1 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: Welcome into Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan min here 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,720 Speaker 1: with Garrett Downning and we are thrilled to sit down 3 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: with Ravens defensive tackles cj Okoye. 4 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 2: CJ. 5 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us, And you know, I want to 6 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: kind of introduce you to fans, let them know about 7 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: your story a little bit. And so you're originally from Nigeria, yes, 8 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: and kind of grew up playing basketball more than football. 9 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 1: And from there, you know what, I'm just gonna let 10 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,360 Speaker 1: you take it away, tell tell fans kind of how 11 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: you found football. 12 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 3: It's it's kind of a funny story. So let me 13 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 3: go back a little bit. It was like a twenty 14 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 3: twenty one. It was twenty twenty. First Wendy told me 15 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 3: about football ball. I didn't put mine into it because 16 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 3: it looked like, you know, something from the movies, like 17 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 3: you playing basketball on some He's like telling you that 18 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 3: you're going to make it to like NFL, and yeah, 19 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 3: I didn't believe that, you know, So I was like, no, 20 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 3: I'm not gonna try it out. And so twenty one 21 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 3: I have friends people that I knew that came to 22 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 3: the league, and I was like, okay, I think I 23 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 3: think it. 24 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 4: You know, it works out. 25 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 3: So twenty twenty one, I think twenty two they're about 26 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 3: when I was playing basketball. I remember I just finished 27 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 3: this tournament and a friend invited me to just come 28 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:34,680 Speaker 3: for a tryout, like it's just a tryout, just come 29 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 3: try out. So I came on that a former basketball player, 30 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 3: he was drafted by the Chica I think Cleveland, Jigo Waja. 31 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 3: He called me in and he said just come, just 32 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 3: come try out. So I came. 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: And you were a pretty good basketball player. Yes, Also 34 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: like just for listeners out there, like. 35 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 4: I was decent. 36 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 2: Yes, this was like a game like you're you're pretty good? 37 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 4: Yes I was was I was decent, but. 38 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 5: More decent decent. 39 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 2: Well, it was like a national, not a national. What 40 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: was the level? 41 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 4: It was a club level, club level. 42 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 3: Nigerian club level. So I mean it's nothing like the 43 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 3: NBA bar it's like on NBA, you know. So after 44 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 3: playing that and I came, I didn't know the drugs. 45 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 3: I didn't know nothing. I did horror bought drills, you know. 46 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:27,799 Speaker 3: But when he came down for like one on one 47 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 3: because I played online, man, you know, kind of like 48 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 3: no what to do because they like told me a 49 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 3: simple job, like don't let this guy touch this guy. 50 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 3: So this guy is the quarterback, this guy is the 51 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:45,959 Speaker 3: defensive line. So I was like, okay, I did that. 52 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 3: And you know, from there we went to Ghana and 53 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 3: the person that took us there like and for Africa 54 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 3: by the person Oceo Menora. He's the person that like 55 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 3: to because on his wings and you know, did that 56 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,079 Speaker 3: for us New. 57 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: York Giant defensive Super Bowl winner yep. 58 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 5: Yeah, he's really been invested in the NFL Africa. 59 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 4: Y yeah, he has. 60 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 3: And so he kind of like took me, took us 61 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 3: to like a NFL Africa in Ghana, and you know 62 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 3: that's where I was like, was it called offensive vyp 63 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 3: you know because I now went back and did my 64 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 3: research and I didn't do hard about the drurids again. 65 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 3: So so yeah, and after that we went to UK 66 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 3: we did the International Combine and everything and yeah, I'm 67 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 3: here now. 68 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 5: So I'm just curious, CJ, Like, take me to that 69 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 5: first tryout that you had, Like it's you didn't know 70 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,119 Speaker 5: the game at all, Like did you know the rules? 71 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 5: Did you know players? Like what was your knowledge level 72 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:56,120 Speaker 5: at that first tryout? 73 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 3: The funny thing is I played my first NFL game, 74 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 3: I stayed, you know the rules. So yeah, when coach 75 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 3: talked about I had a sack, I didn't know it 76 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 3: was a sack. 77 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 4: That was true. 78 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:10,119 Speaker 1: That was for the Los Angeles Chargers, by the way, 79 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: your first game in the process. 80 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 3: I didn't know it was a sack. I didn't know 81 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 3: what was going on. I thought it was a tackle 82 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 3: for loss or something. It was my teammate that was like, 83 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 3: you got a sack. I didn't even know. I didn't know. 84 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 3: I swear to god, I didn't know it was a sack. 85 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 4: Yeah. 86 00:04:25,320 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 3: So the first the first tryout, I didn't know nothing. 87 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 3: I was like, I didn't even got We didn't even 88 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 3: have cleats on. That's the wall sport. I have to 89 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 3: share cleaves with like two more people, you know, so 90 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,679 Speaker 3: you need to wait to like get cleats from somebody 91 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 3: that already went and put it on and go do y'all. 92 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 3: So it was just so different. I didn't know. I 93 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 3: just do what he told me to do. 94 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 4: You know. 95 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 5: So what's cliche do you wear? I mean, I'm sixteen, okay, 96 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 5: size sixteen, you. 97 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 3: Know, definitely nine ninety Yeah, because we don't do football, 98 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 3: you know. So it's hard to find cleets out there. 99 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, so you you came to the Los Angeles Chargers. 