CB DeAndre Baker -- May 3, 2019
Q: How important are ball skills at your position?
A: Ball skills is the most important thing at DB. You got to get your hands on the ball, and get turnovers for the defense. That’s the biggest thing. That’s the ultimate goal of a defense is to get turnovers. So, ball skills, it’s a big role.
Q: How would you describe your personality on the field?
A: I’d say confident and fearless. That’s how I explain my personality on the field.
Q: How do you think that helps you?
A: It plays a big role, because you have to have some confidence to play defensive back. So, it plays a big role.
Q: What do you know about (CB) Janoris Jenkins?
A: He’s from South Florida. He’s a South Florida guy. He plays with a lot of swagger, a lot of personality on the field. Great player, I love watching him.
Q: You’re a physical corner. You like to press guys at the line of scrimmage. How do you think that’ll translate to (Defensive Coordinator) James Bettcher’s scheme?
A: It’ll translate well. I can adapt to whatever scheme we play, and we play a lot of press. So, it’ll be great for me to show what I can do and help my team.
Q: What do you make of questions about your size?
A: Size doesn’t really matter. As long as you can play, you help the team, you produce -- that’s the biggest thing.
Q: Do you feel any added pressure given they traded up to draft you? Or, do you just come in here and play your game?
A: I just come in and play my game and just show them they haven’t made a mistake by coming to get me. Just want to come in and help the team.
Q: As you go through this week, what are some of your goals? What do you want to show the team and the coaching staff?
A: Just show them I got the talent to help the team, and come out here and compete with the guys, and just have a great weekend.
Q: Who is the NFL receiver you’re most looking forward to defending?
A: I don’t really have a certain player. I just want to get in and help the team. Whoever is in front of me, I’m just going to compete with them and go hard.
Q: What was your initial reaction when New York took you? What’s your thoughts about playing in a big city?
A: I was excited just to get an opportunity to play for any team. Just to get my name called in the firstround. It was a blessing. I was happy.
Q: I’m assuming you’ve taken a look at the playbook. What about it makes it a good fit for what you do well?
A: It’s a lot of man-coverage. That’s what I excel in. I can do a lot of things to help the team in man coverage when I get the opportunities. That’s what I like the most about the playbook.
Q: Is it similar to what you ran at Georgia?
A: Somewhat, yes.
Q: As a cornerback, is there really much difference in the players other than speed?
A: No, not really, just speed. You got more bigger receivers and faster receivers, but it’s basically the same thing. Just perfecting your craft and getting better every week.
Q: Any reaction of learning from Janoris Jenkins?
A: I haven’t learned from him yet, but I’m just waiting on the opportunity.
Q: What will that be like being around him and picking his brain?
A: It’ll be good, just getting all the techniques and things he can teach me to get better. It’ll be good for me.
