John Bates joins G&D to discuss his new contract with the Commanders, and TE Zach Ertz may have given him one of the best compliments ever.
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00:00But right now we want to go to the hotline to welcome on to the program one of the veterans
00:07Resigned by the commanders in free agency and retained by the organization on the rude guest hotline rude the most reliable heating and air conditioning
00:13Products in the DMV. We find tight end John Bates who just signed a new
00:19three-year deal
00:20To come back and lead the way in the ground game as a premium blocking tight end John
00:26Thank you so much for the time. You're on with Grant and Toby and DC. How are you?
00:31Hey guys doing good. Thanks for having me on you got it
00:34Let's just start with what this process was like for you
00:38I mean you had a chance potentially to go to the market and see what was out there or to stay here in DC and
00:44Resign, what was your mindset at the end of the year and how did it all play out?
00:49Yeah, I mean
00:51Just the culture. I think first off that
00:54You know DQ and APS set up in this place since the day they got here's
01:01made it made it a place the
01:03That's makes it really hard to leave. And so I think towards the end of the year. It's obviously the success we have and
01:11Being here through I guess you could say some of the hard times with this organization
01:17It's really my goal to
01:20stay here and to remain here and so
01:24The process was really smooth thank goodness and
01:28Yeah, this is the place I wanted to be so
01:31Got it done and made it happen
01:33Can you talk about the growth that this team showed?
01:36I mean week one against Tampa versus the team that we saw go into Detroit win in the playoffs that offense especially just
01:43Totally different. Look obviously Jaden grew as the season went on but you guys seem to get more comfortable with Cliff Cliff doing his job
01:49Well as well, how was that as a season went on? Was it just the chemistry that started to click?
01:54Was there a time frame we said, okay now we're starting to get it and you could see those results on the field
01:59Yeah, for sure. I think it was just you know, chemistry was a big part of it and then it's a new offense and so
02:06We had a lot of new guys come from different places and we had guys that were here already. And so
02:11You know
02:13Developing that you know, it takes time. And so I think as the season went on you saw
02:18You know the offense really start to click and understand each other and how everyone operates and does things and
02:23Kind of how you know, Cliff goes about play calling and all that stuff. And so
02:28It was really cool to see our offense, you know
02:31From week one in Tampa to develop all the way into the end of the year, which is really cool to see
02:37John Bates drafted in the fourth round in 2021
02:41Entering year five with the commanders just signed a new three-year deal to stay in DC
02:47You're one of the guys on this team that's known for being really unselfish
02:52You don't make any demands. You're not asking for the football you go out there and you do the dirty work
02:57You're blocking your role actually in the passing game
03:00Kind of diminished this season as you became known as one of the real true great blocking tight ends in the league
03:07I'm just curious like what's that's like because I'm sure you'd like to get the ball in space
03:11You'd like to be more involved like you were over the last couple of seasons
03:14Did that ever bother you that maybe the targets weren't there or is that something you were cool with?
03:20Yeah, you know, I mean, I think I
03:24Think at the you know, I think everyone wants to be able to touch the ball, right?
03:28It's cool opportunity to be able to touch the ball and make plays and help your team in that way, too
03:34but I think also
03:37You know, I'm willing to do whatever it takes as long as we win. And so, I mean, oh
03:43unfortunately not
03:45You know
03:47The stats didn't show that necessarily last year, but you know
03:52I had more fun just going out there winning games and so, you know at the end of the day that you know
03:57What I'm here for is to win games and to win championships
04:02You mentioned earlier that you kind of been here through some lean years
04:05Even though you've you know, only had a four-year career so far going into your fifth year
04:08You obviously had a really successful season this past year. What's that been like watching the change?
