 How are you feeling having had an offseason now to truly kind of recoup and recover from your foot? Yeah, I feel good. I've been training since I left and got out here and felt good. I've been in a good offseason. Feel good. What's kind of been the focus for you there as you kind of gear up for another season? Kind of continue to do what you've done? You had anything new? What's kind of been your plan? Really the same stuff. I've been working with PT Luke Miller, who worked on another guy who did my surgery and doing a lot of footwork and making sure that, you know, finding my toes, he always tells me that when I'm working out. Just all type of different stuff just so, you know, I'm balancing my foot. I feel good and, you know, running hills, doing restricted running and, you know, being on the field, catching the ball, just doing all those type of things to make sure I'm ready. What did you say the status of the foot is at this point? How long has this been since I played foot good? Foot is good. Ryan had, when he came back, he said that that loss to the band was that put him in a dark place to the point where he had to do therapy and things like that. I'm not saying you had to do that, but what did you do to kind of like work through such a disappointing loss, being the opportunity you guys had? Yeah, yeah, it definitely was tough. I'm actually seeing Ryan. I think like back in March, we both had a signing in Alabama, we was talking about it, and he was in a dark place, and I was like, I felt the same way, you know, just tough. And, you know, we all expected it to do more and play a lot better. And we just wasn't good enough. And, you know, they were the better team. But, you know, anytime like that, you know, loss always hurts when, you know, you feel like you got everything promised, everything in front of you, and you just, you just fall short. So it was tough, but definitely fuel me in the off season. I sound like a broken record because we, you know, keep doing the same thing. But all you can do is let it fuel you and get ready for the next. How many hours a day on average, you figure you're in the gym working out or left-handed? Yeah, a lot. I probably get up probably about 7.30 with my daughter. I'll let my girl go work out, and then I'll go work out probably like at 10.30. And then I come back, eat lunch, and I go back and work out at four. And then do it all over again each day. Maybe not today. Maybe I'll take it easy today, or is that ever happened? I give myself a Sunday off, take my, take my daughter, we go out to eat sometimes. But usually just money through Sunday and, you know, take days off if I have to go travel or do something business-wise. Who put you, maybe not feeling it or is it all just kind of internal? Yeah, I was looking at my daughter and, you know, knowing I got to go get it. And I got, I got a little one to feed and, you know, just staying motivated, staying hungry and, you know, just never being complacent. You understood that like I need to embrace this working out stuff away from actually being on the field to be the best I can be. I think there's always, always been me. And since a kid, if I'm sitting around the house, do push-ups, sit-ups, or, you know, go around with my cousin when he was in high school, just because I wanted to, to work out. I just love working out. I love being fit, love staying in shape. I love the game. So it's like I'm sitting around, I'm not doing better than somebody out working me. So that's always the mindset I always had. Did you see any football taken away with the injury last year? Did it change your mindset or your approach at all in coming back and wanting to do more? Yeah, anything, something like that, like traumatic happens, it definitely changes you. And, you know, you appreciate the game more. Of course, I miss my teammates having that team camaraderie and, you know, just being away, you know, with a bone. You gotta let it heal on its own. So, you know, it takes time and things like that. And, you know, you just, you know, want to make sure you're taking care of your body, doing everything possible. So, when the time comes again, you know, you're prepared and you're ready. Derek, there was an report that the Titans would be open to working on a new contract with you. Would you be excited about that? How would you feel about the idea of working on a new contract with the Titans? I mean, it's always good to get a promotion at your job. Anything so you get a promotion, that's always good. But, yeah, man, I'm just trying to work through that. I mean, I'm currently still in a contract. And if that's what the future holds, then, yeah, I mean, that's, that's, that'd be great. I was gonna question with everybody. I wore it down out of the ponytail. Everybody was going crazy. And, um, I don't know, I might switch it up this year. Never know. Stay tuned. No, not really. I just want to switch it up. I've had it in that little, whatever anybody calls it for a while now. So, just want to switch it up. So, your IG videos from whether it's fan or, or, you know, anyone? I mean, people just, I get so many questions. Like I said last year, kids just asked me about workouts, asking what can they do to do better. And I just try to put it out there so they can see what I'm doing to try to motivate them. And, um, they can learn something from it. What's your initial impression, I guess, of Hassan Haskins, and what's it like for you when a young guy comes in, you spend a lot of time with them, answering any questions they might have or how's that relationship going? Yeah, I was excited when we got them. Um, you know, Hassan's a beast. I actually got to catch his game against a higher state where he went off and, um, you know, see him in person. He's a big dude. Um, he's a solid dude. And just seeing them out there, I can tell them everything is coming natural to him. I just told him, don't try to get too overwhelmed. Just take it day by day. Derek, why did you decision to train on your own as opposed to doing the team stuff here during the voluntary portion? Well, in 2020, whenever, uh, COVID hit, you know, we had to train by ourselves and I really enjoyed that. Um, you know, I got to go work out when I wanted to, whether it was twice a day or three times a day or twice a day and go to the field. And then last year, I did the same thing. So I just felt like if it ain't broke, you know, don't fix it and continue to do those things. I'll communicate with the coaches and they knew what was going on and I talked to them every now and then. So everything was good. I know you wouldn't want to make an excuse at all for the playoff game, but obviously you have like four days out here on the field to come back