Official Jets Podcast is presented by win Bet Betting is a team sport bet together at win Bett. Eric Allen here at One Jets Drive, joined by veteran tackle Dwayne Brown. Dwayne, thanks so much for coming up to the studio. Can you believe that you're about to approach your seventeenth NFL season now?
Isn't it sixteenth? Yeah? Okay, I can't, man, I can't. I've talked about it a lot. Obviously, this team is a very young team, so a lot of a lot of players can't feath them being in the league sixteen years. And you know when I was drafted in you know, my first few years in the league, I would have never envisioned myself being able to play as long as been such a blessing.
What was your one like for you? Because you actually met with the Jets last August? I remember the practice. It was green and white practice at MetLife Stadium. How did it all come together as far as why this was the landing.
Place for you when I came here. You know, obviously it's a very talented roster. Coach Saal and I having some history. Uh, he was an assistant in Houston my first six years there, and we've always just kind of had a mutual respect for each other throughout our careers. And then obviously immediately after the visit, you know, Makai went down and so there was a i think an
immediate need there. So you know, just kind of how it panned out, and you know, it was a you know, it was a it was a it was an interesting year for me, you know, obviously getting injured before the first game, you know, and and then having that adversity that I played through, but it was a it was
a great journey. You know. It was my probably the youngest team that I've been on, a lot of talent, a lot of a lot of hunger, you know, and we had some uh, you know, a lot of promise you know, throughout the and then you know, we didn't end quite like we wanted to, but it was it was just a good time seeing the the youth on his team and how everyone just kind of grew throughout the season, and just the camaraderie we had, you know.
So it's a lowed to build on and obviously very encouraging going into this year.
How frustrating was it for you because that first game that you played I think the preseason was against the Giants to performed well, and a couple of days later, we're hearing about Dwayne Brown he's got a shoulder injury.
Yeah. It was frustrated, man, And I've never been injured, you know, that early into a preseason, and I had set so many goals for myself and expectations for myself, and I wasn't quite sure how I was gonna it was gonna go after that, you know, And I'm just blessed I was able to take those first four games off and and and find a place physically where I
felt like I could perform. And obviously, you know, I wasn't wasn't nearly near one hundred percent, you know, but I found a way to get out there and try to produce, you know, for the team. And you know, so it was frustrating at first, but the fact that I was able to go out there and contribute it made me glad.
What went into the decision because when they take a look at the rotator cuff, are the doctors saying immediately saying, hey, listen, you have basically two options. You're gonna play with immense pain, or you can get this done and you're gonna come back one hundred percent, but you're gonna miss the entire season.
Yeah. Yeah, those are the options they told me. You know, you get it, you get it fixed now, four month recovery and then you know you'll be able to make a full recovery and focus on next season, or take some time see how you can adjust with it, see how your strength holds up, and try to play through it. I've never missed a full season, you know, my career, and I didn't want that to be my introduction here,
you know what I mean. So if I had a chance to play, you know, I took those first four weeks to see how I could have us see if I could you know, adjust my game and you know, try to to to fix some things, to see if I could still kind of be myself. I felt good with it, and I wasn't sure if I was able to play more than three or four games before I had to go under the knife anyway, But again, I'm blessed my body was able to get through uh every game but one at the end, you know, And and uh.
Yeah, but you said you felt good with it. What does feel good with it? I just mean because I got to imagine most people at home, if I if I had that injury, There's no way I'm playing through.
Yeah, I mean most of us that played this sport a little, a little screwed up anyway, you know what I mean, most people would not play through that injury. You know, I practiced. I did some some practice reps where I just wanted to see if I could. If I felt like I was a liability, then I wouldn't be out there. If I felt like I could get my job done and and do what I needed to do, then I would go out there and do it. You know.
So some practice reps away from the team, some practice reps with the team, and I felt like I was okay, and you know it. You know again, I wasn't nearly one hundred percent, you know. So I produced not quite at the level I'm accustomed to, but I was able to not be a liability, and that was that was my thought process.
