Transcript: Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence

Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence

Q: How'd it go? How did the scrimmage go?

A: I mean, it was just a normal practice. We both understood we're out here to get better. Here to compete, make each other better; and obviously you want to win. So, that's kind of the mindset of the whole thing.

Q: Did it add a little bit more competitiveness?

A: Oh yeah, for sure. Just not going and beating up my guys up all the time. I have to beat up on some other people, which is fun, which is always fun. Just changing the tempo of practice, not making it seem like 'Oh, you're still in camp' kind of thing.

Q: The only negative – seeing (Outside Linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari) pull up a little bit in the sprints?

A: You say what?

Q: Seeing Azeez pull up in the sprints.

A: Oh, I didn't see that. I mean, probably just tired or something.

Q: You said it's good to beat up on other people for a while. How do you think you did? Obviously, this is not real live stuff, but how did you think you did matching up with them?

A: There's things in the last preseason game that I feel like I needed to work on, and the offense kind of did the same thing. So, my focus was to tighten up those techniques and just be dominant and get better at that form of run style.

Q: How ready are you guys to kind of put the preseason away and start focusing on...

A: You know, you need all the little bit of time you need. We're still learning each other. Growing. Learning how to communicate a little better. So, it's enough time for us to get where we need to be before the first game and come out blazing hot.

Q: You guys are pretty banged up right now. Azeez's injury was not good. How do you kind of as a team wrap kind your head around where you guys are at with injury-wise?

A: You don't want to see none of your guys go down. We need everybody that's in the locker room. So, nobody's fond of injury. Nobody ever wants to see that. So, you just got to make sure the next guy's ready and pray for a speedy recovery.

Q: Is there anything you've particularly learned from (Defensive Coordinator) Wink (Martindale) or this staff that you think is making you a better player?

A: I'd say just as a staff, just having us be comfortable, having us learn our games more, putting us in the right positions. You know, continue to allow us to run the defense and allow us to be in control of whatever goes on. I really respect that about the coaches. They know it's a player-driven league, and the players are on the field.

Q: Is playing faster maybe part of all of what you just said, too?

A: Yeah. We preach run to the ball. We preach getting shots to the ball. We preach all 11 just going all out and playing for each other.

Q: What type of leader have you seen (Safety) Xavier (McKinney) evolve into?

A: He's always been a guy that's outspoken about how he feels about things and, you know, just a natural leader. So, nothing's really changed from what I've seen with him. I guess you all are kind of seeing different with that. But within, he's always been a guy to hold everybody accountable no matter what – no matter how he tells you. So, you got to respect a guy like that.

Q: He had a position group that had a lot of big voices and big personalities. Does that help his rise a little bit this year?

A: I mean, probably. I just always seen it from him. And you got to, as a rookie, pay your dues to your vets.

Q: I don't know if it's just me, but has your handwork improved any more this year? You seem to be...

A: I feel like that's just part of learning the position, learning how to use them better. I've always been strong. Just learn how to put them in good positions, manipulate shoulders of offensive linemen and continue to be dominant.

Q: Putting the scouting hat on, what was your takeaway from the Jets offensive line today?

A: They're strong up front. Savvy. It was good to go against them. You feel different things going against different people. So, it's good to have that kind of competition to where you know, 'Okay. I've felt this kind of block before. I've felt this. I've seen this.'

Q: So, their left tackle Duane Brown, I'm sure you know him, turns 37 at the end of this month. Can you just imagine – you're laughing – but is that almost unfathomable to you to be playing?

A: That's some age right there. It means he knows what he's doing. He's taking care of his body. Has a strong mental. So, I give all the respect to him.

Q: You won't play until you're 37?

A: Hopefully, if my body's willing.