in. Do you feel like a, your old self or like a different running back now coming back than you did in that short period of time? Oh yeah, definitely. Um, you know, I have time away. I've been training like crazy and doing everything I can to, you know, eat my body right. And, you know, just, I just been working, you know, and through that time, you know, I was off for like nine to 10 weeks and, you know, just coming back, you know, I felt good, but you know, I didn't, I didn't play well enough and there's no excuse. I got to be better and I should have been better, but yeah, I feel good now. When you look at what you were able to do the season before the injury and even leading up to the injury, like it's safe to kind of call you unstoppable. Have you kind of looked at, looked at that injury like as a challenge to show yourself that, you know, you could get back to, to where you were and prove the people who are doubting you look at that as a challenge? Yeah, I mean, I get motivated by anything. I mean, something to motivate me, you wouldn't even know it. So, you know, that definitely motivated me. I mean, you know, the dollars, whatever they want to be, I'm definitely motivated. I'm ready to go. So, we're going to see coming off the season last year. What have you been doing this offseason to maybe try to, you know, improve and expand your game for this year? I just, you know, been doing what I do just working as hard as I can. You know, I know the expectations are high for me like they always are. That's pretty much all I've been doing is just grinding this whole offseason. You know, I used my, my trip to the pro-ball as my vacation and then after that, I just been grinding because I know that this is just another big year for me to go out there, you know, and then just keep improving. So, yeah, I just been working on everything. What do you feel like Harold is next for you in your career? Just, you know, refining my game, you know, in all areas, you know, making more of an impact, you know, as a coverage player as well. And then just, you know, refining my tools, just rushing the past year, you know, being a, you know, keep growing as, you know, a gap and a half in the run game type of player, setting the edge and being able to play outside and inside. Oh, yeah, no, I think it'll be awesome. I'm excited, man. Like, I'm just like beyond excited to get out there getting some game action with, you know, all my boys on the front. We just got to keep improving though, you know what I'm saying? You need to get better. You're getting worse. And, you know, I feel like each day we're just, we just got to focus on coming out here getting better. And I think the sky's the limit for us. That was an awfully great season for you for. What's, what's next as a group? Just like I said, just keep improving. That's what's next. You know, you can always get better at anything. And I think that's what our focus is just coming out here, taking advantage of every single ref we get and improving. So, yeah. What can you guys do to get better as far as generating more turnovers as a defense? Yeah, I mean, that's always a big emphasis for us. Just, you know, working on, you know, at the top of the rush finishing farm, reaching whatever you got to do to get the ball out and just making it a point of influence at every practice. So it becomes a habit, you know what I'm saying? So when you get to the game, it's just second nature to go out to the ball. Harold, is the confidence of the whole defense different this year, given the fact you'll add some success, especially more as it went a year ago? Yeah. I mean, I feel like with every rep that we took last year, our confidence just grew and grew and grew. And then by the end of the season, it was just our confidence was through the roof and our confidence still is through the roof. But that's because, you know, we just prepare so hard. And, you know, with, with great preparation, you have that confidence. And that's just what our focus is right now is just preparing and just trying to get better. So when that season comes, you know, our confidence is sky-high as we can go out there and perform. Derek back and, you know, obviously he's been working out, but to have him back for these couple of days. Yeah, it's good to see Derek. Obviously, you know, we know Derek's been getting ready to go mentally and physically. So, you know, anytime he comes out here, it's good to have him back and have him working with us. Derek said that he actually talked to you, I guess, at a signing in Alabama or some event in Alabama. He said that you were in a dark place and you kind of said the same for him. Could you call anything of that conversation and kind of how you guys have talked through all that? Yeah, you know, I kind of hit on that. My first one that got overshadowed by some other stuff. But, uh, yeah, just had to work through it, you know, I think we, we all knew the potential we had and, and the way, the way it ended hurt. So had to work through some of that. And, it wasn't easy, you know, just, but had to be intentional about it and keep processing it, keep working through it and, you know, ultimately use it as fuel for this year. You know, we're kind of in a similar spot. So we're able to, to connect in that way and, and communicate and really help each other a little bit. Do you find a point where you kind of like put a cap on it? Okay. That's the past. Now it's time to move forward or do you? Yeah, no doubt. I've, I've, uh, like I said, it's a scar that I'll carry with me, but I'm looking forward to this year, you know, using it as fuel as I move forward. But something I'll always remember, like I said, it's always there, but at the same time I've dealt with it. It's in the past and now I'm using it as fuel to move forward. How do you feel like the off season went? I know a day left, but how do you like what you've done? Maybe what do you have to build on? Maybe head into training? Yeah, we've done a lot of great stuff. You know, I'm proud of our guys, the way we've come out, competed each and every day, made a lot of progress. You know, a lot of new faces around here. And to see those guys come out, learn the playbook, learn the way we do things. And um, we're learning each other as players, right? I'm learning how chig runs. I'm learning how Austin runs, um, you know, learning trailing a little bit. So just a bunch of new faces that Josh, you know, guys that, that haven't been around here much, um, but learning how they move, how they run routes and, and how they fit in our system. And our guys have worked extremely hard and are going out there and competing and making plays. I've seen a lot of progress from all position groups