Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Brian, is this camp going to be any different than what you've been doing as far as teaching or are you gonna shift the focus any?

Daboll: No, it'll look very similar for you all. We have more meeting time. We had an extra walkthrough. We have meetings after practice. Some of the routine is a little bit different, but as far as the practice field,the rules are still the rules.

Q: How has Evan (Neal) looked so far just through the OTAs in transitioning from tackle to guard?

Daboll: Yeah, he has done a nice job. He's picked up things well inside. You know, training camp will be an important time of the year for him as for all though offensive linemen.

Q: We've only seen him on the left side, what was the thought process? Is he familiar there or are you moving him around when we're not here.

Daboll: We'll figure all that out by the time training camp and preseason games start.

Q: Can you establish a foundation in this minicamp? Is it an opportunity to do that for the upcoming year?

Daboll: Well, you're trying to establish learning what to do and playing fast and practicing the right way, staying off the ground, staying away from the quarterback, doing the things you need to do to get work done and get things accomplished without pads on. So, I think all the guys have put a lot of time and effort and energy into learning some of the systems. Some of the systems are new, some of the things we're doing are a little bit different. Plus you have the young guys that you drafted and then the free agents that are new players that are working together. The communication process is very important. Playing with different players, being able to make calls, give a call, get a call, being on the same page, being locked in in that regard. So, very important time of year for us in terms of laying that foundation of knowing what to do. And then once training camp hits, the train's going quickly, there's not a lot of time for pulling back, getting another rep. You know, we're trying to figure out what side the person's playing on or who they're playing with. Those are the things for training camp will get answered.

Q: Any of the guys who were held out of the OTAs during the team portion, will any of them do anything this week? Like Malik Nabers and Dexter Lawrence?

Daboll: Yeah, I'd say they're all at different spots, like I said last time, and everybody's here and at different stages of what we're asking them to do.

Q: Anything that you've seen in all the OTAs and the minicamp today, after you assess that, what you like, maybe what you didn't like as much, will any of that affect any of your plan in training camp? Like, you know what, we need to work more on this, we don't have to work. You know what I'm saying? You have a training camp plan set, I'm sure, but will anything that you've seen in the spring change that a little bit?

Daboll: Yeah, that's a good question. So we've changed things throughout the OTAs based on, you know, we really need to get more out of this day or practice this situation. We'll do that every day after a training camp practice of, hey, let's make sure we get back to that. Maybe we're going to get back to it in practice four, let's get back to it a little bit quicker. There's always conversations that take place and we'll do what we think is best.

Q: How's Bobby Okereke doing? We know he had that back injury last year. Is his not practicing anything to do with that? And is there anything to worry about long term?

Daboll: Yeah, I'd say with all the injuries, the guys are working hard to get back.

Q: Anything to worry about long term?

Daboll: No, not long term.

Q: Brian, have you determined when you're going to start training camp? Any dates set?

Daboll: Yeah, we've worked through, (director of coaching operations) LY (Laura Young) and I are still going through all the logistics with things. We're close, but it requires a lot of meetings with a lot of different people and organization, whether it's the strength coach, the nutritionist, training staff. We're still working through, but we're really close.

Q: The veterans talk about how there's a lot that gets thrown at a rookie quarterback. How would you describe how (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) has handled everything this spring and how he's done?

Daboll: He has done excellent. He's picking up the information. It's really good to have (quarterback) Russ (Russell Wilson) and (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) and even (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito) because Tommy's been in the system for a few years here. And he's kind of the head statesman in terms of that and all the adjustments that take place or the calls. He's fit right in with those guys. He's smart. He's aggressive with the football, which I like. And then the true test will be once we start and there's live hitting and preseason games and things like that. But he's progressed since he's been here to where he is now. He's made good improvement.

Q: When it comes to young quarterbacks and working with quarterbacks, do you prefer to kind of give them everything at once and see what sticks or do you just a little bit at a time and kind of what's your overall game plan?

