for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

Monday Media Transcript: Cornerback Ross Cockrell

Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/4/2017 4:13 pm
Cornerback Ross Cockrell

September 4, 2017

Q: What has this week been like for you?

A: Things obviously move fast in the NFL. I am excited to be here, obviously. This is a very good team, very good defense so, whenever I can contribute, I will do that.

Q: What do you feel like you can contribute?

A: I am still learning right now. I know this is a team that has good pass rushers, playmakers on the outside. So, I am finding my role and wherever the coaches feel like they can use me, I will be there.

Q: Will you be ready by Sunday?

A: That is what I am working for, that is what I am working for. I know we have a big game, division rivals, Sunday night. So, I am in the playbook hard, learning, and in the film room as well.

Q: Did you know your time in Pittsburgh was short when [Joe] Haden signed?

A: Well, obviously Joe Haden was a big acquisition for them. So, I was just waiting.

Q: So, you figured you weren’t going to be there past the weekend?

A: No, I didn’t know. I didn’t know if they were going to keep me, find a way to keep me, or what was going to go on. So, like I said, I was just waiting to hear. I knew the deadline was going to come up so, I was just waiting on that.

Q: I assume you found out you were being traded pretty close to the deadline on Saturday?

A: Yeah, I found out I was coming here at about 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon.

Q: Can you play inside and outside?

A: That’s what they’ve been asking me to do here so, yes.

Q: What goes through your mind when they tell you that you are traded? You are probably hoping you got traded to a good team, right?

A: Yes, yes that is exactly right and I was very happy to find out it was here. Like I said, I know this is a good team on the rise and a team that is chasing a Super Bowl. That was the focus of my offseason training so, I am glad that it didn’t go to waste.

Q: Do you focus on the game plan or do you try to learn the playbook?

A: At this point, I am just trying to learn the basics. I have to get all of the terminology down just to make sure when I get into the game plan, that I have those basic fundamentals down, that I have the building blocks that are necessary for me to be a contributor on the team.

Q: Do you know anybody here?

A: I knew Shane Vereen through interaction with his younger brother. Romeo Okwara and I are from the same hometown and then obviously we played the Giants last year so, I played against a couple of the guys here.

Q: What is it like when you get traded?

A: Well yeah, the transition is fast. I don’t have a house in Pittsburgh, but you know you have to figure out a way to get out of leasing agreements and stuff like that. But yeah, it all happens fast. The team has been very helpful with the transition, just letting me know whatever I need and getting me contacted with the right people to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Q: Give us a scouting report on yourself.

A: I would see a guy that’s on the line of scrimmage. Likes to get hands on the receivers at the line of scrimmage, which I know is something that we do here with [Janoris] Jenkins and Eli [Apple] and DRC [Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie]. So, I think I fit right in with that mold.

Q: What have you learned that you would like to improve on?

A: I’ve learned a lot, I’ve learned a lot. One of the things that I’ve come to learn lately is that you have to be ready for transition at any moment. So whether that is playing on the outside, playing on the inside, I have to be willing to grow and adapt and stay open to all of the possibilities within this team.

Q: You are coming from a camp where you had to cover Antonio Brown now, you are coming here to Odell Beckham. How advantageous is that for you?

A: It’s very advantageous. Obviously because these are some of the guys who are top 5 receivers in the league. So, whenever you get to go against that kind of talent, it is going to elevate your game.

Q: Is it tough for you that the trade came so close to the end of the summer?

A: Well because it is happening so fast, I believe that makes it easier because I don’t have time to worry about this or worry about that. I am here in New York with the Giants. I am learning a new system, I am learning a new game plan and we got a big game on Sunday night. So, there’s not really time to think about anything else. I am very happy that I have a wife who is handling things for me in Pittsburgh and handling some of the details on that end. So, it makes it easier for me to focus on football.

Q: Is there something that you can learn from being behind guys like DRC, Apple, and Jenkins?

A: Yeah, well these are guys who played at an all pro level last year, top 5 defense, all of that. So, I am coming in with an open heart, open mentality to learn as much as I can from them and wherever they see a role for me, I’ll be in that role and I will contribute.

Q: What can you bring to this group?

A: I think there is a balance there with some of the guys. Their personalities, my personality. We are all people that love football and I think that’s going to help the room a lot just talking football, learning football, and knowing football.
He makes a good impression  
GeorgeAdams33 : 9/4/2017 4:36 pm : link
I feel much better about the backup CBs this year.

Been a long time since our third or fourth guy  
JerseyCityJoe : 9/4/2017 7:51 pm : link
in any position might be more than a future physical trainer.
Sounds like he's getting some work inside  
UberAlias : 9/4/2017 9:52 pm : link
Wonder if we'll ever see some looks with him in slot and DRC at safety.
RE: Sounds like he's getting some work inside  
section125 : 9/5/2017 8:19 am : link
In comment 13584045 UberAlias said:
Quote:
Wonder if we'll ever see some looks with him in slot and DRC at safety.


As we know DRC can be "fragile," so he will need to learn slot ASAP. Not sure if anybodt besides Apple have done slot.
Back to the Corner