throughout this spring. So it gives me a lot of excitement moving forward as we, you know, take advantage of the last couple of days here and then carry that momentum into the training camp. We know you've modeled some of your own offices in the workhouse after Derek's. What do you think when you watch his stuff and see people react to it? Yeah. I mean, Derek's obviously built, built differently. You know, you're not a lot of guys walking around on planet Earth looking like, like Derek, you know? So, uh, obviously the things he can do are, are next level in a lot of different areas. So it's always fun to, to see, you know, what, what he's doing out there. And obviously the people love it. Trailing haven't been out here. I'm sure as much as he would have liked, I guess, over the course of the last couple of weeks, have you still been able to work with him, talk with him, do some things where when you're training camp starters, you can feel like you hit the ground running? Yeah, we've had a lot of conversations, you know, as we're watching the tape, you know, talking through the reps that other guys had and, um, and communicating it, just making sure, you know, he's hearing it, what I'm looking for. Um, kind of hearing what he's thinking. And, um, obviously the best thing is to have him out there on the field, you know, working with us, but, uh, that's not the case. So you got to make, make, uh, make do with what you got and make the best out of what you have. So we're communicating and then whenever time comes for him to, to be out there running with us, then we'll take advantage of those reps. How much do you usually gather up the guys during the dead period before training camp to throw a little bit and get a little refresher? Is that even more important this year because you've got so many new faces? Um, I mean, it's always an opportunity. You know, I think that, uh, you know, anytime you get a chance to get together and, and learn each other and spend some time together, get those reps in the bank, it helps. Um, I feel like this is spring, we've got a ton of great reps on against the defense, right? So it's not just routes on air, it's against the defense against the defender. And, um, that changes a lot of things, right? You know, I mean, obviously routes on air is the start of it, but being able to run those routes against the defense and seeing how guys come out with contact, how they are able to shake defenders on different types of routes, inbreakers, outbreakers, all that stuff. So, um, these reps are, are the most important in my opinion and, and just learning, learning guys. Uh, but obviously the routes on air help. How much from the start of that 10 minutes or 12 minutes to the end can you, I don't know what to say, master something, but what's the gain from the start to the end on that very specific thing? Yeah, I mean, we're just installing. So, you know, it's the first time we're running through those things. Um, gotta work out the kinks and, and guys are, are talking, communicating all the different looks and how we're coming out of it, where the ball should be. Um, yeah, so there's definitely a learning curve for everybody. And then as, as you go and the reps start to stack, guys should be watching the guys in front of them, learning from the rep in front and, um, you know, becoming more familiar with all the different looks, the more reps we get. What have you kind of seen from Chigakankwo kind of coming along here? Through a couple nice balls to him, a couple touchdowns in the seven on seven periods. So just how he's come along in your connection and chemistry with him on the field. Yeah, Chig's done a great job for us. Obviously, he's a fun guy to be around. He's out here, he's working hard, just like everybody else, but made some big strides this spring. I'm proud of him, proud of the way he's come in, learned what to do and will continue to push him on that. And, uh, just physically, you know, to see his size, his strength, his speed, he's, how he's able to play through contact. He definitely gives us another weapon. Last season, you had a revolving door receiver tight end throughout training camp, throughout the season, led to probably your worst season as a titan. Does that concern you with Traylin's injury and the change over a wide receiver that it hasn't been completely consistent as who you'll probably throw to in the games? I'm not concerned. Um, you have to go out there and make the plays, regardless of what's going on. So, um, I'm proud of the guys who have been out there and the progress we've made. Some guys were here last year, but we've had a lot of good reps and I think we've gotten better. Even the guys that were here last year. So, um, excited for the progress we've made and look forward to carrying it in the training camp. He said that he was really excited about getting the opportunity to work on the field and everything with you. How has he attacked that? Or how have you guys together attacked that process, getting that chemistry, that trust? Yeah, it's still, we're still learning each other. You know, it's been, uh, it's been a lot of fun for me getting to know him personally off the field and then getting to know him as a, as a player. So just reading his body language, see how he comes in and out of things. You know, how to, how to rep today that, that was a great learning rep for me and how he comes out. You know, I think how I read it with a lot of guys. Like, you know, my timing wasn't the same with him. So just those little, little things that you probably don't notice from the outside, but you know, every rep that I get and I can file that away and learn from it. And, um, he's got such, such a savvy, you know, feel for, for running routes, his routecraft and how he's able to use his size, use his strength and, and quickness at the top of routes to get open. So all that just takes a little bit of time. Got to see it a few times, whether it's on tape or in person. And, um, that way we're on the same page and I can anticipate where he's going to be at. When it comes to correct something, you'll already know what he, what he's talking about. Praised your self-awareness. How important is something like that to you? Um, I guess it's a good thing to be self-aware. You know, I try to, try to learn from every rep. You know, good or bad. Um, and a lot of times, you know, right after it, I can, you know, take a step back and evaluate it or try to at least try to evaluate it for what it is as opposed to what, what just happened, you know. So, um, I definitely think it helps that then when you go back and you watch the tape, you know, you're able to, to confirm it, you know, maybe, uh, cement it in. But we weren't able