Daboll: Yeah, that's a good question. I'd say philosophy in general is to throw a lot at all these guys. And then you pull it back and see what kind of sticks and then you break it down a little bit and then you throw it all at them again. And then by the third time they hear it, they're usually a lot more comfortable with the information. Again, there's a lot of information for the quarterbacks in any system. But I think throwing it at them, bringing it back, breaking it down in smaller parts and then throwing it back at them or kind of whole part, whole philosophy. I learned that from Coach Saban.

Q: Do you remember any specific situation throughout your coaching career where you took that approach and when you went to go see what stuck with a specific player and you were like, wow, kind of took on a little bit more than I expected?

Daboll: Talking about absorbing the information? (Yes.) Not a specific situation. I think they're all a little bit different. Our young receivers have done a good job. I coached receivers for a long time and we've got some undrafted free agents that have done a really nice job since they've been here of absorbing it and then being able to play fast so you get some type of evaluation of their skillset. Receiver is a little bit easier at this time of year based on how we do things without the pads on. They're all a little bit different, veterans included that come in as free agents, but they usually have something to relate it back to that they did it in another system or someone I knew that called it this way. And then you try to put the best product you can.

Q: Jameis is, you know, Jameis. He's got a big personality, tends to keep things loose for a lot of people. Is that an important job to kind of keep things loose and fun?

Daboll: Everybody's different. The most important thing is knowing what to do and then going out there and being able to do it. But he's certainly a fun guy to be around, in the meetings, outside. He takes his craft seriously. Obviously, a high pick, the highest pick you could have and been around the block a little bit, a couple different places. He's been a good addition.

Q: There's so much to talk about the mental part for a rookie quarterback, but when he gets on the field, do you break him down and build him up or do you say this is how he does it, we'll work with it, like fundamentals or just how you get through a play? How do you approach that with a rookie quarterback?

Daboll: He falls back naturally on his fundamentals of how he throws the football. Are there little tweaks you can make? Sure, there are little tweaks, but then when you add all the information that goes along with it, sometimes it's overload, which is fine. It happens to all young players. You coach them technique wise in individual drills and coach them throughout the practice of movement in the pocket or taking too much or turning it loose when you can turn it loose or avoiding a sack. You understand that there's going to be a lot of things to teach off of for these young guys. But (Jaxson) has done a great job with … you can give him a lot. He can absorb a lot and then he knows kind of what to weed out and then what to really focus on the next day. So, he's been good.

Q: We've seen him primarily the last couple times we've been here working with the second team offense. Is that because of the way he's absorbed information or is that kind of where you want him to settle in and get most of his snaps, obviously not all.

Daboll: Yeah, I'd say he's worked with the second team, the first team and the third team.

Q: You said back on draft night you'll have a plan for Jaxson and there will be times where he won't know what that plan is and you'll put him in in spots. Have you done much of that in the OTAs? Is that more of a training camp thing and why is that important for you to see how he handles some curve balls?

Daboll: Well, it's good to get him in with the ones. There's usually a level of anxiety at times for young players when they get thrown into the mix. It's not exactly planned in terms of he's getting rep three. Sometimes we'll just say get in there. Then he's calling plays in front of veterans that have done it at a high level. I think that's important. Or, put him with the threes for a while where he's got to kind of instruct some other guys that are asking questions about things that maybe (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson) already knows the answer to that are asking him in the huddle. And just try to get him as many different situations as you can. So when it happens, because inevitably it'll happen at some point, that he's went through it at least one or two times.

Q: All the players in the building today?

Daboll: They are.

Q: Do you view (tackle) Andrew Thomas as irreplaceable on your line?

Daboll: I view him as a really good player for us, and he's doing a good job of rehabbing and getting close to getting back out here.

Q: Is he on track to start summer camp?

Daboll: Yeah. He's rehabbing, he is doing everything he can do to get better. So, we'll see when that time comes.

Quarterback Russell Wilson

Q: You obviously were looking forward to coming here and working. After tomorrow, are you looking forward to putting it away? Will you put it away? Will you get a break mean?

A: I wish we could get more. I just think that we're just on this constant growth of trajectory and we've got to stay there. I think that we've grown so much every day. The team, the team, the team, the team. I think we just have gotten better and better every day. Offense, defense, special teams. I think our camaraderie has been amazing. It's always cool, this is going into my 14th year in the National Football League and it's fun to be able to see guys who are young, staying extra, doing the extra necessary things.

