Cornerback Adoree' Jackson
Q: It seemed like you were making a lot of plays on the ball. Do you feel like you had one of your better training camps?
A: I feel like I had the most fun that I've had in a while. Just going back and playing football like I was playing Pop Warner. I will say it made me feel like a kid again being out there playing, running around with the guys. Just doing what I love to do.
Q: Does any of that have to do with embracing the role as the number one corner, undisputedly, for the first time?
A: No, I think it has more to do with just me being through what I've been through, understanding myself, overcoming some things and just honing back into myself and learning about myself over these past couple of years, going through life. I think that's what I give credit to.
Q: One of the things you've been through is that release from the Tennessee Titans. What are your thoughts on playing them Week 1?
A: It's going to be cool. I get to see a couple of my guys. (Safety) Kevin Byard, (Safety) Amani Hooker, (Running Back) Derrick Henry, and (Wide Receiver) Robert Woods. That's what I'm most excited about, seeing some familiar faces. A couple of the coaches that I know, built some relationships with. It's just going to be fun seeing them, chopping it up with them. Probably get a jersey after the game or two so that's going to be nice.
Q: Any hard feelings towards that organization?
A: No, not at all. That's the organization that drafted me, so I'm forever thankful and grateful for the opportunity that they gave me. At the end of the day, it just didn't pan out the way they wanted, and I wanted. That's how life goes. God gives you second chances to open another door when one closes and I'm here and I'm appreciative.
Q: What's the key to slowing down Derrick Henry?
A: I mean he's going to do what he does. It's crazy, back in the day there was something about a basketball player that was like, 'Yeah, LeBron James is going to be LeBron James. You may be able to cool him off for like one, two, three quarters but at the end of the day he's still going to get his points and get whatever he can get.' So, at the end of the day, just put 11 hats to the ball and just try to limit him as much as possible. I mean Derrick Henry, that's the top back in the league. Just go out there and play our keys and do what we know how to do and run to the ball.
Q: From being his teammate, is he one of those kinds of backs that you feel like as the game progresses, he grows stronger with it?
A: I feel like he can get you in the first quarter or the fourth quarter, he's the same back at the end of the day. From the start of the game to the end of the game, that's what playing with him and seeing the play from last year watching him through a couple of games, that he had. I mean, the first couple of games he had rushing for, once he got hurt, I think four more weeks, and that just attests to the type of player he is and what he's able to do.
Q: When you go out there the receivers you are going to face aren't going to be the same guys you faced down there are they?
A: The couple ones that I had, (Wide Receiver) Cody Hollister and (Wide Receiver Nick) Westbrook(-Ikhine). I played against them a couple of times during practice but other than that I know it's going to be all different faces.
Q: You faced (Wide Receiver Robert) Woods out there in LA?
A: What's crazy is me and Robert went to the same high school. So, I've known him. Played against him my rookie year in the league. Played against him last year when they came down here with the Rams. I'm not familiar with him, but I've played against him a couple of times.
Q: What about this defense suits you? It seems like you're having more fun, you're around the ball a ton. Is it just that man-to-man, straight coverage is kind of your game?
A: Just honing in to whatever they ask me to do. Just trusting in myself, believing in myself and buying into the scheme and things (Defensive Coordinator) Wink (Martindale) wants me to do.
Q: It kind of feels like if you're on an island and you're shutting down that island, you're going to get a lot of attention. Is this a defense that makes names for corners?
A: It puts you in a position to make plays and it's all on you if you're going to make them or not. It gives you an opportunity and it's about you capitalizing on them. So, I'm just thankful to be in the position.
Q: Can you sense an extra level of excitement? Game week being here, obviously a lot of optimism…
A: It's Week 1, so there's always a little more excitement because it's finally going against somebody for real. Preseason games you're going against people, but actually being out there for four quarters and battling against somebody else, and all the hard work you put in through camp is finally over. People that are here on the 53 and the guys on the practice squad are putting in that work to get you ready. So, week by week we're going to try to get better and win.
Q: You said you don't have any hard feelings towards the Titans. I'm wondering what was last year like for you, you're playing well but you're on a team that goes 4-13 and your old buddies get the number one seed in the AFC. Was there any part of like, 'Wow what could've been'?
A: No, I'm not going to lie I was shocked when they lost to the Bengals. I know those guys, I've been with those guys, guys that I've known, I was there for four years. I always want to root for the guys that I know and see them do well. Like I said, never any hard feelings at all.
Q: You wanted them to win the Super Bowl?
A: I mean I know players on the team, I know them. They're not in NFC they're in the AFC, so they can go ahead and do their thing if they wanted to (laughs).
Q: I'm saying once the playoffs started…
A: No, for sure. I wanted to see them do well just because I've known a lot of their guys for like four years.
Q: What do you recall about playing against (Quarterback) Ryan Tannehill?
A: He's a great player. He's got some dog in him. He can run the ball, throw the ball, he's very smart, accurate with his passing. Just an overall, I feel like a good quarterback in this league.
