Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Any roster moves?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we released Nate (quarterback Nathan Rourke) this morning, and (tight end) Theo (Johnson) will practice today.

Q: At the end of practice the other day, John Michael Schmitz wasn't participating. Was that injury related, or what was the thought there?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he had a little shoulder. He'll do individual today. He'll be okay but monitor him.

Q: What have you seen from Jimmy Morrissey?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's picked up the system really well. Good communicator inside, has some athleticism to him. So, keep on rolling him in there, and keep improving.

Q: Are you going to go with just three quarterbacks for Training Camp?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, that's the plan right now.

Q: In the past you've always only kept two quarterbacks and the possibility of keeping three this year. Daniel does have a pretty extensive injury history. Does that change the situation possibly?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I understand the question. It's pretty early right now, so we'll go through training camp, see how it goes.

Q: Will Tyler Nubin do anything today?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, we'll keep him. We'll keep him again today. He's really close. But we'll keep him doing the same stuff he did last week.

Q: Anybody other than (center John Michael Schmitz Jr.) Schmitz, who did practice the other day but won't today?

BRIAN DABOLL: Timmy (defensive lineman Timmy Horne) will be back out there. Everybody else will be the same.

Q: Did (Jermaine) Eluemunor talk his way into team work the other day?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he's tough. We were planning on individual, and he hasn't missed any practices in training camp, so that was important to him. He's got the right mindset. He's been a good addition for us.

Q: What do you make out of a practice like Friday where you take a bunch of shots down the field, but you really don't hit on a lot of them?

BRIAN DABOLL: It's practice. That's why we practice. Whether it's offensively, defensively, the kicking game, you go through, you look at it. But you do a lot of things in practice, and that's why you do it.

Q: Is there anything you saw, a common thread, on why you weren't able to complete many of them?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say the pass game involves everybody, whether it's the offensive line, the quarterback, the running backs, the tight ends, the receivers. These are important days for us.

Q: We saw some of on Hard Knocks when Joe (Schoen) first came to you guys at the combine and said, (outside linebacker) Brian Burns, what was your reaction when you found out that was a possibility? How much did you pull Joe to say, 'hey, that's the guy we need'?

BRIAN DABOLL: You talk about the players. You go back. You evaluate them. Obviously, I've seen him play. He's a good football player. He's been a good addition for us as well through OTAs. Not just on the field, but in the classroom. I think he's done a really good job with Kayvon (Thibodeaux) and that outside linebacker/defensive end room. Happy we did it.

Q: What is the good versus good like when he's going against (tackle) Andrew Thomas? I know pads aren't on, obviously, but we don't see Andrew Thomas lose a lot of reps ever.

BRIAN DABOLL: We say that a lot when we're watching as a coaching staff. Man, that's a fun matchup to watch. Those guys go at it. They make each other better. They're both really good football players, so I think it helps us as a team.

Q: What do you see from him and Kayvon in the meeting room?

BRIAN DABOLL: Again, Burns has really been a valuable asset in there. He gives a lot of input. He's a good communicator. I think Kayvon bounces things off of him, but he'll bounce things off of Kayvon. (Outside Linebackers Coach) Charlie Bullen, we brought him in. He's done a great job with those guys as well. I'd say Azeez (Ojulari) has had a good three days.

Q: When you decide you're divvying up your reps on a day-to-day basis, do you take an off day to restructure things and say 'okay, these guys are going to move to this group'? Is that how this whole thing comes together over the next couple of weeks?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we talk about it. We revisit it every night. We revisit it after the three days, whether you make an adjustment in the practice plan or reps or matchups or things like that. That's a constant.

Q: Do you notice the players realize what's going on? Are they aware?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think they're just focused on doing their job the best they can. Everybody has a role. Everybody has a job to do. I think their mindset is, 'let's just focus on my job, do the best I can, and try to win the day'.

Q: How is Evan (Neal) doing?

BRIAN DABOLL: Making progress. Still not there.

Q: Do you anticipate this week at all?

