 Afternoon, Mike. Hi, Teresa. How are you doing? Doing great. Have you modified your off-season schedule of your OTAs at all, the mandatory minicamp at this point, or just proceeding as you always have? Well, I mean, we have a schedule that we try to stick to when we start any session, whether that be OTAs or rookie minicamp. And then sometimes based on a lot of factors, those change, and it doesn't look a whole lot different. Try to make the schedule as efficient and is player-friendly. That allows them to learn and to develop. I try to do that all the time. So I think maybe there would be some slight modifications from what things have looked like in the past, but I feel like we're getting a lot of work in as it is right now. Taran? It goes with Darrington Evans. He's the guy that has receiver in his background. I know you said you're pretty comfortable with your group of receivers. Is he a guy that you envision getting some time catching the ball, whether it's a slide or anything like that? Well, I don't know where he's going to line up. Taran right now, but I know that Darrington's been a versatile player. I know he's dealt with some injuries in his first year, but I would say that he's a player that we're excited about and has some versatility. He worked there today. Those are ideas that we try to have and just try to get him some cross-training work. A lot of those players that can handle more than one particular role will continue to add those roles to them. And I say Darrington would be one of those players. I bumped back in the order today. You're batting in a third hole. That's pretty good, Bok. With the second-year players that didn't quite have the normalcy of a regular off-season understanding that things aren't completely normal, what are you hoping to see from them in terms of growth and how they're taking advantage of these opportunities that they have? Yeah, I think traditionally everybody looks at that year between year one and year two as a big jump. We're very hopeful and excited about that even more so than normal, just because of what they maybe didn't get last year from a football perspective, but also from a player engagement perspective. I think we believe that our program led by Chickie, Giasi, Mitch, and Dr. Sheila will help these players grow on and off the field. Some of those players in their second year will also have some follow-up sessions from the Zoom meetings that they had last year. And then also just get them out on the field and allow them to continue to work and take the opportunity to develop. Mike, I know you're a union guy and I know you respect the voluntary element of this whole thing, but I'm curious how you square the constant themes that you preach about respecting the team and being a great teammate with the fact that so very many veterans have chosen to stay what? Well, first of all, there's not a coaches union and I was heavily involved with the players union. So I don't think it's necessarily fair to label me pro-union or against union, but I do value the players union having been a part of it in a lot of different roles as the executive committee or as a player rep. And to that, I just try to explain to these guys that they have to make the best decision for them and their own personal situation. Going through that as a player was a part of them, chose to not be a part of them at times and so I respect that and that's the biggest thing that I've tried to explain to our football team, whether it be about voluntary workouts or anything else that may come up is that we have to respect each other's personal decision to do what's best for us. And then like you mentioned, there is a team element to it that we have to focus on and there'll be time for that and I'm confident that that will certainly come together. You say all the time, do what's best for the team. So is there just a calendar line? Do what's best for you now? Do what's best for the team later? Well, I think that that's something that we certainly think is in value and that's very important, but we're also very respectful of their own personal decision and we're always going to try to do what's best for the team and we're going to ask the players and we did touch on that when we spoke at the beginning of the off season, was that there will be some times where we're going to have to make decisions that you feel like are best for you and then there's also going to be times we're going to ask you to do what's best for the team and certainly right now in the off season we're going to continue to coach and be a Zoom for those players that aren't here and those ones that are here, coach them in person and work with them on the field. Luke? Mike, Amani Hooker said that in the secondary everyone has to understand that they're not independent contractors but rather working together as one body. What does it take to get a unit like that or really the entire defense on the same page and thinking as one and about how they can play off of each other? Well, Luke, I think it starts with understanding your job first and then understanding how the defense works and what the other pieces are around you and there's usually help involved in some capacity and one of the things we focused on was trying to get as many players as we could to understand the entire concept of each and every play so that they would be able to understand what maybe the linebackers were doing and how they fit or they could help a corner or how they