Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q. What do you want to accomplish this weekend with the rookies here?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, you know, they're here for a couple days. Kind of them get to know us, us get to know them. We'll be out on the field for about an hour and 15 minutes. We will do some individual drills, there will be a couple 7-on-7s.

But, again, it's just an introductory phase for them to see how we operate, start learning basic terminology, figuring out where everything is. It'll be a good start.

Q. In your experience of doing this, how quickly have you found the rookies to come in and grasp whatever you throw at them from a playbook standpoint?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we don't really throw a lot at them right now. We've got some tryout guys. We have obviously draft picks and some guys we signed after the draft and few of our players.

So, again, we'll just take it slow. They have a lot to learn. A lot learn. Which this my 24th rookie class. It's that same way every year.

Q. Do you find your eye gravitating more towards the draft picks out here, because you're invested in those guys, or the tryout guys trying to find a gem?

BRIAN DABOLL: Sure. Yeah, I would say both. Again, different people will be doing, so when we do the 7-on-7, that will be more for the tryout guys, UDFAs, kind of see where they are at and see if we can find someone we can add to the roster like we did with Ryder (Anderson) a couple years ago.

You're evaluating, looking at everybody. Again, we're not really doing a whole bunch. But you look at everybody.

Q. Can you pick up stuff like attentiveness and work ethic and just a general feel for a player?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, look, you meet with them, so, again, the amount of information we're throwing at them for these two days I wouldn't say is too hard.

But there is enough in there to see how they take notes, they ask questions. We just did a walk-through, so you do some different adjustments.

But I would say you're just -- again, it's such an introductory phase. Really I just want to get to know the guys the best I can.

Q. Will Nathan Rourke participate?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, he won't be out here.

Q. What went into claiming him?

BRIAN DABOLL: Thought it was a good claim. Joe put a claim in, we got him. Have another arm. Did some good stuff in the CFL and watched his stuff at Jacksonville, he was at the Patriots. Thought he was a good player to add.

Q. Does is say anything about Daniel's participation this spring, having another quarterback? Will Daniel participate this spring in OTAs?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's been going through phase two. We'll see where we are at in phase three. We thought Nathan was a good to player to add to the roster.

Q. I know one of the things you liked about Nubin was his leadership, I know he's only been around these guys for a little while, but have you seen that coming through for him?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I would say it's too early. We did a lot of research obviously before the draft. I've talked to him for a few minutes since he's been here.

You know, all points say yes. The signs lead to yes. Again, he's got a lot to learn, and I would say learning the information and how we do things is the most important right now.

Q. Allen Robinson, what did you see in him and why did you bring him in?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, had a good workout. Has been a productive player for a while. We've had good conversations. Ended up choosing to come here. Happy to have him.

Q. How do you see him fitting in?

BRIAN DABOLL: He hasn't been out here yet. He was here yesterday in phase two. We'll see. We'll throw him out there and see how he does.

Q. Do you look at that as any part of Darius Slayton's future?

BRIAN DABOLL: No. Nope.

Q. With a guy like Malik, I'm just using him as an example. He lived down south. Lived in Louisiana most of his life. Came up here.

BRIAN DABOLL: Similar weather today.

Q. Yeah. When they come up here, it's obviously a different way of living. Most guys come up north and say, wow, the speed of this place is a different beast to them. As a coach, do you try to make that transition any easier for them? If so, how would you do that?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, that's a really good question. Ashley Lynn does a great job with our player programs. We try to help them be the best version of themselves in every area. Not just on the field. Obviously we know why he's here is to try to help us on the offensive side of the ball and score points.

There is a lot that goes into it. That's part of this weekend with them meeting some of the people that are here to he help them be the best version of themselves. Not just the coaches but the support staff as well.

Q. You talked at the draft about how competitive Malik is. Do you have to pull him back a little bit these two days as you're trying to ease into the weekend?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I would say all these guys have a lot to learn. I think we have a good plan for these couple days, but once we get into the phase two portion with these young players, they're going to see how far they really are behind the veterans in terms of the knowledge, the fast pace of how we do things.

Again, this is a good two days to get them started, but a lot of work that needs to be done.

Q. Malik mentioned all the way back in Indianapolis at the combine that when he met with you and your guys it was fun, the room was fun. He wasn't your player then. What kind of personality has he shown you then and maybe now? And obviously it's not fun anymore. Now it's more work. How is he going to translate there?