Obviously, I think from a veteran perspective we're supposed to be that and understand that, but it's great when the young guys come along. I think we've done a great job of that and I think the demonstration of all the leaders of this team, guys like (inside linebacker) Bobby O(kereke), guys like (defensive lineman) Dexter (Lawrence), guys like (outside linebacker) Brian Burns. Even a younger, but really a great leader in my opinion is (center) JMS (John Michael Schmitz) and how he's led up front with the offense. I think he's done a great job. (Guard) GVR (Greg Van Roten), just a lot of great guys that are dedicated to the craft and I think it's definitely paying off. I think (wide receiver Darius) Slayton has been a great example. I think (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson), there are many guys putting the extra work in.

Q: Describe this spring for you personally…

A: Man, it's been a joy. I think if I had to describe it, just the joy to be able to do what I love to do, number one – and number two, to do it with the people that you really want to be around. I think that obviously the players, just the amount of guys – I remember going to Atlanta throwing with the guys, or going to San Diego, throwing with the guys. And also too, just being here and the extra time that we've put in watching film, doing all the necessary things to be great. I think that's been the joy of it, man. That's why you love the game, the obsession of it all. That's the good part. And I think the other part to it all, I think the coaching staff is tremendous. I think their ability to teach every day. I think what makes a great coach is the ability to teach, to be able to teach young guys, to be able to teach veterans to be able to constantly learn. I think being on that constant quest for knowledge is such a necessary thing and that's the part that I love the most

Q: Are you starting to see this offense develop an identity?

A: Yeah, I thought we had a great day today. I think that we've been stacking great days and just seeing guys really shine is a really cool thing. Obviously when they put the work in and it pays off and all the things that we talk about in the film room and just all the details that we may discuss and that's been great. I think (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs and (offensive coordinator Mike Kakfa) Kaf and all the coaches have done a great job. Like I said, teaching and when you put it on, you get to do the walkthroughs and do the film and all the notes and all the things you do to try to be great and then you take it out to the field, that's what you want to see. That's what you want to feel. And I think that we're definitely feeling that.

Q: What is the identity?

A: I think that we're going to develop that once we put the pads on. I think obviously even more. I think our identity wants to be a tough-nosed football team, a team that is explosive obviously in the passing game and the running game, the ability to diversify the football, the ability to score a lot of points obviously, but also know how to win the game when it's clutch time. All those things are necessary, but we've had a great, great OTAs so far and obviously got one more day tomorrow or whatever it is. But I think the important part is making sure that when we come back for training camp, that we have the best training camp that we can possibly have day in and day out.

Q: Are you a better athlete when you have something to prove to people?

A: I think you're always just trying to prove yourself right. I know what I'm capable of every day. I never lack confidence.

Q: When you came into this league, I would imagine for you day one it was about chasing a championship. Has your messaging ever changed throughout that whole thing, and does it ever get to a point where you almost have to read the room and reset expectations every year knowing that it's always about a championship, but there's more to this than just 31 other teams walk away?

A: Yeah, there are 32 teams and only one gets to win it every year. That's the reality. What I think that I've been obsessed with and the connectivity to it all ever since the beginning and still now in that constant urge and constant quest of knowledge, like I said earlier, is just the constant growth process every day. I think that's the part that gives you the best chance to be successful is the incremental gains daily. Throughout that process, that's the thing that you're seeking is trying to be your best and our best every day. And I think that we're demonstrating that, and we've got to continue to do that.

Q: What do you like about how you've played this spring?

A: I think most importantly is just to be able to lead guys. I think to be able to get guys their confidence at the highest level every day. I think that's the job of the quarterback, is to facilitate the ball at the right guy at the right time, but also to facilitate that motivation daily for each guy and find their why daily, find their greatness daily, find that greatness in the huddle, that play, and find those special moments throughout practice to communicate with a guy, communicate with a group through film room, whatever it may be or on the field. I think that that's been an important part to the process for me. Just making sure that, okay, I'm grateful that God brought me here and I'm grateful to be here. Every day it's that opportunity to do that. I think also too, just the ability to score touchdowns for us and make plays. I think that's what we strap on the cleats to do is to make those plays.