100 00:05:09,440 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: You were part of the International Pathway program that the 101 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: NFL has, and you spent the two years on the 102 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: Chargers practice squad. What was that experience like and how 103 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:22,720 Speaker 1: much do you feel like you learned through all that? 104 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 4: A lot? 105 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 3: Because I feel like I'm like the person i'm today, 106 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 3: I mean football wise, and I'm you know, and I'm 107 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 3: like attitude wise, like inside and outside, like the field 108 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:45,279 Speaker 3: and everything because of that, you know, because I really 109 00:05:45,320 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 3: had good VET number one. First time I got there, 110 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 3: I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know 111 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,039 Speaker 3: where to eat. This is my first time believing, this 112 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 3: is my first time in the West Coast, you know. 113 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 3: So I didn't even know I didn't know anywhere, you know. 114 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 3: So I had some good people like Mugan fucks Um, 115 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 3: Nick Williams, you know, like Sebastian just like people that actually, 116 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 3: like you know, helped me out. So yeah, I feel 117 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 3: like it helped me a lot. 118 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 5: Right, So how much of going back to like the 119 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 5: knowledge of the game piece when you come here to 120 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 5: you're playing for the Chargers on the practice squad and 121 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 5: you're trying to learn the game. Like guys talk about 122 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,719 Speaker 5: making a jump from college to the pros and that's 123 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 5: players who have like played football their entire lives and 124 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 5: like went to Georgia, you know, and it's like, oh man, 125 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 5: that's a big jump. Like you're learning the rules, like 126 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 5: you don't know what a sack is, So like what 127 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,719 Speaker 5: was your process of just learning the game when you 128 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:45,840 Speaker 5: got to the NFL level. 129 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 3: I just I just feel like I'm like I'm like 130 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 3: a kid, you know, like like trying to like soak 131 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 3: everything in, you know, like there's no limits of learning, 132 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 3: you know, like every single team you do every time everything, 133 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 3: just pay attention, just learn every time, like there's no 134 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 3: I think that was my biggest thing, Like that's no 135 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 3: limit to learning, you know. 136 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 4: And I thank god. 137 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 3: Sometimes I didn't go to college because I didn't pick 138 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 3: up the bad habits, you know, not everybody to just 139 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 3: go techniques out there. So and sometimes I wish I 140 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 3: went to college, you know, because sometimes things just like 141 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 3: I know, if I went to college, I've gotten like 142 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 3: the instincts of the game, you know, like Okay, when 143 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 3: I see the backfield or see some other stuff, I 144 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 3: just know Okay, this is what they're gonna do, you know. 145 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 3: So it's just like that's how it is. 146 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,840 Speaker 5: Like, And were you like immediately attracted the football once 147 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 5: you started playing, Like, once you start going to these 148 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 5: camps and you go to the International combine, did you 149 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 5: start to fall in love with the game or did 150 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 5: you just feel like, hey, everyone's telling me I can 151 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 5: be really good at this. This could be an opportunity, 152 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 5: Like what was it in your mindset that made you 153 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 5: se football? 154 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 3: I liked it because it was harder, you know, like 155 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 3: it was it was a challenge, and and that's I 156 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 3: feel like that's why I liked it more, because it 157 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 3: wasn't something you were just good at, you know, like 158 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 3: when you're just good at something you didn't work for 159 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 3: you then to like lose interest in that, I don't 160 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 3: know if I'm communicable, that's that's from That's one for 161 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 3: me because it was because when I started player, I 162 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 3: was like, Okay, I started watching the game. I started like, 163 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:33,680 Speaker 3: first of all, it took me like a it took 164 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 3: me like a month to be on my stands last offense. 165 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 3: First of all, I was watching YouTube because I didn't 166 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:43,199 Speaker 3: have any coach, so I was watching YouTube together my 167 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:45,559 Speaker 3: stand So when I came over to the State, they 168 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 3: put me to defense. 169 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 4: Now I have three months to like come up with 170 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,839 Speaker 4: new stands, so I know what I'm saying. 171 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 3: I was like, okay, I just learned it like two 172 00:08:59,120 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 3: minutes there, like okay, now I have to like learn 173 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 3: another stands. You know, it was hard, Like it was 174 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 3: really hard. I used to wake up I don't know, 175 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,959 Speaker 3: my roommate might tell you this. I used to wake 176 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 3: up like early morning, like five to just getting my 177 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 3: stands and for. 178 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 2: Real, like I skept you wake up, I see you 179 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 2: in your stands. 180 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 4: I broke. 181 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 3: I broke a cheer because I was trying to like 182 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 3: get in my stands and just strike a block and 183 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 3: getting because I didn't have any other places to do that. 184 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 3: That's what they told me. They say, you need to 185 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 3: walk extra. And I didn't even know how to work 186 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 3: extra because all the time was taken like by like 187 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 3: work out meetings and everything. So the only time I 188 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 3: can find is either you're resting or like you know, 189 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 3: or you like want to get food. So and they 190 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 3: prioritize us resting because they already walked us, like you know, 191 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 3: down to the ground. So into the rest because tomorrow 192 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 3: we're going a day again, so I have to like 193 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 3: wake up early to like do that like for a minute, 194 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 3: then go study some of the plays might coach drawing 195 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 3: up backing the IMG, so do that and then go 196 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 3: out for breakfast. 