Head Coach Brian Singletary

Q: Anyone not going to be out there today?

Daboll: Yeah, we got a couple of guys with personal stuff and then we'll keep a couple guys inside and work with them.

Q: What's up with (defensive lineman Elijah Chatman) Chat?

Daboll: Chat had something personal. He'll be here today.

Q: And (defensive lineman Jordon) Riley?

Daboll: Riley's in doing some rehab stuff.

Q: What about (running back Cam) Skattebo?

Daboll: What about him?

Q: Why isn't he practicing?

Daboll: We thought that was best for him, just managing him. He'll be okay.

Q: Is it the same thing he was dealing with in the spring?

Daboll: No, he'll be okay.

Q: Is it injury related?

Daboll: Yeah, we're managing (it).

Q: What did you make of yesterday's practice? There were a lot of penalties that at some point it seems like it got to you.

Daboll: No, it always gets to me when we have pre-snap penalties. Towards the end of practice, we had a few too many and some longer drives. It was going – I thought practice was good. There was a lot of give and take, some good execution, but towards the end they had some more false start penalties. We've got to eliminate those and defensive offsides on critical downs so we have to do better there.

Q: Is that why you made them run?

Daboll: No, it was part of the plan for yesterday.

Q: Is that going to be a regular part of practice week to week or is that just a one and done part of the plan?

Daboll: No, I always sit down with (executive director of player performance Aaron) Wellman to see where we're at, what we need and whatever that is, that's what we choose to do.

Q: You talk about the defensive offsides, that happens a lot when (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) is out there. There was a lot in the spring about his cadence and are you giving him credit for some of that with hard counts or is it just a matter of lack of discipline from the defensive guys?

Daboll: No, I know the clap in college, again I've been part of that, but he's done a pretty good job with his cadence. Not pretty good, he's done a good job. I don't think it's like really hard to learn but his voice inflections have been good and he's been mixing things up. We need to continue to do that with all the quarterbacks. When you do that, you try to use variety in your cadence, you got to make sure that you're staying on sides as well because (if) we're playing a good defensive line or someone that can get off on the pass rush, that's a weapon offensively that you have to be able to utilize.

Q: Dart said that he liked getting a lit bit more freedom once the pads came on in terms of how he was operating and making some checks. What did you allow him to do more of as you got deeper into camp?

Daboll: There's no restrictions on what we allow the quarterbacks to do. They're out there playing, you have a call, you put it out there and the defense is going to give you a variety of looks. There's not a check on every play but if he sees something that he thinks is a better option, whether that's run to run, run to pass, pass to pass, different protection – that's what we want all the quarterbacks to do. They're the ones out there seeing it in real time and then go out there… He's made a number of them. All the guys have, they've made a number of them, based on what the defense shows, presents itself, and that's something you just keep on building into practice for those guys. Some you set up, some they do on their own but they've done a nice job of that.

Q: It seems like Dart's been more decisive the last handful of practices. Is that something you've seen and what would you attribute that to?

Daboll: Reps, even just from the play call, out of the huddle, taking what the defense is giving you. All the quarterbacks, we want them to do that. There was a play action pass we had yesterday and he's dumping it off to the check down pretty quick when he sees the contour of what the defense is doing and making positive plays – I mean, that's one of the jobs of a quarterback is to keep the ball moving forward. Anytime you get a negative play, and you all know this, it's hard to overcome in this league, whether that's a sack, whether that's a delay of game, whether that's a poor decision on his part, a negative run. So we're constantly moving the ball forward and making good decisions. If we have a shot called and they cover it, let's not just force it in there. Let's do a good job of making the right decision so that we can keep moving the ball towards the opposing team's goal line.

Q: There's been a lot of quarterback runs. Is the idea there to keep the defense honest on the checks or why so many of those?

Daboll: I think we have athletic quarterbacks. Some of it, again, we play athletic quarterbacks as well so you're trying to do what's best for the team, trying to get yourself ready. We're not focused on any opponents right now, but we've done a lot of offseason projects and work, so we got to make sure that both sides are ready for those.

Q: When the quarterbacks are running here, they aren't getting hit. With Jaxson, how do you coach him that game situations don't have that false sense of security that he could maybe develop because of not getting hit here as opposed to in a game?