to kind of take a step back on the field. You can learn from it within the practice, right? Or on game day, within a game, you know, so you can make the correction there as opposed to having to, you know, you know, get to the coach or get back to the film room and watch it on tape. What do you do between the time you walk out here tomorrow or Thursday until training camp stars to try to gather guys to throw and maybe do stress to others show up ready to go in camp stars? Yeah, no doubt. It's an important time of year. You know, obviously this is important, but if you, uh, you know, sit on your butt for the next five weeks and, and come in to, to camp out of shape, then that's going to set us back. So, um, you know, it's going to be important for guys to, to take some time away, um, prepare yourself mentally for a, for a long grind of a season. But at the same time, you got to get ready to go. Make sure you come in, um, at your strongest, you know, your most conditioned, ready to run. It's going to be hot. It's going to be long practices, but we have to take advantage of the days we have. So if we can come in, um, with a full head of steam and, and, um, be in shape, be in condition and, and ready to go, it's definitely going to help us. How impressions have you got so far with Kyle Phillips, Ryan? Kyle is, uh, definitely a great rounder. He's got some quickness, uh, some agility, um, you know, getting to learn his, his, uh, craft, you know, as he, uh, as he learns our offense and, and kind of see where he fits in, but definitely he's flashed for me a few times and seen some good things. So, you know, just definitely keep the pressure on him as he, as he learns what we're doing. And, um, I think if he does that, he'll continue to make plays. How nice is it to have the veterans like Derek, Harold, Bud and some of those guys who backed this week to wrap this, uh, offseason program up? It's nice to have everybody. You know, it's nice to have our team. It's, you know, we've talked about this before. Any chance that you have to, to get players on the field, working together, communicating, being coached? I think that's a great opportunity. Great how they come back, uh, you know, obviously you take a look at them and see how physically they are, but do you look to see if these guys have been working to, or do you just trust that they're going to do that regardless? Well, I mean, I think that that's, you know, no, I don't like, look, there's no test. There's no measurement. I mean, I would imagine it seemed by all accounts that they had been working. I would imagine they had and I'm sure they have. And then when training camp comes, we'll have the same conditioning test that we've always had and, and we'll get to work. A cop who was available, he had a pretty good day today. How has he come along? It seems like he's elevating as far as like where he's, yeah, I mean, I think that, um, just from those rookies, I think you mentioned, Chig, it's just a, it's a consistency thing. As the information starts to pile up, right? And we go from first and second down to third down now into the red zone. Just continuing to explain to those guys how, how things change situationally. And, um, Chig really took advantage of some of his reps today. And, you know, when we work down there tomorrow, it'll be different. And, you know, I'm sure that they'll, you know, try to come back and, and compete and get him covered. But I think that that was, you know, some good, really good signs of making some plays that are on schedule and then also being available when, when plays went off schedule like they do so many times down in the red zone. With the playbook. And you read that, Mike, when you see from Bled Dupri out there, he was talking about how he feels great and all that stuff. Yeah, it's hard to really evaluate, um, any of those front seven guys. On defense and the lineman, but looks good. Looks good to be in good spirit. Saw him through, you know, obviously individual and then some of the, you know, the team stuff, but that's not even at a pace that, you know, and that's, that goes for Bud, that goes for Harold, that goes for any of them. When you work a period like he did down there, I don't know if it's red zone necessarily, but the, the two receiver period with the quarterback, how much do you expect those guys to have that specific thing down that you worked on for 10 or 12 minutes? Or how much is that just just a building block? Well, I mean, the meetings are scheduled as such that there's new installation. So what happens sometimes in practice is you go with an installation and then there's individual where you may be working on one particular route or an area that route versus man or zone. And then there's part of the route that there's a combination. It's no different on defense if you're working with two guys. And so, you know, we try to break that down from individual, you know, to a group period where guys can work, and then ultimately into the team setting where there's much more body. So my expectations are that, you know, if they, if they get, you're not going to master every look in that amount of time. That's why we'll do it throughout the course to the next couple of days. And then, you know, do different things like that during training camp. And then if the look presents itself during the team period, you know, we can use that to revert back to and try to fix some of the things. And it's just slowing things down and trying to get a, you know, teaching presentation. When you wrap up this week, Mike, another rookie stay a couple extra weeks, what did they do during that time before they head off themselves? Well, they'll finish the player engagement program, which is critical that we offer that Chicky Geassi offers and Mitch and Dr. Sheila. And all those things that we think are critical to success for young players off the field. But most importantly, they'll train, you know, they'll be in here and they'll train. And hopefully we can get some, some heat that these guys can train in and they can lift and run and get them caught up a little bit. Remember, there are a few weeks behind just from the draft and some of the other things. So just from an overall conditioning standpoint, we feel like that's, that's critical. Ryan's self-awareness. How much is self-awareness overall quality you need to see in guys that sometimes when you're making a correction, they say, yeah, I could see that I was doing that. Or I knew I was doing something. That's just trying to bridge a gap between the way that one person sees it as a coach and the way that another player sees it or a person sees it as a player. Try to see it through the same set of eyes. And, you know, one thing that's