Transcript: Outside Linebacker Azeez Ojulari

Outside Linebacker Azeez Ojulari

October 9, 2024

Q: On preparing for the game this week…

AZEEZ OJULARI: I feel like I prepare every week the same, no matter what it is. Just come out here, try to work, get better, and execute the game plan every day. Compete at practice and take it one day at a time.

Q: Has it been harder for you with a more limited role this year? Has that been harder for you? I mean, you've always been a starter…

AZEEZ OJULARI: No, I'm coming in every day and try to execute one day at a time. Whatever it is I have to do, when I step out there on the field, I try to give it my all, try to make a play and make an impact.

Q: How do you feel like you've played in that different role?

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's smooth. I don't think it’s anything crazy. Just trying to keep working every day, just trying to make an impact when I'm out there on the field, no matter what it is.

Q: How is your game this year? Have you noticed a difference in how you are playing? Have you fine-tuned anything to the point where you feel like you have a chance to make more of an impact?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm trying to play lower, violent hands and trying to be a physical guy like I always am. Just keep the speed up and try to make impact when I'm out there. Just execute the game plan, whatever the coaches want us to do and just bring every play.

Q: The reason I ask that is because in years past, just when you felt like you get to a point where you were really seeing who you could be as a player, we know what happened. But you've kind of been on the road, so certainly not to jinx anything, but I imagine you're seeing the growth in your game more so this year than you have in the past year…

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's a blessing when you can go week to week and be out there every time and not miss any games. I thank God, every day. It's a blessing to be out there every week competing with the guys, my brothers, my teammates out here, trying to get a win. That's all it is at the end of the day.

Q: You're having one of your best seasons, health obviously a big factor of it, but what is it about this defense in particular that has brought out the best in you?

AZEEZ OJULARI: We all work together. We all work together as one, as a unit. We push each other every day at practice. We all try to improve and get better. It's the standard here, try to continue to improve and get better and push each other out here and continue to try to get wins.

Q: Does it give you almost an extra boost of motivation, knowing how much the pass rush has improved this year, personnel-wise and with the numbers too?

AZEEZ OJULARI: Definitely. We always want to improve in here. Every day we're in here, we're always trying to find something that we can get better at. And, as you see, it's showing up on Sundays and we've got to keep it going. That's the main thing.

Q: How do you look at this opportunity? You're obviously a free agent to be and you're going to get a big opportunity the next few weeks, maybe a month or so. How do you kind of look at this chance to really showcase yourself?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm here every day preparing, every single day. No matter what it is, I'll be ready to go out there and perform to the highest level, execute the game plan and do my job.

Q: For the most part, you've played on the left side. Can you play the right side or are you interchangeable?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I can play any side. I'm comfortable any way. I'm good any way. Whenever I come in, any side, whatever is open, I'm good. I'm rolling.

Q: What have your coaches said to you this week in preparation of having more of a workload?

AZEEZ OJULARI: Continue to execute, get reps and just be ready. Nothing different, really. Game week, prepare the same, just go out there and try to execute.

Q: How much does it help you to play the way you know you can, when you've been able to practice every day all summer and now all fall?

AZEEZ OJULARI: It's good. It's a blessing when you build that callus all summer, all camp and OTAs. The buildup and the reps and the repetition, your body's used to. That's why you need that, for sure. Then it definitely carries over to the season to continue the stretch, the long season.

Q: Are you excited to be a starter again?

AZEEZ OJULARI: I'm always excited to take the field, no matter what opportunity I get. Whether it is – starter or not, I'm always excited to be out there and help this defense win or contribute in any way, always.