BRIAN DABOLL: Sorry, when you said that, you made me think of Remember the Titans. Remember that scene in Remember the Titans?

He's a good young man. I like to think we have fun in the meeting rooms. But we've got a job to do and he has to pick up our system as quick as we can. We're going to do everything we can to help him.

Mature young guy. We've had some good conversations between when he was drafted and now, and some good Zooms and introduction to how we do things and some of our terminology. Happy to have him. Competitive guy. Look forward to working with him.

Q. Which scene were you talking about? So many good scenes in that movie.

BRIAN DABOLL: When you said fun. You remember that scene?

Q. Yeah.

BRIAN DABOLL: In the gymnasium.

Q. Are you going to have to pull him aside and give him your best Denzel Washington impression now that you have heard him describe it as fun?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, I'm not going to do that. I'm not much of an actor.

Q. You mentioned not just on the field that you're focused on these guys here. What do you tell them about the work-life balance at this level?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, really we're just trying to get ready for this practice here. We had a quick meeting last night and described some of the things I talked to you guys about about certain expectations.

Then a quick meeting this morning just to go over the schedule. Really they've been with your position coaches and the coordinators.

Again, we're not installing a ton of plays, but for them to go out there and practice with energy and enthusiasm. Don't give them too much where their heads are cloudy so some of the guys we can evaluate and see what they can do.

Q. Why don't do you that anymore? Used to be you would throw everything at them, right?

BRIAN DABOLL: I wouldn't say everything. No. I think it's just as -- go back to 2000 to now, I think you have to adjust as a staff as well. Most of these guys have been practicing for vertical jumps and broad jumps and three cones and all those things, and we want to make sure we do it right for those guys so they can get in and practice a few things.

And then once they get in with the veterans, we'll have a specific plan for them as well to try to catch them up to speed the best we can physically and mentally.

Q. When does that happen? When do they catch up, phase three?

BRIAN DABOLL: When do they catch up?

Q. November, January?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I think every rookie is different. I've had some that have been -- I would say fewer that have been getting it right away. Usually it takes a while.

Q. How do you balance keeping them level headed where they're not so nervous because they want to make an impression?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, that was one of the first things I talked to them about last night. Take a deep breath, relax, enjoy the moment. You've worked really hard to get into this seat. Don't make more of it than it is right now.

We're not going to give you too much so your head is a swimming. We're going to let you go out there and run around and compete the best you can. Particularly the tryout guys. Our coaches have been FaceTiming or Zooming and meeting with the draft picks and trying to catch them up the best we can.

It's tough for those guys when they come in. The veterans have been doing it for a while, whether it's a year or two or the past few months as we've been working.

So it it's a day by day deal. You try to develop them the best you can.

Q. Malik said at the draft you and he had a back and forth about you getting out on the grass and covering him.

BRIAN DABOLL: I'm trying to get in shape to do that.

Q. Is that realistic with your competitive nature as well?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, it's not realistic.

Q. Nabers comes off very confident in his own abilities. When you're coaching rookies, especially a high draft pick like that, do you want to create humility by showing them how much they need to learn or do you want to let that confidence breathe and go?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I would say the biggest thing is just to teach them how we do things, to teach them the system, to let him feel confident when we goes out there.

Again, we've put in just a few plays. We've been going through phase two, and we've probably put in over 200, 300 plays from the start of the phase one all the way to phase three.

What you don't want is you don't want players to give them so much where kind of they're not able to use their full athletic ability.

I don't mind players that are humble, confident, as long as they're putting in the work to learn. That's our job, is to help them learn. Ultimately, it's their job to go ahead and learn it. The faster he can learn it, the more he can use his athletic ability to help us.

Q. What is your confidence level in Nubin that he will be able to adjust to the pace right away?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I think it's early. Look, the guys that we drafted we obviously did a lot of the work on them. Happy they're here. Now, whether you're a UDFA, a tryout guy, you have to go out there and earn it.

Again, there is a long ways to go for all those guys as we all know. He's a good young man. I know he's going to put the work in.

Try to get him as ready as soon as we can.

Q. How has your teaching style changed from when you started to where we are now, or has it changed?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, it's changed. It changes every year. I think you need to. The players that are out here working out live in a different time era than in 2000 when I first started. You try to grow as a coach, your teaching methods, whether it's more walk-through -- when we first started you're always in the classroom and then throw them out there.

