Transcript: Wide Receiver Parris Campbell

Wide Receiver Parris Campbell

Q: What were you guys talking about with Julian Edelman over there?

A: We were just talking through a specific play that we just put in. Dabs (head coach Brian Daboll) was, raving about it, and he said he was the reason that we put it in. So, just kind of talking through that a little bit. He's one of the best to do it, and always good to get some insight from him.

Q: What was your reaction when LeBron (James) posted that thing about you last month, and how much did he mean to you growing up?

A: He was always an idol for me and all my friends from the city because he was the first person that we saw make it and make it big. So, he's always been an idol, but he's also been a guy that always supports not only me but other athletes in the city. So, it's always special. It means a lot when he can say something supportive or do something like that.

Q: Have you met him many times?

A: Yeah, I've met him a bunch of times. I have had good conversations with him. Good guy. Great guy.

Q: How much are you looking forward to facing another team in a different uniform this week?

A: I can't wait. I can't wait. Just super excited to put what we've been working on in practice against another opponent. Our defense, they've kind of got an idea of what we're doing nine times out of 10. So, sometimes it can be frustrating in practice, but excited to put some film out there and compete with some other talent.

Q: We've all seen (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt's speed. Beyond that, what've you seen from him so far that you like, you've been impressed with?

A: Yeah, I think obviously his speed, but just his playmaking ability. It's like every time he's out there, he's catching a deep pass and he's making a play. I've seen him come in and kind of be shy, kind of timid, but then kind of just break out into who he is and show his personality and stuff like that. Everybody was once a rookie, so I know how it was. But you can also see just his confidence growing in each play that he makes. I think that's just going to continue to build. Obviously, important two days in Detroit. He's going to get some competition out there. Just continue to keep building and then once the preseason hits, continue to keep building. So, it's kind of cool to just kind of see him go through ropes.

Q: Do you think this is a particularly complicated or difficult scheme for a rookie receiver to have to try to learn?

A: 100 percent. 100 percent. Dabs and (offensive coordinator Mike) Kaf(ka), man, they're offensive gurus. They really know what they're doing. Dabs has so much in his arsenal, he wants to always keep the defense guessing. So, we've got a lot of different plays, a lot of different things to learn. Shoot, it's tough for me. I'm a free agent signing, it's tough for me. So, I can only imagine just being a rookie and kind of doing it all over again. But he studies. Obviously, he studies, he works, he grinds and it's paying off on the field.

Q: He's doing okay so far with that?

A: Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, obviously, a rookie's always going to have some hiccups. Shoot, everybody is. But he's done a really good job.

Q: What do you consider the biggest challenge for a rookie receiver, out of curiosity?

A: Not only rookie receivers, but I feel like rookies in general, kind of just having that moment to know that you belong in the league and know that you're supposed to be here. I think, like I say, it goes back to just building that confidence. I think once you have that confidence to know, 'I can play with these guys, I'm supposed to be here,' then things just take off for you. Because it's something new, it's something different. Everybody's good at this level. Everybody's fast – you talk about that speed, but everybody's fast.

Follow-up question about confidence

A: For sure, that's what I'm saying. He continues to make those plays, and that confidence just keeps building.

Q: Is this a year for you just to show you can stay healthy two years in a row and get a more than one-year deal?

A: Yeah, I mean, I feel like every year is pivotal. No matter who you are, no matter what your deal is, what your contract is, every year is pivotal because you've got to earn your job every single day in this league. For me, it's definitely a pivotal time in my career. I'm excited for this new and fresh opportunity to be here. So yeah, I'm excited.

Q: Did you feel unlucky the first three years with the way you got hurt?

A: Yeah, 100 percent. I mean, I say this all the time, I just feel like I had some unlucky breaks. Hopefully, I got all the injury history out on the front end. So, I'm just excited for what's to come.

Q: Do you agree that you and (quarterback) Daniel (Jones) have some pretty good chemistry already?

A: Yeah, man. I think it's continued to build each and every day. I think the stuff we did in the offseason, the throwing trips, getting together, obviously OTAs, and just all that stuff, accumulation, has started off to be just a great rapport between us. But it's still early, we've got a long way to go, a long way to build and once again, I'm excited to go to Detroit and put that to the test and continue to keep building. But definitely, I feel like we're in a good spot.

Q: What do you think of him as a quarterback?

A: Man, he's awesome. I always say this when anyone asks me: he doesn't get enough credit for how hard he works and the time that he puts in. When I first got here, just seeing him in the weight room just grinding and putting into work, watching film, whatever it is, this dude, he's grinding all hours of the day. Obviously, that's something that the outside world is not going to see or is ever going to see, but that's what makes you good once you step in between these lines. He's not shy about putting in the work.

Q: You've been around a lot of quarterbacks, though. Does that stand out to you? I would think that's almost standard. Does he go above and beyond that?

A: Yeah, I mean, I think so. Then again, too, with Daniel, he's kind of the first quarterback I've had relatively close to my age. We're basically the same age, got us in the same draft class. So, I feel like it's easier to relate to him in certain ways. Like I said, he's working all hours of the day, man. I'm not kidding you. Like, it's all hours of the day. So, it's just pretty cool to see and it's pretty cool to be able to kind of relate on a more personal level.

Q: What's the difference between a quarterback who's a little bit older and one who's your age with that relatability?

A: Yeah, I think I played with a lot of different guys, and I would say the older quarterbacks are kind of like, 'This is the way that it's going to be done.' They kind of have their way. I mean, especially for guys like Phillip Rivers, and Matt Ryan, these guys have done it for a long time, probably going to be Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks. They know their way; they have their way. I feel like with Daniel, he's just more so open. I'm learning from him; he's learning from me. We're kind of working it together. I think that's going to make us better because we're always talking, always having that conversation of, 'Oh, what'd you see here? What'd you want me to do? I can do this.' It's a whole ongoing conversation that makes us better.

Q: Last year, this team had trouble putting one receiver on the field who could get open. This year, do you think defenses are going to have to choose if they can double anybody?

A: Yeah, I think it's going to be tough. We've got guys across the board. Obviously, the one that sticks out is (tight end) Darren Waller. He's going to be one of those guys that gets a lot of attention. We'll have game plans for that, and like I said, we've got a lot of different pieces, a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. So, it's going to be tough, but I'm excited. I'm excited for the season and excited for what's to come.