Cornerback Deonte Banks
Q: Deonte, how do you look at the challenge of Adoree' not being here anymore and they're probably going to look for you now even more so than last year.
DEONTE BANKS: I actually love it. I take on the challenge, and I face it. I feel good about it.
Q: Do you feel like them not making a move to resign Adoree' was a vote of confidence that you can do that?
DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't really say that, but they believe in me, so they trust me to do it.
Q: How was your off-season?
DEONTE BANKS: It was lovely. I love my off seasons.
Q: How is it being back?
DEONTE BANKS: Feel good. Feel really good. Get back with the guys, it feels real good.
Q: Were you around here? Were you training back --
DEONTE BANKS: I was training in Florida.
Q: Are you bigger than last year?
DEONTE BANKS: Just a little bit. (Laughter.) A little bit.
Q: How much?
DEONTE BANKS: Like two or three pounds.
Q: What did you prioritize in the off-season?
DEONTE BANKS: Getting my core stronger.
Q: Coach Henderson talked about you, wanting you to increase your NFL football 101 knowledge, film study, and things like that. How do you go about addressing that?
DEONTE BANKS: Being a better player every day, taking it day at a time.
Q: On shadowing wide receivers
DEONTE BANKS: I love that. I shadowed a few receivers last year.
Q: Do you remember who?
DEONTE BANKS: I followed CeeDee (Lamb) in our second game, and I also followed (Garrett) Wilson.
Q: Do you look at that as a compliment?
DEONTE BANKS: Yes, for sure.
Q: Do you expect that in this system?
DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't say I expect it, but if it happens, it happens. I'm cool with whatever.
Q: What are some of the differences you see in Shane Bowen's system compared to the last two?
DEONTE BANKS: Probably playing not as aggressive. It's still aggressive, but just not as aggressive.
Q: Can you get into it a little bit more? More zone? What exactly do you mean by that?
DEONTE BANKS: I guess a little bit more zone. I guess you could say that.
Q: How does it suit you? What skills will it bring out in you? Obviously, they drafted you last year thinking press cover corner.
DEONTE BANKS: I really still have the same responsibility. I'm still pressing, still up close on the guy. It doesn't really change that much.
Q: You have any goals this season?
DEONTE BANKS: I have a lot.
Q: You want to share a couple?
DEONTE BANKS: I want to keep them to myself. They're really for me.
Q: On how the younger defensive backs keep each other motivated.
DEONTE BANKS: We motivate each other and compete every day. That's how we uplift each other, by just competing.
Q: What you do you think of Nabers?
DEONTE BANKS: I love Nabers. That's my guy.
Q: What do you think makes him a special receiver?
DEONTE BANKS: He's explosive. Me and him really like the same person. If you look at our build, size, and speed, we are really the same person for real.
Q: Matchups...
DEONTE BANKS: It's been real fun. It's been really fun. Real competitive.
Q: A year ago you were just adjusting to all this. What is it like to be in your second year and kind of know some of the ropes?
DEONTE BANKS: It feels way better. I feel really comfortable, really confident.
Q: Did you ever lack confidence?
DEONTE BANKS: No, never.
Q: How do you look back at your rookie year individually? How do you feel like you played, grew? Sum up your rookie year for us.
DEONTE BANKS: I feel like I had an okay year. I started a little slow, and towards the end -- towards the middle and end of the season I got better. I got my awareness of what's coming. I just felt good, felt better.
Q: Like awareness on the field?
DEONTE BANKS: Yes.
For his career. He doesn't have the elite recovery speed to be a press corner, but he's smart, has excellent reactions and a big hitter. "Just what the doctor ordered" in Bowen's defense.