Technique wise, hands, arms are so important as far as playing the position you do. Tackle wise, what did you have to do? What did you have to change up in order to still play at a level where you're producer?
Just making sure I moved my feet for one to be in position to able to not have to over extend that arm. Other than that, just keeping as much strength around it as possible. You know, when you get that injury, if you the longer you don't work it as much, you know, those muscles just kind of die down, and that's when the injury really kind of, uh, you know, sets in. You know, so I just try to keep it as strong as possible around and luckily, I'm a
pretty strong guy. So you know, it was evident that it was injured, but the strength still remain and so that, you know, that was basically it.
What did it mean to you? At the end of the year, the Jets created a new award, your head coach created a new award, Robert Salah Selfless Warrior, and you were the recipient.
It meant a lot. You know. I was very humble bout that that gesture because it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy to make that decision, It wasn't easy to go out there a week to week with that, and I you know, I think they really appreciated that, and so I was, like I said, I was very humble about that and appreciative.
What keeps you going right now? Because a lot of guys, after having a career that you've had to this point, might say, hey, listen, I put it online every Sunday for a number of years. Now you're approaching your sixteen. What keeps you going?
I still have the ability to play at a high level, and I want to win. I want to win. I've accomplished everything that you can accomplish, uh, individually, and we've had some some some team success, but I want to win it all, you know. So I want to do everything I can to be the best version of myself at this point in my career and be a healthier version of myself this year, to go out and and and help my team win. And I think we have the roster to go out and win it all.
Can you talk about some of your memorable runs so far in the National Football League? What stands out to you?
I mean, individually, you know, I think, you know again, I got drafted in O. Eight and it's a long time ago. Started out my first couple of years kind of raw at the position, and then you know, from there, you know, I've been able to be you know, uh, one of the better tackles in the league for a while. Started out in Houston, and uh we have. We we won our division quite a few times, made it to the playoffs, just couldn't get past New England during their
incredible run they had. You know, that was unfortunate that I just you know, I had to be a part of that. Then went to Seattle, you know, and we had a really good team there, made it to the playoffs. We never made it past the second round. So I've made it to the playoffs a number of times, you know, but I've never been and you know, I haven't been to a conference championship game, never been to the super Bowl.
And again, I think coming in here last year and seeing what we had to build on a lot of young players that played at a high level that I think will take another step this year. Obviously, you had a guy like Aaron Rodgers to the roster that immediately puts you in contention. I mean, he's someone that he's one of the best of all time, and you know, to be a part of this team now is it's a great shot, you know what I mean. So I'm very more motivated than ever.
What changes in the playoffs that second season, and do you talk to the young guys about that, Hey, listen, in order to do that, you got to take care of today. But this is what you could do.
I think it's just a week to week thing, you know. I think last year, you know, we had some games where we were very dominant, and then we had some games where we just kind of left some some players out there. And it's just a laser like focus, you know what I mean, every week, every play, practicing with intention, all of those things, you know, And I think, you know, it's just that's just that's just kind of the gist of it. Again, we have the roster to get it done,
but you know it's not gonna be easy. We have a very tough division, we have a very tough you know schedule. You know, the league is tough. So it's just I think, I think just practicing and approaching every day with the intention of a getting one percent better and and uh and I think it all add up.
That's something that Aaron Rodgers has discussed recently. Intentionality, having that every day, every practice. When you guys speak in terms of veterans speak, what does that mean?
Uh, finding something you want to work on, you know, every day. I think, no matter how many years you've been in this league. Uh, no one has it completely mastered.
So if you have one thing as a as aligneman, as a receiver, as a dB, that one thing that you feel like is a weakness of yours that you want to work on, you know, get better at that thing today until it becomes second nature when it comes to you know, an offense, we have a new offense, learning the offense like it's you know, the back of your hand, you know, and so you don't have to go up and think about a million things and it
just becomes second nature. Obviously, this team is a very competitive roster, so you're going to have really good work that you can get from day to day. Whether it's the old line going against the D line, our receiver group going against our dbs, it's going to be a lot of competitive practices. So it's that's a that's a blessing to have, you know, where you know you can have that kind of matchup that can make you better.
