 How day three, how's camp been going for you guys on the offensive side of the ball and so far? I'll say it's been going well, coming out here competing every day. It's a new team, a new face, a new opportunity to come out and show the world that with this new team we can still compete. From Marcus down to the O-line, everybody's on par and we just come out with a new attitude. Coach Regone said everybody's doing their assignments, the balls, out on time. Guys are running their routes, they know where it's supposed to be. Is that a carryover from a good offseason program? I would say yes sir, from OTA's. We came in from the spring ball, introduced everything and everybody was always excited. Like I said, the competition, so it's just getting everybody to push each other. So that's something that I feel like is helping us now. This early in camp, where are you all at? As long as it goes, stuff's got to come together, but how is it working out so far? I would say day three, we're doing pretty well, but like I said, it's a lot of camp to go. We have to stay consistent and go in the right direction. Marcus and Desmond, you've seen some things changing some of the offense when you have your base foundation, but where they can extend plays with the pocket, you've seen a lot of changes. Like I said, they're doing their quarterbacks, I should say. They're moving the pocket so that that kind of extends things, like you said, and just to be able to do different things and be able to get open different ways is something pretty cool. What do you think the biggest change, now they're actually in his politics in training camp, where do you think the biggest changes can be used as well? The game has slowed down just a tad. Just a little bit, a little more slower than it was last year, because I'm a little more confident knowing the game, seeing different defenses, being able to try and break it down, but also that it's still a steady grind to try and move faster, so that's something I've been working on. It looks to be a route running as well. Is that something that you're placing emphasis on or is that just moving differently? That's just going to move the change, so to be able to run good routes and get the first down, that's something that I feel like I need to do. When did you realize that? I mean every player says that, but for you, when did you realize that actually? I would say once I kind of got most of the playbook down, so that when we come out here and I already know what I have, I can start looking at what they're doing and what the defender is going to do, so that's a step in moving toward the game somewhere down. How different is this year coming into camp as you talk about your comfort level? Can you notice a big difference of where you were to where you were a year ago right at this time? Definitely. Like I said, the game is slowing down a little bit. So to be able to try and dissect the defense now, that's something that will help me win an offense. What are the goals for yourself again? You have one touchdown last year. Do you set a number for yourself going into camp in the season that you're going to see? Double digits or more in that, or what do you have for goal wise? Definitely, that's something that every practice I'm thinking about, every morning in the meetings, you can't have that again. So that's just like a steady thing in the back of my mind. I tell myself every day when I come out here, you have a bigger goal to achieve. That's confidential. I thought you were thinking about how hard it is, but can you explain for us the story going into this matter? Is it just a quarterback, and what do you think of him? I mean, Felipe is an athlete, so I didn't think it was going to be hard. I wouldn't say it's hard for him because he's already making plays out there. So he's a great guy, he's already from the quarterback room, so he's smarter. He's smarter than most tight ends are, so I think he's going to flourish. You're thinking about goals in the game. What are you thinking about? What walk-ins you've got, thought process? Just certain things of, you know, when I wake up, like, you have this to, you know, you want to reach. So always, you know, have that in the back of your mind. You know, when your legs might be tired, you have this to, you want to achieve. Just things like that. Is it written? Is it a memo? Is it on a phone? Is it on a mirror? I can't give you all the secrets. But I definitely, I have it somewhere, I have it somewhere, and I look over pretty often. So it's like written down or typed out. What's that feel like? Um, yeah. But I wear something like that similar in high school. It's kind of like a, but it was thicker. So that one was heavier. This one was just a pass. So I mean, we got to do, we got to do. So it is what it is. Into a season, you know, y'all been asked a lot when the expectations are low and everybody says, block it out, block it out or use it. How do you do that? Maybe on the outside, everybody's saying this team, you know, is racing for the number one pick and sort of thinking of playoffs or Super Bowl. Um, I would say we know we have, you know, in our, in between the buildings, we know what, you know, we're trying to achieve. And