Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence II
June 13, 2023
Q. What's it like to be back out, Dexter? What did you think of the group today?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: I think we looked pretty good today. A couple substitution errors on the field but easy things to fix.
Q. What's it like with (Rakeem Nunez-Roches) Nacho now and the depth on the defensive line?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: It's good. Nacho brings an older mindset to the group, and he knows how to work. He knows how to train, and he's eager to get better. He's not stubborn or anything like that. Us all having the same mindset and growing and getting better together.
Q. A'Shawn (Robinson)?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: He's an older guy, too. He brings knowledge and he has some strong hands when he good come over. Him teaching us, just playing with your hands, and bringing all that to the film room.
Q. You were at Saquon's event on Sunday, what kind of vibe did you get from him, and how weird is this whole off-season without him being around?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: To me, he's still Saquon to me. He didn't really -- whatever he's going through, you just read about it or something like that. But to me, he's still Saquon to me.
Q. Is it weird not having him here?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Of course, he's one of the leaders in the locker room. I love him, and I respect him. It'll all play out for the best, I believe.
Q. (Sterling Shepard) Shep was just talking about how guys, sometimes in the off-season when they get a new contract, come in with a little money swag. You might have a little bit, but what's Daniel's? (Jones)
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Still coming in every morning and staying late at night. Daniel is a grinder. Guy like that, he has good traits. I don't even think he has swag to begin with (laughter). You all see him, you just talked to him, he's just Daniel.
Q. Any difference at all?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: He's vocal. A little more vocal. He's still a great leader. I just say he's a little more vocal and demands things.
Q. Andre was talking to us earlier about how to prepare guys and he said he makes good cuts and bad cuts on every play -- what's your feeling on that?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: I like it personally, just to see myself, see my body do something good and then see this is why I did it bad. Stay humble in a sense, you know, you can have all this rah-rah highlight stuff like that, but at the end of the day you still have plays that you need to fix. I respect that. He does that for the whole group. He shows us our good and he shows us why it was good, and he shows us our bad and why it was bad.
Q. Do you learn from watching Leo (Leonard Williams)
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Yeah, today we watched Leo, and seeing how he did certain things to win, how he wanted and why he wanted, it was good to see. He took it outside today and worked on it in practice, so things like that helps us develop and grow as a group.
Q. How excited are you to be working with Wink (Martindale) again?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: I'm excited to have the second year with Wink, that's my guy. It's good to continue to not change it up again but to just grow everyone and is more comfortable out here in OTAs. Last year, it was like -- but now everybody knows what to call, when to call it, and it looks fluent.
Q. How do you and Leo complement each other? And where are you as a tandem?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: We're top tier. We've been playing together four, going on five years now. Sometimes we look at each other and know what's about to happen and know what we want to do in that play. So, I think, you know, we both stayed healthy and grow through this time off and come back in the best shape of our lives and do something special.
Q. How important is it that this is not your last year together?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: I think it's really important just to keep the group together. Keep the core together. He's a great leader. Guys respect him. He brings a lot of knowledge. It's like year nine for him, wow, he's getting up there. He's always been that way. He's always been a great leader, and just to have him around is a breath of fresh air.
Q. You said Daniel doesn't have swag but sounds like you do according to your teammates.
DEXTER LAWRENCE: I've always had swag. You don't worry about that. I think I'm the same guy. Goofy, genuine, caring. I think that's just who I am. I've got a little more money now, so I guess I'm more noticeable. But I don't know, I think I've always been the same. Maybe I dress a little better maybe.
Q. I'm sorry to ask this, but have you noticed your assistant Coach Patterson's weight loss and the fact that he looks a lot better, he's moving around?
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Yeah, thank God. I'm happy for him. He lost a ton of weight, and you know, he feels better. He feels healthier. He can come out and he doesn’t have to be on the scooter no more running around. I'm happy for him.
Q. He said you guys were giving him a lot of grief before his weight loss.
DEXTER LAWRENCE: Yeah, he knew. He knew what needed to be done and he took control of it and started, and now he's in good shape, looking good.