Q: How well did you know (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) before you got here? How has your relationship grown over this?

A: Yeah, I've known Jameis for years, man. He's been awesome for years and I've gotten to know him and I think I've told you guys before, maybe once before, but Jameis and I – I watched him when he was at Florida State and we talked a couple times, my old mental coach was somebody who helped him too, Trevor Moawad, and I was super close with him. And then when Jameis got into the NFL, we spent a lot of time together at one particular Pro Bowl. He wanted to come meet, spend some time and talk life, talk ball, talk this. I shared everything I had for him, and we talked a lot, and I think we really grew close then and just have always been rooting for him. We've seen each other (Pro Athletes Outreach) PAOs and different things. Then fast forward, obviously being here and watching his work ethic every day, watching his detail, watching his love for the game, his love for his teammates is remarkable. It's been a great process.

Q: (Assistant General Manager) Brandon Brown talked to us about you and (wide receiver) Jalin (Hyatt)'s relationship. He said you guys had workouts, you've always talked him up. When you saw him, what stood out about him that made you think this guy's got potential?

A: Well, I saw him do it in college not too long ago. I also saw him make some big time plays in the National Football League, I remember he had this sweet catch against Arizona that he went up and snagged it over somebody's head. He did it at home too once – and just multiple times, he's made some great plays. I think that the biggest thing is just consistency that I can bring to him every day too and just making sure that I'm always giving him the extra opportunities down the field, but also not just down the field, but in any play we've got and spending extra time on the field. And he's got great work ethic, Jalin does, and I think he's got a great grit to him. I think that he wants to be great every day, and he's got all the special pieces to it all. I think what makes a great receiver is his ability to catch the ball and contest the situations. He does a great job of that, and he's got a great opportunity, in my opinion, this year to really set the tone in a great way. I've got all the belief in Jalin and who he's going to be and what he's going to mean to us and make clutch plays for us when it really matters in great way. I'm excited for what he's going to do this year and the rest of his career.

Quarterback Jameis Winston

Q: How did it go today? How did, how did you feel about it?

A: I was blessed to be out there, man. Just to be able to get some real competitive reps, to put on this uniform and shine with my teammates. We had some fun.

Q: What do you think of your uniform and who you're representing? In the Giants...

A: Well, obviously I'm representing one of the best organizations in the NFL, one of the best cities in the world, and one of the greatest fan bases the NFL has seen. I know it's bigger than me and I'm grateful that I approach it that way. I'm happy to be a Giant.

Q: How is the chemistry in the quarterback room? How do you guys communicate? Is it fun? Is it serious?

A: It's a little bit of both, mainly serious because we are grinding, learning and mastering this offense. (Quarterback) Tommy DeVito is the only person that's had some history in this offense. So, it's a process of being intentional every single day, being able to mix in a few laughs here and there. But (offensive passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach) Coach Shea (Tierney) man, he is strict, he is purposeful, so we're trying to master this offense as best as we can.

Q: How has your relationship with (quarterback) Russ (Russell Wilson) evolved since you guys have both been here together?

A: Well, our relationship started in 2015 – well really in 2013, when he won the Super Bowl and we won the national championship that year. We had a similar mentor and mental coach, Trevor Moawad, that we both leaned on throughout the course of our career. Trevor's not with us anymore, God bless his soul. But me and Russ, we've been pretty locked in for quite some time now.

Q: What have you seen from him so far?

A: What we've seen from Russ since he entered this football league. Just a pure leader, a playmaker, and just a true pro.

Q: Is he a different kind of player when you have something to prove you think?

A: I believe that we all have something to prove to ourselves, you know. The first story that Russ shared with me was his locker position. He's sitting in the same locker that he sat in when he won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. I think that gives some type of context of what it means to him. Every year, especially at the quarterback position, there's only one of us, so we have to approach that with a type of integrity and the type of responsibility that no one else has.

Q: When people talk about you, when you were coming here, and even throughout your career, the first thing they say is what a character, what a personality. Does that ever bother you that they want to talk about that first and not mention who you are as a football player? Or are you comfortable with that?

