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00:00 face CJ last time.
00:02 >> Mm-hm.
00:02 >> Highest pay guy.
00:03 >> Yeah.
00:04 >> What challenge does he present?
00:06 What's the biggest key that is slowing him down?
00:08 >> Real big challenge, this is a new quarterback for their team.
00:12 Like you said, he's a Buckeye, so all the Buckeyes are great.
00:15 So no, he's a great quarterback though, very accurate passer,
00:18 puts the ball on the money, can make all the throws on the field.
00:21 Gets the ball to his playmakers, goes through his progression.
00:25 So he's been having a real good year and
00:27 gonna bring a challenge to us that I think we're up for though.
00:30 >> He hasn't turned the ball over much at all, especially for the quarterback.
00:33 How big is forcing him into some mistakes gonna be in this game?
00:37 >> Yeah, it'll be huge, but we just gotta do our assignment.
00:40 And hopefully we can force some turnovers and create those.
00:43 But like I said, he's a very accurate quarterback.
00:46 And it's gonna be tough, but I think we can do it though.
00:48 >> Seems to work real well with that Michigan receiver.
00:51 >> Mm-hm.
00:52 >> What do you make of Nico Codd?
00:53 >> Yeah, he's a real good receiver as well.
00:55 Big receiver, got good hands, good routes, probably his favorite target out there.
01:00 So they definitely got that connection out there that we're gonna have to lock on to
01:04 and try to eliminate those guys.
01:06 >> You've played against a lot of shifty, mobile, dual threat type of quarterbacks.
01:10 How much does the experience with you guys went through on the regular season
01:13 facing all those guys prepare you to face CJ who's in that category?
01:18 >> Yeah, we got some great experience throughout the regular season with
01:22 quarterbacks and receivers, whether they're mobile and may have to plaster longer and
01:26 stay on in our coverage a little longer.
01:28 Or just the way guys run routes and smaller receivers.
01:32 Smaller receivers, so we definitely got a good amount of experience out there
01:35 regular season, I think, has prepared us for the playoffs.
01:39 >> And so do you think this playoff team is better than the 2020 team?
01:45 >> Our team?
01:46 >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I believe so.
01:47 I believe so.
01:48 I think we got a lot of talent.
01:50 That team had a lot of talent as well.
01:52 But over that, I mean, talent doesn't just win games.
01:55 I think just how locked in we are and the camaraderie,
01:58 how close we are as a team has got us as far as we are.
02:02 And we just gotta keep building upon that.
02:04 And that's gonna start come Saturday.
02:07 >> What makes this team so special in that regard?
02:10 It doesn't seem like you guys ever had quite like this before.
02:14 Why now?
02:15 What makes this team?
02:17 >> I think guys done a great job of getting the right guys in here.
02:21 And then just also time that, like I said before,
02:24 us spending in Greenbrier throughout camp.
02:26 And we spent a lot of time together on the field and off the field.
02:31 And then that communication, it just translated.
02:33 Like just guys going out to dinner, out to eat, hanging out in our free time and
02:36 just building that communication.
02:38 We're just comfortable with one another.
02:40 And it translates out there on the field.
02:41 We have fun out there.
02:43 And that's the biggest thing.
02:44 Like we just enjoy playing with one another.
02:46 And so we just love to have fun out there.
02:49 That's the biggest thing I think.
02:50 >> You weren't super excited knowing you're up against a rookie quarterback.
02:54 I think that's one of them this year.
02:57 For Stroup, what was different?
03:01 >> I think just the main focus is being us.
03:03 Just being us and going out there doing what we gotta do to get a win.
03:07 Regardless of if it's CJ Stroup or another quarterback out there,
03:11 rookie quarterback or non-rookie quarterback.
03:13 Every team faces a challenge.
03:15 And I think it's just about being us though.
03:18 >> Do you believe there's something unique about that game?
03:20 [INAUDIBLE]
03:26 >> I'm not sure.
03:26 I mean, that might be a question for him.
03:28 But I say I think it's just about being us.
03:30 We just gotta go out there, do our job and assignment and execute.
03:33 >> Did you feel any different than your first play?
03:35 >> Mine was a little different.
03:39 I think I was coming off of COVID.
03:40 So that was my first game back from COVID.
03:43 And yeah, it was a little tough for me just dealing with,
03:47 you all know about COVID and stuff like that.
03:49 So, but I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to be able to play this game.
03:53 >> The environment on the road, you guys.
03:55 Last time there, you played well.
03:58 But just throughout the season, the road's been kind of,
04:01 you're Achilles heel on your side of the ball.
04:03 So how do you guys, that atmosphere down there is gonna be ramped up too.
04:08 So how do you guys prepare for that and be ready to play your best football?
04:12 >> Definitely, just bringing the energy, bringing the energy.
04:14 We know it's gonna be a crazy atmosphere there.
04:16 And we're gonna build off of that.
04:17 We're gonna take in all that energy and celebrate with our guys and
04:21 go out there and make plays and do what we can to get the win.