197 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:12,079 Speaker 4: Yeah. 198 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,439 Speaker 1: So this season has been the first time that you've 199 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,680 Speaker 1: seen game action. You know, you're elevated for two games 200 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: from the practice squad. It was the Chiefs game and 201 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: against the Texans. Had seven tackles in those games. And 202 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 1: then you get signed to the fifty three man roster, 203 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: which when we spoke in training camp, you told. 204 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 2: Me that that was quote a far goal. 205 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: You're like, all right, you know, I want to make 206 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: the practice squad the fifty three Like that's I realized 207 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: that's down the road for me. 208 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,080 Speaker 2: Well, wasn't that far, it turns out. 209 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: Tell me what the emotions were like when you were 210 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: signed to the fifty three man roster. 211 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 4: Man. 212 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,839 Speaker 3: First of all, I want to thank God because it 213 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:55,960 Speaker 3: is will be possible without him, you know, And I 214 00:10:56,040 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 3: just want to thank like the coaches, you know, it 215 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 3: won't be possible without him too, because it's the belief system, 216 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 3: you know, Like like obviously it's when we spoke like 217 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 3: when I told you that, like, actually it's like the 218 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 3: far goal, like the like the goal for me is 219 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 3: today attacking today. You know. So back then was like 220 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 3: training him, I'm training like fifty days like after training him, 221 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 3: you know, after the three games, and we got two 222 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 3: more practices before you make your fifty three. So I 223 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 3: was like, you know what, that's that's the goal after 224 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 3: training Cam and that don't won't stop. 225 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 4: You know. 226 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 3: If I was still in the practice squad, I was 227 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 3: to be trying to make it every single day. Like 228 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,120 Speaker 3: we used to get like, I don't know, eighteen weeks 229 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 3: so everybody, like people get elevated like we're fifteen. So 230 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 3: it's it is what it is, you know. So that's 231 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 3: that's why I told you it was like a far goal. 232 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:57,559 Speaker 3: But I just tried like attack each day because each 233 00:11:57,640 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 3: day I feel like have a life of his own. 234 00:11:59,559 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 4: Yeah. 235 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:03,439 Speaker 1: So yeah, Coach Harball said, you know, it's night and 236 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 1: day just how far you've come as a player since 237 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: even when you first arrived here and coach, you know, 238 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 1: Dennis Johnson, your defensive line coach, has talked about how 239 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 1: much you've improved. Where do you feel like in your 240 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: game you've made the biggest strides. 241 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 3: I feel like, not for me, it's not like the biggest. 242 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 3: I feel like I still want to get better, you know. 243 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:28,319 Speaker 3: Like for me, I feel like I still I could 244 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 3: still get better in the wrong game. You know, I 245 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:34,359 Speaker 3: want to I want to be I want to be respected. 246 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 3: You know that that's it for me, Like I want 247 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 3: to be respected. I want them to pull up and 248 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 3: be like, we don't want going to run to his side. 249 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 3: We're going to run to the other side, you know, 250 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 3: Like that's that's what I want. Like I feel like 251 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 3: when they pull up the tape, I want them to say, 252 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 3: we're gonna double him. I'm going to single block everybody, 253 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 3: because we know he If a single block him, he's 254 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 3: going to disrupt the play. So that's what I want 255 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 3: that put in respect to you name. So that's what 256 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 3: I'm walking Tod was and I feel like I can 257 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:09,439 Speaker 3: get there with the help of the coaches and you know, yeah. 258 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 2: Well, I'll say this. 259 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 1: Pro Football Focus grades you rank currently eleventh among all 260 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 1: NFL defensive interior tackles in run stop among those who 261 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: have played at least twenty percent of their snap. 262 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 2: So it's happening. 263 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: You're you're getting the respect and the numbers, the grades 264 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: from Pro Football Focus kind of prove it, just to 265 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:28,920 Speaker 1: let you know, appreciate it. Well. 266 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 2: I wonder if the Bears. 267 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: The Bears might to be pulling up that tape this 268 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 1: week saying, nah, I don't want the big guy in 269 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 1: the middle. 270 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's what I want. I want. 271 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 3: I want everybody to be like, yeah, here, he's going 272 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 3: to be a problem in the run game. 273 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: So yeah, even even though you're so young to the game, 274 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: did you feel pretty early on given your size, I mean, 275 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: you're freaking huge and like you know, and like your 276 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 1: your arm length and your motor and just how hard 277 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 1: you play, Like, did you feel early on that, Yeah, 278 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: like I can make it at this level even though 279 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:04,959 Speaker 1: I don't have that background of football. 280 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,680 Speaker 3: I'm not the kind of person that look far ahead 281 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 3: to the future, you know, Like that's in the back 282 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 3: of my mind, believe me, Like I know, like I 283 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 3: want to make it. That's why I strive so hard to, like, 284 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 3: you know, be be one of those guys that you know, 285 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 3: like Ray Lewis, you know, like those people you know, 286 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 3: like everybody know the style of football, you know, so 287 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 3: like ad. But I feel like I feel like everybody 288 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 3: want to get to that level, you know, like play 289 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 3: that kind of like. 290 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 4: How I put it with that tenacity kind of yeah, 291 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 4: something like that. 292 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 5: So did you have you just gone about learning the history? 