we know that we go out there and perform. It's not about what the other experts have to say. It's about what we do and go out there and show them. So that's pretty much it. Is there, is there something you can get out of a year? You know, even, even last year, we've had a losing record. Is there stuff that you can, you know, turn a success even if the record doesn't show it? Is there trying to be little victories in this too, even if the record doesn't show it? I mean, we're not thinking about last year. We're staying in the present and living around Fedar. So right now I would say this team's worried about, you know, just walk through that we have later and then we'll worry about, you know, each day what's going on. We're not thinking about the past or the future. We're thinking about the present. How about giving you more of the playbook this year? I would say, you know, I would say more of a leadership role. Not necessarily the playbook. Playbook is the playbook. I mean, it's my job to learn the whole thing, so. How much more of it do you feel like you know than last year? Just, I would say, I want to say more or less just a better understanding. Better understanding? Yes, sir. What is that leadership role? You said they give you more of a leadership role. Does they tell you that verbally or do you just feel that as a building if they expect that? I would say kind of 50-50, just being able to speak, be one of the speakers on offense and, you know, want to be leaders of the team and just being able to set the right example. Speaking of cards, is that a comfort role for you from the team? Is that something you've done in the past or do you have to kind of bring that out? Kind of. It's just something that, you know, comes with adulting and maturing that comes with it so to be able to just do it and just take your guard down and just speak and just be yourself. You know, don't do anything more or do anything less. Are you an encourager or are you kind of a hard ass like Matt? Where do you come out of the game? I'm more of an encourager. Just, you can do it, you know, things, just encouraging words, things like that, just bringing everybody up. Where do you feel, I mean, where do you feel that adulting has come beyond maybe just leadership? Just taking care of my body, taking, you know, the playbook, taking extra time at the end of the night to go through my plays so when I come out here I don't have as many, you know, mental mistakes. In the weight room getting stronger, just, you know, my nutrition, everything, everything kind of plays a part. A year ago when we were talking about kind of the second year of Florida when you created the color coded system Did you do that again? I definitely have my schedule in my locker and, you know, I try and stay with a regimen so that that can make me feel, you know, feel at my peak. Did you do that last year too or is that something that you added this year because you kind of understood it? I would say last year kind of was up and down and, you know, this year I'm kind of on schedule and I would say I'm sticking to it. Did you compromise? I didn't talk to him about it. Definitely he made it clear the first day of OTA's and everybody just understood it so it was a good thing for everybody, you know, to be on the same ship and work towards the same goal. What did he make clear? What did he tell you guys? Ethos is an important word he uses, you know, it's about your ethics. Every day your ethics is what, you know, what will get you to where you need to be. Does he get to go home this off season affiliate or where did you do this off season? I went home for a little bit, you know, got to go around and see some different parts of the world. Did the coach talk to you about specifically about blocking out what people on the outside are saying? Is that something too he's addressed to you? We're not worried about that. You know, he's kind of joked to us in here, looking at predictions in the past that have gone awry. Does he talk to you all specifically about that? Let's don't think about what anybody or don't listen to what others are saying. I would say he does and also just being in this profession, you have to block out the noise because they're not the ones that's out there playing with you. They don't know what the play is. And, you know, just to be able to worry about the main thing, that's the most important thing. What are your battles like with Richie? I kind of watched y'all a little bit today. Richie is a great competitor. We compete every day. Richie is one of my guys. So it's all love at the end of the day. Once we do step out of the pads, we'll laugh and joke about it. But when we want to feel it, we're battling the hardest. This is maybe an unusual thing. There's a play out there. There's the last two periods that you were in. Did you get your hands on that ball or did that get tipped before it got tipped? We just couldn't tell from the vantage point we're at. It was on me. I dropped the ball. Yeah. You said you went up a bunch of places. Where's the most interesting place you went? Turks and Caicos. No, I haven't. The water was beautiful. Yeah, the water was probably pretty good too. First of all, how's camp going? It's going well. It's been good. So, third day. But it's good to get back out here with the guys, getting after it. It's kind of doing the ramp up here, as Coach says. But yeah, it's been good. Have you kind of been easing into it at all? Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, just getting back into playing real football. And obviously it's been a long time for me since I did that. But yeah, easing back into it. But it's been really good actually. It's been really good. I might have missed, but I don't think we've talked to you really since last year. I mean, the last image we had of you was on that card. Right. I mean, take me back to that. Like what goes through your mind? It was a lot. It was a lot at a time for sure. I mean, I knew it was something bad, just off the way it felt. You can always tell. No, it was a lot. I mean, at that time, you kind of just think about, you know, how can you come back from it really kind of just think about a lot, a lot of emotions. A lot of thoughts go through your head. But I mean, after I was able to get back in the building and start rehab, especially post-surgery, it's really when you kind of lock in and you kind of get into a groove of things. And then things kind of get rolling from there. I think what a lot of like fans and media folks were saying was man, this, you know, it sucks when it gets hurt, but it seemed like the way you were playing and kind of found that role and took a hold of that. I mean, did that cross your mind? Like, man, I kind of, I found my spot. Yeah. No, for sure. I mean, just being in the system with the guys that we have, with Coach P's and everything, it felt like it was a really good spot for me playing good football. And so it was just kind of unfortunate. But, you know, things happen. It is what it is. It's kind of like how the game of football goes and I'm ready just to bounce back. What was that comeback like? I mean, were there any high points, low points? Was there something like, all right, first time I can go out and sprint or cut? That was like, oh, finally. Yeah, no, definitely ups and downs. But yeah, you're right. The biggest thing was kind of the first time being able to jog and then being able to sprint and then doing the lateral movement jumps. So it was kind of like new highs and new big points every single time. But it's been really good. It's good to be back out there playing football now. That's the biggest thing and just getting comfortable doing that. Are you worried at all that the injury and coming back from it will set you back or do you feel like you can, you know, pick up where you left off? Well, the goal is definitely to pick up where I left off or be even better than I was. I mean, that's kind of what I was striving for. Obviously, I missed those games. But other than that, just being able to come back this year in the same spot that I could be at. Last question for me is just what's your sense of this defensive backs group? I mean, you're one of the elder statesmen now. This group a lot in New Face. What's your sense of the group? It's a really good group. A lot of depth, a lot of leadership. I think that was kind of the biggest thing that we've been missing over the past few years. So I feel like it's going to be a really good group for sure. Alright, so simple but important question. So we get it right later. Do we refer to you now officially as Felipe Franks Titan or Titan slash quarterback? Help us get it right. I mean, I think whoever wants to create the perception, whatever. I don't know. I wish I had an answer for you. I mean, really it's just whatever they asked me to do. You know, because I'm on special teams a little bit as well. A little bit of quarterback still. But, you know, mainly Titan. So little bit of everything. So whatever you want to call it. When did you first know kind of the plan? I mean, did you have an inkling that this was the direction they were going to go last year? Just coming into this year. You know, just have various conversations and really just practicing a couple of it. Just really a little bit of everything throughout the off season. So I had a little bit of an idea just coming into this spring and into camp and stuff. So yeah, so I could practice it a little bit more before coming in. Besides, you know, playing special teams and doing some different stuff last year. When's the last time in any time in your football career that you were something other than a full-time quarterback? That's a good question. I don't remember, I don't think ever. Really? Yeah, I don't think ever. So we're talking Pee Wee quarterback all the way through basically like midway last year? Yeah, yeah, I was always a quarterback. Pee Wee, middle school, high school, college, until I got here. So you never caught a touchdown before? I'm trying to think if I did in college. No, I didn't. No, I never caught one. So, I mean, is that something, a goal maybe? That you'd like to get one this season? For sure. Yeah, for sure. That'd be cool. I mean, but obviously, I mean, I know that it's just, it's far, it's far fish. There's a lot of work to get done. You know, it's just really just getting the basics down. It's something I've been focusing on, like really