You know, So meetings, you know, sitting meetings, you know, you're not just trying to get through it, You're trying to actually go in there learn, you know, be interactive, you know, and me things like that.
Jets Vans. We're in our final push and the clock is ticking. Win Bet is giving you a golden opportunity to win VIP prizes for the twenty twenty three season. The win Bet Green Room is the most exclusive space at the stadium with all inclusive food and beverage, lower level seats, and appearances by Jets, legends and celebrities. New Jersey customers, all you need to do is wager at least one hundred dollars on win BET's sports book or casino.
For New York customers, all you need to do is wager at least one hundred dollars on win BET's sports book. The best part you get an entry for every one hundred dollars you wager.
What kind of questions does offensive line have to answer this year?
We have we have to dominate, you know what I mean. Obviously last year we dealt with a lot of injuries, you know, and we took uh. I think you know, there was some criticism about our production. We have a very very good group, you know what I mean, And I think uh coach Carter is also a really good coach. Is coming in with the mindset of of dominating with the mindset of uh being the reason that you know, we succeed. You know, so the work is being put
in early. You know, I can tell you that, you know from just these OTAs, you know, it's a god's working really hard, you know. So we just got to individually, you know, be the best version of ourselves and as a collective, I think we'll be really good.
We were talking before about the guy back then being from Richmond as well. We've seen from him on social media how he's transformed his body as a guy who's sitting in there in the meetings with him and out there on the field during OTAs throughout this off season process. What have you seen from Makai here?
He's working hard and obviously you know, I've been in the building throughout the off season seeing the transformation, you know, and he's working hard. Man. You know, he's a really big, talented individual, and so he has the right mentality to have the best season of his career, you know. So it's great to see. You know, I'm looking forward to it.
Does he watch you from afar? Will he get in your ear? Because you've had so many experiences in the National Football League as far as not just schematically, but guys you're going against and how pass rushers are coming at you.
Yeah, we communicate. We communicate during the season. Last year, you know, he was on our so you know, he wasn't around the building as much. But this off season we definitely commune k more and I'm sure you know, our relationship will grow more throughout this season. But you know, he asked questions, you know, and I'm learning from him as well, you know, so again I got nothing but respect and and appreciation for the work that he's put in and looking for big things from him.
What do you think about the tackle group as a whole when you're talking about yourself and back then and Max Mitchell and pressed early on in his rookie year last year he had Billy Turner into the mix, a guy is very familiar with the scheme. And then and then he added to the equation today, was that last part you added to the equation?
Yeah? Yeah, very very good group, very good mixture of veteran guys and some young guys, a lot of ability. I think this God's a limit you know as all as well. You know, everyone's healthy, you know, I think we'll really be able to you know, see what we have.
Does it feel like yesterday when you were coming in or do you feel like the years As far as when you watch a guy like Carter Warren walk in the door from Pittsburgh and he's bright eyed and he's just it's just getting that playbook for the first time.
Yeah, it's it can be a whirlwind, man. It's you know, you come in and you know, you go from your college scheme and and everything just a bit faster. You know. The meetings are a lot more intense. You get a lot of questions thrown at you, you know, and then you go to the practice field and everything is just a lot of pre snap terminology, you know, and things like that, and you have to really think quick. So
it can be a whirlwind. So this time of year is really crucial for the young guys where they can just kind of hone in on things, you know, before training camps. Once training camp starts, it speeds up even more. So I'm trying to help him as much as possible for any questions he has.
Schematically what changes Now, this is a similar offense, but it's different. In Nathaniel Hackett, the offense is play caller of course, and then you have a new coach, like you mentioned before in Keith.
Carter, some similarities, but a lot of adjustments as well, you know, without I don't want to talk about it too much, but uh, you know, just a lot of a lot of free snap adjustments can be made, you know, a lot of audibles and things like that that I think we're really throw defenses off. So a lot of movements things like that. So but it's there's some similarities as well.
