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Monday Media Transcript: S Landon Collins

Eric from BBI : Admin : 6/4/2018 2:57 pm
S Landon Collins
June 4, 2018
 
Q: Are you ahead of schedule in returning from injury, or would you say you are right on schedule?
A: I feel like we are on schedule. We kind of just kept it to ourselves about the whole process and stuff like that. We always knew it was going to take about four weeks, to be safe, six to eight. But it took about four weeks with the proper equipment that we needed.
 
Q: How important was it for you to be here for the mental part of the game?
A: For myself, it was very important mentally because I’ve got to learn a new defense. We’ve got new guys here, new faces, we’ve got new personalities. So, we’ve all got to get together and understand each other and be on one page, so we can be a great defense and a great team overall.
 
Q: What do you see from the different players getting first-team reps at the other safety position alongside you?
A: They’re playing great ball out there. They’re getting an understanding, the guys they’re playing next to, they’re on a tight rope, so they’re understanding which person got this and making the right call, so the defense has the right call and [they are] playing fast.
 
Q: What do you like most about this defense so far?
A: Everybody can make plays, literally. It’s not to where it’s keyed on one person making the play. It’s overall, anybody can make the play. And we all can play fast. It’s not very complex and we have everything set in stone. You just play fast.
 
Q: So, do players have more flexibility to make a play if it is there?
A: Correct. It’s more flexibility. You see something, go get it. We play ball, we just play fast.
 
Q: How close are you to being 100% again?
A: I check with the doctors sometime this week, or next week. I’m very close. Just right now, we’re just taking the precautions, not putting me into the team things, getting my arm caught or anything. We’re right around the corner from the season, so we’re not about to risk anything.
 
Q: Do you feel like you could be cleared for mandatory minicamp next week?
A: I could be, but at the same time, at the end of the day we still won’t take any risks. It’s minicamp, we’re not playing for anything right now.
 
Q: Do you have any worry about the injury not properly healing?
A: Right now, no, no worries right now. None at all.
 
Q: Why did doctors say you had to have surgery again? Did something go wrong?
A: Nothing went wrong, we did everything, had my second opinion from other doctors, everything was great. I was just in that 20 percentile where it didn’t heal correctly.
 
Q: What is the biggest different around the building from last season?
A: The attitude. Everybody is hungrier. People wanting to play and the new staff is in here. They’re asking a lot more from players.
 
Q: What do you mean the staff is asking more from players?
A: Just asking to come out here and practice and play hard and earn your position.
 
Q: Do you mean the staff is asking to get more hours out of the players?
A: Oh no, not more hours. 
 
Q: What do you mean, ‘earn your position’?
A: Just put in more work. Don’t be lackadaisical, basically. As we were kind of last year, everybody was kind of set in stone, everybody knew who was going to be playing. We ‘re looking for, like you say, accountability and knowing what you’re supposed to do, how you’re supposed to do it and when you’re supposed to do it. And come out here and play each and every down. And I know you all saw the practice today, everybody is still flying around and I don’t know how many practices we’ve had so far, but we’re getting close to the end and we’re still flying.
 
Q: With the new coaching staff and front office, do you have to prove something to a whole new group now?
A: Correct. Yeah, definitely. I’ve got to come in and say that I can learn this defense, even though I’m not on the field, and put it to the test. And when I get my opportunity to show that I can do it, that me not being on the field is not slowing me down.
 
Q: Is Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher communicating more with players about what they want the defense to look like?
A: No, not right now. We haven’t gotten that far yet, we’re just kind of learning the defense, taking it step by step and making things work. If it doesn’t work, he’ll take a note to it and we’ll go from there. But he hasn’t asked any of the players that I know of, anything about what they like about the defense yet.
 
Q: What do you make of Bettcher?
A: He’s a cool guy. He’s a great coach, he’s very stern, he loves what he does. And he loves his players and wants us to all play great.
 
Q: How would you describe Bettcher’s defense?
A: If I were to describe it, I would say, like what I came from in college, honestly. When he came in and he started coaching, it was like I’m back to kind of my grounds and stuff like that. Still quarters, still stuff like that, but back to my grounds from what I had learned in college. It’s kind of second nature.
 
Q: Do the players have a ‘clean slate’ attitude after last season?
A: Yeah, we put all of that behind us. It’s a clean season, new coaching staff, new team, new players, it’s a clean slate. We just put all of that behind us. What happened then, it happened, we learned from it and now it’s time to move on.
 
Q: Is cornerback Eli Apple’s natural ability and playmaking ability the best he can bring to this team?
A: Yes. Eli, he’s comfortable now. He’s got a lot of stress off his shoulders and you can see it. He’s proven that when he comes out at the practices. I know you all have only seen a few (practices), but he’s just out here making plays. And that’s not the only play he made. So, he’s doing his thing and I’m happy for him. He’s growing up, he’s doing his thing and playing great ball.
 
Q: What was your trip to Puerto Rico like and what did you take away from it?
A: My trip to Puerto Rico was eye-opening. And what I took away from it was that people are still out there grieving and need help. But at the same time, people going out there to even help as much as they can, even if roads are closed, buildings slid down, they are still trying to get there some kind of way. Walking through rivers and stuff like that, just trying to get people what they need to help and survive. So, it was big.
 
Q: Was it shocking to you and did you take away a different perspective for what you have here?
A: Shocking, I wouldn’t say that because I went through it already. So, at the same time, I know what those people are going through. I lost my home, I’ve been without power, I’ve been displaced. Is it shocking? No, because I’ve been through it. But seeing what they’re going through, I feel it and I know their hearts sting and I know what they’re going through. So, as much as I can help, I will try my best to help.
 
Q: When you say you’ve been through it before, are you talking about Hurricane Katrina?
A: Correct. Correct.
 
Q: Was that the tough part of being in Puerto Rico, bringing back some tough memories for you?
A: It wasn’t tough because I made it out. But just thinking about it, yes, it was tough. Just seeing those people, just seeing what they’re going through, the struggle, not being able to travel, sometimes not having food. Yeah, it was tough seeing it. But just to see the smiles on their faces when they saw us walking through with packages, food, open arms just to give them a hug. It was great.
 
Q: Are you going to have to wear anything this season to protect your arm?
A: I don’t plan on it. They probably plan on it, but knowing myself, I’m not going to wear it but we’ll see from there.
 
Q: Has the piece you’re wearing on your arm affected you at all while out here?
A: No, actually the little piece I’m wearing is pretty light, so I don’t actually feel it. It’s carbon fiber, so it’s kind of light, so I was like, ‘Alright, cool’. But at the same time, it’s going to mess up my swag, so I’ve got to look good, you know?
 
Q: It would be like a weapon though, right?
A: I don’t need a weapon. My weapon, I’ve got my shoulders for that.
 
Q: Have you had a chance to digest the new leading with the helmet rules the NFL has put in place?
A: Yeah, we discussed it and as a team, we’re still going over the rules, still looking at plays and still looking at what could be a helmet-to-helmet, what couldn’t be. But at the end of the day, just learn how to tackle, learn to lead with your shoulder. If you don’t lead with your feet, you’re not leading with your head. So if you don’t leave your feet, (you) don’t lead with your head. If you stay on your feet, you’re going to constantly lead with your shoulder. I mean, that’s just how it was coached back in college. So, it’s kind of second nature for me to tackle correctly.
 
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