A: Well, I'm grateful that I can bring joy to the game. I'm grateful that through my hard work and effort on the football field that people notice me by my character. That's just something that comes with it. This is the greatest game in the world. So, we need to be able to drop our hair a little bit and notice that everyone has their own individual role. And I know what I've done in this NFL league in terms of playing football, and I'm grateful that I had that experience. But I also know that when I first came into this league, that I wasn't looked upon as a man of high character, I wasn't looked upon as that team-oriented guy. I had this perception of me that just wasn't true. Through my course of diving in and growing every single year, I've proven myself to be who I am. I think that is the greatest compliment that someone can give you is that you're truly who you are, despite the character or the giggles. I think if you ask any of my teammates, any of my coaches who I am, they would say, 'Jameis is truly who he is.'

Q: When you talk about the experiences that you've had throughout your career, how can you bring that to (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) and help him?

A: I think one of the toughest ways to experience something is through experience. So I feel like some of the trials and some of the victories that Russ and myself or even Tommy have had throughout our career, we're able to relay that message to him in a way that maybe he gets a chance to see something before it happens or maybe we give him a few nuggets that he can take so he doesn't put himself in situations that we may have put ourselves in. But ultimately, Jaxson is his own guy. So, he's going (to) get out there and he's going (to) have some great human experiences, but if we can speak to him and encourage him in a way that limits some of the lack of experience, that'll be beneficial for him.

Q: What did you think of the touchdown throw he had at the end there, and how much have you seen him grow?

A: Yeah, I think all touchdowns, we love. I don't think (there is) one touchdown that I haven't loved in my life. So, I think we were excited about that. But it is just the beginning. It is just the beginning for myself, it is just the beginning for this football team, and that's something to be excited about. But we look good, we feel good, and I believe we're doing some great things with the big blue right now.

Q: Does this offense have an identity yet?

A: I think that is always something that coaches search for in the springtime. But one thing that (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs and Shea and (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator) (Mike) Kafka always is emphasizing is our effort. You know, we're learning, all of us are pouring time and effort into this playbook. But how we exemplify that on the field is shown about our individual effort, how we're running around, how we're moving fast, how we're getting back up and trying again, how we're not being down on ourselves, how we're lifting each other up. And I believe throughout this entire camp and OTA that we've shown that. Our identity is a bunch of relentless individuals hungry to get better.

Q: The landscape of the quarterback has changed a lot since you signed here. Obviously, they signed Russ after that, then drafted Jaxson. Are you still confident that if it comes down to it you'll get a shot? If that's the way it plays out?

A: When it comes to that I focus on what I can do. And what I can do is come to work with the intention to get better every single day. Not concerning myself with the room, seeing how I can serve the room, but my job is to be the best Jameis Winston that I can be. And Jameis Winston incorporates being a leader, peppering on the young buck, learning things from the older veterans, assisting the older veterans, learning from the three-year quarterback that's been in this room. It encompasses a lot. But I stay focused on what I would love and what I would love is to be my very best.

Q: This offense the last few years has really struggled to score points, down at the bottom of the league. When you see what this team has, the receivers, the line, tight ends, the running backs, whoever the quarterback is, will be Russ at first, is there any reason why this offense should not be your good offense in the league?

A: We're going to do amazing things, but I think it's, it's day-to-day growth, you know? And we're definitely not going to look at last year. We can't really, we can't focus on that, we've got to keep our eyes on what we would love and what we would love is to be the Super Bowl winning champions. I think all of us would love that. But it's a process, it's a day-by-day process. And yes, we've got the pieces, we've got the coaches, we've got the players. Now it's about consistent execution.

Q: You've seen Russ obviously you mentioned since college, but just when people see from the outside, hey, he's an older player, does he still have it? What have you seen from him during OTAs that says, oh, this guy still got a chance to, to lead this team?

A: Well, I mean, he's a natural born leader. So, that's in the bag. He's still athletic, you know, no matter how old he is, he's aging like fine wine. He has a team of caregivers, a team that just supports him, that allows him to be his best. That's why he's been good for a long time. He's just, he's just a great player and I think when you have constant people maybe down or even lifting you up, you always have to zone in, into like what would you love? And I think he stays focused on what he wants, and I think that's very unique about him. Because whatever he's done in the past has been successful. So I encourage him to continue to focus on that and go higher.