BRIAN DABOLL: We'll see. Take it day by day.

Q: Did Rourke ask to be released?

BRIAN DABOLL: He did not.

Q: The defensive tackle spot next to Dex (defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II), what are you looking for from the players who are competing? I'm just curious how you see (defensive tackle) Elijah Chatman.

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, Dre and Cox (defensive line coach Andre Patterson and assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox) have done a nice job. He's a smaller guy, has good quickness, presents some different issues in there relative to his size, but his quickness, we have some veterans in there with Nacho (defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches) and Jordan (Phillips), and then some young guys that Dre and Cox have been developing here the last couple of years. It'll be good competition.

Q: What's the priority for that position? Is the expectation to stop the run? Or pushing the pocket?

BRIAN DABOLL: Both. Yeah, getting pressure on the quarterback and doing a good job in the run game.

Q: You guys mentioned in Hard Knocks, I think it was (Defensive Coordinator) Shane Bowen who actually said, (outside linebacker) Boogie (Basham) kind of being a potential option in one of those sort of inside pass rush spots.

BRIAN DABOLL: Early right now. I mean, it could be, but it's early. And just to go back on Nate (Rourke), we talked to him this morning. He wasn't getting a lot of reps. He's done a fantastic job since he's been here. We thought to give him an opportunity to maybe pop on and get some more reps was the right thing to do. But he's done a great job since he's been here. It was a good conversation, and we'll see what happens down the road.

Q: You were asked the other day about (cornerback) Tre Hawkins III getting the reps in Deonte's (Banks) place. What's the thought process here?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, the other thing I said was that we have an individual plan for every player coming back, whether it's a corner, could be Tae Banks, maybe Micah (McFadden), whoever it may be, and we're just making sure we're ramping these guys up the right way, based on each individual player.

Q: So it's about Banks and monitoring his workload?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, and he'll get more as we go. He'll get more today and continue to get more. But everybody has an individual plan, if you will, and you also want to see some different things matchup-wise. But I'd say it's more based on the plan for the individual player.

Q: Can you say (tackle) Evan Neal will be ready for week one? Is there any concern about his preparedness for that time?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I'd say this, it's day-to-day, and each day he's getting better. When he's ready to go, he'll be ready to go.

Q: Joe said on Kay Adams's show that you became a huge Pilates fan this offseason. How'd that happen? Did family, players recommend it to you? You're extremely competitive. How do you get your competitive fix out of Pilates?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, the first one where I go, it's called DTR Pilates in Wyckoff. It's a friend of my wife's, and we were having dinner on a Sunday a few months ago, and I said, 'hey, I think I want to try that'. So I started going. The first few weeks, I was not too pleased with it. I was pretty sore but try to stick with it. You go pretty early in the morning. As you get older, there's less things you can do, so we'll see how that goes. We don't have a lot of time to do other things other than football, so we'll see how it goes.

Q: Are you able to squeeze it in once training camp starts?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, sometimes I'll go five and get half an hour to 45 minutes, but as training camp and the season hits, those things take a back seat.

Q: How many people have asked you about your weight loss and how you did it?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I mean, if you go back, it's pretty well documented. I mean, 20 years ago, it's like a roller coaster, and I'd like to say it won't be a roller coaster, but it probably will be again.

Q: Do you feel better, though, physically, if I may ask that?

BRIAN DABOLL: Sure, yeah, absolutely.

Q: Was there anybody from Friday who's not going to be able to go today? New Injuries?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, no, the guys that I talked about, and everybody should be able to go. The guys that were out will be out, and then Theo will be back up.

Outside Linebacker Brian Burns

Q: Obviously, we know pads haven't come on yet, but when you're going against (tackle) Andrew Thomas, what is that good on good like? Because we saw you put a pretty nasty move on him the other day and that never happens to him.

BRIAN BURNS: You said it never happens?

