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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:05 >> And yeah, I thought today was our last tour duty workout.
00:11 Really been pleased with the work from the guys, the investment that they made.
00:16 So we got quite a few returning players that have been through this.
00:22 And then some newcomers that have joined in here in January.
00:26 But just to see the camaraderie, the work, the encouragement,
00:30 the challenge that guys embrace.
00:32 And this is one of those foundational elements of our program.
00:35 And I think it's been one of, we're eight weeks in.
00:39 We still have some things to finish up in the weight room.
00:43 But I've been really, really proud of our team for
00:46 the investment that they've made.
00:49 You see a group that's coming together.
00:51 They'll look we're in a really good spot as we head into the spring practice
00:56 coming ahead.
00:57 But you feel the speed, you feel the power.
01:00 The numbers in the weight room are definitely, I guess,
01:04 confirming what we believe we're seeing with these guys' bodies.
01:09 They're doing a great job in regards to that work.
01:12 And whether it's nutritionally, physically, and
01:16 then obviously the work that they're putting out on the field.
01:18 So definitely excited about what I'm seeing and
01:21 looking forward to seeing these guys translate the agility and
01:27 the strength and take it out there on the practice field.
01:30 >> How did the high school newcomers handle it?
01:31 Obviously a big step up.
01:33 >> No, I thought they did a great job.
01:35 We changed up a little bit there with as many newcomers as we had to join.
01:40 The first few weeks we changed up kinda how they transitioned in.
01:44 I thought that was good for them.
01:47 But then once we got in the month of February, they're all in there together.
01:51 Both sides of all, and I think it's a group that really has some very talented
01:55 young men and explosive movers and what they're doing.
02:00 Just continuing to push to understand the standard, how we operate, and
02:04 to be able to apply that when things get really tough.
02:06 >> Why did you make that change?
02:08 >> Just, I guess, the number of them.
02:11 And just kinda have a little bit of balance of guys that were learning,
02:14 wanted to try to do a better job of make sure that they understood
02:20 some of the finer details of the efficiency of movement.
02:23 How some of those key words, rather than just jumping in with a group that's
02:28 been here, and just also some aspects of how we hold guys accountable.
02:33 Just to be able to let those guys grow together.
02:37 >> How much fun is it to see the second year guys like Hakeem and
02:39 other guys like that compared to where you're?
02:41 >> Yeah, it's night and day.
02:42 I mean, that's what it should be.
02:45 This is a big jump and a big transition.
02:50 But you see guys that the confidence that they have and what they can do.
02:55 Darryl Jackson's one that really stands out to me.
02:59 I mean, you look at last year, this time, just where he was and
03:04 just movements conditioning, new mindset.
03:07 I mean, he's done a great job.
03:09 Hakeem is definitely, those are a couple guys here, some of the most improved.
03:13 In regards to our program, whenever when it comes to just the mindset,
03:19 the approach, but I really like what I'm seeing from a lot of guys.
03:24 But yeah, that's what you're hopeful for.
03:26 >> Coach, the momentum that you build during this, how does it change over?
03:30 How do you feel it changes over?
03:32 >> Well, I mean, it just continues to paint a picture of these guys,
03:35 what they can do when things get hard.
03:37 Cuz I mean, it's created, every part of this is to be challenging.
03:41 To set a standard, to set an expectation.
03:44 As we go through the work, I mean, you gotta listen to an instruction,
03:50 you gotta apply it, and then you gotta react to whatever shows up.
03:53 Not a whole lot different than when you get out there and
03:55 plays are being called, and you gotta adapt, you gotta adjust.
03:59 And then you react to whatever you see.
04:01 So I wanna build that understanding that when times are tough,
04:05 when times are good, when you're starting to feel comfortable,
04:09 you still gotta push, you still gotta get better,
04:12 just to embrace those steps that are ahead.
04:15 But like I said, this is one of those things that it's not just for
04:20 this season, it's a lifetime experience.
04:22 And where that shows up is whether I've got guys that are three years out of
04:27 the program that are still calling and talking about tour duty.
04:31 And when you have that type of impact, the things that can build confidence when
04:36 they're in the National Football League, when they're at the All-Star Games.
04:40 And they know they're built a little bit different.
04:43 And that's what we're pushing to continue to establish.
04:47 >> Of course, when the guys show leadership and all the ways that they do that.
04:50 >> I think I've really been pleased with Shaim, I think,
04:53 your defense, when you see him, DJ Lundy, Josh Farmer, Pat.
04:58 Those guys have been around and have done it.
05:01 The emphasis, Fentrell's been really good,
05:05 AZ on the defensive side, offensively.
05:08 We really got a great group.
05:11 I think all those guys at quarterback, they embrace that.
05:14 And even though DJ's new, still working through it.
05:19 But Brock, I'm excited about that group.
05:22 Love what he has done, cuz I have Holmes.
05:25 Woodell's done a great job coming in early.
05:28 The receiver group, Ja'Kai Douglas has been awesome.