293 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 5: You mentioned ray Lewis And it's not like some guys like, 294 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 5: oh man, I grew up watching ray Lewis, But as 295 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 5: we already covered, that's not the case for you. No, 296 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 5: So like did you like have to learn a little 297 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 5: bit about And I'm curious how you how you did 298 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 5: it learn about like Raven's history and some of the 299 00:15:03,160 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 5: players who have been here. 300 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 3: I'm still believe me, I'm still learning because I think 301 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 3: that's one of the things I did when I came 302 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 3: to the state. Was you mentioned when I was in 303 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:16,200 Speaker 3: the charges, I tried to like it was harder to 304 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 3: like learn everything that's ONNS, you know, like I didn't 305 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 3: even want to know how to drive. When I came 306 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:22,120 Speaker 3: to the state. I didn't have a license, I didn't 307 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 3: have nothing. I had a bike that took to walk. 308 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 3: So the bicycle, yes, yes, so I it was funny, yes, just. 309 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 2: The mental image of you on a bicycle. 310 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 3: So I drove that to work every day because I 311 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 3: didn't have a license. I didn't know, Like I'm still 312 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 3: learning some you know, learning the culture, learning the playbook, 313 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 3: learning learning how like it's just like learning how. 314 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 5: To be, You're learning life, you're learning football, you're learning life, 315 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 5: and a whole new place in a whole country. 316 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I think that's still it like moving from 317 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 3: LA to here. I think it's still like the same thing. 318 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 3: But the thing is, I'm I'm not studying from beginning. 319 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 3: I'm starting from experience. So now I already did it 320 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 3: before and it's a lot easier now, you know, So 321 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 3: I'm still learning, like like the ravings possibly is you know, 322 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 3: like the yeah, I'm still learning. 323 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I mean just bicycling in Los Angeles versus Baltimore. 324 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 2: I mean that's just so much. 325 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was. It was something else there. 326 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 2: I'm curious. 327 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 5: Like, to be honest, I think a lot of guys 328 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 5: would I wouldn't would give up just because of the 329 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 5: challenges of that. You have to you have to overcome. 330 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 5: You have to go to a whole new place and 331 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 5: you're away from home and you're like learning all these 332 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 5: new things, and it's like. 333 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,280 Speaker 2: A high hurdle. It's a it's a big bar. 334 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 5: To climb and I think not everybody would have that 335 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 5: in them. Has that? How have you been able to 336 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 5: overcome any of those feelings that they ever existed at all, 337 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 5: to be able to pursue and get to this point. 338 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 3: First of all, I told you I like the challenges, 339 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 3: you know, like I came for me. It's I feel 340 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 3: like it's just the challenge that like that helps me 341 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 3: because I'm here. I don't I don't have my family 342 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:21,159 Speaker 3: out here, you know, I'm just here by myself. Like 343 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 3: the drive of me from bringing my family here to 344 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:28,120 Speaker 3: you know, if I want to quit, not today, maybe 345 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 3: I'll quit tomorrow. Then when tomorrow comes, I'll quit the 346 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 3: next day, you know, Like I will never quit today. 347 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 3: So first I'm up. I'm not gonna quit that day. 348 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 3: That's that's the mindset I have. So like my family too, 349 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:42,919 Speaker 3: is like one of my biggest motivision, you know. 350 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:47,680 Speaker 5: Yeah, So how does your family stay in touch with 351 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:49,479 Speaker 5: the game and have you been able to convert them 352 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 5: to football fans? 353 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 4: Yeah? They do. 354 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 3: My brother has been watching the game and we've been 355 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 3: talking about it. But I speak to them via WhatsApp. 356 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 3: I know it's not a thing in America, but not 357 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 3: only we talk like we we FaceTime on WhatsApp and everything, 358 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 3: and they're. 359 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 4: Proud of me. 360 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 5: So are they able to watch your games? 361 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:14,040 Speaker 3: My brother did, but my mom my mom haven't, but 362 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 3: my brother would like. 363 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 4: With like the YouTube. 364 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 5: Yeah, have they got a sense of just how big 365 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 5: NFL football is? 366 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 4: I don't. 367 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 3: I don't even know if they know what I play yet, 368 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 3: but they know how big it is, Yes they do, 369 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:33,119 Speaker 3: but I don't. I don't know if they know, Like 370 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 3: I don't know if they know how the sun is, 371 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:40,240 Speaker 3: you know, like how they just know I played football 372 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 3: and they know like it's football. They hite people, you know, 373 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 3: please don't get injured, you know, it is like this. 374 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 4: But yeah, so. 375 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: Can they find you on the screen if they're watching it? 376 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: That's my son. 377 00:18:56,119 --> 00:19:01,920 Speaker 3: That I don't think so because I think that he 378 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:03,920 Speaker 3: he watched the preceed because I told him I was 379 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 3: wearing ninety seven. I think I need to tell him, 380 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 3: like I changed numbers. Yeah, he was looking at like 381 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 3: are you white? 382 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 4: Now? 383 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's who you mentioned. 384 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 1: You know, you weren't looking up to Ray Lewis as 385 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,199 Speaker 1: a child. Who were you kind of looking up to 386 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:23,040 Speaker 1: as a sports figure when you were growing up? 387 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:24,399 Speaker 2: At so many basketball. 388 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 4: I look that shot, it's got to be shocked. Yeah, 389 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,800 Speaker 4: I looked at shock. I looked at Lebron. 