the whole camp. But you know, I got great guys to learn from. I got Kyle, you know, Ferk, Hesse, and just guys who've done it before. So I have a great group of guys to just learn from and coach Peele and other coaches just helping me out. So it's been really fun just learning. Well, we talked to Kyle and we've talked to, I talked to Drake London and even coach about what you're doing from quarterback to tight end. They say it's very impressive. That's one of the words. And they talk about how athletic you are. First of all, where does that athleticism come from? Are you training all the time? Like, what are you doing? And also, what does it mean to hear that from the guys that they're impressed with what you're doing? No, that's awesome. I mean, obviously, from your teammates to hear that. That's cool. But I would say, I mean, just, I train with my brother, really. You know, he's always just been, you know, the person in my ear really pushing me to just be the best, you know, all-around athlete I could be. Whether I was playing quarterback, not playing quarterback, it didn't matter. Just really just pushing myself in every asset of my life. Not just football either. So that's somebody I lean on. But I guess my athletic genes, maybe my pop, maybe my mom. I don't know. So I guess it comes natural. I don't know. And what did you learn from Kyle Pitts so far? I mean, a lot. Just really just, I mean, from the basics, it's like getting into a stance to route running, to really just how to carry yourself, bringing the energy to the huddle, just knowing your personnel, knowing the plays. Just letting me from something so basic to the ground up, really just trying to learn everything from them. I mean, and those other guys as well, because, you know, because some of those guys have been in there blocking a lot. Learned blocking from them and Kyle as well. So it's been fun. Like I said, just learning from everybody. What did you learn from your brother? Like when you guys were working together, it's something that played this position with him. Yeah. Yeah, my brother's played it. I mean, he was a played it in college and now in the league, going into his fifth year. So, I mean, everything. We were like this off season, just studying, really just like run game was something I had trouble with. Just being like honest. So that was something that it's, it's different like when you think about it as a quarterback to when you like, you get out there as a tight end and like, actually go do it. So that was something that like he helped me out a lot with in all season was just like really understanding the run game and kind of how to go about it, like and not just like running to people and like having actual steps when you run and hand placement and stuff. So a lot of stuff. How do you do that? How do you do that? Yeah, yeah. That's a good question. I mean, two ways. I think one, obviously on the field, was something that he taught me and then just, I mean, he has a nice place in Cincinnati that we just sat and watched film. I like watching him. He's a really good blocker, really good player. I just watched him and like how he goes about his work and how he really just does his business on the field. He's a good person to watch and learn from. Did he, I mean, when you tell him, hey, I'm actually going to move to tight end or whatever this is that you're doing. Yeah. Like what's his reaction because he's been around you for a while. Yeah, it's funny. But it's, it's, it's cool though. He's like, obviously, like me and his mindset has never changed. We're like super similar and it's not, it's not about me. It's not, I know that. I know like, you know, it's, it's bigger than me and it's about really just number one, being a team player, not being selfish enough to sit there and think about myself. But at the same time, go try to help the team win. Go do what I can do to make the team and those type of deals. So it's funny. Like his reaction was funny. Yeah. It was just funny because it's like, it's something I've never done before. Like that's what the funny kind of like, oh, you're going to tight end. Like it's just like, oh, like it's just funny. So, but we joke about it because it's, it's not like, like I said, it's not about me or what I think or what anybody else thinks. It's about, you know, the people inside the building and what coach Smith thinks and those guys and really just learning and respecting and being the best teammate I can be. Do you think you can add some value even just into that tight end room because it's a quarterback. You'll know some of the routes and things like that that they might be looking for. So can you also help those guys as well? Yeah. I think that's like, that's something that's been like super, like on my side, I would say going to the tight end in his room is like, I know concepts. I know like how coach wants them run and I'm not saying that I do it perfect every time but at the same time, like I have an idea, a general idea of like what I want to do when I go out there and how to win and like, you know, know what the quarterback's looking at on certain covers and stuff. So that for the, in that sense, it's helped me out a lot. How's it been wearing