Q: Do you think the defense gives you a chance to get better because of what they have on that side of the ball going up against them every day?

A: Absolutely, our defense is tenacious. I'm happy we got the addition of (cornerback) Paulson Adebo and Jevón Holland. You know, Jevón is a ball hawk, and I know personally the lockdown corner that Paulson Adebo is. But I know it starts with the trenches. When you have three, and I'll say four because I love (defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches) Nacho, and when you've got four prominent defensive linemen, two in the middle, two on the edge, you should win football games because it starts with the front.

Q: What makes Russ a natural born leader? What's he doing daily, especially in the spring, what he's doing?

A: I think what makes anyone a natural born leader is the ability to serve. And I think that when you're intentional with your servitude, you get things back. When you're a giver, you get back, when you're a taker you really don't get much back. I think Russ is a server. He's consistently checking on, are the guys okay? Do they understand the process? Do they understand the concept? He's speaking to the guys in the locker room, just confirming that we're seeing the same things. I think that's important for the quarterback position overall.

Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Q. What have your first impressions been of (outside linebacker) Abdul Carter?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Man, he's a beast. He's been doing his thing. He's fast, explosive, smart, excited.

Q. How do you think his presence impacts you?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Well, he gives us another guy up front to Rush. He's been taking his roles really strongly and he's been doing his thing in the inside, on the outside, so excited to have another guy to add to the gauntlet.

Q. We've seen you and (outside linebacker) Brian (Burns) take him to the side working with him. What's it been like working with him? Just seeing what you can do a little bit.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I think when new guys come in, they always have certain talents and things that they can help us with, and we know certain things that we can help him with, so it's been a constant growth mindset between all of us.

Q. How's the spring been for you?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Spring's been great. I'm healthy, I'm fast, I'm strong, I'm excited. Things have been good.

Q. There's the fifth-year option pick up. Now knowing this year, next year, last year, you didn't really know that for sure. Does that give you security or do you wish it was more or how do you go into that?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I don't really think about too far ahead. I think for me, I can only control the now and the now, I got to get better past rushing. I got to get better at stopping and run, and that's what I'm focused on. I think the more I can do for the team, the better off I'll be. So just hone in on that.

Q. Did you look at snap by snap of last season and everything?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Definitely

Q. Are you a hard grader of yourself?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Definitely look snap by snap. I got hurt last year and missed kind of that middle part, so I tried to focus on the last half of my season and see how I did well and things I can do better.

Q. What are the things that maybe you felt like you didn't do well?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I didn't finish. I think I had five half sacks, which should have been whole sacks. I've had probably four or five missed tackles at the sack point. So just finishing my plays and being able to just come out on top of every situation.

Q. Are their things that you go into this season believing that you haven't shown the league that you want to show about who you are as a player or who you've grown as a player?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah, I think I'm a consistent double digits sack guy and I got to do that. It has been three years, going on four now. It has been a lot of ups and downs in my career and as a team, but I think this is a team that can win and I can help that.

Q. What do you think about your new DBs here?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Man, I love him having (safety) Jevón (Holland). I played with Jevón back in college and he's always been a field general. (Cornerback) Paulson's (Adebo) great. He's been doing his thing. He's a leader. But I think just having that, those extra pieces definitely does add to the nucleus of the defense.

Q. With (safety) Jevón (Holland), I mean you mentioned you played with him in college, what was he like then? Do you see that same element now as far as him being that field general type?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah, he got a nose for the ball ever since college, he's been getting that ball out whether it's interceptions or punch outs and things like that. But he's definitely, he makes his teammates better and he knows everything that's going on, so I think that's definitely going to help some of the younger guys step up and then also help the defense as a whole.

Q. Is there any reason to think that this defense cannot be really good?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: No.