probably easier said than done in coaching is, is how you allow players to, to make mistakes. And we're going to make them. Hopefully we don't make too many of them and we don't make the same ones twice. But, you know, as a coach, you have to just be careful not to react. And, you know, it's, it's like I said, easier said than done. But, you know, you have to try to allow them to make mistakes and see if they can, if they can explain it to you why they made a mistake, then you really don't have to coach them and you can, you can move on. And if they're not sure what they saw or what happened, then that's an opportunity to coach. I think he's, you know, it was difficult for everybody. And I think Ryan, you know, Ryan certainly has come back with great energy, great excitement. I think great leadership. His communication with guys that have been here and the guys that are, that are new to our team has been really good. And, you know, I hope that that continues. Last year kind of thematically about a broader conceptual understanding defensively, one position understanding the rest of the defense better. How did you do at that? How are you at that now and what kind of tangible difference have you seen from that? I thought it was better. And I mean, obviously it was some of the stuff that we did last year was better. I think some of the stuff that we worked on in the off season, you know, as much as we worked on ball disruption, I think we were second and third in the league and PBU's, you know, by secondary and linebacker players. So it's good to see the stuff that we work on. And then, you know, a lot of stuff that we have to continue to work on. But I think that there was, you know, a step in the right direction. How do you feel about the collection of talent at the wide receiver position right now? I think they're working hard. I think that they compete the good size. I think the guys are taking advantage of their opportunity. You know, I think Nick probably looks better than he did at this point in time. You know, Robert's working his tail off to, you know, to get back is doing everything that we asked him to do. You know, Cody's showing up. We got some guys in the slot. So I think they're all kind of pushing each other. And as you can see, take advantage, you know, Josh took advantage of his opportunities today and to go in there and be evaluated and scored some touchdowns in seven on seven. Are you able to, because I know urgency was something with Fitzpatrick in the past, are you, with what you're seeing out here, like, are you able to measure whether or not he's playing with more of a sense of urgency? Yeah, I mean, yes, yeah. I mean, I think Dez has had a good offseason. I think he really has. And I think he understands what the expectations is going to be for here and in training camp and what's going to be required of all those guys to find a role and to help them and give them a chance to make this team. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, I think it's always good when those guys get together and they can share their pointers, things they see, things they might do different. It's a big part of the NFL. It's kind of learning from other guys, whether it's watching them on film or getting together in the offseason. So I'm sure he took something from it. So we'll see. Wait this year. Was that something that, you know, you guys collectively came? Was it something from him? Yeah, I think it's just comfort level where he kind of feels confident. To maximize his ability is something we always talk about from top of the roster to the bottom of the roster where we see guys. It's an ongoing discussion, just what they can maintain and ultimately to be able to maximize their ability. For the first time, I guess, what are some of the first things that you're looking at? Yeah, I mean, we're starting from ground zero with everybody and started a little bit sooner for the guys that have been here. But even those veteran guys who are coming back, like we're still trying to lay the foundation, right? It's still the spring and that will continue early in training camp is laying the foundation, creating our culture, building our identity, figuring out who we are. But again, you got to start from the bottom and work your way up with everybody. How can Zach benefit from an offseason, you know, first offseason with the team? Zach Cunningham, you know, starting with the mini-camp and looking ahead to camp with? Yeah, I think, I mean, anytime you come in mid-year, it's tough, especially when you get thrown in the fire and you got to go. So I think him just being here, being here throughout training camp, continuing to become familiar with the players and the coaches. That's a big part of it. I speak with relationships all the time. And I think that's a huge part of it, especially with his teammates, the guys, he's going to be out there with building that trust with them. And then ultimately, just the understanding of the scheme and kind of what we're asking those guys to do. How do you incorporate the new guys who are back for mini-camp into the program, I guess, today as you're getting a wrap up? Yeah, we're going, you know. So I mean, we're going to put the ball down, do what we do, and we're going. So it's not like we're starting over in terms of install, all that, everything else. Like they're going to have their plays or they're going to be mixed in there. But we're going. It's on them to be professionals and come in and kind of know where we're at, understand it. The good thing for us is they've been here a year. So there's some familiarity there for most of them. But I mean, it's not like we are slowing down the install, so to speak, for those guys. What do you see as the challenges for Caleb, I guess, both physically and maybe even, I guess, maybe even more importantly mentally too, since he's played so little the last couple of years? Yeah, it's just, it's experience, right? Like the more you play, the more you find out, the more things happen to you, good or bad. So I think just learning by doing, right? And it's been great to have him out here to do some things and go through some processes and understand the different variations of our scheme and things that come up that he's going to see. It'll be a whole different animal once we get to training camp and their speed to it, right? So I mean, it's just the experience of going out there consistently, seeing different things, executing different defenses, whatever it might be. And I mean, it's learning every single day for all of these guys. Shane, to say starting ground zero, I mean, is there a confidence level for the guys you're bringing back and for you that the defense did make real