Now it's a lot more interactive. We try to develop that each and every year.

Q. What are you doing to look so good?

BRIAN DABOLL: I don't know about that one. It's like throwing a chair off a yacht. That's where I'm at.

Q. Two chairs?

BRIAN DABOLL: Two chairs.

Wide Receiver Malik Nabers

Q. Malik, what is it like to finally be here? What you do you think of the whole atmosphere?

MALIK NABERS: The atmosphere is great. I'm happy to be here. The Giants organization is a great organization. Yeah, I'm happy to be here.

Q. Daboll said he will tell you guys to take it easy, get if the flow a little bit today. How hard is it to not want to show off today?

MALIK NABERS: It's hard. Coach Groh told me I wasn't going to be participating in everything and I told him why. That competitiveness in me is always going to show.

Q. What are the correlations from your first day at LSU to your first day in the NFL?

MALIK NABERS: Surreal. I got to keep telling myself continue to work hard. All your dreams came true, but it's time to move on from all that. All that is over. Now it's just being a pro.

Q. What kind of advice have you gotten about playing in New York and in this market? You've spoken to Odell; he was here. What's been the message to you?

MALIK NABERS: Just continue to be who I am. Who I am, it got me here today, so he just kept telling me to still work hard. Stay with that chip on your shoulder.

Q. Who are you? How would you describe who you are as a person?

MALIK NABERS: I'm a funny person to be around. Good person to be around. I'm just as a person that plays football, kind of thing that saved any life. I take it serious. I'm happy to be here. I'm finally here so just to get out there running with the guys it's a dream come true.

Q. Why did football save your life?

MALIK NABERS: Only thing that I felt I could do with my life. Only thing I felt like when I looked on what I wanted to do in the future, it was the only thing that I had plans to do so.

Saved me and my family's life. Put my mom in a house that she wanted. Changed my life forever so I'm happy to be here.

Q. How important was it to take care of mom and the house?

MALIK NABERS: It was very important. That was the most important thing in my life, I would say, is having her have her own house and feel comfortable and not having to worry about bills to pay.

And know that her little boy did it for her.

Q. I don't want pry, but is this the first house she's had?

MALIK NABERS: Yes, ma'am. First house she's ever been in.

Q. When were you able to do that?

MALIK NABERS: I was able to do it about a week ago. So, yeah, just seeing that smile on her face.

Q. You mentioned at the combine how your interactions with the Giants and Coach Daboll and they were fun to be around. That was before you were drafted. Have you seen a different side yet? Have you seen that was trying to figure out if they wanted you and liked you, and now that they got you it's maybe more work? Do you see a little bit of a shift there at all?

MALIK NABERS: No. Coach Daboll is the same person I met on day one. He likes to crack jokes with me, push me to be who I want to be.

There hasn't been a shift, same people I met the first day.

Q. Give me an example of a Coach Daboll joke to you.

MALIK NABERS: I can't say.

Q. Jayden Daniels said something controversial the other day about you guys having a bet. Can you tell us what actually happened?

MALIK NABERS: I'm educated now that I got here about sports betting and gambling. We're calling the bet off. There is no bet now. It was just another brother pushing another brother to try to get to success. That's all it was.

Q. What do you think of the playbook? Is it similar to what you did at LSU? What's new to you?

MALIK NABERS: Probably just the calling out of the plays. It's not technically the same offense but the terminology is the same. It's still football. You've got to switch your brain from hearing one thing, seeing signals to now hearing it with your ears and comprehending knowing where to lineup at.

Q. Malik, you mentioned buying the house for your mom. Got your first deal done. Any big purchases for yourself here?

MALIK NABERS: Nah. I wouldn't say any big purchases. I'll let NIL handle all those things.

Q. Why did you go with No. 9?

MALIK NABERS: I think this is just a temporary number for right now to put me into something for right now. I hope it looks great. I'll see it on film to see if I really want to keep it or not.

Q. Have you gotten together with any of the other Giants quarterbacks?

MALIK NABERS: No, not yet. While I was away, it was pretty much about just trying to get back into that football shape. I was talking to Coach Daboll, just running the plays before I get here, so it was just a conversation between me and the coaches about plays.

Q. Your mother has been one of your biggest fans.

MALIK NABERS: Right.

Q. You talk about the advice you got from former players. What advice has she given you about this next part of your journey?