the Guardian cap? A lot of the guys have mixed reviews on their bobbleheads we've heard. What do you think of it? I think it's okay. I mean, my girlfriend makes fun of me from wearing it. I see things that look funny. So I actually, everybody has mixed feelings. I don't care. I just go out there and run. One other thing on the, on the switch, was it hard to accept it all, switch it over to Tayden? Cause there have been cases in the past where quarterbacks are asked to play or asked to try different positions that it didn't go as well. I mean, was it hard to accept that at all? What you had been doing, they saw it different. Yeah, no. I see what you're saying. No, no, it wasn't hard to accept it. It's like I said, I've always like, no matter how much, like I'll work at quarterback and do that and do that, I've always like been a team, team guy, team player. And especially like when you, like the quicker you can like realize it's not about you. Like the easier it is to just say, like, let me go out here and do what they're asking me to do and do it to the best of my ability. And so, um, no, I don't think it was, it wasn't like a hard transition mentally. And then like once I got into that, like tight end room, it was just like about how can I learn and how can I learn from like some of the best guys that do it to just be the best I can be. So that's kind of what my mindset was. Can you give it up on me? Talk to any of the guys who have done it in the past. I mean like Logan Thomas is a great example. Right, right, right. There's guys that really last 30 years. Could you talk to any of those guys? No, I haven't. If I'm being honest, no, I haven't talked to any of them. Really just my brother and some of those guys is really the people I like to lean on. And Coach is obviously to learn, I guess. You're giving up on being a quarterback? What was that? Have you given up on being a quarterback? Is that still it? No, I don't give up on anything. No, I'm just going to say do you look at the quarterback when you're laying up at the table? Yeah, yeah. A little bit longingly like that. No, and I still, and I still, I still, I still practice it. Um, I still practice tight end quarterback. I still practice it. It's not, you know, it's in my head. I just, I try to be the best at all positions, everything that I'm going to have to do. And you know, if I'm going to have to do quarterback up 5%, and I'm 95% tight end, like that's okay. I'm going to still work hard in that 5% of playing quarterback and still work on my craft there as well. But I don't know if you, if you still have a dream in your mind that I could be an NFL quarterback. Is that still, does that still, don't fade away or do you still have that dream? Uh, no. I don't know if it's like a, I'm trying to see how I word it. Yeah. Uh, no, it's not like something I forgot about. Like I said, it's just something that I work on my craft and it's not something I'd ever give up on or just like I said, it's just, it's about the team. It's not necessarily about me and what I think. It's about like whatever they ask me to do that 5% work hard at it, 95% work hard at it, whatever I'm going to have to do, I'm working hard at it in my craft and trying to get better at it. I want to go back to what you're talking about with the off season. How different was this off season in terms of training, in terms of getting your body a certain way that was different than maybe years in the past? Yeah. I think that, like really just, you know, putting more weight on. Um, if we're just like being obvious, like, you know, putting more weight on if I'm playing tight end with something that I try to focus on and then, you know, building a little bit more strength, route craft, but really just having the humility to just like learn from people. Like I've never had to go run a route. So it's like, you know, having the humility to like step back and you don't know it. So just like learn and watch people watch film of like route running instead of like watching a, I still watch the defense but watch it like, how do I like get open on this type of leverage, that type of leverage and I've never had really to watch that before and like route crafting but it's something I focused on a little bit. It's all season as well. Trying to get my rods better and winning man, you know, those type of situations. So that's something I've worked on. How much bigger are you? Like weight wise. Weight wise. Yeah. I'm like 237. So some of that. Forgive me if I'm asking you to repeat yourself but when you signed here originally, we've had conversations with the team. Did they say, you know, this is the future we might see for you. You know, because we like your athleticism. Did it come up? Like the first time? Yeah. I don't think so. I don't know. I can't even remember to be honest with you. No, like I signed as a quarterback but once again, you know, when, like obviously when, you know, the coaches made the ultimate decisions and whatever I got asked to do, like, I'm not sure exactly what point it was like throughout the point I was here. At some point during the year or maybe last, last spring, I don't know. I can't like pick up top of my head but at some point I think that