steps last year? I hope so, right? I hope so. I think those guys developed a really good chemistry up front. I think they all understand each other's skill sets and how they marry up with each other, how they benefit one another. So I hope there's some confidence. And then obviously we're starting from the ground, but hopefully there's some familiarity there where things can speed up a little bit quicker, progressing to 200 level, 300 level, whatever that might be. But absolutely, I hope they're all confident regardless of the success we had last year. I hope they all have that kind of edge to them when they go out there and take the field. How much of a luxury is the depth at corner right now? Yeah, it's great. It is. It is. I think, like I mentioned earlier, Paul, these guys, there's going to be a lot of competition from who's starting to who's making the back end of the roster, those spots. So it's a great benefit when that competition is there throughout the unit. And there's clearly competition, I think, from top to bottom with the majority of our position groups right now. So it's only going to make them better. It is. It's only going to make them better. It's only going to challenge them. It's only going to force them to become more consistent each and every day. And they're getting evaluated on everything from the meeting room to walk through to jog through to team to one-on-ones. Once we get to training camp, we evaluate everything to make those hard decisions, obviously, come training camp. Whether it's Elijah, Caleb, or Roger, or what have you like from the progress of them just collectively through the offices? Yeah, I think that they're just understanding there. I feel like they're a little bit more poised. It's not as sporadic, not as all over the place, just with some of their understanding, being a younger group, I feel like they've matured in that aspect in terms of really just grasping what we're asking them to do and then ultimately taking the scheme and breaking it down and being more detailed and technicians out there, which it's really what it turns into as a corner. You got to understand the scheme, but you better understand the technique and fundamentals in order to cover your guy or execute his own coverage or whatever that might be. So I just feel like there's a little bit more poise from that group right now. Last year, you guys talked about defenders knowing more than their role in the scheme, understanding conceptually, I think was the turning point. Where's this defense in that now? Yeah, I think we're getting there. I think some of the carryover from last year helps with that. But it's a big part of what we do. They got to know what the guy next to them is doing because it's going to help them do their job. So I think that's something that grows. The more and more we get out there, Paul, the more and more we do things as a unit. Harold is such a self-motivating player, given what he's done in his trajectory and obviously coming up with a big contract. What's your challenge to him this year? Yeah, is to do everything you did last year and do more. Right? Like last year wasn't a one-hit wonder. And he knows that. I know that and we got to make sure that doesn't happen. Right? So the expectations are going to be as high as ever for him, which they should be. And like you said, there's probably nobody with higher expectations of Harold than Harold. But at the same time, we got to make sure we're pushing them and giving them things, finding ways to create those successful plays and that production for them. What's next for him? What's the next level of expectation that you have with him being fully healthy? Yeah, yeah, it'll be good. Now he's kind of fighting through all of these stuff, everything else. Like it'll be good to get him out here healthy and get rolling. Right? Like we'll see where it goes as we get into this week and training camp. But I'm excited about Bud. I'm excited about the opportunity for him this season coming back. And I think he's in a good place mentally with how he's feeling right now. So hopefully we can progress and get going pretty quickly with him. As you're wrapping up this off-season program situation, how has so many new faces, tight ends and wide receivers, are you starting to get a feel on the feel for what some of these guys can do and how you might be able to use them? Yeah, it's been a fun process. And going through the different phases of the off-season, being able to do a little bit more and more with each face. It's been fun to watch those guys develop some chemistry and work together. And certainly enjoy getting to know the new guys and seeing where they might fit in their role. So it's been a good process. From your perspective, how are Ryan and Austin Hooper, how are they doing as far as getting that chemistry? We see them working on the side a bit. How is that process going from your perspective? Yeah, I think it's been great. They take advantage of the extra time that they have to be able to work in some one-on-one situations and making sure those guys understand where they're supposed to be and when they're supposed to be there. There's a big piece of the timing and efficiency of the pass game. So it's been good to see those guys working. I think they're doing a nice job. What kind of steps do you want to see? Desk, it's Patrick and Racy McMath taking your two. Yeah, I think consistency is the name of the game for any young player. And as you transition from a rookie into your second year, anticipating some things a little bit more, understanding the system a little bit cleaner, provides that opportunity to be more consistent. So just chasing consistency. How do you think Ryan has done the off-season here? I think it's been a great off-season. I think he's done a nice job stepping into that leadership role. And he's always been the leader of this offense, but certainly having a little bit louder voice and making sure that he's getting what he's looking for and some certain route concepts and things like that. I think he's done a nice job of helping those new guys that we talked about transition into their roles and understanding where they fit in the big picture. So Ryan's been doing a nice job. We're lucky to have him. With whatever limitations Woods has right now, are you able to get a clear picture of what you can do with him anyway, or will that still become clear as you get into the season, you think? Yeah, Robert's got such a great football mind. So being able to talk through some of those things has been really beneficial. And certainly he has some application and things he did in Los Angeles that carry over to here. So that's an ongoing process, but something that we've