 Can you tell me about the Guardian Cup, like you got that chance to wear your one and third special wear out? Good, comfortable, bad and different. Rules are the rules. Got to put it on. I used to wear it back in Clemson, but I mean, you got to do what you got to do. You know, you can complain about it or not, but I got to go on. So, it's all good. College didn't have to get a belt. They're actually trying to get money. So, can you tell a difference from when you wore it at Clemson versus now? Oh, to be honest, I don't know. It's been a minute, you know. But, you know, kind of just doing what you got to do. You know, it's a little heavy. By the time it's time to take it off, you know, it should be feeling a lot lighter. So, you know, trying to find the positives in everything and we should be well adjusted to the heat. Is it noticeable? Yeah. Oh, just as far as wearing or like seeing. Yeah, yeah. They say, look, we out there and hope it's a little afro. No, man, but it's a little noticeable. But it's not overwhelming, you know. It is what it is and just got to do. We got to do. You feel hotter? Like, does it? Maybe a little bit. But, you know, this heat, you really can't run from it. You really can't run from the heat. So, I mean, just one of the things. How did you find out that you guys were going to have to wear it? Did they tell you that at PME? It was a, because when we played the Dolphins in camp last year, they had them, you know, so they weren't like a big secret. Some teams did it, some teams did it. But it was worth it. Every team, I had to do it and came to camp and everybody was alignment and backers had it on the helmets. And we figured that was the policy that we had to follow. Are there any jokes between the position groups that have to wear them and don't have to wear them? Oh, man. You know, DB's, you know, strutting around. They, you know, they, they was the biggest group who really didn't want to wear it because they, they all about their swag and all that stuff. And the funniest thing, the cop is out there running around with it. He sure thought he wasn't going to wear it, but got you. Yep. Yep. Tight in. Yeah. Get on in here. Yep. Great. I think you said during mini camp, you made a comment about this team feeling exceptionally close. Can't exactly remember what you exactly said, but why did you feel that then and how do you feel like that continued into now? Yeah, definitely feel like the camaraderie has been good and continue to grow as we started training camp. And it's just, it's just a feeling that you get, you know, being around football for a long time, not even from the professional level, you know, college, high school, whatever it may be, you can tell one guy's are getting along on the same page. And that's definitely what I feel here. And that's why I'm so excited for this team and what we're going to show the world. I know last year I asked you, like goals coming into camp and you said you wanted at least 10 sacks. Yeah. What's your goal this year coming out? My goal really this year is just, you know, being the best of me I could be, you know, and everything else, take care of yourself. And I want to be the best leader. I can't be for this team, for this organization. And I also want to be one of the top players at my position. And that's something that I work here day in, day out. And I know that my goals are attainable. And by the end of the day, if I just focus on being the best of me I could be, everything else, take care of itself. There's so much competition for spots on this team, on this roster this year. Do you think that that's contributing to the high level of play of these first couple of days? Yeah, without a doubt. Without a doubt, you know, competition brings out the best in everybody and whatever industry that you in. And that's what's going on here. You know, nobody's complacent. You know, I feel like I'm competing every day, you know, for me to be my best self and to challenge myself to get to a better, as a better leader, better player, whatever it may be. And, you know, guys fighting for spots. And I mean, it's just making everybody better. You know, and the good thing about it is, you know, NFL is an organization with 32 teams. And, you know, everybody don't make it here. But the work that you put in, where I get around. So I mean, it's just a motivating place, a place of opportunity to where you get to go out here and go on the field, you know, whatever position that you at. And show the league what you can do, you know. And so it's going to be, it's going to be some really, really good opportunities for guys coming up and me and myself as well. We got two joint practices this year, which is exciting. And so I'm excited. Has anyone made any, like, plays out there that, we haven't been able to see everything. I know it's two days that you're like, oh, wow, okay. Like this guy, he's impressed you already? Oh, you know, today, Drake made a nice play. You can see why he was the first he was taking. And started to, started to, start the day off really good. And that's just one to catch my eye just early and camp, you know, being two days in. And, but I mean, it's the guys who've been making some, you know, great plays, you know, great, giving a great effort. But would it also be an earlier camp? We got to ramp it up, you know, and everybody getting the body used to doing football things again. And so it's