MALIK NABERS: As a mother, she's always going to protect me from everything that comes my way. It's an understanding that I'm doing -- this is my life that's going forward in this football thing. I chose to do it and I know everything like about football. They just watching from the back end. She's supportive and just going to support me any way possible. She's just happy for me and proud of me.

Q. How do you envision yourself fitting into this team, this offense, and making a difference?

MALIK NABERS: For right now, it's just learning the playbook, interacting with my teammates, interacting with the rookies here. You know, trying to learn how to be a Giant, following the instructions or rules they have here. It's just being a pro at the end of the day.

Q. Are there any receivers you have studied in the past who are currently playing in the NFL?

MALIK NABERS: Not really study. You know, we always watch a lot of those guys when they play highlight games and go over the games. I watch a lot of different guys, too many to even say, like CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr (Chase), Jeff (Justin Jefferson), all the guys that when came in as rookie was producing. So just some of those guys, yeah.

Q. Watching NFL cornerbacks then?

MALIK NABERS: No, I haven't taken a look on any cornerbacks yet.

Q. Does this feel like a start or do you think once the veterans come in the next week and you're here for the other workouts, is that going to feel a lot different?

MALIK NABERS: No, it feels the same. I mean, I never been here. It feels brand new to me. I'm just here where my feet at, thanking God that I'm finally here. I'm blessed to be in this state, this opportunity, and in New York. It's a dream come true.

Q. Are you a patient guy?

MALIK NABERS: Yes, very patient.

Q. Are you? Are you going to want it fast? You are a rookie, but is that in your head? I'm a rookie, I got to take it slow, or are you going to want to be really good right away?

MALIK NABERS: The level that I see myself playing, you know, as a player and as a competitive person, I'm always going to want to go fast. Coach Daboll tells me he knows the type of player you are and you're going to want to take in all the information at once. With this offense, you've got to slow it down and take it step by step. For you to be where you want to be, you've got to know what you've got to do.

For me to play at 100 miles per hour, I still got to know what I got to do.

Q. What was it like? I assume you signed this morning.

MALIK NABERS: Yes, sir.

Q. What was that whole process? I'm sure you dreamt of it, what did it feel like actually?

MALIK NABERS: Surreal. You know, when I put my name on that paper, I was kind of shaking a little bit and I got emotional because the job is not done, but another stage in my life was done.

For me to make it to this part of my life and part of my journey, it was a pat on my back in that moment.

Safety Tyler Nubin

Q. Your coach mentioned Club 31. Can you talk about that great tradition of safeties at the University of Minnesota? What is it about the coaching, the program that just produces guys of that quality?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, I really think it's a collection of everybody. You know, guys like Tweez, Antoine Winfield, and Jordan Howard, the guys that started that off. They were great examples for me coming up in the program. And being able to see how they handle their business and how they were a pro before they were a pro. I think it's a trickle-down effect from everybody, coaches and the players and everybody in the program at Minnesota. We strive for greatness, and we have a lot of detail in what we do. So yeah, I think that's what it is. It's a trickle-down effect from everybody.

Q. One of the things they drafted you for was to come in and be a leader. Are you able to flex those muscles a little bit in those meetings and with this group?

TYLER NUBIN: Right now, I'm just trying to learn as much as possible, be as vocal as I can, try to put myself and everybody else in positions to succeed. So just being able to learn and be a sponge and soak up as much as possible and be able to give that to other guys, that's my main goal right now.

Q. Do you think you can be a leader on an NFL team as a rookie?

TYLER NUBIN: I think everybody can be a leader. Everybody can be a leader on a football team no matter who you are. I'm going to try and learn as much as I can and soak up as much information as possible so I can be able to help myself and my teammates out.

Q. With all the interceptions you've had does the ball find you or do you find the ball?

TYLER NUBIN: I think all my interceptions come from my preparation really and how I approach the game, how I study, and how I work throughout the week. So, it's hard work. It's a lot that goes into making plays on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm still learning, and I can't wait to keep learning.

Q. Do you take pride in that aspect of being able to make plays?

TYLER NUBIN: I definitely take pride in being able to help my team. I want to be able to help my team in any way possible. Whatever job they want me to do, whether it's going to get the ball, dropping down, or making tackles, I take pride in the job that I have. So, whatever I got to do I'm going to do it.

Q. Was today a big day for you? First time on the field with the Giants.

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, 100%. Almost shed a tear when I saw my helmet and my locker. It's just awesome. Just being able to be out here, play the game I love, again, especially for this great, storied organization, I couldn't thank this organization enough.