Q: It never happens to him…

BRIAN BURNS: It's been a constant battle between me and him. I embrace the opportunity. Ever since he got back, because you know he wasn't practicing in the beginning of OTAs, but ever since he got back, I've been on his side. We're definitely going to get each other better. Today, he kind of got me a little pissed off. He edged me out today. So, tomorrow we got a battle. We got to get that back, for sure.

Q: Do you have a side preference?

BRIAN BURNS: No, I don't. I can rush either side. I've been rushing both sides since I've been in the league and since I've been in college – since I've been playing ball, actually – but I don't have a side preference.

Q: It's obviously early in training camp, but you've had the spring and now a little bit here in the summer. What's your impression of how they're planning on utilizing you?

BRIAN BURNS: I haven't been dropping a lot, so (laughs) that looks good to me. As long as we keep those numbers to a minimum, I'm fine. I'd rather be going forward.

Q: (Defensive Coordinator Shane) Bowen's defense is based on the front four. It is not a lot of blitzing. When you guys know that it's all going to be on your shoulders like that, how do you guys take that challenge?

BRIAN BURNS: I take it seriously. With that being said, today we had too many quarterback scrambles. I don't think we kept a tight enough pocket today. It's still early. We're still learning how to rush with each other, so it's going to take time. But, day by day, we're going to get better. I do take it seriously, and that puts a lot on our group, and I think we've got the guys to do it.

Q: In the spring you mentioned your growing connection with (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux), how has that developed?

BRIAN BURNS: It's still been going good. We had a competition yesterday in that last call-it period. Whoever got the first sack had to do 25 pushups or something like that and he got it. I'll give it to him for now. But yeah, we're still having that friendly competition. It's going to help us get better.

Q: I'm curious what your impressions of (outside linebacker) Azeez Ojulari have been? Because he's a guy who's been a pretty effective pass-rusher, when he stays healthy, but he's had some trouble staying healthy.

BRIAN BURNS: He's a great pass rusher. He's very natural. He has natural ability. It comes very, very natural to him. I think he's very gifted. Just his build alone, he has extremely long arms and natural leverage, so that makes him a premium pass rusher as far as his build. He's been doing great so far. I expect big things from him this year.

Q: I know you lived it, but have you seen the Hard Knocks about how the trade went down? What did you think?

BRIAN BURNS: I think it's an interesting side of the story to see the background of how things actually go and the operations of it. Other than that, I went through it, so I know the ins and outs. Just to see that side was interesting.

Q: Were you surprised at what the end price was for you? I'm not talking contract-wise. I'm talking draft pick-wise, considering you heard that conversation with them…

BRIAN BURNS: Was I surprised? No, I didn't look too deep into it as far the picks or anything like that, the compensation. I had to get ready for the transition, so I was more focused on that than what they gave up.

Q: (General Manager Joe) Schoen's staff was up until 3:00 a.m. the night before the trade happened, working out a contract with your agent. When did you find out? Did you know before the trade that the contract was already in place, and you were just waiting to hear it?

BRIAN BURNS: I found out when you all found out…

Q: I hope not, that better not be true…

BRIAN BURNS: (Laughs) I found out when you all found out – the same time it came across your ticket, it came across mine.

Q: What was important to you in that, the contract?

BRIAN BURNS: Stability. Security. Being able to call a place a home for a while. Going through those contract talks were tough, not knowing what was going to happen, what the future held before me. But that was the main thing, security and stability.

Q: You already had a familiarity with (defensive lineman) Dex (Dexter Lawrence) but what's it like on these practices to be out there with him?

BRIAN BURNS: It's a process. We have to really prioritize that process. It's going to be day by day. I learn how he rushes because I never rushed with him. Learning his moves and what his go-to's are and what he's thinking are going to be a main part in our success this season.

Q: Does he ever amaze you?

BRIAN BURNS: Does he? Yeah (laughs). Just look at him. A guy that big shouldn't be moving that fast. When he takes grown men and tosses them to the side, yeah, it's amazing.

Q: You've seen that a bunch of times already on the field?

BRIAN BURNS: Yes. Without pads. It's crazy.

Q: The connection between the outside linebackers and defensive line. How is that developing?

