Outside Linebacker Azeez Ojulari
Q: Can you talk about the sack right there at the start of the second half? What you saw, how you felt it changed the game?
A: I had a one-on-one matchup, they put me on the tight end. I beat him. Just won my one on one. Got to the quarterback. When I get to the quarterback, I always try to get the ball out because you never know what can happen, could change. I could go for the ball, I reach for it – it came out. I thought (Outside Linebacker Oshane Ximines) Ox had it but he missed it, so I fell on it again. Just kept hunting for the ball.
Q: He actually had a fumble recovery and then a fumble, so you'll have to give him a hard time for it…
A: (Laughs) Exactly.
Q: Overall, does it feel like a win? Does it feel like a loss? Does it feel like something in between? That had the vibe of a losing locker room, it was very quiet – but you didn't lose.
A: It's a tie. I've never tied before. So it's like – a tie, we were this close. Tried to get the win but it's all good, we're trying to move on to next week now because we see them again the following week. Just move on to next week and try to focus on Philly.
Q: Does that put more pressure on you? Now, the Commanders are going to be in a bye, you guys face the Eagles then you're down in Washington taking on the Commanders. The winner will take the tiebreaker so how do you guys prepare for that when you know they're going to be preparing for you the whole time?
A: We've just got to go take it one week at a time, one game at a time, focus on the game that we're playing that week and then we'll go from there. When we start thinking like this, this, we've got them next week – it's going to mess us up.
Q: After (outside linebacker Kayvon) Thibodeaux gets that sack in overtime and they're at the two yard line – they basically start playing for a tie running the ball. Did you expect that? In the moment were you like – wait, why are they running the ball? Were you guys expecting them to play for a tie there?
A: Yeah, we were expecting it. We were expecting that at the end trying to get out of there.
Q: After your sack, there were a bunch of other times you were still in the quarterback's face. Did the sack get you going?
A: It did, it definitely got me going for sure. Just fueled my fire and just got me on a roll after that.
Q: One of those was a fourth and four, you were in (Washington quarterback Taylor) Heinicke's face and he kind of slung it – it was on the 90-yard touchdown drive. What did you see in that play? Did you feel like you were this close and turn around and?
A: Yeah, I was that close man. I was trying to change it up, go inside, spin back outside – Heinicke made a good throw and they got the ball.
Q: Cap at that point?
A: All respect to him.
Q: Did you expect to play as much as you did today?
A: I was on a pitch count but when the team needed me, my body felt good to be able to go. However many plays it was.
Q: How much were you dying to get back out there?
A: I've been dying. It's been eight weeks. Man, I've been dying to get back out there. Just watching them on the side is tough. When I got my opportunity, took advantage of everything. Thank God I'm back and blessed to be back.
Q: Did you have to argue with the coaches to give you more plays?
A: No. My body was feeling good, so they said if I'm feeling good, I'll be able to go. They let me go.
Q: How did you feel after that sack recovery?
A: I was hyped (laughs). I was so hyped because it's been so long since I've been back on the field. That just gave me so much juice and I was lit.
Q: Why do you think you're able to finish sacks? A lot of guys get quarterback hits. A lot of guys get pressures. Why are you able to finish? That's 10.0 sacks in 20 games for you.
A: I just feel like I hunt. I just want to get there. The urgency for me to get there is high. I just want to make an impact for the team no matter what it is.
Q: To that end, (Defensive coordinator) Wink (Martindale) believes in blitzing a lot but today I think you guys had at least 4.0 sacks. You had one, Thibodeaux had one, (defensive lineman) Dexter (Lawrence) had one. Do you feel like you bring something extra to the defense where everyone starts getting after the quarterback?
A: Definitely. I feel like as a unit, we all feed off each other. We all get energy from each other and just try to amp it up every game, throughout practice – everything. Just get juice from each other and the rush gets hot. The intensity gets high.
Q: I just talked with Kayvon and he thinks that you make each other better. You both had sacks today. What do you think this connection on the field is with each other?
A: Yeah, I love Kayvon. The way he comes to work every day, the energy he brings. We feed off each other. We work together out there on the field. It's perfect man, he makes me better and I make him better. It's perfect.
Q: You meant after the fourth and four where Heinicke completed the pass. You guys were so good before that, after that. What happened on that drive that they were able to get down the field and tie the game?
A: They made a good play. The receiver, he made a great play over there. He got off, broke a tackle, and ended up in the end zone. All hats off, respect to them. It was a good play.
Q: How do you feel about your defense coming off this game right now? Do you feel like you're in a good place?
A: Yeah. Definitely we have stuff to work on, for sure. We'll just take it week by week. Go back, go in tomorrow watch the game again to see what we've got to fix for the next week coming up.