Everybody's raved about Hackett is a teacher. Do you like the way he approaches you?
Guys? Absolutely? Absolutely. He's a great teacher, a great football mind then a great personality as well.
And he keeps things fresh in the room, that's what says, right, keeps it light. Can he give any examples?
Uh, you know, he just just likes the joke, you know what I mean. And that's always good, you know, I think you know, obviously, you do this stuff day to day. Having someone that's not just trying to teach but also can crack jokes and don't take themselves with things too serious at times can help.
You know, anything can happen in the National Football League. But what was your reaction throughout the off season, as the chatter about Rogers continued, and then we got to a point in March where he's on Pat McAfee and he says, hey, my intention is not only playing in the NFL, but it's to play with the Jets.
I mean, you know, when when when the rumors first started, you know, obviously you know you hope for it. You know, that's a first ballot Hall of Famer, you know, and someone that is still playing at an extremely high level, somebody I've had a lot of respect for, I mean
all the respect for my whole career. So you don't know how much truth there is to it, you know, and then the things just start heating up, and then when it's finally verbalized, you just all right, let's go, you know what I mean again, I I've always been you know, motivated to to come back and have you know,
a great season. But again, you know I said, you added, you plug him to this roster, and now it's like, you know, you have you have a shot of things, you know, so you know, I can't say enough about it, you know, and outside of just his plan ability, just his presence, it does so much. You know, he's a really good dude. He also someone that keeps things like, yeah, you know, a really good locker room guy. So great to have him.
Is this surreal for you even though you've been in the league for so long that now he's lining up with you guys. And what's it been like on the practice field?
Yeah, it's been surreal. It's been surreal, and you know, just conversations, It's not something I would have been able to fathom, you know, a few years ago or even last year, you know what i mean. Obviously I'm not out there practicing yet, but just the conversations we've had has been it's been great, you know what I mean. And I'm just you know, picking his brain about some stuff, you know, and I'm learning the offense as well and kind of how he sees things. And it's been really good combos.
Seenior extension of the coaching staff, like you're talking about the meetings hundred percent. Yeah.
Yeah, he got a great, great handle and control of everything.
And how huge has it been for everybody that he not only is said, hey, I want to be a Jet and will be part of this thing, but he has actually been here throughout the off season.
It's big, it's big, you know, and I think you know, having having everyone here and and when you have a new offense, obviously you want everyone to to learn it. But like you know, we'll we'll be in our meetings and he'll pop in there for five to ten minutes and just start talking about some stuff and then it's like okay, you kind of get a feel for where how he's seeing things, and and then you translate that
to the field. It'll just make things that much easier on Sundays, you know, when things are hectic you can barely hear. You just kind of get that, you just kind of get you kind of geled like that and and get that that chemistry you know, so it's it's really good time you It's.
That an extremely personal relationship. You got to have a with a guy like that. He's your signal caller, but you're his blind side protector. That's the only position you've known since he walked into the National Football League, but now potentially blindside protector for Aaron Rodgers.
Oh yeah, yes, you got to have that relationship. You got to have a bond there, you know what I mean. It's like, you know, it's like family, you know what I mean. He has all to have to have. He has to have all the trust in the world in you when he drops back that he can sit comfortably and not worry about getting hit, you know what I mean. And uh, so it's yeah, it's a it's a very deep bond you gotta have.
From a player's perspective, what does this guy bring to the table physically, because you're speaking about intangibles and also obviously that leadership that he has that he exudes, and also the presence, but physically what does he bring?
I mean, I've played against him a number of times in my career, and uh it's never been easy, you know what I mean. Again, you never feel like I mean you see the throws he makes, you see, you never feel like you're out of a game with him there. He can make every throw at every angle. He can just improvise, you know what I mean. You know it's it's it's surreal, you know what I mean. Ability he has. You know, some people will argue he's the most talented
quarterback ever, you know what I mean. And so I said, I've played against some a number of times and it's like sometimes like watching a John Metton game where you just can't believe the dots that he can throw, you know, with perfect coverage. So yeah, that's about my breakdown.