Daboll: I think that's an instinctual thing. He's an aggressive player. I'm not going to take that away from him. We'll see as real games start happening.

Q: Running was a bigger part of (quarterback) Russell (Wilson)'s game early in his career but do you think he still can be an asset as a running quarterback?

Daboll: Yeah, I think that'll all work itself out once we get into game planning and deciding what we can do but he's plenty athletic, plenty fast enough. You've seen him on a couple scrambles, not necessarily designed runs but he's out of the pocket and makes a guy miss. He's been good on-the-run throwing. He's been good on-the-run running, that's part of his game.

Q: Some of Russ's best plays early in his career were when plays went down and he improvised. Receivers in Seattle had to kind of learn how to work with him on that. Are there any drills you can do to try to bring some of that here where (wide receivers) Malik (Nabers) and (Darius) Slayton can get used to it?

Daboll: Yeah, we do pre-practice – not every day, but part of OTAs and this is a scramble drill that we do and we coach off of it. A lot of times, for quarterbacks that can move, which is most of them in this day and age, that's a big part of all quarterbacks game. There's not a lot of times you just take five steps or seven steps at times and the pocket is just completely clean. I mean, there's some, but the really good quarterbacks in this league are able to improvise and able to make plays, whether it's with their feet or their arm and move in the pocket and create stuff down the field. We see these quarterbacks nowadays, most of them that are playing at the end of the year are guys that can do that.

Q: Is (tackle) Andrew (Thomas) going to get back on the field soon with the team?

Daboll: Yeah, he's working. He's making progress and when he's ready, we'll get him back out there.

Q: (Running backs Tyrone) Tracy Jr. and (Devin) Singletary had a great one-two combo last year, and now you have Skattebo next to them. Do you like the makeup of all three of those guys being really versatile that they can do multiple things on the field? Like being all-down backs basically?

Daboll: Yeah, I think with any of those backs that we have, we don't necessarily… Back in the day, there's times we had a first and second-down back and then we had a third-down back and I think all three of those guys are capable to run, to pass block, to run routes. Sometimes when you – it's not a bad thing, it's a good thing – we've won a lot of games at other places where we've had a bigger back and some smaller backs but sometimes that gives indicators too, of, 'All right, this guy's in the game. It's either going to be this or this or we can eliminate some options.' So the more all-purpose backs you can have that can do a variety of things, I think that helps.

Wide Receiver Jalin Hyatt

Q: What were you and (wide receiver) Gunner (Olszewski) and (wide receiver Malik) Leek (Nabers) just talking about so long out there?

HYATT: Yeah, we were just discussing releases on different DBs, just reaction base, how we see coverage, just going through that. Every day we try to do it after practice, just to make it easier for myself and to hear what other guys do. They see the same coverage or what they do with man. So it's always good to hear from other receivers that we have, especially an elite one like Malik Nabers.

Q: So how would you assess your camp so far?

HYATT: I'm finally back out, I've been hurt for a little bit. But just to get back into the rotation and going back out there with the guys and having fun again, it's been fun. So just for myself, I've just got to stay healthy and be ready for the next rep.

Q: We heard about your putting on weight. So give us a rundown, how much? That was something you decided to do at the beginning of the offseason? How did you accomplish it?

HYATT: Yes, sir. I played around 171-172 pounds last year and played outside mostly. Didn't really have a lot of slot reps. For myself, I just felt like I need to get stronger, more physical. It helped me with contested catches, helped me with blocking. Not only that, with press technique, especially going against bigger corners in the league. So that's one of the biggest emphases for myself.

Q: What's your weight now?

HYATT: I'm around 189, 190. I'm trying to maintain that 190 area and see how that works this year.

Q: It's a comfortable weight for you?

HYATT: Yes, sir. For myself, I was trying to continue to run at that before we started training camp to feel that weight while I'm running. Especially with the deep passes, short passes. Something that I'm still working on and hopefully we stay at this weight I'm at.

Q: How much did the balance, you had a couple of soft tissue things that you've done. Is that something you're trying to manage?

HYATT: Yeah, that's what I'm saying, just still working on that. Especially being back out there today and yesterday, I felt good and just have to continue that.