04:25 >> So you guys have studied CJ.
04:29 Has there been a game or two that you've noticed where a team really has been able
04:32 to pressure him and kind of throw him off his rhythm, off his speed?
04:37 >> Yeah, potentially, I mean, that's the football league.
04:41 Guys are gonna have good games, guys are gonna have games they may struggle in.
04:44 And just finding ways to attack those guys and what they may be good at or
04:47 weak at and could get better in.
04:49 So I think we're just trying to go out there and
04:51 see what we could tackle them in and go out there and execute that.
04:54 >> Just knowing, being from here and hearing all those stories last night about
05:00 [INAUDIBLE] >> Mm-hm.
05:03 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Man, it was inspiring.
05:10 So it'd be crazy, especially being from Cleveland.
05:12 And just I was here when LeBron, he won the championship and
05:17 those guys brought the, I was downtown and just the atmosphere and
05:21 experience just the whole entire city.
05:23 So I think to be able to do that on the football land and
05:26 bring a championship and everything to the city would be crazy.
05:29 So we just gotta take things one game at a time and work to get there.
05:32 >> I think there are 15 players left from that 2020 team.
05:38 [INAUDIBLE]
05:42 Do you feel different as a player?
05:46 >> As a player from what, the last playoffs?
05:48 >> Yeah.
05:49 >> Definitely, I feel I have a lot more experience,
05:52 a lot more comfortable in the system and team that I'm in.
05:58 And just ready, just feel ready to go out there and play.
06:01 >> Yesterday, Joe talked about just where it kind of takes the mentality you need
06:05 to win the playoffs.
06:07 You guys kind of [INAUDIBLE]
06:11 So what do you guys feel like you are?
06:14 You feel like there's not really that added pressure?
06:17 >> You said there's pressure?
06:19 >> Do you feel like there's not really that added pressure?
06:21 Because you guys are already used to that.
06:23 >> Yeah, I don't necessarily feel it's just added pressure.
06:26 I mean, like you said, taking things a game at a time.
06:29 Just looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and play with my brothers,
06:32 my teammates and coaches and try to find a way to get a win and
06:35 move along in the playoffs.
06:37 >> So how different has Kevin been?
06:39 I mean, how do you see him change as a coach over your time with him?
06:45 >> He's been a great coach ever since he came in.
06:48 Just his attention to detail, his focus, the way he coaches us.
06:52 And that's grown over time.
06:54 Just his ability to be able to coach us all,
06:57 all different playing styles and everything.
07:00 And just out there, his play calling out there on the field.
07:02 So I mean, he's been a great coach.
07:04 I appreciate him.
07:05 He's one of the reasons why we got this far to the playoffs.
07:08 So definitely appreciate him and I say he's a great coach.
07:11 >> What is it about this particular team and season?
07:15 Kevin's been here four years, but this is really, I think,
07:17 the first time where the locker room sounds like him.
07:22 The 1 and 0 this week, the focused on this week, etc, etc.
07:25 Why has his message really taken hold of this team?
07:30 And how much is that going to help you guys going into the one game season?
07:35 >> Yeah, I think guys in the locker room have bought in,
07:37 bought in to Coach Stefanski and the coaches and what they're preaching.
07:41 And I think that's huge right there.
07:44 Yeah, he's been preaching that and getting us to go 1 and 0.
07:47 And that's been a main focus.
07:48 And I say, God, we believe in him, believe in what he's coaching us to do.
07:53 And it's showing out there on the field.
07:54 >> And those teams do not, when they lose, they're starting quarterback.
07:59 They don't have the opportunity to go find themselves a former Super Bowl.
08:03 They go out there and play it as a league level.
08:06 How cool is it for you guys knowing that you get to go into these playoffs with
08:10 a quarterback like that?
08:12 >> Yeah, it's cool, it's exciting.
08:13 I remember watching Joe Flacco growing up and winning Super Bowls.
08:17 So it's just crazy for him to be on the team.
08:20 And I'm glad that he's here.
08:21 He has that experience out there on the field.
08:24 He's been there before.
08:25 So it's just a great opportunity for him to come into and for the team.
08:30 So we gotta try to take advantage of that and go out there and get a win.
08:33 >> How much has Jim Schwartz, his perspective on this type of second season
08:38 and being in a Super Bowl winning year to coordinate with the Eagles and
08:43 bring that to the table?
08:44 How much value does that kind of give you guys?
08:46 Can you kind of share it with him and
08:48 even kind of give you some of that, what it's like and all that?
08:51 >> Yeah, definitely.
08:52 Like Coach DeFense, he had all those guys stand up and share their experience.
08:56 And he shared his experience and him being there.
08:58 And so yeah, that's definitely someone we could go to and just ask about it.
09:02 We have questions about just the process and
09:04 everything what to expect out there come game day.
09:07 But I think we're ready though.
09:08 >> Good.
09:10 >> Thank you guys.