390 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 3: I wasn't I didn't stop playing to like Lebron ere, 391 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:37,880 Speaker 3: So yeah, yeah I didn't. I didn't look at like 392 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 3: I wasn't going to be Jordan or something. But I 393 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 3: looked like Lebron because his style of play and how 394 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 3: he plays as a team with his teammates, you know, 395 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 3: and shocked to us his like big and dominant and 396 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 3: stuff like that. 397 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 4: So yeah, I'm. 398 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 5: Sure you got a lot of shock comparisons during your 399 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 5: basketball days. 400 00:19:54,040 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 2: And the last one for me is just, you know, 401 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 2: how much are you enjoying this journey? Man? 402 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 1: I mean, two years on the practice squad, now you're 403 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:07,760 Speaker 1: playing games from where you've come from, not knowing the 404 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,920 Speaker 1: game nothing, how much you enjoying this? 405 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 3: I'm trying to suck it in, but I still just 406 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 3: don't want to get too high or get too little, 407 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 3: you know, like I'm trying to suck it in being 408 00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 3: the mom and be present, you know, like stop winning, 409 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 3: you know, like we need to like, you know, start winning. 410 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,200 Speaker 3: So yeah, yeah, I feel like that would change, and 411 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:33,680 Speaker 3: he's going to change soon because yeah. 412 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 5: Hell I'm curious the Ravens have a they have a 413 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 5: Nigerian uh you know, contingency here in the locker room. 414 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 5: Ada Fayoway obviously is now out of La you guys 415 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 5: swamp spots. But but David Javo nom de Matabik. Has 416 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 5: that been a source of, like I don't know, for 417 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 5: brotherhood as you make this transition. 418 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:59,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, they have being helpful, Like doctor Way you said, like, yeah, 419 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 3: I kind of like, you know, this kind of sucks that. 420 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 4: He left, like he got to go, But yeah, job and. 421 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,919 Speaker 3: Beaks they have been like like a resource to me, 422 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 3: you know, try to help me out. And yeah, I 423 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 3: think they actually did help me out, like really really 424 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 3: good doing trading camp and everything, you know. So yeah, 425 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 3: I just thank god. And we got I think we 426 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 3: got an additional nim Jurne like David to the practice school. 427 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:33,760 Speaker 1: So yeah, I was just gonna say that they're bringing 428 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: in the next c J. Hopefully he's from London, right. 429 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:39,399 Speaker 4: He's from London. 430 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 3: So but he's he's in ninth gym, bro he grew 431 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 3: up in London or something like that. 432 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:44,719 Speaker 4: Gotcha. 433 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,879 Speaker 1: They just can't get enough of this store the international 434 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: defensive lineman. 435 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:50,359 Speaker 2: It's where it's at. 436 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 5: But you know, my last one is, if we were 437 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 5: having this conversation five years ago, I'm sure you couldn't 438 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:56,879 Speaker 5: even imagine being in the seat that you're in. 439 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,600 Speaker 3: I don't think I will. I agree with you. Was saying, 440 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 3: like I'm going to leave basketball to play football, Like 441 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 3: five years ago was like twenty one. I didn't even 442 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 3: want to. I didn't want to go to like the 443 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 3: stuff they told me. They told me about so you 444 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 3: know what I mean, Like I wanted to be a 445 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 3: basketball player. Well now I don't won't watch basketball that 446 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 3: much because football. 447 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 4: Is more fun, you know. 448 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I was just confined to like what I knew 449 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 3: back then, you know what I mean, Like I didn't 450 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 3: we didn't have no access to like football. We didn't 451 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 3: even know when any season starts and that, you know 452 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:36,160 Speaker 3: what I mean. So we didn't watch football growing up. 453 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:36,400 Speaker 4: Ball. 454 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 3: It's different now when I'm here, like now, I just 455 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 3: college football, you know, like I won't. 456 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:47,359 Speaker 4: Be weed football like anything. Football. Football is fun. Yeah. 457 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 5: So if we're five years from now you look into 458 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 5: the future, what do you see. 459 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 3: Hopefully I'm still playing, you know, hopefully I've you know, 460 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:59,399 Speaker 3: hopefully I'm you know, be all. 461 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 5: Pro you know, either they circling. 462 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 3: Yeah, hopefully I'm still a guy that you know, the second, 463 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 3: not the guy that would be like, yeah we need 464 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 3: we need to run the screen to his side, his side. 465 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 3: Now hopefully I'm not that guy. 466 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, awesome, Well I look forward to it, man, looking 467 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 2: forward to it. 468 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 5: Thank you for joining us, Man, welcome back into the 469 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,160 Speaker 5: Lounge podcast. We are coming to you from the Sea 470 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:21,520 Speaker 5: Geek Studio. We want to give a shout out to 471 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 5: our partners at Draft King sports Book. They are an 472 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 5: official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft King 473 00:23:26,800 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 5: Sports Book. The Crown is yours. So really enjoyed the 474 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 5: conversation with CJ. Great story. Yeah, I mean this is 475 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,120 Speaker 5: a guy that, as he talked about five years ago, 476 00:23:36,119 --> 00:23:39,040 Speaker 5: football wasn't even on his radar. Yeah, not just playing football, 477 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 5: even a fan of the game, knowing the rules. And 478 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,080 Speaker 5: credit to him for getting to this point, really overcoming 479 00:23:45,080 --> 00:23:46,960 Speaker 5: a lot of odds just to get to this spot. 480 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 5: And I do think he has a bright future ahead 481 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 5: of him. 482 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, and honestly, as John Harball said, it's been a 483 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: blessing for the Ravens and and kind of a pleasant 484 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 1: surprise to a degree. I don't think anybody this season 485 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,479 Speaker 1: when you have an international player coming in on your 486 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 1: practice squad, you know it's probably going to take another 487 00:24:02,880 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 1: year of seasoning. But we saw in the preseason he 488 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: played well and then when the Ravens had Nomde Mattabik 489 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:11,959 Speaker 1: and Broderick Washington go down to injuries, like they needed 490 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,679 Speaker 1: somebody to step on that up on that defensive line. 491 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:17,760 Speaker 1: And so big credit to CJ and a boon for 492 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:18,400 Speaker 1: the Ravens. 