BRIAN BURNS: It's coming along. It just has to keep getting better. Like I said, we're still a new group of guys. We have to learn each other, learn what each other's thinking. It just takes time. But so far, it's well. It's going good.

Q: Does the first day of pads kick in for you that next step as far as preparation goes?

BRIAN BURNS: Definitely. The first practice with pads, that's definitely the next step. That's a big step for this whole team to see where everybody's at, physically, and their mentality. It's going to tell a lot about our defense, how we come out and go against our offense. It's definitely a big step, and I'm going to put a lot of emphasis on that to our defense.

Wide Receiver Darius Slayton

Q: What have you thought of the offense's willingness and ability to push the ball downfield so far this training camp?

DARIUS SLAYTON: It's been solid over these first four days. We haven't hit all of the ones that we needed to hit. That's for a variety of reasons, but I mean, I think the intent is there, and that's where it starts. Execution will grow with time and all that, but we have been getting it down the field a good bit.

Q: With this receiving core, does that have to be a big part of what you guys are going to do this season?

DARIUS SLAYTON: For sure, I think we have too much speed not to. We have a lot of guys who can run and a lot of guys who can go get the ball. And at the end of the day, it's something for the defenses to have to worry about. So, I think it's something that we have to take advantage of.

Q: How much over the course of your career has your approach changed in training camp from a young player until now? You look around the room, you're a vet now. Have you seen anything changed in terms of your approach?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, when you first come in, you're just trying to stay alive. You're trying not to get voted off the island, so to speak. So, that's not my primary focus now. Now I just try to come out here every day and dominate, try to set an example, and set a tone, whether that's 1-on-1's1-on-1s or whatever it is, I'm typically up first. So, I know if I go out there and I win my rep, you know, it tends to get the momentum started going in the right direction. So that's more my focus now than fighting for my life.

Q: Do you read into reps at all?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Not really. It's only day four. And honestly, we have a lot of talent in that room. We added Malik (Nabers) this year, so that's another element. And they have to mix and match guys and see how it looks with different people in different spots. So, that's something that we'll get figured out as camp goes on. But this early in camp, that's what they got to do to try to figure out how our team is going to play best.

Q: How is (quarterback) Daniel (Jones)?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Looks great moving around. I think he's done a pretty good job of these first four days. I'm sure he's hard on himself. So, I'm sure he would probably say he'd like to have someone back. But like I said, we're four days in a lot of new faces, a lot of new things we're trying to do. So, it'll get better as camp goes. But I think he's done a pretty good job over these first four days.

Q: You said a variety of reasons you kind of haven't hit all the deep ones as many as you probably would have liked?

DARIUS SLAYTON: For sure.

Q: You see anything there? Why do you think that is?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Some of it is us. In some cases, we could do a better job going to get in the ball. In other cases, quarterbacks are human. Sometimes they over overshoot a little bit or undershoot a little bit, whatever protections off. So, just different levels of offense, different areas that we could have executed better that would have led to a different result.

Q: Jalin (Hyatt) said the other day that this has to be an unselfish game. And I told him that's kind of counterintuitive to your position, isn't it? You just want the ball. Don't you need the ball? So, how have you guys managed? I know you're close to each other. How have you managed to walk that line of knowing everybody's going to get something? (Inaudible after)

DARIUS SLAYTON: It just raises the competition in the room. Today you saw Malik make a play down this sideline. And then Jalin comes back and makes a play down this sideline. You technically count that as one opportunity for each of them that they both hit. But it just raises the bar to where whether you get one opportunity, two or five, you got to maximize on them because everybody out here is going to make plays every day.

Q: Where do you see Jalin make the most progress from year one to year two, where has he really learned and improved the craft of playing well?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I think his game has grown a little bit. His routes have gotten better, and his releases have gotten a little better. I don't know about that one report where he gained 10 pounds. It might have been a little bit of a stretch (laughs). But he's grown, and his game has grown for sure. He's gotten better on his routes, and he's looked good so far.