going to be a lot of great plays we made, but that's just what kind of one that that was a nice thing to do. How do you, how do you manage the physicality in such a physical game where you play? And this is an offensive one. It's got a tremendous amount of competition going on there. How much conversation do you have with those guys on the other side of the line about that, about the physicality of the game and trying to replicate the best you can? Yeah, definitely. I mean, the tougher we are to each other, the better it's going to be for us against competition. And the coaches that staff and medical staff, they do a good job of being aware of that it is a high taxing position and, but it's also a lot of competition, having big numbers on both sides of the ball. So you got to see guys go against each other. But I mean, at the end of the day, it's the life we chose, you know, as linemen to, you got to be gritty. You got to be tough, you know, you can't be soft. You can't be, you know, out of shape, you know, it's going to take tough guys to go out there and compete against, you know, these lines across the league, you know, and that's the exciting part about it on both ends. You know, it's great players on the offensive line, great players on defensive lines, and we compete to be able to have success against that, you know, every day. So we got to give the best to each other and just try to be our best. Speaking of competition, we didn't have a great look at it and see exactly what we're doing, but it seemed like there was a drill kind of on the far field. Yeah. Competitive drill, all 90 guys watching. I don't remember seeing you guys do things like that before. I mean, maybe not. But what was that like to have a competitive drill with everybody watching? Yeah, you know, it was good. It was good. It was unexpected. I didn't know it, but I mean, we went from lines to linebackers, you know, tight end DBs and wide receivers. And that was the play I was talking about where Drake had a nice catch today. But I mean, it's just guys good on good, you know, and coach make his expectations clear. He wanted the best players to produce the best and lead the best, you know. And you got to come with it every day. And, you know, that he set the tone early by calling out some more leaders in front of the whole team. And because usually sometimes in the past where I've been in that position, it's been like, guys, you know, trying to make teams, stuff like this, but he like start the tone of camp right. And he called us out there and we had a nice competitive session. And I think it set the tone for practice and training camp. So it was really good. So was it hardly literally saying, you know, you and you are kind of getting guys in there? Yeah, a little mix, a little mix, but you know, hey, man, you know, his show now he's gonna do, yeah, sir. Yeah, sir, a quick fast in the hurry. So it was fun and he definitely expecting the best out of us. At the end when you guys were running, was that just for conditioning or was he making you run for something that you had to do? Condition. We conditioned. We put a lot of work in and everybody across the board, you know, whatever you're gonna do after we finish conditioning. But it's a known thing around here that we do condition as a team. And I think it's bringing us together as well, you know, because, you know, after we put that hard work of practice, you know, we got to dig deeper, you know. And so it's part of something that we do. Do you have an expectation of a D-Line going to the U.S.? You know what, I feel like for me the expectation always should be high, but at the end of the day, we got a highly, highly competitive group of guys with some spots that we need some high production out of, you know. And I'm gonna be just as hard on the guys as coaches at the same time. I'm gonna come out here and give them an example day in and day out, you know, to know and see what the expectation is, you know. I'm never slacking. I always want to encourage them, but I'm also gonna hold guys accountable and pull the best out of them because whoever LINE up out there on game day, the expectation is high, you know. Bet, root, whatever it may be. You out there, you got to go to work, you know. And that's what we are. Do you see a different mindset in those guys coming into camp this year? I mean, I always see a stronger mindset. You know, I think it can be a misconception sometime when on paper, you know, your productivity don't match your expectations from the outside world. I mean, we don't have some guys who work hard and went hard, but at the end of the day, we do have to be better as a unit. And so it's hard for me to say that there's a whole different mindset and a whole different, because I mean, I don't play with some tough, you know, tough hard-nosed dudes, you know. And so I'm excited to see what this group can do. And that's what we focus on, this group this year and what we can do. I know this doesn't probably didn't matter to you, but you're truly the face of this franchise now. Is that bring a little bit more, and I know you welcome the pressure. Does that bring a little bit more to you for this camp? No, not necessarily. You know, I come out here and do my job day in and day out, and you know, too much to give and much is required. So I mean, that's how I live my life. And I think I've been truly, truly blessed to be in the