493 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:20,840 Speaker 5: Yeah, I'm excited to see where his career goes. And 494 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 5: he's a likable guy and I think he's got I'll 495 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 5: have a lot of fans rooting for him. So again 496 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:27,160 Speaker 5: thanks to him for joining us. And also the big 497 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:28,960 Speaker 5: game coming up this week against the Bears, and so 498 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 5: we want to talk a little bit about what the 499 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 5: Ravens need to do to get a win in this game. 500 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 5: And I think let's just start with the biggest question 501 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 5: of the week, of course, which is quarterback and whether 502 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 5: Lamar Jackson is going to be back on the field. 503 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 5: He did practice Wednesday and Thursday as a limited participant, 504 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:47,240 Speaker 5: and so what that means for him and his status 505 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,760 Speaker 5: for Sunday. I think it's up in the air at 506 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 5: this point. In the portion of practice that we've been 507 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 5: able to see, he's gone through individual drills, and you know, 508 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,080 Speaker 5: that's really the extent of the practice portion of that 509 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 5: we see. What we do know is that he's been limited, 510 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 5: and so again up in the air as to whether 511 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 5: he's going to be able to play on Sunday or not. 512 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: Todd Munkin said, it's really up to Lamar and how 513 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: he feels, how his body feels, and whether he feels 514 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:16,240 Speaker 1: able to play in a game. And so, you know, 515 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:19,719 Speaker 1: whether that's this week or next week, we'll see. If 516 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,639 Speaker 1: he doesn't, it's it's tough to imagine that Lamar is 517 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: going to suit up for a game after missing too 518 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,560 Speaker 1: straight if he doesn't have a full practice participation, right, 519 00:25:29,640 --> 00:25:33,080 Speaker 1: you know, like limited on Friday, if he's limited all week, 520 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 1: that's tough, you know, And so you want to have 521 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:39,479 Speaker 1: a full practice with eleven on eleven and all that stuff, 522 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:43,840 Speaker 1: even if you're Superman Lamar Jackson, you know. And so 523 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 1: then the secondary question is if Lamar doesn't play, then 524 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:51,960 Speaker 1: who does start for the Ravens at quarterback? 525 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 2: Again, that's up in the air. 526 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:57,120 Speaker 1: And John Harball has not tipped his hand one way 527 00:25:57,200 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 1: or the other on that whether it would be Cooper 528 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 1: Rush for the straight game or Tyler Huntley. 529 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 5: Yeah, going into the last game against the Rams, both 530 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:07,360 Speaker 5: of them played goop of Rush of course started. Tyler 531 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:10,560 Speaker 5: Huntley came in late in the fourth quarter and the 532 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 5: offense had a spark with Tyler Huntley at quarterback and 533 00:26:13,040 --> 00:26:14,880 Speaker 5: moved the ball. Didn't put up points, but was able 534 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:16,439 Speaker 5: to move the ball, and it seemed like he brought 535 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 5: a little bit of a spark to that offense. Now, 536 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 5: Hardball said in that game the plan was for both 537 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:24,400 Speaker 5: of them to play. So I don't know if that's 538 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,240 Speaker 5: gonna be the same plan again if they go into 539 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:28,639 Speaker 5: it saying this, let's see both of these guys on 540 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:31,359 Speaker 5: the field, depending on the situation, depending on riding the 541 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:34,879 Speaker 5: hot hand. And if that's the case, is the starter. 542 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:38,200 Speaker 5: How important is the starter? I don't know. I think 543 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 5: that you know, Tyler Huntley. 544 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:43,440 Speaker 1: Hopefully it would be very important because whoever starts the game, 545 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 1: they have the hot hand through the whole thing. 546 00:26:47,359 --> 00:26:49,679 Speaker 5: Yeah, an interesting point on Huntley and Ravens fans probably 547 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,119 Speaker 5: remember this. He actually did beat the Bears. Go back 548 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 5: to twenty twenty one and while Jackson was sick, and 549 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 5: that was that was a game that in Chicago. In Chicago, 550 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 5: nobody really expected Tyler hunt Nobody expected, including Tyler Huntley, 551 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:03,119 Speaker 5: to play that game like that. 552 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,679 Speaker 2: In the morning of, they're on the flight over. 553 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:07,320 Speaker 5: There and everyone's looking at Lamar on the plane like 554 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:10,840 Speaker 5: that guy doesn't seem like he's feeling too good, and 555 00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 5: that extended of the game couldn't play. In the game, 556 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:15,200 Speaker 5: Huntley gets worth the morning of that you're going to 557 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 5: be up and ends up playing and the Ravens win 558 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,720 Speaker 5: that game. The big the big player that he hit 559 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:22,560 Speaker 5: late in that game was a big It was deep 560 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 5: pass to Sammy Watkins along the sidelines to put the 561 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 5: Ravens in composition to win that game. So he does 562 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,040 Speaker 5: have experience against the Bears if he ends up being 563 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 5: the guy. 564 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you know, we all know what Snoop brings 565 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:36,440 Speaker 1: to the table here. He's a veteran quarterback who's won 566 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: games and kept the game the Ravens in a bunch 567 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 1: of games even when he didn't win. And you know 568 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 1: obviously what he offers as a scrambler. I think the team, 569 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:50,800 Speaker 1: his teammates have confidence in him. I think that if 570 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 1: called upon that Snoop can keep this a game and 571 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 1: allot give the Ravens a chance to beat the Bears. 572 00:27:57,280 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 2: Certainly. 