04:13Obviously you had coaching staff change. You've had an ownership change now. You're seeing kind of the fan base re-energized
04:19What's that look like inside the building and as a player? Oh
04:23Yeah, it's crazy. Just like the difference from a culture standpoint and the energy. I mean
04:30you go in the building now and it's like
04:33Coaches and everyone that's in that building has energy isn't excited to see each other and it's not just like
04:40transactional relationships, it's
04:42two authentic relationships where if you're walking
04:52I think we lost John there. We will call him back and get him on the horn
04:56I want to go right back to that answer
04:58Yeah, because what he was just saying is very interesting not a transactional relationship
05:03Energy up that happens when you win, by the way
05:05everyone's excited to get to work, but it does seem like
05:09Maybe there was this feeling now with this group of and I think this starts with Adam Peters, frankly
05:15That they really genuinely care about the players sure that they put them first
05:20You saw this I think reflected in some of the NFL PA polling where Washington went from
05:2632nd dead last for a couple of years in terms of best place to play to 11th
05:30We've got tight end John Bates back, but John it will pick up where we left off there
05:34You were saying the energy in the building and the exuberance is up and that the relationships maybe aren't transactional
05:42Yeah, definitely. I mean you can you know stop anyone in the hallway doesn't matter if it's you know, the trainer
05:50Strength staff
05:51often defensive coach like you can say what's up to each other in the hallway and have like a real conversation and I
05:57think that's the cool thing like I said earlier just about like what AP and
06:02You know DQ have done with the cultures
06:04they've made it their true like family environment and you can feel that and it's just so different than before because you really feel like
06:11You're with your family no matter who's in that building
06:14And so it's been really special to be a part of and just see the change over
06:18You know last few years and just whatever whatever is like gone on and so it's truly a special place
06:25I mean you talk about DQ. How does he go about doing that?
06:28Is that something that obviously he fosters and the players kind of build that relationship together or is it?
06:33You know something where he's coming up with activities. How does that happen?
06:38You know, I know last year when we kind of all got together
06:43You know DQ implemented
06:46Kind of the things that he wanted from a coaching standpoint and from a team standpoint and then you know
06:55we had a military group come in and you know do some team bonding stuff and then
07:02after that team bonding stuff, we kind of put you know, like a
07:06players packed I guess you could say
07:10Of things and standards that we were going to hold each other accountable to
07:14And I think once we implemented that and we had the structure of our team standard and how we were to go about things
07:20it truly just built on from there and the cool part was that there wasn't really any
07:26Lack in any area from players on the team
07:29It was kind of just this is how we're gonna do things and everyone was all in on it
07:35And there was no really having
07:37No one really having to tell each other how to do things because we were just all risen to that standard
07:43John I want to know your early impressions right away of Jaden Daniels and then
07:49Bonus points if you have a moment that you can think of or an anecdote
07:53But when you knew whether it was in game or well before that that this guy was different
07:59yeah, I
08:02mean like
08:03for starters just
08:05how mature and poised he was as a quarterback and as a player and
08:10Just like how down-to-earth is to like you can just have a conversation with them
08:14Like he's a normal person and he'll treat you the same way and you know, this is the way he handles himself
08:19he's never too high never too low for the moment, which is a
08:24super special and I mean, I don't think there's necessarily
08:29Any one moment where it's like, okay this kid's for real. I mean really from the day
08:34You know
08:34he got in the building just
08:36Impressive all around and the way he handled himself in his business and the way he prepared and it translated the game day. And so
08:43It's been really special having him in the building and just what he's able to do
08:47No, not only on the field off the field. It's awesome to see
08:51What's it like having a guy like Zach hurts in the tight end room to work alongside?
08:54Someone that has so much veteran leadership so much experience and and winning experience as a Super Bowl champion himself
09:00What's it like working alongside him?