position that I am, and I don't take it for granted. And the work that I put in day out, day out is a testament to that. So I give it all a look and let it reward me in the end. What's your two-day review? How things have gone? Things are going well, man. Obviously, we're kind of all getting acclimated right now. Just trying to, you know, perfect the plays and get acquainted with each other. You know, get the tempo down and the plays down. I feel like we're just taking one hand time. You thought coming in that you were going to be a good fitness offense. You've seen it a few practices now. How do you feel about it? Do you still think that and why? I still do think I'll be a good fitness offense. Like I said, the last time was this offense is made for receivers like my type, bigger bodies. We can make plays across the field and down the field and all that type of stuff. So, you know, two days in the camp I feel like, you know, this offense will be good for me. And it's all up to me about how I, you know, how hard I work on learning the plays and getting acclimated to the system and just taking, receiving the coaching. Biggest wide receiver room you've ever been in when you look around and see, I mean, a lot of guys that you're looking eye to eye to it's not that bad. Right, right, right. So I've only been in one other receiver room. So, yeah, I would say this is the biggest one I've seen. I mean, you might be like the small forward in this sport at this point. Exactly. Have you found that the system has been easy to pick up, quick to pick up and now that you're applying it how is the application process going? So we're two days in the camp so right now the system has been it's been okay, you know, the tempo is a little bit, I would say, slowed down right now. So I feel like I'm doing well as of right now. We still have a long way to go and I'm just trying to, you know, take it one day at a time as more volume comes in then you got to readjust and continue to, you know, absorb information and try to retain it. You've been through a couple of these camps now. What's your routine in terms of kind of stacking days and processes over the course of what's four or five weeks? You know, everybody has their small little things that they like to do to make themselves feel comfortable. I just like to kind of take it one day at a time and don't try to, you know, get too high, get too low. Just take it one day at a time, enjoy the process and just enjoy what you do with hat point. You really made a number of pretty big monumental plays when you were in Vegas. Do you feel like there's a chance to maybe up your catch volume here and maybe do kind of more of those special things? How are you looking at this opportunity? You think I got a big chance to play in 800 snaps, 70 catches. I don't know how you think about it. Like I said, I'm one of those people who like to take it one day at a time. Obviously, there's a lot of opportunity out here for all the receivers on this roster. I just want to take advantage of my opportunity when the ball comes my way and hopefully good things happen when the ball is in your hand. It comes back to you. So just continue to do those things. I'm going to ask about the makeup of the wide receiver room and the size aspect of it. Is it cool knowing you got a bunch of guys like yourself? Yeah man, it's cool knowing that we have just a big physical receiver room because when we go in to play other teams in this division who like to get up in your face and play press man, it's going to be a fight at the line of scrimmage and guys aren't going to want to come up and battle with you all game. It's going to be tough for them. So we look forward to that challenge and we look forward to embracing that big body physical type of play style. Being this big and this different, have you guys looked back at like other office heads or other teams maybe in the past or something to kind of see what they did and what you guys could be maybe talking from that or something along those lines? Um, you know, obviously, you know, the saying is history repeats itself. So you kind of got to look back at the receivers of past and kind of want to do the great things that they did. And you know, we really hope we can accomplish those things but you know, we got to put one foot in front of the other and try to be ourselves and make our own lane. You know what I'm saying? So, like I said, let's just take it one day at a time. You have any particular receivers that you try to emulate? Um, man, being a South Carolina kid I was always like a big fan of A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins and Alshon Jeffries. Like those people gave me hope that I could, you know, be an NFL receiver. So, you know, shout out to those guys for, you know, inspiring me as a child and yeah. I know you said keep it one day at a time but Drake was talking about how he feels like the chemistry with him and Desmond and Marcus is really going really well at this point. I mean, where do you feel like that's at? I feel like, you know, the chemistry is going really well. Desmond and Marcus are really easy to get along with. They communicate really well. They're kind of a little bit of perfectionist so I love that about them. And I feel like we're just all growing guys at group, you know what I'm saying? And Drake is a really special player and he's going to be really great. I was going to