Q. So you put all the stuff -- you're competing but not playing. Is it hard to realize, okay, we got -- not really showing your stuff, are you?

TYLER NUBIN: Any time I lace the cleats and get on this grass I love it. I'm enjoying it. Whatever we got to do on the field I'm going to love it and enjoy it, so it doesn't don't matter.

Q. Did you have a first impression of Malik, being around him, the way he carries himself in meetings, or on the field? Looked like he was moving pretty smoothly.

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, he's definitely a pro, man. I think he's going to be able to come in and really help us and be a leader on the team. I'm excited to see what he does for sure.

Q. Heard some of the coaches saying to take it slow out there to some of the players. Is that difficult at this stage? Are you geared up, and ready to go? Do you have to hold back?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, definitely a little bit tough to hold back. You know, obviously being smart, it's a long season. There will be time for that.

I'm just enjoying as much as I can today for sure.

Q. What were the last two weeks like? Such a high and then you had to wait. What was that like?

TYLER NUBIN: I mean, it was terrible. I was itching to get out here for real. They wouldn't let me come out here until yesterday. I'm excited to be here, man. It was crazy just going from that high to, all right, now you got to lock in. It's time to go to work. It was awesome, man. It was a whirlwind for sure.

Q. You were able to do some Zoom with your position coaches?

TYLER NUBIN: Yes, sir.

Q. What were those like? Were they one-on-ones or groups?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, it was me and a couple of coaches, Coach Mike (Treier), Coach Rome (Jerome Henderson), Coach Pop (Mike Adams). Just being able to go through a couple of calls for like an hour a day and just learn as much as possible before I get here so I can have a leg up.

Q. Do you have any time to enjoy New York? Take in any of the sights and sounds?

TYLER NUBIN: Not yet. I definitely will find some time though for sure.

Q. What are you looking forward to?

TYLER NUBIN: Honestly, everything. I've never really explored the city like that before. Played Spiderman for all my life, so I kind of know where some stuff is at swinging through the city. But seeing it in real life is going to be cooler for sure.

Q. You get around faster.

TYLER NUBIN: Right.

Q. Did you have any kind of cool moment with Chris Autman-Bell when he signed here? Did he call you?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, I called him right away. Right when I saw him yesterday gave him a big hug. Happy for that kid. He's been through a lot. Been through a lot more than a lot of us have. He just keeps battling back. He's super resilient. So, yeah, I'm just happy to see him be able to be out here.

Q. What would you like New York fans to know about you as a player and as a person?

TYLER NUBIN: You're getting a dog, man. You are getting somebody that's not going to stop until -- honestly just never going to stop really. I love it game too much. I feel like whatever I have to do to be successful on the field I'm going to do and sacrifice for this team, this city, and I'm going to love doing it.

Q. How eager are you to get into camp?

TYLER NUBIN: I'm just excited to even be here and have an opportunity to have that chance. I mean, right now I'm more excited to learn and learn how they play defense, learn the intricacies of how we manipulate our defense, manipulate our coverages, and things like that. And then just going to work, man. That's what I'm really excited about for sure.

Q. Those study sessions, did they pay off? Were you able to see it the way it was out there?

TYLER NUBIN: Yeah, I think they definitely paid off, man. Just being able to get in the playbook study. You know, I got the playbook right when I got drafted, so being able to just take my time and go in the playbook, that's helped for sure.

Q. Coach Bowen has had a lot of good safeties. Any of those guys that you studied? How familiar I guess with his history of making good safeties?

TYLER NUBIN: I've been a fan of a lot of Tennessee safeties for a while. Hooker, Kevin Byard, guys that I can you have like that have made plays for a while. Definitely have studied those guys even before I got to this point. Studying them in college. Yeah, it's awesome. I can't wait to be a safety in this defense for sure.

Cornerback Dru Phillips

Q. What was your first day like out here?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I think it was fun getting out here, new system. Excited to get in here, learn the plays, meet everybody. Really fun out there today.

Q. Just starting to learn the playbook, but can you talk about some of the differences in this defense versus what you played in Kentucky?

DRU PHILLIPS: Every defense is specifically unique. So, this one, some different techniques to what I do down at nickel. Just got to pick up on it. The faster I get it, the easier it's coming. I'm just in the playbook trying to study and make sure I get everything right.

