From the Las Vegas Raiders locker room Marcus Epps Indianapolis Colts week
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00:00 >> Marcus, it's been a minute since you guys have given up something over the top,
00:05 something real down the field.
00:07 Why do you think that is, man?
00:09 >> I think we're just communicating well on the back end.
00:12 We're on the same page and everybody's doing their job.
00:15 >> Do you feel like your play has really gotten better as the year has gone on?
00:19 Has it been getting used to a new team, a new system?
00:22 Thoughts on that?
00:23 >> Yeah, for sure.
00:24 I feel like I've been playing pretty consistent throughout the year.
00:27 Just trying to play my role, lead, and make sure everybody's on the same page.
00:32 We're communicating and gelling back there.
00:35 >> What do you think the difference has been in the defense since Antonio got to
00:38 limit head coach?
00:39 >> I think we had been getting better progressively as the year was going on.
00:45 I thought we were getting really close.
00:47 And I think AP just brings a really good attitude, a really good mindset,
00:52 a really good culture.
00:53 And I think that has helped us continue to elevate our play.
00:57 >> You obviously know what it's like to be on a team with a defense that makes us
01:01 a goal every season.
01:03 How good caliber is this defense?
01:09 >> It's hard to really say.
01:10 I think we just gotta continue to put it together more consistently.
01:16 I think we're on the verge of being a great defense.
01:20 But it's about continuing to do that, continue to do that game in and
01:23 game out for four quarters.
01:24 So I like where we're at right now.
01:26 And it's even more encouraging to me that I think we got a long way to go as well.
01:31 So I think the sky's the limit for this group.
01:34 >> Yeah, what do you think is mostly leading to this defensive group?
01:38 And is it cohesion and toughness?
01:40 Or is it talent?
01:41 What percentage of each do you think it is?
01:44 >> I think like with any good defense, it's a combination of everything.
01:48 We have the talent, we have the mindset, we're playing physical right now.
01:53 So it's all of those things combined, I think, to be a great defense.
01:57 You need all of those things, and I think we're showing those things right now.
02:01 >> What has Jack brought to the second game?
02:03 >> I mean, he's a playmaker, he's a ball player, instinctual.
02:06 So he's been a great addition for us.
02:09 >> And just thoughts on your opponents and
02:13 their two-headed running attack with Moss and John Potejo.
02:16 >> Yeah, I mean, they got, like you said, two-headed monster back there,
02:19 two of the really good running backs.
02:21 I think Taylor's one of the best in the league,
02:24 been like that for the last few years.
02:25 So we're gonna have our hands full, but everybody gotta lock in,
02:30 do our job, and play physical like we've been doing.
02:33 >> Can you personally then, what do you get more enjoyment out of as a player?
02:36 Covering, deepening coverage, or
02:39 coming up in the line of scrimmage, making plays, making hits?
02:43 >> I like to do it all.
02:45 I get the most joy when we're just playing well as a defense, all together.
02:50 Just like this last game, I thought that we put together a really good game for
02:54 four quarters.
02:55 So that brought me a lot of joy in seeing us putting that together for
02:59 four quarters against a good team.
03:02 >> What's it been like?
03:02 I know those fans are feeling real tough, and Eagles have a tough culture too.
03:06 But what's it been like being a part of the underrated league,
03:09 being with this kind of a team?
03:11 >> I mean, I love being the underrated.
03:12 It's been great since I've been here.
03:14 I've been really enjoying it.
03:16 So just trying to continue to do my job, and hopefully I'm here for the moment.
03:22 >> Marcus, they say nothing succeeds like success.
03:25 As you guys have gotten better over the season,
03:27 what does it do for you guys to see your hard work pay off?
03:30 Does it just make things get better?
03:31 Does it make you go harder?
03:32 How does it work for you?
03:33 >> Yeah, I think it just makes us push and want more.
03:36 I think everybody recognizes we still got a ways to go.
03:39 So that's the best part of it, because we are playing well right now.
03:42 But it's about continuing to progress day in and day out.
03:46 >> Defensively, how much does the attitude of your defense play a part in what
03:50 happens on game day against Kansas City?
03:52 You guys, you can see it in the first quarter, that attitude was getting unleashed.
03:55 How much does that impact the game?
03:57 >> I think it does a lot for us on defense, especially I think when we're playing
04:00 with energy, we have an attitude and we're playing physically, we tend to play well.
04:05 So, Coach Piercey said about Max Cosby that he's kind of
04:10 elevating the energy of the team and you see 11 dogs out there hunting down.
04:14 What do you think about that, man?
04:15 >> Yeah, definitely, I mean, he's like an energizer bunny out there.
04:19 He doesn't ever stop.
04:21 And it is contagious when you have a guy like that who plays so hard,
04:24 that's running to the ball every play and making plays.
04:27 So Max, he's been doing a great job for us.
04:29 He's probably the best defensive player in the league and
04:32 he's been doing what he needs to do for this team.
04:34 >> You think he's the best player of the year, got your vote?
04:37 >> Yeah, for sure.
04:38 >> Now, Marcus, you guys are already playing good this season.
04:41 Obviously, over the last three weeks, it seems like the defense has taken even more
04:44 of a step.
04:45 If you had to put your finger on it,
04:47 what's been the reason for that change over the last three weeks specifically?
04:50 >> I think we're just putting it together, playing and play out.
04:53 I think guys are communicating well, we're on the same page.
04:56 So when you have that, you're playing with energy, you're playing physical.
05:01 And the biggest thing for us, I feel like we've been putting it together for
05:04 four quarters the last few games.
05:05 So we just gotta continue to do that.
05:08 >> Overall, especially in the defensive backfield for you guys,
05:10 a little bit of a younger team.
05:12 How excited are you for the future?
05:14 What do you expect going forward from the unit?
05:16 >> Very excited.
05:17 Like I said, I feel like the sky's the limit for this group.
05:21 We've been playing well, but we realize that we've also got a lot of room to grow.
05:25 That's the best part of seeing that and knowing what we could become.
05:29 But it's about, like I said, just continuing to put that work in each and
05:32 every day.
05:33 Can't ever feel like we've arrived to where we need to be.
05:37 We always gotta just keep pushing and running to get better.
05:41 >> Thank you, bro.