ask, what's your kind of observations that you've seen on him so far? Any stories maybe that you have with him so far? I just, no stories. He's kind of like a subtle stay out of the way type of guy and I respect that. But just on the field, man, he really pops out at you. He moves very well in and out of breaks for a bigger receiver. He's very shifty. He's not, he kind of reminds me of like a shittier version of Mike Evans down there in Tampa Bay. So much respect to that kid and I can't wait to see him grow and just blossom into the great player I know he's going to be. Another kid that everyone talks about on this team is obviously Kyle Pitts. What's it like working with him and seeing him do his thing? The unicorn, man. One of a kind, honestly. I was in Las Vegas with another great Titan and Darren Waller and you know, there are different types of play style but just similar in just the rarity of player in person. You know what I'm saying? So special. Because you've kind of come in on this team, been on another team obviously. I mean, what's kind of the vibe around this team and why is it maybe different than other ones you've been on? The atmosphere, man. The camaraderie here in the locker room, the guys, they really get along with each other. They're not afraid to kind of just chop it up, talk, have fun with each other and I really love that about them and this group. And then when we come out on the field, man, everybody's competing. You know, it's like college football again. You're kind of, you're talking trash. You know, it's hot. You're getting after it. So it's real greedy when it gets on the field but in the locker room it's the atmosphere. So I really love that about this place. It's kind of funny you mentioned it because we talked to C.P. the other day about how he wanted to come back here so bad in the off season because he felt like a kid again playing football, having fun. I mean, it's funny that you mentioned that. Right. Just kind of unprompted. It seems like everyone feels that. Exactly. Because that's the atmosphere that you get in this system and it's just, you know, it's easy to see it when you walk in the building and when you come through here, man. It's so much just love and respect between teammates, coaches and staff and I really just love that about this placement and I'm happy that I'm here. In your mind, is that like a Arthur Smith and a coaching staff kind of thing or what kind of creates that? I mean, obviously you got to, you know, say they had part in it because they selected the players who are in this building. So I feel like, you know, everybody played, everybody who contributes played a little hand in that. The players, the coaches, the staff, everyone. Kind of dreamed of and imagined of making, you know, an NFL training camp. Oh yeah, definitely. It was tough growing. Still going through it, figuring out the ways of just how to be a pro exactly and how to maneuver through all of it and I think we're doing that pretty well as a group. What's the biggest difference between college, you know, getting ready for the season versus training camp practices? It's football all day and you got to be a pro taking care of your body. The days are a little bit more growing, a little bit more longer with meetings and things like that. So yeah, so like I'm saying at the end of the day, just being the ultimate pro you could possibly be. How are you feeling from mini camp to training camp? I mean, do you feel like it's a little bit better having gone through that mini camp rep already? Oh, definitely, definitely. Things have slowed down not as much as I want them to be but at the same time they have slowed down and again, this is a work in progress and it's what like day two of camp, you know, so we're going in the right direction. I'll say that, yes. Rick, do you like the aspect of just being able to just focus on the professional so it's just football, football, football. Do you like that difference? It's a dream come true. I mean, just to play ball for my job is something special in my eyes and the heavy day to go out there and just think about football and play football is really, really fun. You and Desmond worked out a lot with each other in the off season. I mean, does that kind of translate onto this field during training camp? Definitely. And it's not even the training part. It's just, you know, hanging out with him, chilling with him, getting to know him as a brother, you know, that's going to be my teammate and I just want to get to know him on a personal basis and that's what we did back in Cali. How much of, you know, this time when you guys kind of hanging out together is that not just the on-field stuff, but as a team, kind of getting to know each other. Yeah, just like I'm saying that gel, that chemistry, if we can have that bond off the field, then on the field it's going to be that much stronger. What is it like, you know, after hours when you guys are done with your recovery and stuff? I mean, are people playing Xbox? Desmond said he doesn't really do that, but like, what's kind of, what's everyone kind of doing? Yeah, I don't really play video games either, but I hear a lot of banter going around about, you know, who wants to kind of this doing to get this madden fade, all this stuff. Yeah, there's definitely these guys hanging out, doing friendly competitions and things like that. So if you don't play video games, what