09:02Yeah, it's great I got nothing but respect for Zach and everything that he's done in his career and you know
09:09it's really cool to have him in the room because
09:11He's obviously had a lot of success and you know won the Super Bowl and all this stuff
09:16But it's really cool. Just being able to pick his brain and see him
09:21Go about his routine and just see how much of a pros pro he is and the way he handles himself. I mean
09:27Dude is like crazy regimented through the season and he's got a system and you know, it works great for him. And so
09:34Just being able to pick his brain and you know
09:37He's a great leader in the room too, and he's able to help us
09:40you know everyone in the room with
09:42Questions or anything that we have and we're all able to work together and kind of bounce ideas off each other
09:47So it's been awesome having him in the room
09:49John Bates
09:51Re-upped with the commanders for the next three seasons
09:54Joining us on Grant and Danny here on the fan speaking of Zacherts. He met with the media the other day
09:59I don't know why it was like at 650 in the morning
10:02It was with the weirdest thing ever was literally the old the earliest press conference in team history
10:07I'm pretty sure but he was asked about you staying on a three-year deal and I I think you're an awesome player
10:14To hear him talk about you made me think maybe I sleep on you a little bit and I don't I don't take you
10:22Give you enough credit, but listen to what earth said about you
10:25John John is doesn't get the probably national recognition that he deserves in terms of what he does on a
10:31Every play basis for us last year
10:34But he's probably the most dominant blocking tight end. I've really ever seen and studied
10:39In my career the guy he's just dominant at the line of scrimmage
10:43What he does there's not many guys walking the earth I can do what John Bates does and so I was ecstatic
10:48I knew he was gonna have opportunity to make a lot of money and I'm just glad it's here in Washington
10:54Number one, he should be your agent. I think you've got a good agent, but maybe he could help but number two
10:59He called you the most dominant tight end that he's ever studied or seen guys been around for 15 years. That's amazing
11:08Yeah, it's you know, really cool to hear that coming from Zach who?
11:12Like we've talked about earlier has the resume and has been around for so long
11:16And so, you know, it means a lot coming from him and and whatnot, which is really cool
11:23Taking a look at the offseason. What are some things you want to work on improving your game?
11:26Obviously like you just heard Zachary said you're a heck of a blocker
11:29What are some things you want to maybe work on this offseason?
11:32Yeah
11:34Honestly like to be general, I think everything I think there's always room for improvement in every area
11:41Continue to get better at the run blocking
11:43Continue to progress in the pass game
11:46You know running routes creating separation and then I think to just a really important thing, especially
11:52year after years
11:54You're in this thing longer. I think the you know
11:57defensive recognition and understanding defense is another area where I want to keep improving on because
12:03Do you know exactly what's happening pre snap and what the defense is doing based off an alignment?
12:09you know, I think that makes a world of difference for just
12:12anticipation for yourself and you know kind of being one step ahead and so
12:17That's kind of where I want to you know, continue to keep improving
12:21All right, John
12:21I'll end the conversation here
12:23But I do want to ask a few questions to help our listeners get to know you a little better off the field first time
12:29We've had you on the show here. So we'll start with what is your cheat meal of choice?
12:37Cheat meal of choice
12:39I think my cheat meal of choice is honestly like
12:43Probably Mexican food of some sort something like super
12:48cheesy and maybe greasy like like a
12:52quesadilla or burrito I
12:54Try to stay away from dairy
12:56Throughout the season because they're like inflammation and stuff. So if I'm going to go all out
13:01I'm probably just going on some Mexican food
13:04What's your nerdiest thing you like to learn about like something that you'll watch a documentary over just intrigued by
13:12You know in terms of like nerdiness doc you
13:16Documentaries and stuff. I've always kind of been like a historian like a historical buff growing up for whatever reason
13:23I've always just been drawn to history. So
13:26I mean, I don't do it as much anymore. But like I always growing up loved watching
13:31like
13:32historical documentaries on like wars and like
13:36Pastimes and then to I'm like a big I love the outdoors and nature. So honestly like
13:46The one that's about the planet world planet I can't remember what it's called the Americas right now planet Earth planet Earth
13:54America
13:56Yeah, it's super interesting to me so I love those two things, all right last one is your your superhero of choice Oh
14:06Superhero choice
14:08Man I think I have to go with Iron Man, I think just like
14:12the savviness like his personality and just like all the
14:17Technology and everything that he's able to create and have access to I think it's I think it's one of those things
14:22That's pretty hard to stop so I can go Iron Man. That's a pretty good answer for a tight end a little bit of everything
14:27I like that. I like that John appreciate the time man. Appreciate you join. I think you guys brought me on be good
14:32Congrats on the new deal. There's John Bates three-year contract staying in DC
14:36He's one of now 13 players that Washington has retained