How fun was it last year? Obviously you get hurt, but he come back in week four and you guys explode out of the gate. You take the NFL by surprise. I think that game in Denver where you guys end up winning sixteen to nine. Elijah Verita or Bresee Hall go down unfortunately. But you move to five and two and then I think the high water moment for this team in twenty twenty two was beating the Buffalo Bills at home and you had the chance to make the
postseason starting at seven and four. Did you anticipate it all coming together that quickly? Was there a point early in the season where you're like, well, I thought we compete, but I didn't know we'd be here at this point.
I mean, as a as a competitor, you always feel like that. You go into every game feeling like you got a chance to win, you know. I mean, you could do your scouting reports, you look at your film, and you feel like you know where you have good matchups and things like that. But we also know how talented this division is and Buffalo is. You know, obviously
they're one of the top contenders in the league. But as the game goes on, you know, you get the first series and you feel like, all right, like this, we can control this thing, you know what I mean. To string those together a week to week it's not easy. And uh, you know, when you have a young team, you know, it's again it's hard to have that laser like focus. You know, we were able to do that. It wasn't surprising because again, I know, the kind of
talent is roster highs, it's good. Coaching staff work extremely hard, so you always feel like you have the chance to do it. But yeah, we had a heck of a run, you know what I mean. Just got to find a way to finish, you know what I mean the last few weeks of the season when we had a chance to win one or two games and be set. You know, we just got to find a way to finish. And I think we'll do that this year.
How much do you appreciate what av T did last year?
He's a ball man and I couldn't speak any higher of them last year. You know, it's not easy to make those moves that he made. You know, to move from He's a he's an all pro right guard, you know, in my opinion, and you make that move to he went the right tackle first, not even the left tackle, but to move from right guard to left tackle, it is like it's like shooting basketball, you know, with right handed and being asked to shoot left handed. It's not easy.
And he went out there and produced at a high level, you know what I mean. But he's a he's a heck of a player. He's somebody that you know, is very quiet, just goes about his business, works hard, and he's a he's a special player, you know. And I'm glad to have him in our room.
Do you think he's got an old school mentality?
Again, he's quiet, he doesn't talk much, but he you know, people know not not to mess with him too much. On Sundays, he's gonna, you know, dominate h He's going to finish blocks, you know what I mean. He's downfield running and fifty yards. He has fun with it, you know. Really good dude to have.
But why was he able to excel at both tackling guard?
Because he's a freak athlete. Man. For one, I can consider myself to be a really good athlete, and you know, I'm pretty good straight ahead speed. And I got here and we were doing workouts and I was trying to show off my speed and I took off on and then he's just like five yards ahead of me, and I'm like, all right, okay, yeah, you know what I mean. So he's a he's a really good athlete, exceptional and so you know, when you have that kind of athleticism,
it's it's easier to make the transition. But you know that's you know, and he just he had the whatever mentality, like Okay, I don't think it was an easy decision at first for him to make that move, especially when you get so good at one spot. But once he said all right, you know, I'll do it. You know, he just went out there and handle it.
You guys had a center in the second round and Joe Tipman from Wisconsin. What do you think about the mullet?
Uh? You know, if you rock that, you gotta you gotta be a baller.
Uh.
So far he's doing pretty good, you know, so looking forward to seeing what he got And.
Not a bad place to come, right if you're if you're obviously you're gonna be competing with a number of guys, including Connor McGovern of course, but to have a future Hall of Famer, a four time NFL MVP there to help you, it's got to be a great land the spot.
One hundred percent. You're going to learn the game at a much quicker level than than most centers will. And we're able to communicate, you know, what you're seeing, what he's seeing. Uh, he's coming to a great spot.
Take us back to Houston, Robert Salad being an assistant when he broke into the league. What was he like then? What's the differences and what are the similarities?
Now? Obviously he wasn't you know, he's quieter, you know what I mean, And you know, I think, you know, like he was learning a lot, you know, at the time. But again I always had a lot of respect for him.
Uh.