do you do? You know, like I was saying, this is my second day here, or not second day here, but second day out, I got to keep on studying the playbook and make sure I'm on top of my stuff at all times. So I do that and plus the days are so long that by the time I hit the bed I'm out. How early are you waking up and going to bed? Early on, waking up and going to bed. Pretty much right when I get to the dorms and then whenever I got to be here for meetings yeah. You talked about working out with Desmond. Do you feel like you have a little bit more of a connection with Desmond versus Marcus Mariota? Did you work out with Marcus at all in the off season? No, I wouldn't say that at all. They're both so new to me. I haven't been playing with either of them ever. So definitely getting in the groove for both of them and we're steady going in the right direction on both of them. Do you feel any similarities? I know like coming in that they, my mind is not working. I know, I just took it wrong. I've been demoted. I know coming in some people compared Desmond and Marcus Mariota kind of like being similar. Do you kind of see that on the field or feel that in their throws or can you kind of describe like the differences are between them? Definitely two mobile quarterbacks who can run at any time they want to but at the same time they got great pocket presence and I think they're just guys you want leading your team at the end of the day and so that's what I see right now. How excited are you just to get that you know I know it's a few weeks but actually get to experience it. I think everything's the first for me right now so I'm excited for every little thing and I think that's what I took for granted in college is I didn't really look at those things that much and so now I'm just loving the grind and going after it every day. How are you just into the heat? We're getting there. We're getting there. You talked after the draft about joining CalPITS that that was something exciting for you. Now that you've kind of had a little bit more time with him, have you learned anything from him like? Yeah you know he's always in my ear here and there making sure I'm doing the right things and giving me tips that he didn't know when he was here so it's very very good and just like Ritter and Marcus and just all the guys I'm trying to build a connection with him and you know get right around brother. What kind of tips has he given you anything specific that? Just little things here and there whenever he could get to me you know so yeah. What do you think of some of the guys wearing them? Is it different watching them have to wear it or? No it's not different I'm just happy I don't got a bobble head that's it. Do you guys give them a little bit of you know we put them a little bit? No I mean I kind of feel for them because the helmet gets a little hot they were saying but I mean at the end of the day play of protection is a huge thing so I mean if we could have our guys safe on the field like that and have them ready for the games Shells on your not me no they just brought it back to SC actually so I've seen when I went back to practices and things like that You got a couple good cornerbacks to go up against in AJ and Casey does that help your development just as a player to go up against that kind of quality? Most definitely although the DB room is deep you know and to be able to go against go against those guys and really show my arsenal and try new things against them is going to help me in the long run and that goes for pretty much everybody you know again this is all new to me so just trying to get through it and showcase what I have Do you feel like you're a better player than you were just a few months ago from being through all this that you've been with in the thousands? Yeah being that it's been football strictly for a couple months now I've definitely feel like I've grown in that aspect and matured too for sure And there's no limitations with you at all I know you had the ankle coming in are you 100% like able to vocal or are you still kind of watching your reps a little bit? No I mean I told them that there should be no restrictions on me I feel good I feel great Cool In your personal experience how long does it take for a receiver to go back to truly gel chemistry without you guys talking to each other just knowing where each other is on the field how long has that taken? Depends on the type of player and type of person they are you could gel with somebody pretty quick or you cannot at the same time and I feel like we're on the opposite end of that and we're gelling the players we are too we could we can do I want to say that but we can adjust to things a little bit easier I think in our ways so yeah I think we're doing that pretty quickly here What's it been like watching what Fully Bay Franks is doing what Fully Bay Franks has been doing trying to get in the tight end position just as a position player what should I do for a back to tight end? Special just to be the athletic and come in and the league and then you can be deemed as a tight end and actually go out there and make plays I mean that right there just showcases his athleticism and his mindset and focus I mean not a lot of people can do that so props to him for sure so he's making plays sometimes we can't see everything you guys are doing so he's making some plays out there? yeah everybody's making plays yep