'sha might have 539 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:36,920 Speaker 1: been the busiest. I think he had four guys, so uh, 540 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,640 Speaker 1: in terms of his weekend, he was probably the busiest 541 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 1: out of all the position coaches. We shift our attention 542 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:45,640 Speaker 1: and you know, the bets are off this week. It's 543 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:48,520 Speaker 1: a rare off week in the middle of the off season, 544 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,440 Speaker 1: in the heart of the off season. Phase one has done, 545 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 1: Phase two is done, and the rookies getting an entire 546 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:57,880 Speaker 1: week to get onto their belts. In addition to Rookie 547 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: Minicamp before the Vets come back next week and O 548 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: t A start, there will be ten O t A s. 549 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 1: It's three weeks of O t a S and then 550 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:11,040 Speaker 1: mandatory minicamp and then everybody's dismissed for the next six 551 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:15,399 Speaker 1: weeks before training camp officially kicks off the two season. 552 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,720 Speaker 1: It is moving fast, Ribs, but still a lot of 553 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: work here to be done in the off season. Yeah, 554 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 1: it'll be it'll be interesting to get all the guys 555 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 1: back on the field your first kind of you know, 556 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: we had guys in and out last year for O 557 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,399 Speaker 1: t a S. It looks like you're gonna have a 558 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 1: full squad or something close to it. When when the 559 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 1: Browns get back on the field for O t a S, 560 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:34,919 Speaker 1: whether it be Monday or Tuesday, I'm not sure on 561 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,640 Speaker 1: the specific day that we get on the field, but yeah, 562 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 1: it'll be good to see guys mixed in and out. 563 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 1: I think there's this rookie class. I think they're gonna 564 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 1: fill some key depth spots on this team. Maybe not. 565 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:47,200 Speaker 1: Maybe none of these guys are going to be forced 566 00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:49,760 Speaker 1: into some major rolls right away, but we'll see where 567 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,120 Speaker 1: they can make their impact. And they're earlier the better 568 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,159 Speaker 1: for some of these guys. Yeah, and it will be 569 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:57,440 Speaker 1: interesting because again with O t A it is voluntary. 570 00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:00,359 Speaker 1: You know, the bets don't have to report now. Le 571 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: Brons have had a great turn out for Phase one 572 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: and Phase two so far. But now we start really 573 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 1: amping up toward that three day mandatory minicamp at the 574 00:25:10,119 --> 00:25:14,119 Speaker 1: middle part of June, and it will be fascinating to 575 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 1: see who comes and who's here. And now the offensive 576 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,679 Speaker 1: guys are getting away for a weekend. Even though the 577 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 1: Vets are technically off, uh, it is not off as 578 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: a lot of the offensive players, led by quarterback to 579 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:30,640 Speaker 1: Shaun Watson, headed to the Bahamas. We were not invited 580 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,600 Speaker 1: and we were not invited either, but they will be 581 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 1: in the Bahamas getting some work in. But more importantly, 582 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: it's that team building and and this is the time 583 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:43,360 Speaker 1: of year where you want to see that, and that's 584 00:25:43,359 --> 00:25:46,720 Speaker 1: where teams start to come together, just from a players standpoint, 585 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: and the promises to be one of those trips that 586 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:54,240 Speaker 1: we've heard about and DeShawn Watson spearheading it here for 587 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 1: the offense Gibs, I think we need a b P, 588 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 1: a team bonding excursion to the Bahamas. I think I 589 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 1: could use it. It would it would bring us together more. 590 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:06,760 Speaker 1: I think I think we just have to figure out 591 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 1: a way to expand it. I mean, I go, we 592 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:10,719 Speaker 1: can go to Kelly's Island. I don't have to go 593 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 1: all the way to the Bahamas like I go Florida, 594 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 1: and go somewhere a little cheaper like our our Master 595 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,920 Speaker 1: travel deb can handle that. I think for us it 596 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: would work out quite swimmingly. We'll bring McDaniel with us. Girl. 597 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 1: We'll see what happens. Great great zoom backgrounds next week 598 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:34,879 Speaker 1: while we're while we're out, Yeah, exactly all right. Thanks 599 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,880 Speaker 1: to m j Emerson for his time, Thanks to Isaiah 600 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 1: Thomas for his time, Thanks to Nathan's Girl for his help, 601 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: along with Jeff McDaniel and Anthony Pacco as well. We 602 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:47,920 Speaker 1: are back next week. Dane Brugler coming back to talk 603 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:50,520 Speaker 1: about this rookie class now that we've got a few 604 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:53,280 Speaker 1: weeks with them. It will get his thoughts on the 605 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,560 Speaker 1: rookie class and the next steps for this football team 606 00:26:56,600 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: as it pertains to maybe even for NFL Draft. So 607 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:03,920 Speaker 1: we're looking forward to having him join us as well. 608 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 1: O t s will be back and we'll start to 609 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 1: recap those as well. You can like and subscribe today 610 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 1: to the best podcast available wherever you get your podcast. 611 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:17,640 Speaker 1: Like and subscribe today to the best podcast available. Check 612 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:21,480 Speaker 1: us out on YouTube as well YouTube dot com. Slash 613 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,560 Speaker 1: Browns for Andrew Gribble. I'm Jason Gibbs. We're back with 614 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,320 Speaker 1: you next week. This has been the best podcast available, 615 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: presented by our great friends at Cross Country Mortgage