On the difference between Week 1 last season to Week 1 this season:
"I would probably just say another year, a year under my belt to know what I'm getting myself into with a week one. Last year I didn't know what I was getting myself into, there's no first game, didn't know what to expect, but now you just go out there, you have a routine, preparation and consistent. So, that's kind of what's different."
On what the offense is capable of this season:
"I guess we're going to find out on Sunday. I don't really have an answer. I just hope we, well not hope, but go out there and execute at a high standard. That's the standard that we keep and that's the standard that we uphold each and every day. Especially another year in the system, we know it, we're allowed to go out there and play fast and free."
On talking to older players about managing external expectations:
"To be fair, they don't really tell me that because I don't pay attention to it anyway. So, they're not really worried about me coming in and talking about what was said on ESPN. I don't really care."
On what he's more prepared for this season:
"I think just like I said, my routine. I know what time to get there at the stadium, what to expect, warming up with time, and stay consistent with that. So, I think that's far where I'm most different."
On New York's defensive front:
"Defense that flies around and week one, everybody's going to be juiced up, everybody's healthy so just going to go out there, it's going to be a battle."
On if last season adds more pressure for this season:
"Nah, me personally, no. Not at all. You still gotta go out there, prove each and every year. People could have expectations, they could say you could do this or hope you fail and do that. I mean, it really doesn't matter, at the end of the day is what the pressure you give is on yourself to go out there and you prepare the right way you give yourself the best chance of success."
On the changes to the facility over the offseason:
"It shows they take care of the players, so that's a big thing. They're willing to invest and make sure that we're okay and we're right and we're happy. So, that's the biggest thing."
On what late Kobe Bryant means to him:
"That's the greatest, my favorite player, but the greatest of all-time in my opinion. My favorite athlete, I wouldn't say player, but just his embodiment of the work and as I got older, the mentality and he was fearless, never flinched in those big moments. So, you see it time and time again. You see why he was so successful and why he won five championships."
On how he embodies that mentality:
"I'd say you just go out there and like I said, fearless, you don't blink when times get tough, adversity. I don't think I've seen anybody rupture achilles and walk off the court and shoot two free throws. So just, he was built different man and he obviously, he meant a lot in my household to me growing up as a Laker fan, Southern California kid. So, try to pick up some things but in those moments he never flinched, the moment was never too big because he knew what he did at practice, he knew how he prepared and he wasn't going to mess with anybody that didn't prepare work as hard as him."
On the biggest growth he's seen in the team:
"Yeah, I think it just starts with the veteran leadership. You know, we added more veteran experience, and we got guys last year that were with [Head Coach] DQ [Dan Quinn] and we kind of know the standard and how we want to play and we, you could tell that people are bought in. Everybody's showing up working hard and we all love one another, each other in the locker room. We take care of one another on the practice field, but we know at the end of the day we got to push each other to get better."
On what he's seen in T Josh Conerly Jr.:
"Yeah, I mean people are going to see what he's made of and obviously he's different. I was playing quarterback, they're try to sack me, you know, people are going to try to go after him and see what he's made of. So rightfully so because you got a more experienced guy with [T] Laremy [Tunsil] on the other side, so everybody wants to see what the rookie's about. So kind of just telling him that. He already knows, but the kid is very competitive. Super quiet, doesn't really talk a lot. Always got like a mean mug to his self. So, I try to get him to smile a little bit more, have fun, which I know he is, but that's kind of just why I told him, you know, go out there, have free, be free, have fun but just know at the end of the day people are going to try to come after you, try to expose you because they know it's your first time, your first one and they might not think you're ready. But I know he is."
On having WR Terry McLaurin back on the field:
"The same impact we had last season. I mean, you can't really replace what the guy brings, but obviously you go out there, it's good to have him back."
On the sophomore slump narrative:
"I'm going out there trying to be the best version of myself. I don't really look at individual accolades, if we're winning football games, those come hopefully. So, I'm trying to do whatever it takes to win."
On the running back room:
"Like you said, a lot of versatility. Those guys run hard, their willingness and eagerness to learn, especially the younger guys. So, I'm excited. I mean they go out there, they work hard, get extra walkthrough reps and stuff like that so they're prepared and just go out, go out there and use their God given abilities."
On the importance of a season opener from a player's perspective:
"I mean, it's something that you, you dreamt of. I think every level is different as you progressively climb throughout your journey and now that you are able to play in the league and your first one is second to none, you try to remember that. You're going to remember that forever. Like my first game, even though we lost my first game [laugh] you know, you'd still remember just those little moments of conversation that you probably had with your parents while you're young and you know, just a kid having a dream. And now it came true."
On what the identity of the team should be this season:
"What did DQ say? Whatever he said is the identity and we just embody that. So, whatever he said is the identity."
On if the team feels complete and healthy going into the first week:
"Yeah, I mean, I'll say, so we got the guys back, we got the, the pieces that we need back and go out there and see what we could do on Sunday."
