Transcript: Cornerback Deonte Banks

Cornerback Deonte Banks

Q. How was the first day?

DEONTE BANKS: It was really good. Real smooth. Real light. Real good.

Q. What's been your first impression of Coach Daboll and the coaching staff, just getting you acclimated here?

DEONTE BANKS: I like it. I like the coaches, I like how they coach me. It's real smooth. It's real good.

Q. How about the important stuff? What do you think of No. 36?

DEONTE BANKS: It's alright. It's just what I have right now. That's what I'm working with right now. That's cool.

Q. Did you pick it?

DEONTE BANKS: No, I didn't pick it, no. They just gave it to me.

Q. You grew up watching the Ravens. How easy was it for you to go out there and kind of execute what (Defensive Coordinator) Wink Martindale was asking you to do?

DEONTE BANKS: They play a lot of man, so if you know me, you know how I play man.

Q. What is it about man defense that you like?

DEONTE BANKS: I don't know, it's just a mentality thing. I just love doing it.

Q. Is there ever a challenge that you ever back down from?

DEONTE BANKS: Never.

Q. Is that just part of your DNA?

DEONTE BANKS: Yeah, that's just me. That's who I am.

Q. What was the reaction like at home? You talked about how you wanted to kind of be a role model for the kids at your school. Have you gotten any reaction from the school people or coaches or anything like that since the draft?

DEONTE BANKS: A lot of people showed me a lot of love. Even my high school showed me a lot of love, people just around whole city, they've shown me a lot of love.

Q. How did the high school show you?

DEONTE BANKS: They actually put me up on -- if you ride past the high school it says some words on it, and it says, 'congrats.' That's all.

Q. What do you think you need to work on? What do you want to develop?

DEONTE BANKS: Right now, I'm just trying to get better every day, be a better player every day.

Q. Who are you looking forward to meeting of the veterans when they come in? They haven't been around, but they will be soon.

DEONTE BANKS: Everybody, just everybody. Just being with everybody. I just want to be with everybody.

Q. Working with the guys at Maryland who you had at receiver, how did that prepare you for what you saw out here today?

DEONTE BANKS: It definitely prepared me because we had Dontay Demus, Rakim Jarrett, (Jacob) Copeland, all of those guys they compete a lot, so it just makes it competitive.

Q. Are you planning to sign your contract this weekend?

DEONTE BANKS: No, I don't know that.

Q. Who was the best guy you faced in college?

DEONTE BANKS: In my career? I'd say (Jets Wide Receiver) Garrett Wilson for sure. Actually (Ohio State Wide Receiver) Marvin (Harrison), Marvin was cool.

Q. Do you talk trash with Marvin?

DEONTE BANKS: I tried. He (didn't) talk too much.

Q. Is that something you bring to the NFL, just talking on the line? Is that something you like doing a lot?

DEONTE BANKS: I've got to get in there first. I've got to make my mark first.

Q. You're obviously excited to start this next phase of your career. How do you balance that with keeping your focus and not over doing it?

DEONTE BANKS: I really don't feel like it's a switch. I feel like it's just me being me.

Q. I heard talking to some guys down in Maryland that your biggest rivalry was one of your closest friends in (Raiders Cornerback Jakorian Bennett) J.B. in that DB room. How special is it to have both you guys in the pros?

DEONTE BANKS: J.B., we were really competitive with each other. We always challenged each other, and I feel like that's what made us get drafted.

Q. Do you look for that kind of relationship when you get in the locker room around the veterans?

DEONTE BANKS: For sure, definitely. You've got to. That's what makes the team better, makes the chemistry better.

Q. You're the first rounder. I'm sure all eyes are on you being the alpha out here. Is there a lot on that?

DEONTE BANKS: I feel like there's no pressure on me. I'm just ready to work.

Q. A year ago when you were coming off the shoulder injury, is this what the dream was, first round NFL Draft pick? Would you have thought this was possible?

DEONTE BANKS: I always thought this was possible. Just actually if I didn't get injured, I would have entered that year, my junior year.

Q. That really messed up your plans then?

DEONTE BANKS: It did, but everything worked out in my favor I feel like. I graduated too, so it was good.

Q. What's your degree in?

DEONTE BANKS: Family science.

Q. What does family science entail?

DEONTE BANKS: Just working with kids, being a teacher or being a trainer, or a coach.

Q. Is that something you did a lot in college? Did you spend your spare time working with kids and getting out in the community?

DEONTE BANKS: Yeah, for sure, had to. Got to.

Q. Why?

DEONTE BANKS: I like seeing the smiles on young kids' faces.

Q. Do you anticipate maybe having a camp down the line?

DEONTE BANKS: Oh, for sure, 100 percent.

Q. What does it mean when you see a coach who really wants to get to know you?

DEONTE BANKS: He's real cool. He's a real cool guy. I feel like it's just us. We're just cool.

Q. What's it like to work with (Defensive Backs) Coach Henderson, a former NFL DB?

DEONTE BANKS: Really good. He knows a lot and he's going to teach me a lot.

Q. Has he taught you anything since you walked in the door? I know it's early.

DEONTE BANKS: He showed us my defense, and I'm learning that right now.

Q. What was it like going through that first walk-through?

DEONTE BANKS: It was really cool. Everything was real slowed down for me. I like walk-throughs. I take pride in walk-throughs.