Q. Why? Because of your health? The additions to you guys? What's your sense of the whole group?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I mean, we've been putting in the work, we've been putting in the time with each other, team chemistry. I think it's kind of interesting how (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen) went and got a Stanford guy for (inside linebacker) Bobby (Okereke), an Oregon guy for me, and we got a couple Oregon guys on the team, but bringing in guys that know each other that can play well together, that can do what needs to get done.

Q. What are you seeing in (defensive coordinator) Shane (Bowen) that year two?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I see confidence. I think last year it was a new defense, A lot of moving parts, but it's a lot more confidence growing in the team and then the guys running the plays.

Q. You've always seemed to be a guy who likes to be up front. You want to hear, you want to hear what people have to say. Did you have a moment at all this offseason when they drafted up (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter), did you want to know where your future was here?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Nah, to be honest, I always knew where my future was. I'm in control of my own future and I've never not been in control of my own future. I think whether it's injury, whether it's – whatever kind of goes on, whatever adversity you face, your future is still in your control in the day by day. So, all offseason, I've just been training, working on doing what I can do to continue to get better and control what I can control.

Q. Speaking of adversity, you mentioned your injury. What did you learn having to miss that shot? Did it make you hungrier or what did you learn about yourself?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: No, I've always been hungry. I grew up poor and this is an opportunity to make more money than you'll ever make in your life. So, there's no added pressure, there's no added motivation. I think the motivation is not only to get here, but to stay here and then once you're here, you're in a land full of lions, you got to come out on top. So, for me, I just want to be the best now. That's kind of what my motivation is and that's what I'm here to do.

Q. You've always been sort of willing to put numbers to goals. Do you still have more…

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: More than I ever had. Every time I come out on the field, I want to have more sacks than I ever had, more tackles than I ever had and whatever I got to do to help the team. So yeah. I'm still going for the record, I'm going to go for the record every year.

Q. What's this time of year for you guys in the trenches? (Wide receiver) Darius (Slayton) said that is the best part for a receiver, but you guys are battling, but you can't play contact.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Yeah. OTAs suck. OTAs suck. You can't really show what you want to show, you can't do what you want to do, but I think it's definitely a time to just fine tune for me. This is not, you're not going to use every move in the game that you would use in OTAs, but while you're in OTAs, it's good to sharpen the things that you're not always using.

Q. I know you're on the other side, but you're going against that offense every day. How different does it look to you this year?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I'm excited, man. All offensive lines suck to me, so I can't really across the league, literally across the league, so I can't really tell you yet. And we haven't been in pad, so it's not really much they can do either on their side to show what they've been working on and things like that. But I'm excited. I know we allocated a lot of resources to the O line and there's a lot of confidence, there's a lot of swagger, there's a lot of good energy coming from that room, so I'm excited to see how they put it together

Q. With (quarterback) Russ (Wilson), is there anything you've seen differently up close than you've seen from him on tape or film or on tv?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I mean, nah, he's that guy. He's the guy that you've always seen. I think he has a great opportunity to lead us, and he's been doing that and I'm confident in him. I'm super excited. I'm happy.

Q. Is there anything, I mean, just a couple years ago you were in a position that (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter) finds himself in, I mean, a top five pick and being brought here, a lot of expectations. I don't know necessarily if you have sat down and talked formally, but what have you said to him about the experience that you went through that maybe he can learn from?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Just keep doing what you're doing. I think you lose that when you come into the league because the lights are brighter and there's a lot more people asking you questions. But honestly, just stick to what got you here and keep your head down and grind. I think when you get too focused on everybody else's expectation or what everybody else thinks you should be doing, that's when you start to lose yourself. For me, I've been able to play my best and do my best when I'm doing what I know I do best, right? And not really focusing on the outside. So that's what I told him.

Q. Do you feel like in those first couple of years you've lost yourself a little bit at all? Paying attention to the outside, when you bring that up?

KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Well, I bring that up because that's something that's real and I think it's every week. So, when you say you lose yourself, you don't let it stack up. Every week when we come back in and we answer these questions, you got to reevaluate who you are and what everybody's expectation of you is. So, for me, it's after every game. You're going to read it, you're going to see it. It's social media. We're on it every day, but now it's like, all right, you read it, you digest it, you flush it, and you move on and you get back to your process.