enjoyed. How does it look to you when he got here and ready to roll? It looks really out of shape. I don't know if he's going to be right. He looks great. Looks great taking my workout program. Why is it important to kind of have that identity regardless of who is in back there? Why do you guys harp on that so much? I think it helps you rely more on your identity and your process than who's out there playing for you. And we know that this is a game that you deal with a lot of adversity from an injury standpoint. Sometimes personnel decisions have to be made and you no longer have pieces available. If you can chase consistency in that identity, just like we ask our young players to chase consistency in their production, then you can deal with some of the ebbs and flows of injuries or personnel changes a little bit more smoothly. And I think, again, that's something Coach Friebel does an outstanding job of is each week he says, this is what it's going to take to win the football game. That's not predicated on who we have in the huddle. That's predicated on what we believe is winning football around here. Speaking up on that, Todd, you said last time we talked to you, maybe half jokingly, you learned not to become too reliant on a personnel being picked based on what happened last year. Were you going into the season thinking you'd be more 3Y than you had been previously and did that evolve based on what happened at wide receiver? You know, I think there were some things that we were in process of figuring out what our identity was going to be from a personnel standpoint. And certainly there were some pieces that we thought might be there a little bit more consistently and weren't. And that's the name of the game in the NFL. So I think it's something that's going to change quite a bit throughout the process of the year. And we have some new pieces here. I'm excited to see how they come along and how that chemistry builds and where this thing winds up. It's a long process with the league, but where have you seen him maybe make strides just in the last, you know, throughout the courses, offices, program and maybe what's next for him? Oh, he's made great strides, you know, just from his ability to run the huddle and the line of scrimmage. He's grown every single day. He's gotten more and more comfortable every day. You know, I really love where the chemistry of that room is and you know, it's been fun to watch him kind of grow each and every opportunity gets out here on the grass. You mentioned Ryan helping out some of the newer players get up to speed, but how is he balanced doing that and also getting himself ready and making the necessary jumps from last year? Yeah, I think they're hand in hand, you know, working some of the techniques and some of the ball placement and seeing different schemes. That pairs with some of the new faces and where he expects them versus certain coverages and things like that. So I think it's kind of all-encompassing and I think that it's something that's benefited Ryan just as much as it has the new guys. Him knowing what he needs to work on improve and then you kind of killing him, here's what we'd like to see more of you. How does that balance work? Yeah, where Ryan is in his career, he's a vet, you know, and so a lot of times when I go to give him a coaching point, he already knows that that's something that he needs to work on or he's self-correct. So I've said multiple times to these guys, one of the best traits of a veteran can have is self-awareness. And if I don't have to convince you that you need to fix something, then we can just work on fixing it as opposed to having a debate about whether it's a problem or not. And Ryan is a very self-critical player. He's somebody that is going to be looking for ways to improve his game before I even challenge him with it, which makes that process of enhancing his game that much more fun and more efficient. Has Chick done in learning the blocking aspect of the game and how important is that for him to, you know, kind of fully grasp? Yeah, Chick's done a nice job. We've asked him to do a lot and we've thrown a lot at him and I think that he's handled it well and I think he's hungry and eager to please. You know, there's obviously some new roles and some new assignments that we've given him and those are always going to come with a little bit of a learning curve, but I think he's doing a nice job with it. What have you seen in Kyle Phillips and how he's kind of picked up the offense to this point? Yeah, he has a really good feel for coverages and understanding where he fits in different zones. You know, Kyle's the guy that's a competitor and so he wants to get open by any means possible and so you see that route tenacity and kind of route craft to him, which has been fun to see. You know, like any young guy, there's a learning process there in terms of, you know, having the timing of getting open in certain schemes, but I think he's coming along well and I think he's got a high football IQ. Have you got any faster talk with your weaponry? I think that's always a kind of ebb and flow of different positions and, you know, when you asked me that last time I was standing up here, I told you in some positions, I think we definitely, you know, have improved our speed and, you know, I'm excited to see how different pieces can play faster as they understand their assignment a little bit clearer. What does Mason Kinsey have to do to get himself to a point where, you know, he could be a contributor, he could be a guy and get significant plans on? Yeah, I think it's just to continue to develop and chase that consistency that we talked about with Racy and Dez. You know, all those young receivers, just looking for them to understand their role and play as consistent and dependable as possible. Sons done a great job of just trying to be a sponge and take on everything that we've thrown his way. You know, he's done a nice job of handling some of the adversity and the growing pains of being a younger player and not making the same mistakes twice. And so that's something we ask of our young guys. We understand there are going to be mistakes. There will be an adjustment period to this, you know, this offense and this level of play. But let's make new mistakes each day. What have maybe been the points of emphasis for your group this offseason? Yeah, I think we're trying to obviously get better on fundamentals and technique. I think when you always look back and what you want to do during each and every offseason is just try to get back to the basics and work on fundamentals and technique and try to get better from there and then work into the team group setting and just work on getting better then too. But