Thursday Media Transcript: TE Rhett Ellison

Tight End Rhett Ellison
September 27, 2018
 
Re: preparation for opposing pass rushes
A: We do a lot with coaches, but we also have a protection meeting, and as a unit, we meet with quarterbacks, running backs, because protection is everybody’s responsibility, including the guys running the routes. So yeah, we do get together a lot.
 
Q: When you replace a guy like (TE) Evan Engram, do you sit there and say, I have to do everything he does?
A: No, because like I said, there’s stuff that I can’t do that Evan does. For me, it’s just trying to execute the plays and find my role in the play that’s called, and try to make a play.
 
Q: So the rules of the tight end stay the same, but everybody just does their own thing?
A: Yeah, and that’s just the tight end position. It’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades anyway, so you have to know the plays. Evan is going to run them a little differently than I do, obviously, but you got to know your role in that play.
 
Q: How are you approaching this situation mentally knowing a lot more people will be focused on you?
A: I’m just treating it like any other game. Just prepare the same way, and just mentally and physically get as healthy as possible for Sunday. You don’t really treat it any different than any other game. You always are preparing for that just in case. It’s a physical sport, so that’s always on the table.
 
Q: Have you learned anything from Evan?
A: Almost anytime we talk about coverage, especially now, I’m like, ‘hey, what would you do against this guy?’ Or, ‘how would you run that route’ because he sees that, as opposed to my career, I’ve mostly been focused on the blocks. So, he can show me or teach me certain things when you’re outside of the blocks and what to look for. He’s been very helpful with that stuff.
 
Q: Do you feel as if that has impacted or improved your game at all?
A: Yeah, definitely. I think everyone in the room kind of – that’s the nature of football. You kind of learn from each other and make each other better.
 
Q: You heard Coach Shurmur compare you to (Former Giants TE) Mark Bavaro?
A: Yeah, I think it was mostly a mentality thing (laughter).
 
Q: Coach Shurmur is going to break out the film of Bavaro against the 49ers when he carries 10 guys down the field.
A: One of which was my dad. So, I’m sure my dad is not happy about this comparison (laughter).
 
Q: On the touchdown you scored, was that an Evan Engram play? Or was that a Rhett Ellison play?
A: That’s just a play. That’s kind of a musical chairs plays. So, whoever is in, run it. It worked out that it was single-high. (QB) Eli (Manning) threw a perfect ball, so can’t really complain about that.
 
Q: New Orleans’ defense mostly consists of a single-high safety, doesn’t it?
A: Sometimes, in third-down they can kind of mix it up and give you some two-highs, a little bit of everything.