would work with the safety and again there's times where players may only be able to function knowing their job and the more comfortable they become doing that then they can begin to understand everybody else's job and how the whole thing comes together so it takes time, it takes understanding, it takes communication and I think first it starts with knowing what your specific role is in understanding that to the best of your ability and then being able to branch off from there. Is it necessary for really good defense to get to that point where you're understanding the whole as opposed to just your own role? Well, I would say that that's critical having players that understand offensive formations, offensive personnel groups, what they may be expecting based on prior exposure to tape, being able to communicate where tight ends are located, where offensive line splits and there's a lot that goes into it. Obviously playing well and coaching. Corey Curtis. And Mike, hope you're having a good summer. Corey, is this man your back? I don't know. Am I back in the circle of trust or am I exiled to the island? That was your decision. I didn't break up with you, Corey. You know what? All good friends have fights from time to time, Mike, so let's chalk it up as that. Okay, I'll take all the blame. Can you take me back, Corey? I will take you back in a heartbeat, all right? I'm even going to get a tie to match. It was good to see you guys all over there and try to get as hot as possible. I know Teresa loves the Nashville heat. With the addition of Brian Hill, what was it about him that was attractive? And is Derek's heavy volume the last two years make getting a vat at that spot a priority? Well, you know, Brian has come in, he kind of knows the system, right? It changes, but I think that his background has been in the system. We had, you know, Keith had had some familiarity with him. He coached Mid Atlanta. He was a bigger back. He has shown some ability to play on special teams. I think that was something that went into it. He plays hard. I think the thing I've noticed is his effort, Corey, and this is your first exposure. But when we've asked him to finish, he doesn't have to think about it. If he doesn't have the football in his hand, you know, he's sprinting and doing what we asked him to do to finish. He's been engaged in the meetings. And so, you know, just excited to get to work with him and see how he can, you know, progress. Now, as far as Derek's workload, I think we all understand that Derek's fully aware of what that may be and how he prepares to go through that and how we, you know, manage that or how we choose to use. Lenin? Hey Mike, talking about some of the rookies from last year, Christian and Darrington both had, you know, issues with injuries from time to time. Do you think maybe much of that had to do with, you know, the odd offseason last year? Or on the other hand, you know, do they have to look at maybe training or doing something differently this year to kind of avoid some of those nagging injuries? You know, I don't say a whole lot about injuries, John. So I'm certainly not going to try to give an opinion on how we avoid them. But there is a level of, as a professional athlete or any type of athlete, you have to just make sure that you're conscious of taking care of your body and doing things that could prevent them. Prehab and if you've had a history with something, making sure that when you're doing everything you can to avoid it. There are some things that are that just are unavoidable. And then we all talk about the injury being 100% in pro football. But it's how you respond from them and how you how you deal with them and handle it. Thanks. David Bulkler. Mike, on the subject of personal decisions, how impactful could it be to a team if a bunch of guys don't get vaccinated and what has sort of been your message to guys about that particular decision? I try to share all the information that I get from the National Football League. I try to do my part in educating them. I try to explain to them it's a personal decision. But it's also a decision that's going to to affect the family and the team. So we'll continue to try to educate players the best that we can on it and we'll work under whatever protocols that that we're getting. Are you monitoring who has and who hasn't been or do you not worry about that yet at this point? Well, for the most part we we coordinate the you know the administration of that. So it would be hard not to to monitor. Terry. Mike, given the circumstances last year with all the virtual meetings and no real live OTAs, are you a little less concerned maybe with the guys who are not here that they know what to do and they'll come in in shape and they'll be ready to roll when they do arrive? Terry, I'm focused on coaching these guys that are here on the field and making sure that our coaches and myself are getting the guys that aren't here the information you know if they want it. And that's my focus. I don't have other concerns other than making sure our players if they choose to travel this weekend do it safely and spend time with family and maybe take time to honor those men and women that gave their sacrifice for our country. That's my concern as it moves forward here in the next couple of days. Ben Arthur. Hey Mike, are there any players in particular any of the young or the new guys that have impressed you particularly you know just in these kind of first few days at