Q: How different does this year feel in general? First of all, what did you think your season last year? Let's start there.

HYATT: For myself, disappointing. I felt like I could have done better. I had opportunities. I felt like I didn't make the most of them. It's a new year, a new opportunity. I just can't wait to go out there and ball with the guys. We've got a new quarterback room and a lot of new guys, and a lot of new faces in that room. I just can't wait to go out there and execute and play at a high level for them.

Q: Does it feel different for you?

HYATT: Yeah, it feels a lot different, especially since we have (quarterback) Russ (Wilson), who's been to the Super Bowl before, been to the playoffs, has a lot of success. He called me, at the time we signed him, and he just brings confidence to myself. So, for myself, I just have to make plays for him. When you do that, you get more.

Q: You're talking about Russ with intangibles, but you also turn on the film, probably notice he throws a better deep ball. You probably couldn't have imagined them bringing in a better QB for your strengths…

HYATT: Yeah, it's going to be fun this year. We have a lot of guys that can run, that can make plays, deep plays, medium plays, short plays. And for myself, I want to be a complete player, and that's what I'm working on every day. Just have to take it daily, daily, daily, especially being back out there at practice now. Just getting more comfortable with that.

Q: What's it been like working with Russ?

HYATT: A true pro, a true leader. He always calls me, texts me, if he sees something that he liked or didn't like, and he's so good at communicating with our receivers, with our tight ends, with our running backs. I think you can just see it in that room; everybody's confidence is higher. It's going to be a fun year, like I said, in that receiver room for us. We have to make plays, and we have to execute when our name's called.

Q: Can you see this offense being more exposed just because of Russ being out there? Now at the practice, you can see, okay, some of these plays can be a little bit more exposed than before?

HYATT: Like I said, it comes down to us in that receiver room. They're going to throw it up to us, and we have to come down and make a play. I felt like last year, I didn't do a good enough job of that, and it starts with myself, and I have to be better at that area.

Q: You mentioned how you mostly played outside, does that mean you think you can see more snaps for yourself in the slot?

HYATT: We're moving a lot of guys around, with (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator) Coach Kafka calling it this year, he moves me in the slot, moves me outside. He's very good at giving players their plays that they're good at. And that's why I have a lot of respect for Coach Kafka and what he has done with that receiver room. Like I said, it's going to be fun this year. We have to make plays for sure.

Running Back Devin Singletary

Q: How's camp been?

SINGLETARY: Fun. It's been fun.

Q: Have you liked getting back out here? Getting the pads back on?

SINGLETARY: Real football. You got to always love real football.

Q: What is (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) bringing to the offense and to the locker room?

SINGLETARY: A lot of leadership. Going about everything the right way, as far as how he prepares, bringing everybody along with him, just setting the standard the right way. He's been doing that since OTAs, since he stepped foot in here and I think he's going about everything the right way.

Q: Is there a different feel to it?

SINGLETARY: Yeah, there's definitely a different energy. It's a new year, I like the direction we're headed in, but to what you're saying, there's definitely a different type of energy in the building.

Q: In what way?

SINGLETARY: Just in a good way. Moving forward, leaving the past in the past and controlling what we can control, while looking forward.

Q: Does (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Mike) Kafka change anything for you guys offensively with him calling the plays? Do you notice much of a difference?

SINGLETARY: A little bit because I feel like every OC has their own swag, whatever that may be.

Q: What's his swag?

SINGLETARY: I really don't know how to put it right now because it's still so early on, but it's a little different, I would say. Just a little bit, but Kaf brings the energy. We like what he's got going on with us.

Q: What's the differences that you're noticing between this year and last year with him calling the plays versus (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs?

SINGLETARY: I guess it's two different people. When I say that, about how they go about things as far as, Dabs' swag is he's going to get on you and he's not afraid of anything and Kaf is more – from the beginning, from day one, he set the tone of what he wants and how he wants it and that's the way he wants it and that's the way it's going to be and we're going to follow him.

Q: How's this running back room now with (running back Cam) Skattebo in the mix? What's it like being in the room with him and having three versatile backs?