05:32 Darion, I tell you, Malik Benson might be, I'm very,
05:38 very excited about what I'm seeing from him.
05:39 Because just what he's done in his transition,
05:44 it's easy to go out there and see how fast he is and how good he moves.
05:46 I mean, but the embrace for his teammates, the embrace for being an encourager.
05:53 I mean, it's exciting.
05:54 And I've been really pleased that really the whole tight end group.
05:57 I mean, look at Jackson, Kyle, Brian Courtney.
06:02 I mean, that group's done a really nice job here as we've
06:07 kinda gone through the spring, the growth, the improvement.
06:12 You hope to kinda bring along Drell and Landon.
06:15 I mean, those are two very talented guys.
06:16 So, yeah, we've got a lot of encouraging pieces.
06:21 Obviously, the offensive line probably has as much experience as any group coming back.
06:25 And they've really helped the transition of some of the newcomers.
06:29 I think we have great leadership up there as well.
06:31 >> You guys have obviously mentioned today was the last tour of duty.
06:35 You had a spring break week off and you get back to practice.
06:38 What are you looking forward to next?
06:39 When you get back to practice, the players?
06:41 >> I mean, just to hit the ground running.
06:43 It's, we do everything to build throughout the winter program.
06:49 Set yourself up to what it's gonna look like for spring.
06:52 You have 15 practices, 15 opportunities.
06:54 Try to capitalize your walkers and
06:58 obviously some of the skill work that we get to do here.
07:02 But it's still about going up to apply it.
07:05 And working with the mindset that's an approach for
07:08 those 15 days that we can step on the field together for practice.
07:11 That it is an elite level.
07:14 We're gonna find ways to challenge them.
07:15 We're gonna find ways to make it difficult and make them uncomfortable.
07:19 But to be able to apply some of the things with our movement,
07:22 the efficiency of our movement, the roads that they've had in the weight room.
07:28 To be able to apply that to being the best players that we can be once we get to
07:31 start applying the fundamentals, put pads on and start running the place.
07:36 >> As you watch the newcomers, do you find yourself envisioning how you might be able
07:40 to use some of these guys when you see their movements?
07:42 >> Yeah, I mean, absolutely, yeah.
07:44 And it's a lot of confirmation to what we believe in the recruiting process.
07:50 But for me, it's not as much just the movement as it does show up.
07:55 It's the mindset.
07:56 When you're a newcomer coming in, and you can be as agile and
08:00 talented as you wanna be, but if you don't have the mental maturity,
08:06 the willingness to respond in challenging times.
08:09 I mean, and it's not something that's unique.
08:17 I mean, it's part of a lot of guys coming in as young football players,
08:20 just they have to grow to understand that.
08:22 Now, some guys come in and they're able to do it at a really fast pace.
08:27 We usually see those guys on the field there as freshmen.
08:29 But it's exciting to see them work and see them push through that.
08:36 >> When you see players at the combine,
08:38 you've paid the coach dorms for this program for helping you settle for success.
08:41 How much does that just satisfy you to see that all the hard work pays off?
08:46 >> Yeah, I mean, it's definitely one of those things that every young player,
08:52 they always dream about when they're done playing college,
08:54 you get a chance to go to the combine.
08:55 You get to put it on display for the world to see.
08:57 And to see those guys that showed up, I mean, and
09:01 they performed like I expected them to perform.
09:04 I mean, they're some of the best overall performances at their position,
09:09 combine history.
09:10 And there's some remarkable displays of athleticism and
09:15 just all the training, all the work.
09:17 We push extremely hard to develop guys mentally and what they do.
09:24 But you see that physical development, you see that the explosiveness,
09:29 the power, the speed, change of direction.
09:31 And it just puts them in the best position for
09:34 the opportunity at the next level.
09:37 So definitely proud of the work they put in when they were here,
09:41 how they prepared for it, and what they put on the show when they got there.
09:45 >> Coach, I have a quick question.
09:46 Your decision to support the marching troops yesterday with the fundraising,
09:50 just what does that mean?
09:53 And how do you make that the priority?
09:55 >> It's all in God.
09:58 I know, last night it was a day of giving.
10:02 I just wanted to be able to support them anyway.
10:05 I saw that whatever the goal was, it looked like they hit it.
10:07 So I just wanted to make sure they got to enjoy it a little bit more.
10:10 So I don't know, that's it.
10:11 March Chiefs are awesome.
10:14 I love what they do.
10:16 It's incredible for the impact that they make.
10:20 And just grateful to be able to help them and
10:25 be able to, one, go to Ireland, but also just for
10:30 their overall experience and all things.
10:34 >> You guys have a lot of experience in the secondary.
10:37 So it looks like that freshman group of you guys are pretty impressive.
10:41 >> I'm excited to see them.
10:43 I'll tell you here in about 15 practices what they're gonna do.
10:45 >> [LAUGH]
10:47 >> Anything else?
10:48 All right, thanks, coach.
10:49 >> All right, thank you.
10:49 >> Thanks, coach.