Q. Do you consider yourself more of a nickel or more of an outside guy or both?

DRU PHILLIPS: I can play both, but preferably the nickel position.

Q. Through the years the nickel has taken on a life of its own. Since you've started playing it's become more and more important. When did you embrace the idea of you know what, I'm going to take this challenge, move inside?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, definitely. I remember when I was growing up people thought nickel was almost a bad thing. Kind of just throwing a guy in there. Especially with how the game is going now and how there is so much passing in the league – and also in college. When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. I didn't really get an opportunity until my junior year. Once I got the opportunity I kind of like – I embodied it. I felt like it's who I was. That's what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I'm out here playing nickel now.

Q. Why do you like playing nickel?

DRU PHILLIPS: You know, (there's) so much going on at that nickel. I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You're involved in the run game as well as the pass game. A lot of times on certain down distances you know that ball is coming to you. I'm trying just to make as many plays as possible.

Q. You were in a draft class, you're a high pick in a class where the receiver was picked No. 1. You guys will hopefully have a long career together going against each other. What has that already been like with (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers)?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I just got to meet him today. Just got here today. He's a real cool guy. Like I said I think a couple weeks ago, I'm excited to go out there and compete against him. I know he's a high talent. Just want to go out there and compete and do the best and compete against each other.

Q. Today is not the day for that…

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, no, no, no. They wouldn't let us do that today (laughs). Too early.

Q. When they call 7-on-7 and you're not in there, is that kind of like -- they told you I guess…

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I'm one of those guys where I want every rep. I'm sitting there like I want to go. I understand it, being patient. I'm taking my mental reps and learning on the sideline.

Q. You had a moment out there with (safety) Tyler (Nubin) when he was walking off. When did you guys meet and what's that relationship like?

DRU PHILLIPS: I got to meet Tyler the day after the draft when we both came up here. Got to meet that day a little bit. We went out to dinner. Since we've been here, we're in the same room. We've both been in the playbook, so just able to talk football and get to know each other outside of that as well. Like I said, good relationship.

Q. What kind of guy is he? What kind of teammate? What kind of leader?

DRU PHILLIPS: He's good. He's vocal. I know I took my time in the playbook, but you hear him a lot of times in the back end he's yelling it. Sometimes you almost can't hear yourself calling out the plays. I can tell he's going to be a great player because of his knowledge and how he communicates on the field.

Q. How does your insane vertical jump translate on the football field? Did you get to use it as much?

DRU PHILLIPS: Sometimes not the vert, but it all kind of plays a… doing a vertical is just your explosion. You can see it in my quick move with my short area, how I tackle when I strike, how I move in and out my breaks. You're not going to – you rarely are going to jump 42 inches on a football field, but it shows in so many different ways. It kind of just backs up what I can do.

Q. The fact that your family, everybody has been a big athlete, does that get you ready for this next step being a professional?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, they all think it's cool that I'm here now, and them all being athletic it always was competitive for me in the household. Always competing for something if that was more food…everyone else in my family is kind of bigger, that's why I say that (laughs). But it taught me how to compete and get to this level. Now I'm just kind of trying to maintain. They've got my back so just keep on doing it.

Q. Who is the best athlete in your family?

DRU PHILLIPS: Oh, me (laughs).

Q. How much pride do you take in being a physical corner?

DRU PHILLIPS: I take a lot of pride in it. It's probably one of the top things about who I am.

Q. Where does that come from? We don't need to tell you but not every corner loves to tackle.

DRU PHILLIPS: I know I'm (not) the 6'4" corner, but you've got to make up for it in some ways. I've always known that. It was one thing I never shied away from my whole life. I was that one kid, I was going – as a little kid I was just a dare devil. I just want to go do whatever.

It just comes from who I am as a person. I don't want to shy away from anything and that's from anybody or any circumstance. It's kind of just second nature.

Q. What's the craziest stunt you did as a kid?

DRU PHILLIPS: Oh, man, I (don't) want to get in specifics. Probably when I jumped over that car, man. I've done some stuff throughout my time, but I don't know.

Q. That has to install I would think confidence in yourself that you can do anything?

DRU PHILLIPS: That's what I think a lot of times. If I put my mind to something I can go do it.

Q. It reinforces it though…

DRU PHILLPS: Yeah, for sure.

Q. Your car jumping days are over?

DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I won't do that (any)more. I did it once and after that, I learned my lesson.