craft. So, like I said, it's not necessarily the other table. What's the work, like 5% here, whatever there, but whatever I'm asked to do it and really matter, I just work at it. Who comes to you with that, with that question, with that conversation? Is it Arthur? Is it, you know? Yeah, no, I mean, shoot, Arthur's a head man. So, I mean, yeah, that's, that's who I listen to. That's who, and that's nothing. What's the subject? No, I don't. But I mean, I don't know. I don't want to sit here up here and assume. I don't know. I just, like I said, whoever comes to me and says something, I'm like, yes, sir, I got it. That's just kind of how it goes. You're not discouraged, but I know we got a high profile case that we got. I'm trying to move from quarterback to tight end last year in Jacksonville that didn't work out with you. You know, does that frighten you at all that it's how difficult it is? That's a great question. Absolutely not. That doesn't frighten me. Yeah, I'll just leave it at that. Yeah, I'll just leave it at that. I'm going to leave it at that. Has anybody called you, Tepo? On the team jumping around with you. No. You weren't 15 years. I was going to say you even got the number. I mean, are you worried now that we're going to put that out there? No, no, I'm good. I mean, there's a far, the part of it. Yeah, and the 15. I can see it. Some guys going out there competing. I think we're doing a good job all around on offense, defense, and specialty and we're competing. But it's been hot, so. Welcome to Atlanta. Right, right. Saw the competition today. What's it like going against a guy, Drake London, learning the game, but a big body guy matching up with him? I think he's been doing really good the last three days. You can tell he's a sponge. He likes to learn, ask questions and take things in and take information in. I've seen some stuff from yesterday and he came out here and did it, did exactly some of the things that we talked about. So he's been a sponge. He's been taking things in, but you can tell he got some stuff about him, big 50-50 guy and a big body. So get out there and press him. He's not a get off and he's not adjust to the ball down the field. You and AJ being a really dynamic combination, how do you guys play off of each other? Do you prefer a side? Does Dean P's defense kind of put you guys on the side or are you following best players around? No, well, I don't think we got that deep into it yet. But he's a really, he's a really good special player. My memory of those times where I was like that so I know how the matchup goes and things like that. So he's one of the younger bright stars in his league and I'm not sure how we're going to do it but I'm pretty sure it'll be, you know, game by game situation. Is there a time just from you competition wise that you'll say I want him, like maybe there's a receiver you see that you match up against? Did you say that's a guy that I really could use my skills for? I'm pretty sure it'll be like that during the season or something like that and vice versa. He'll probably match up better with certain people and I'll probably match up better with certain people. But right now we just playing outsides and doing it, you know, just working on the things we need to work on. I'll be even better than what I have been. Speaking of competition, I think it was on Instagram you posted a video of racing against them guys. Yeah. What's the story with that and who, because it looks like you won. I mean, who do you beat? I won that one. We had two we had two races. We had a competition down in Austin. My agent does his thing every year, bring all his clients down there and got some really good players and some really fast players and everybody wanted to see who was the fastest, man. I kind of jumped in last second. You know, I'm an old guy compared to everybody else. Everybody was probably like 26 and younger. So I jumped out there. I won the first race. So, it was against some good people. I should have jumped out the way. Are you being like nice by not naming these guys or I don't know, this is very magnanimous of you, but who were these 26-year-olds that you were blazing by? He has a 23, 22-year-old. I ain't going to call them younger. They want to one-on-one the next race. That's why I ain't going to really, you know what I mean? Okay. Michael wanted the next race. Okay. Michael who? Parsons. Okay. That's my guy though. Michael. Michael. But he's fast. He's fast. Yeah. He beat everybody in the second race. I think you might have tagged him in that one. No, I tagged him. I'm not going to call everybody out. No, I best. Fair enough. The other thing I just want to ask about, seeing you a couple of times besides showing them things are guys coming to you? What's happening? Yeah, guys come and vice versa. I go to guys and ask some, you know, things to critique as well. So I'm not just a person that want to be the teacher. I want to be the student as well. You know, it's still some things I'm learning, some things I can get better at. So overall, I don't know everything. So I still ask the AJ. I still ask some of the guys, you know, what do they see and vice versa? They'll ask me or I'll tell them some things that I've seen.