When I left there and went to Seattle, he was a d C in San Francisco, and so after every game I would see him, you know, we just talk a little bit. Uh. And so when I saw him get this job, I was so happy for him because I knew how much, you know, he had rose to the ranks and had to work to get there. So when I had the chance to come here. We were just you know, reminiscing about those about those twelve, thirteen, fourteen years ago. And so you know, he's a leader
of men, you know. I think he's really coming to his own as far as you know, how to teach his philosophy, and guys had bought into it. Everyone plays extremely hard for him, and that's all you can ask for.
Why is he so effective with players?
I think he's transparent. You know, he tells you exactly how he feels. He keeps his door open for any feedback if you know, any guys have something they want to talk to him about. He works you hard, but he also knows you know when when to give you know, give guys some time off, you know what I mean. He has fun with it. He makes the comp petition of it all fun. Uh, and then on game days he's uh, he's excited, you know what I mean. He
shows a lot of emotion on game day. And so it's a good guy to play for.
Man, do you see similarities and the influence from Pete Carroll? Because you're talking about the competition and having fun with it, And when I think of Pete, I think about having fun with it, and also the competition periods that he's been known for for forever.
Yeah, the emphasis on practice and the competition of practice is definitely there. Yeah, keep it. We do thing like kind of keep score of kind of the defense versus the offense, things like that, you know, to keep guys honest and and and make you want to go out there and make more plays. That that definitely is something similar. All right.
So it takes me inside the meeting room, inside the auditorium in the regular season. As far as some memorable shooting competitions, because you guys got the basketball hoop in there, sometimes they call a coordinator up or players or whatnot. What were some of the more memorable duels in there?
Uh, you're talking here. Yes, I don't know if anything was that memorable. I know I'm not good at it at all.
Did you get called up there last year?
I didn't last well, I hadn't. They didn't. They didn't want me to.
I didn't know if you're gonna go left handed.
They didn't want me to do anything with my shoulders. Yeah, No, So I can't remember any memorable ones. But it's always fun when it happens, you know, it breaks up the day to day, you know.
What I mean, Karl Wilson probably drained them.
Gary, I mean, I honestly can't remember. I can't remember who we went against. I can't remember. Honestly.
Have you ever been part of a group going back to what you saw from last year's rookie class.
I haven't, I haven't. It was impressive, man. Obviously you get to the offensive rookie year and the defensive rookie year on the same team. Breese, you know, before he was injured, he was one of the top backs in the league. Jermaine Michael Clemens, like everyone produced. You know, you rarely have to ask for Kis to come in and be the guy at that position, you know. And then they did it, and they they took it around with it, you know what I mean. It was really
impressive to see. And all of them have a very humble demeanor about him, you know what I mean. And it was really really great to witness.
Can you speak to the philosophy that Tsala has as far as on the defensive side of the ball, He's dressing ten defensive lineman. He likes to come at you in waves. What kind of pressure that actually puts on the opposition tackles when they're facing fresh guys who are coming in out of the game and then it's the fourth quarter. How difficult is that for you as a tackle when you're facing the defense like that.
It's tough. It's tough some teams. You know, if you have a really guy at the defensive imposition and they want him out there for seventy percent of the snaps, there could be some plays that he takes off because you know he has to be out there, you know what I mean. And so if you have a ten play drive, by the seventh eighth play, you know he's gonna you know, he's gonna not look quite like he
did in the first couple of plays. If you have a guy that knows he's going to be out there for three plays, he's given the max effort possible, you know what I mean. And then once he comes out, the next guy that comes in, there's not much of a drop off, if any on the talent. And then he knows he's gonna get two plays, so he's going as hard as he can, you know, and then he's out, and then there's the other guy's coming back in. It's like and so it puts a lot of pressure on you.
And again I said, it's not only that there's so many of them, but they're so they're really good. All of them are good, you know, and so definitely gonna be a lot of pressure on offensive lineman when you have a rotation of guys that can play at high level.
Do you go back flashbacks to Seattle or what you were facing with those San Francisco lines over the years when you're watching these guys come together.