573 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 5: Yeah, so fingers crossed obviously that they have all three 574 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:03,200 Speaker 5: quarterbacks available in this game, starting with Lamar Jackson. But 575 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 5: we'll see. We'll probably get a better indication of that 576 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:08,359 Speaker 5: on Friday when we see is he limited, is he full? 577 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,720 Speaker 5: And then also on the injury report does he get 578 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,639 Speaker 5: ruled out? Is it questionable? Is there no injury designation? 579 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:17,040 Speaker 5: Like what is his status? From Friday, we'll get a 580 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:19,119 Speaker 5: lot more insight. I think that that will be the final, 581 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:22,119 Speaker 5: uh you know, indication as to what the what the 582 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 5: likelihood is of him playing in the game. 583 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:26,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, and Lamar Jackson's return to the practice field isn't 584 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:28,639 Speaker 1: the only positive injury news for the Ravens. 585 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 2: They have several guys who are on the men. 586 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,320 Speaker 1: I mean, Rokwan Smith is expected to be back after 587 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:35,880 Speaker 1: he missed a couple games because of his hands string injury. 588 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 1: Pat Ricard is expected to make his season DJU. That's huge. 589 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 1: Cheetah bay Ouzia has missed the past two games at 590 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 1: corner with a hamstring injury, and then Ronnie Stanley has 591 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 1: been dealing with that angle injury that's forced them to 592 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:50,959 Speaker 1: either not play or leave early in the past three games. 593 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 1: So those are four key players for the Ravens that 594 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:57,880 Speaker 1: are coming back healthy. You hope obviously Lamar Jackson can return, 595 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,560 Speaker 1: but I think overall this is the healthy the Ravens 596 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: have been in quite some time. 597 00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 5: I think that they are definitely getting healthier. Obviously, right, 598 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,640 Speaker 5: you did, you did mention. Yeah, the question, of course 599 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 5: is still the quarterback. So it's like it's hard to 600 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:15,520 Speaker 5: feel like, oh, you're healthier you've ever been on the field. 601 00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 1: Absolutely, right, absolutely, But I do think even if Lamar 602 00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:22,680 Speaker 1: Jackson doesn't play, this team is better set up for 603 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:25,560 Speaker 1: success because some of those other pieces are back. 604 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,960 Speaker 5: Like, it's a much different team than we saw against 605 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 5: the Texans and even against the Rams. Against the Texans, 606 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 5: this was a mass unit where you had a bunch 607 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:37,000 Speaker 5: of guys just out in that game, and then it 608 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 5: got a little better against the Rams, and it's gotten 609 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:41,959 Speaker 5: much better in this game. And so I think that 610 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:44,560 Speaker 5: that all that is positive. I'll just say big picture wise, 611 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:47,680 Speaker 5: this week, the energy that I have felt coming out 612 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 5: of the by I think that all of the storylines 613 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:52,440 Speaker 5: that we discussed going into it, about how it could 614 00:29:52,440 --> 00:29:54,320 Speaker 5: be a reset and how it could be an opportunity 615 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:56,760 Speaker 5: for this team to come back rejuvenated and to get 616 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:59,479 Speaker 5: a little healthier and to have some just just to 617 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 5: take a deep breath. But things were going bad and 618 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 5: you're at one or five. I think all of those 619 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,600 Speaker 5: things are true. I really do get the feeling and 620 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:11,200 Speaker 5: talking with players that DeAndre Hopkins I thought summed it 621 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 5: up pretty well this week when he talked about how 622 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:16,760 Speaker 5: there's this focus and this attention to detail and kind 623 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 5: of a playoff mindset for this team coming out of 624 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,160 Speaker 5: the by knowing where they are, where they want to go, 625 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:23,880 Speaker 5: and how many games they need to win to get there. 626 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:24,200 Speaker 4: Yep. 627 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:26,720 Speaker 1: And I think Lamar Jackson's return to the practice field 628 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: certainly lifted everybody's spirits when that happened on Wednesday and 629 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:33,360 Speaker 1: he jogged out. And even if Lamar doesn't play in 630 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:35,959 Speaker 1: this game, I think it's obviously a clear indication that 631 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 1: it's not far off and just having Lamar back out 632 00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 1: there helps a lot. And I agree with you having 633 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 1: the break, no, it kind of taking that mental reset 634 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 1: knowing your backs are up against the ball. This team 635 00:30:48,120 --> 00:30:52,280 Speaker 1: often has responded in that same position and getting other 636 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: guys back on the field. All of that, I think 637 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:58,720 Speaker 1: has led to a locker room that feels better certainly 638 00:30:58,720 --> 00:30:59,920 Speaker 1: than it did going into the buy. 639 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:04,000 Speaker 5: A couple of guys mentioned a little bit unprompted too, 640 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:08,320 Speaker 5: like the playoff mindset piece, as well as like Tyler 641 00:31:08,360 --> 00:31:11,720 Speaker 5: Linnibaum mentioned like we want to go twelve and five. Yeah, okay, 642 00:31:11,880 --> 00:31:13,080 Speaker 5: I can do the math there. I mean, you got 643 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:14,880 Speaker 5: to win the rest of your game, the best regular season, 644 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 5: you got to win eleven straight. And so when I 645 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:19,479 Speaker 5: hear those things, that gives me an indication of the 646 00:31:19,520 --> 00:31:22,920 Speaker 5: way this team is thinking playoffs, winning all your games. 647 00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:26,200 Speaker 5: All that stuff shows me that the Ravens feel like 648 00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 5: they can get hot, they can go on a run. 649 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:31,479 Speaker 5: But I also do think that they are main like 650 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 5: they're not worried about games a month from now. I 651 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 5: think that like the struggles early on have put them 652 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,360 Speaker 5: in a position where they realize, we got to worry 653 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:40,400 Speaker 5: about what's happening right now, and you got to win 654 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:41,920 Speaker 5: the game this week. You can't win all of them. 655 00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 5: You can't win eleven this Sunday. You need to win 656 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 5: Sunday against the Bears. 