SINGLETARY: It's fun. This is one of the best rooms I've been a part of. Skatt, obviously, he brings the energy. He's always upbeat. (Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.) Trace, going into his second year. He's kind of in between the laid back and bringing the energy, then you got me, I'm laid back. I'm the vet but I like what we got. It's three guys, we can all do everything, we're different in ways but we can all do everything. In the league, I feel like you have to have that.

Q: What have you noticed in Tracy coming back this year and how he's changed or grown as a player?

SINGLETARY: He got a year under his belt so he's not like a deer in the headlights. He knows what's going on now. Now it's instead of trying to work on so many things, it's just these small things he has to work on, like let me get better at this, let me get better at that. He can really hone in on his game so that's the biggest changes I've seen with him.

Q: How do you feel about your role in this room? Do you have clarity on how you fit in with this group?

SINGLETARY: Yeah, I get in where I fit in. Whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it. I can do it all so I'm just here to help the team win. Whatever way that may be, I'm here for that.

Q: Is Tracy talking a lot more? They say he's trying to be more of a leader. Have you noticed him talk a little bit more?

SINGLETARY: He's definitely opening up and that's good. That's good. He's opening up, he's definitely more vocal when it comes to leading this year which is another step forward that I feel like he took, but yeah, he definitely took a step forward in that way.

Q: As someone who's been in the league a while, is it kind of that year one to year two jump where you get more comfortable? Have you felt that way too when you have a year under your belt you can speak up more versus when you're a rookie?

SINGLETARY: To be honest, I feel like it just depends on the person. It (doesn't have anything) to do with year one and year two because I feel like Skatt, Skatt's coming in and he's been talking, like it doesn't matter that he's a rookie. It just depends on the person, to be honest. Everybody's different.

Q: What have you seen from (quarterback Jaxson) Dart?

SINGLETARY: Dart got that aura about him. Coming in as a rookie, he's not nervous about anything, he's attacking everything head on, he's not afraid to make a check if he has to and you see, he can make all the throws. We got ourselves a dog with JD for sure.

Offensive Lineman Marcus Mbow

Q: How's camp going?

MBOW: It's going well. I love it, playing football. You can't beat it.

Q: How's it been adjusting to the speed a little bit?

MBOW: It's been smooth. It's really one of the main reasons I was looking forward to becoming a pro, just being able to go against better competition day in and day out. I feel like I'm doing a good job adjusting to the tempo of things.

Q: How has it been for you to get to square up against (linebacker) Abdul (Carter) as much as you do?

MBOW: It's good. He's a great player, extremely fast, a lot of bend so it's good to be able to go against him. Iron sharpens iron daily.

Q: What do you see from his as a player and the way he goes about one-on-ones or reps?

MBOW: Not a lot of people can move the way he does. He's very fast, very explosive cat. He's able to bend the edge very well so being to go against that and being able to fight over the top of the rush, plays like that.

Q: What do you do for that bend?

MBOW: Outwork him. It's tough to see something like that and you just got to be able to put your hands in the right place and run him around the corner.

Q: What's the one thing you've learned from training camp? What are you sort of working on here?

MBOW: Just getting better each day. I wouldn't say there's one thing in specific that I've learned yet but just getting better each day all around, getting stronger, getting better at technique, that's really the main goal for me.

Q: Do you prefer playing on the right side? That's where you've been taking most of your reps. Does that make it easier since you're most familiar with that side?

MBOW: I've been playing the right side the past couple of years, but I really just go wherever (offensive line coach Carmen) Carm (Bricillo) tells me to. At the end of the day, I'm going to do what he says.

Q: You've had multiple practices with pads now. What do you make of the growth from day one to now?

MBOW: It's been good. I feel like I've been taking big strides each day, and that's really what it's all about – being able to put the coaching points and being able to move past your failures each day.

Q: Do you work on both the left and the right side or are you focusing on exclusively your positioning from the right side?

MBOW: I work on both. I work right and left.

Q: Facing Abdul, people talk about how he sets up his moves and has multiple moves. What's impressed you about that part of his game?

MBOW: Just the ability to counter. I feel like it's just effortless, being able to go from one move to the next, just continuously working, I think that's probably the most impressive thing about it.