Now and yeah, And I actually talked to him about it whenever we would play against those guys. I would talk to Solid about it after the game. You got a good group over there, you know what I mean? I tell him, you got a good group over there. So, yeah, the philosophy has definitely rolled, you know, rolled over here. And you know he has a specific type of defensive end or defense the tackle that he likes and you can see the similarities.
What do you think about playing in New York? And how about your interactions with the fan base because this is a hungry group now, Yeah, and you're speaking to how bad you want a championship. I know you've heard from a lot of fans who are I ca win those same sentiments.
You know, it was amazing the opportunity to come here and play initially, you know, it was it was great to think about. You know, I never played on the East Coast, and I know how hungry the New York Jets fan base is to win. It's been so long since, you know, we've won the division, been so long since we've been to the playoffs, and so everyone's excited, you know what I mean. When I signed here, like so
many people will hit me up on social media. People around town, you know, just told me how excited they were. And you can see it. You know when we when we had those that stretch, you know, you can see met Life was rocking, you know what I mean. So the potential was there. You know, it's just on us
to get it done, you know what I mean. And we know, we know the excitement is there even more this year, and we know, you know, if we went here, we already know what to expect, like even just seeing like the Knicks, you know, you watch the Knicks, you know what I mean, in the run they had like I'm like, all right, we're gonna get met Life rocking this year. I'm looking forward to it.
How excited are you for this season in particular compared to everyone previous, because it does have a different feel, right that you guys were building something last year and now Rogers walks into the door and it's kind of like all coming together.
I'm I'm the most excited man. Uh, you know, just for me individually? Again, Uh, I was, I was. I was glad I was able to perform last year, you know what I mean? But I wasn't I wasn't healthy, you know, So being able to be a healthier version of myself, I've a higher expectation, you know, for myself in particular, but as a as a group, you know, you can't ask for a better group, you know what I mean. And uh, just the environment, the atmosphere that we have right now. No one's expecting to go out
to go and just be you know, mediocre. Everyone's expecting to go out and be elite, and so you can just feel the vibe, you know what I mean. And so it's, uh, it's something that you know, I cherish and I'm looking forward to.
Do you think the group likes having these expectations? Is this what it's all about? Hey, you're supposed to be good we want people to think that, hey, listen, we're contender. And also you've talked about the DNA of this group, these young guys, how do you think they're going to handle the increased weight from the outside.
Pressure is a privilege, man, when you when you when you have pressure on you to be great, that's a that's a privileged position to be in when people don't expect much from you. No one wants that. No one wants to be that guy where they say if you go eight and eight ninety seven, that's that's that's good. No one wants that, you know what I mean. Everyone wants to be in a position where people expect you to win. And I don't think any of us put
more pressure. Anyone can put more pressure on us than we put than we put on ourselves individually. And so you work, you work that hard every day, you know, to go out and be the best version of yourself and to fulfill that. You know. So it's a great position to be in, and I think the young guys will definitely respond.
Do you think people are sleeping on you personally? Because when they look at the Jets tackle position and what you did last year, I don't think you get enough credit for what you actually put out there on film, playing essentially with one arm.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, for sure. I see some of the stuff that comes across or you know, everyone's concerned about the tax position, and you know, I don't take none of that stuff personally.
Man.
You know, I'm very confident in who I am as a player. Again, I don't no one can put more pressure on me on my than I can on myself. So you know, it's fine if they're sleeping. I got to respect here, you know what I mean. My peers respect me. The gods that I went against with one arm. They respect what I did, you know. So, and I know I'll be better this year. So it is what it is.
What do you have planned ahead for the summer before you get back here, because you guys are starting early this year with that All Fame Game one of the first two teams to report with Cleveland.
I'm working, man, I'm working. I'm trying to get healthy, you know. So I'm working to be as healthy as I can to be available, you know. So you know, I obviously probably have a weekend here or there, but nothing major. I'll continue to work and be ready to.
Go and how do you feel about where you're at right now?
I feel great, I feel great
Good things I have absolutely Thanks Joy, thanks for having me on