657 00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:46,800 Speaker 1: This is as close to a must win as you 658 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 1: can get in the regular season, and particularly it's unfamiliar 659 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,560 Speaker 1: territory in October for the Ravens to be in this position, 660 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:56,600 Speaker 1: and they know that they're embracing that, and I think 661 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:59,320 Speaker 1: trying to turn that into a rallying cry for them 662 00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: and specifically against the Bears, just to get into what 663 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:05,719 Speaker 1: it's gonna take to beat them. I do think that 664 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 1: the Ravens need to play well defending the run. The 665 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:10,560 Speaker 1: Bears have been running the ball particularly well in the 666 00:32:10,600 --> 00:32:11,360 Speaker 1: last few weeks. 667 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:12,480 Speaker 2: It's very challenging. 668 00:32:13,080 --> 00:32:16,280 Speaker 1: Zach Orr talked about it about how Ben Johnson, their 669 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:18,600 Speaker 1: head coach, really kind of mixes up the runs. You're 670 00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 1: gonna get stuff that you haven't seen from them on 671 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:23,360 Speaker 1: tape at all. And so they have to be very 672 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 1: good against the run, which has been a little bit 673 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 1: of an achilles heel so far this season. And they 674 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: particularly if they're gonna get any pressure on the quarterback, 675 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 1: they need to be getting in more third and long situations. 676 00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:37,640 Speaker 1: Zach Or did say that the number one focus for 677 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 1: them as a staff over the by was scheming up 678 00:32:40,520 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: more pressure their pressure scheme. 679 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:44,040 Speaker 2: They have to be able to generate more. 680 00:32:43,880 --> 00:32:46,960 Speaker 1: Negative plays, and quite frankly, after the loss of Tavius 681 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:50,400 Speaker 1: Robinson to the broken foot, you're one more player down 682 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:52,800 Speaker 1: in terms of getting after the quarterback, and so it's 683 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:55,880 Speaker 1: gonna be even more on scheme. How do we scheme guys, 684 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,560 Speaker 1: free rushers, open rushers. They took a long, hard look 685 00:32:58,560 --> 00:33:00,280 Speaker 1: at that over the by and he feels is good 686 00:33:00,280 --> 00:33:02,880 Speaker 1: about where they stand. Their ability to get more oppression 687 00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:03,520 Speaker 1: on the quarterback. 688 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:06,120 Speaker 5: Offensively, the two things at all point to one of them. 689 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 5: I think continue to lean on what you did against 690 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:12,000 Speaker 5: the Rams with Derrick Henry and the ground game, but 691 00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:14,479 Speaker 5: you need to be better in situations. Derek Henry had 692 00:33:14,480 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 5: a big game, well, they weren't able to punch it 693 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:18,000 Speaker 5: in at the goal line. They weren't good in short 694 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:20,920 Speaker 5: yard situations. So like, you need to do the first part, 695 00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:22,800 Speaker 5: but then when you get into third and third and 696 00:33:22,840 --> 00:33:25,959 Speaker 5: short second in goal those types of situations, you got 697 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:27,080 Speaker 5: to be able to finish the job. Well. 698 00:33:27,080 --> 00:33:28,840 Speaker 2: The return of pat Riccard certainly helps with that. 699 00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:33,560 Speaker 1: I think that's been under discussed this season is how 700 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:35,240 Speaker 1: much he's been missed in this offense. 701 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:37,800 Speaker 5: Well, and having him back, I mean, his Pro Bowl 702 00:33:37,800 --> 00:33:39,840 Speaker 5: player is one of the best fullbacks in the game 703 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:40,760 Speaker 5: and has been for a long time. 704 00:33:40,800 --> 00:33:43,480 Speaker 1: And you just talk about setting the tone physically that 705 00:33:43,520 --> 00:33:46,560 Speaker 1: he is a tone setter, and so I think that 706 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 1: his return can make a big difference. 707 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:50,920 Speaker 5: And then the last thing on offense, I think you 708 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 5: could probably say this every game, but you got to 709 00:33:53,120 --> 00:33:55,479 Speaker 5: play clean. The Bears are really good at punching out 710 00:33:55,520 --> 00:33:57,520 Speaker 5: the football. They get a lot of takeaways. 711 00:33:57,560 --> 00:33:59,320 Speaker 2: That's like they lead the league and takeaways. 712 00:33:59,320 --> 00:34:01,760 Speaker 5: Actually, that's the strength of their defense in a lot 713 00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:03,520 Speaker 5: of ways. I talked to coach Harball about that this 714 00:34:03,560 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 5: week and he emphasized that they're a defense that just 715 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:07,800 Speaker 5: takes the ball away. So if you want to be 716 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:10,400 Speaker 5: an offense that can have success against them, you can't 717 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:15,560 Speaker 5: give it up. And this offense, regardless of who's that quarterback, 718 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,480 Speaker 5: whether it's Lamar, whether it's Scooper Rush, whether it's Tyler Huntley, 719 00:34:18,719 --> 00:34:20,960 Speaker 5: they're going to be in a situation where either it's 720 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:23,279 Speaker 5: Lamar coming off an injury, or it's going to be 721 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:25,600 Speaker 5: one of those other guys stepping in, you know, for 722 00:34:25,680 --> 00:34:28,680 Speaker 5: the starter. And so my point is they're not going 723 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:31,160 Speaker 5: to be in a situation where they can afford take turnovers. 724 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:32,440 Speaker 5: I just don't think, no matter. 725 00:34:32,400 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 2: Think they're going to go out and put up thirty five. 726 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:37,319 Speaker 5: I don't think that this offense is going to be 727 00:34:37,360 --> 00:34:39,799 Speaker 5: able to overcome a three turnover game. Like I just 728 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:42,960 Speaker 5: don't think that based on all all the mechanics of it. 729 00:34:43,440 --> 00:34:45,080 Speaker 5: You need to be able to play a clean game 730 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:49,640 Speaker 5: offensively and especially against again a defense that takes the 731 00:34:49,640 --> 00:34:50,080 Speaker 5: ball away. 732 00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 4: Yeah. 733 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:53,160 Speaker 1: Well, and Cooper Rush has had four interceptions and two 734 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:57,520 Speaker 1: starts so far. And Tyler Huntley, I think he provides 735 00:34:57,560 --> 00:35:01,000 Speaker 1: a spark, but kind of his bugaboo over his career 736 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:03,400 Speaker 1: is that he can get a little reckless sometimes that 737 00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:05,759 Speaker 1: throws some interceptions and you know, everything looks great and 738 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:08,200 Speaker 1: then oh my gosh, you know, two steps four, one 739 00:35:08,200 --> 00:35:09,560 Speaker 1: step back with a pick. 740 00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:11,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, and so that's what he has to avoid. 741 00:35:11,880 --> 00:35:14,360 Speaker 5: Yeah, you have. And I think again it could be 742 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:17,759 Speaker 5: lean on twenty two. He showed you last game that 743 00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:22,360 Speaker 5: he's ready and no matter who's that quarterback, Derek Hennery 744 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:23,480 Speaker 5: is ready for the heavy workload. 745 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:25,960 Speaker 1: The Bears run defense has been their weakness. Yep, So 746 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:27,279 Speaker 1: let's attack even more. 747 00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:30,600 Speaker 5: Reason exactly reason. So looking forward to this game, it's 748 00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:33,040 Speaker 5: really important for this team. As always, you can email 749 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 5: us at the lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. 750 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:37,680 Speaker 5: Thank you so much for listening and we will be 751 00:35:37,760 --> 00:35:41,240 Speaker 5: back with you again after the game on Sunday against 752 00:35:41,239 --> 00:35:43,720 Speaker 5: the Bears