OTAs? You know Ben, I think that they they've all shown progress. I see them to begin to communicate better with each other. We throw a lot at these guys so you know just try to single out one or two players. I don't think that that's fair because they've all done some things well. They've all made some mistakes and tried to make some corrections. We certainly appreciate the ones that don't make the same mistake twice. That recognize something that happens early in practice and they're able to come back and correct it. But enjoying working with this group I think that they've shown improvement here in the short time that we've had them. Handful of follow-ups. Jim Wyatt. And Mike, what's the process like for you as a coach? You got so many new players learning who may have a response to criticism, who responds to praise, and is that just kind of something you just kind of learn as you go? Yeah man, I think that that's something Jim that as you get to know your players and just doing the best job that you can to want to allow them to see if you know how they make mistakes. I think this is a big thing with coaching that I've learned in a short amount of time is that how do you allow players to make mistakes? You know we as coaches put so much time into you know an installation or a meeting and you know you want it to be perfect and you know that it's not. So sometimes you're out there and you're trying to tell them what to do before the play or you're trying to correct them before they even know that they did something wrong. Because you want them to do it right and you want the time that you put in to reflect that. And so I always try to remind myself and our coaches that see if see how we allow them to make mistakes like hey you know ask them what happened here and if they can tell you well then there's no need to coach them they know they made the mistake and why they made it. And if they don't know then that's a great teaching opportunity to say you know three was split or two was split we need to make a call here to to protect this guy or whatever it is and that's something I think we have to have to focus on and certainly as we become better teachers. And one more for me I know it's a long process building up to get ready for camp but what are the things you'll look for most during the early OTAs to kind of get you rolling. Well I mean as the head coach of this football team I focus on effort and finish making sure that we have two elements that allow us to do those things which is conditioning and a mindset we can help them with the conditioning the mindset we can try to look for those are the elements that we talk about as it relates to our effort and finish on the football field and practice in games and then I'm also stressing technique and fundamentals because I know that when talented football players play with technique and fundamentals and effort and finish you know a lot of good stuff can happen. Paul. Mike are there guys who've been participating in the meetings but not in the field work. Yes I think that you asked and you kind of broke up a little bit that you asked if there were players that were present at meetings but not participating in field work. Is that what you asked Paul? Correct. Okay yeah I would say that there's probably yes there's sorry I'm breaking up he said are there people who were here rehabbing inside who aren't. Sir on. Being out there as much how is he picking up this all the defense rather as far as you know the different checks and everything that's required of him especially the guy who may play nickel and those types of things how is he in the classroom is that you seem like carry over from how you said that he had that high football IQ. Yeah I think so you know I think that one thing we've been able to do is we've been able to do some rookie walkthroughs Toran seven on seven that have allowed Caleb and and some of those other players that haven't been able to to practice with us full time to go out there and see formations and see checks and it's good for young receivers to to break the huddle and always you know get new installation new formations new motions new routes so that's something that we've been doing we have a little bit extra time with the rookie so that's something that we've installed or implemented here um to allow guys to to get that extra teaching aid outside of just film or classroom or questions that allow them to go out there and and stand and walk through and get some of those things. Yeah my Bruce Aaron it said you guys were planning on having joint training camp practices together is is that something that's official and do you have any plans to do that with any other teams this offseason? Buck you don't believe Bruce when he says that? No I do I just haven't seen anything from you guys. We're the ones traveling so we wouldn't we wouldn't advertise it. No we're planning on working with them and that's a great opportunity for us you know to to have the opportunity to go down there and practice and with the defending Super Bowl champions and how talented they are great coaching staff and it'll be a good experience for us to to go down there and try to to compete against them. And any other teams? I guess the Falcons would be the only other road road team? No not right now I don't think there's any plans for that I know that we're just you know looking forward to to having the joint practices there in Tampa Bay. Thanks. Okay guys thank you very much.