it's just basically getting better at the little things right now. What does Trenton Cannon maybe give you guys in the return game? Oh, I got a big smile on my face for that one right there. Obviously, we're excited about Trenton, not only in the return game, but any other phase that we have him on. He has been a really good gunner in the National Football League. He's done some really good things on punt return too. But I think, you know, when you look at Trenton, everyone gets to see some big returns out of him when he was at Carolina and some other places that he's been, San Francisco. Just a dynamic one-cut kickoff returner that's going to get north and south as quickly as possible. And obviously, he's got great speed too. What do you look for maybe instincts-wise when you bring these rookies in? And most of those guys have probably never played special teams in college or even high school. And you're trying to say that, hey, this is your ticket to make the team. Yeah, you know, we're obviously looking at a bunch of different traits for them in their college football. Tape, some might have never played it before. Hassan Haskins has played it, which has been great. Go and take a look at his film, see what he can do. And then we just go back and look at offense and defensive film and see what type of instincts they have. Can they see the ball? Can they run and tackle? Can they make cuts on kickoff return? Can they catch punts? But we really got to sit down and talk with those young guys early on. And Chase and I have made it a point to bring in each and every rookie and sit down and talk with them about that stuff and let them know that, hey, we obviously want you to start on offense or defense. If that can't happen, you need to make a role on special teams and this is how you do it. How did the deal wasn't for you guys to get Randy back for another year? Love Randy. You know, Randy had a consistent season for us last season. And I know he's going to strive to get better. You know, and our players really like Randy. You know, he's one of those guys that's going to run out there. And go and try to make all of his kicks. But our players enjoy him. I know Brett and Morgan have a really good relationship with him. So I was excited to get him back. Does he need to get better looking ahead to the next season? Yeah, we're always looking to get better at a range from 40 to 49 yards. You know, that's where we call our money zone. If we can be consistent making field goals in that zone, you know, we feel like he can have a pretty good season. You know, 50 plus, you know, we want to make those kicks, too. But really the money zone is from 40 to 49 yards. So we've really put a focus on that in the offseason form. Is that a hit in the midst? Is it enough hit for you? Yeah, I mean, each season is going to be different. You know, last year we thought we did well, but we need to raise expectations with that and still get better. You know, I know when we went back and looked at some of the things that we felt like we could focus on and really get better at, we felt like we got some players that are going to help us with that. How about Kyle Phillips? What were some of the things you liked about him just from a part return perspective? Yeah, Kyle brings a lot of good things for us. And the one thing that we liked watching him at UCLA is when he caught the ball, he would run and get vertical. There wasn't a lot of dancing around trying to make too many moves. He was just going to catch it and go up field, which as a returner, you always want to get. So he has that instinct of catching the ball and not making too many moves for him just to stand still. It's one cut and go. And then he showed some speed on the outside and getting to the field a little bit there in the Pac-12. But we're going to continue to work with him on just being consistent, catching the football and then running up field. And what can you say about Reggie Robertson? Robert Robertson? Yeah, Reggie's been a good surprise for us. You know, not knowing much of what he could do on special teams, but he's come in here and worked really hard at his craft. And we're excited about him. We're going to put him on as a returner on some things and then just play him as a gunner on punt team. So, you know, he's going to continue to work hard to find a role for this team. And we're excited about him. Guys, you see being in the mix, maybe a punt returner and kick returner? Yeah, I think punt returner wise, it'll be a good mix. You know, Mason Kinsey back there, obviously Kyle Phillips. We're going to work on some other guys that are going to be back there. Amani Hooker could also show his face a little bit, especially when we need a guy just to go back there and catch the ball. So those three will be battling out. And who knows, there might be another guy that'll come into the mix. Kick off return, Trenton Cannon, Reggie, Kyle Phillips is back there right now. Even Racing McMath will also get a look at there. But we want guys that obviously are going to catch the ball, run up field. And then the most important thing is hand the ball to our offense. Greg, what does a veteran like AJ Moore do for your group? He's obviously brought some leadership. And you know, question about bringing in veteran players is a great one because that guy that'll come in who's seen everything beforehand, who's willing to work with rookies and talk to him about their experience that he's had at Houston. It's always been good. And AJ, if you've ever seen him around, he's always got a smile on his face. And he just has fun out there in practice and in the meetings. Greg, it looked like Caleb got hurt towards the end of the last time we were out here. Is he back to practice today? You know, you won't see him out here today, but I'm sure he's looking back to get on the field at any point in time. We're excited to have Caleb. He had a great college career, even though it was pretty short there at Iowa. But, you know, he's going to get healthy at some point in time. Who knows when, but we're excited to get him back. Which chase may we bring to the room and is he focused on anything in particular? Yeah, Chase just brings some leadership as far as him being able to play and talk to him about, you know, this guy's won two Super Bowls. He's played in the league for 10 years. He'll go over there and grab some of the players and talk to him about, hey, this is what I did when I played. So that's always good to have a guy that'll come in there and kind of talk to him about the little tricks and trades that he had when he was a player. And then just obviously his knowledge of being a coordinator for four years at Carolina is going to help out our team.