S Landon Collins
October 31, 2016
Q: Can you sum up the season you’re having?
A: I feel like I’m doing very well this season. Learning wise. Just knowing what I’m supposed to do, and having accountability. Do what I can for my team. Just do what I do best to help the team and get the defense off the field.
Q: Jerry Reese said he feels like you’ve held the defense together, the secondary in particular due to some of the injuries. Do you feel like that?
A: I don’t know. They put a lot of stuff on my shoulders. I have to be accountable for that. I take that with a lot of responsibility. Being one of the guys that takes more snaps in the back and stuff like that. With a lot of injuries, the guys look up to me to make the right calls, be in the right position and where to help out, stuff like that. I take full responsibility for what Mr. Reese said.
Q: Do you take ownership of this defense? Do you feel like this is your defense?
A: I wouldn’t say that. The only time I would say that is if I have the ‘C’ (captain) on my chest. Until then, it’s not my defense.
Q: Is that something that you want?
A: One day, one day.
Q: I’m sure last year wasn’t the easiest thing to go through, while you were going through it. As much as you played, and some of the struggles you had. How tough was that for you?
A: Very tough. Coming to a new defense, a lot of new faces that didn’t have the defense before either. A lot of rotation with players, and a lot of injuries on top of that too. It was very tough. Not knowing what we were supposed to be doing and not playing very sound defense.
Q: Now that you look back on last year, how much did the experience help you this year?
A: Tremendously. I see things 10 times quicker than how I saw them last year. It definitely helps me out.
Q: You go to London and make that play and it results in two-straight wins. How have these last few days been like for you? You’re on such a professional high?
A: I take it in stride. I had a great weekend. I got to go see my little man. It was his birthday. I take it in stride. I’m blessed that the Lord gave me that and got us that win. Just go from there.
Q: You must have heard some nice stuff about that interception return this past week?
A: Still hearing about it. I’m ready to continue to keep making more plays. That’s not just one thing I could do, one great thing I could do. I can do a lot more. Just try and change it up this weekend.
Q: You don’t want to be told that that’s your one big play I guess, right?
A: Right. Definitely. You want to be known for miraculous plays.
Q: Odell went through that with the catch, right?
A: Yes. He’s still going through that. We know Odell. He’s going to do fantastic things. He’s accountable for doing those things. We expect those things out of him.
Q: Did you watch the game last night?
A: No. I went bowling last night.
Q: How’d you do?
A: 150 for two games straight. Then, my girl beat me in the last game.
Q: You let her win?
A: No, she beat me.
Q: On Nick Saban.
A: Last time I talked to coach Saban he said he loves his job. He loves where he is. He loves to teach. Make boys into men. He loves to be in the college atmosphere. I don’t think he wants to come back to the NFL.
Q: Can you imagine if he was your coach here?
A: I cannot. It’s different. You are kids, and then you’re messing with grown men. I don’t know. He yells at us over there. A lot of men are going to yell back.
Q: Coming off the bye, you have Philly first game back, could it be any better? This is what it’s all about, right?
A: It is. Division game, very important game. It’s two points for us. It’s always good to get ahead in the game. They have a great record and we have a good record. We’re trying to be one of those teams that’s on top at the end of this road.
Q: Where do you think this defense can get better?
A: Third downs. We’re making it a key concept to get off the field on third downs. We’re getting off the field, but we want to make it a point to get more ‘three and outs.’ Have their percentage be at least under 35 percent.
Q: Exciting when you go out to practice and see everyone there?
A: Yes. You get all your guys back. Catch a breath of fresh air. You know when you have one guy down another guy will step up. It’s not like the two safeties that we have back there are the only two we have.
Q: How good can this secondary be when you have all your pieces?
A: Tremendous. We’re trying to get in that top-10 bracket. After the Saints game, we went down because all our DB’s were going down and not getting that same excitement back there. Now, we’re getting them all back. It’s going to be very exciting this week.
Q: In practice do you ever get a break?
A: No. In practice I don’t ever come off the field. I get as much knowledge as I can. When we get on the field, things change. As much as I can see I can react faster.
Q: What’s the challenge of Carson Wentz this week?
A: Mobile. Mobile quarterback. Has a great arm. Keeps his eyes down field. Great vision down the field and can make things happen.
Sproles and Matthews would be my preferences...