Head Coach Joe Judge

Opening Statement: What's going on, guys? So, players had a little rest yesterday with the day off. We're going to bring them back in today. The focus is going to be fundamentals today, a little bit of a briefer practice, on and off, only about an hour and fifteen minutes. You'll see a lot of individual periods, some team run focused, switch to seven-on-seven, make sure we give the offensive and defensive lines plenty of time to go one-on-one, two-on-two, five-on-four. Everybody just making sure we go through our previous installs, come out of today after a long week of practice last week and eliminating the mistakes we made on the grass. After that, our focus going forward will be on new install and pushing forward on that. So that being said, any questions I can answer.

Q: You guys activated (Running Back) Saquon (Barkley) off the PUP list. What can we expect to see from him over the course of today and this week?

A: So, look, as they keep greenlighting Saquon to do more and more, we're going to let him do more and more. I always say all the time, look, I'm not the doctor, I'm the listener. They are the guys with their hands on him with his rehab. Whatever they allow us to do, we will. What you're going to see from him these first few days, he'll be doing mostly individual teach periods. We're not going to put him in 11-on-11 or 7-on-7 at this point right now, but as we keep building him up, we'll really kind of start to get his body into the volume of practice, the pace of practice of the players out there, more football drills. That'll be something that benefits him going forward. There's only so much you can do at a certain point with the trainers and strength coaches on the field by yourself. It's time to get him moving forward and as long as they say it's safe for him to do, we'll keep on pushing.

Q: Was he very excited when you told him the news?

A: He was. Been tapping his foot for a while, guys. This guy, he works tirelessly hard, he's been chomping at the bit. The biggest thing I just hit him with this morning was I can't ask him to be patient because that's not really natural for an athlete in his situation, but I can ask him to be understanding and trust the people that are making decisions with your interest at heart.

Q: Joe, do you have to worry about, as a coach, protecting Saquon – I mean, he's a bright guy, but he's also competitive – protecting him from himself ? You know, 'Let me try this, let me do a little more than I should or think I can do?'

A: Yeah, I think protecting the players tied in based on how we set up the practice and what he's available to do. So, when we give him certain drills, that's something that's been coordinated with the medical team and the rehab group, and that's something that's tied into the volume he's going to have every day. Just the plan is what's going to protect him right there. We're not going to at some point see him do something, let him jump into a drill that he's not allowed to do. That's our job as coaches to regulate what's going on in practice.

Q: What does this mean for his path to potentially be ready for Week One?

A: I don't think this changes anything at this point. There's nothing different now than what I've talked about the entire time. We're going to be patient with him, we're going to watch how he responds to each situation, and when the doctor says he's greenlighted to go out there and do something, he will. I'm sure the next question is going to be something about preseason. When he's greenlighted to do something, we'll go ahead and keep advancing him. I don't have an answer for anything right now preseason-wise or regular season-wise. We're just going to watch him on the field and see how it goes day by day.

Q: Would you be alright with putting him in a preseason game now, in theory?

A: Theoretically, yeah. Yeah, I am, absolutely. And to be honest with you, I've had experience with this. Look, there was a day I had to walk in and tell Josh Gordon, Demaryius Thomas and Julian Edelman, 'Hey, all three of you are going to play against the Giants in preseason game four because you haven't done anything competitively in training camp.' Now, they're going to naturally look at you like you're crazy, but the intention isn't to go out there and just say, 'You just have to play.' The thing is, before you get hit in the first game at full speed when the speed does elevate, we want to go out there and just get you used to the tempo of the game, the pace of the game, get you a catch, get you hit, get the feel of being tackled. That's natural preparation. You don't want to put someone in a situation where they're just getting the gauntlet out there getting hit, but that's part of actually preparation, your body understanding and feeling the flow of how to get hit, how to fall, how to recover after that. So, am I looking to put Saquon into something that's not going to be in his best interest? Absolutely not, but at some point the doctors say, 'He's ready to play,' and if we have the opportunity to get him in at a certain point, we will. But I'm not going to press that timetable.

Q: Joe, for how long now has he been on a steady ascent to this point today without like a hiccup or anything? Can you recall?

A: I can't answer that completely. We kind of paced it out based on pushing him to a point and then backing him off and then pushing him and backing him off. I'm sure we'll stay a little bit on that course as well as we go through training camp right now. But in terms of his ascent, that's been consistent. He's gotten better since we've had him. We're just being very careful in terms of how we manage it and I always say, we're taking a long-term perspective with this. This is long-term for him individually and the team with a 17-game season and years in the future.

­­Q: I know you're the guy in charge, obviously, but how much say has he had with you? The two of you I assume talk one-on-one.

A: Look, I listen to the players all the time. You've got to trust them on how they say they feel, but at the same time, in terms of the question and protecting players from themselves, he is a competitor, and he wants to get out there. Sometimes we've got to help these guys make the best decision by putting them in periodically and making sure they're safe with what they're going to do next.

Q: Joe, you have another player (Linebacker Oshane Ximines) off of PUP. I mean, he didn't really do much for you last year. By the time you got your hands on him, he was out. What's your sense with him at a position of need at edge rusher?

A: You talking about X-man? Well, we had X-man for a period of time last year. We had him for training camp. We had him for a few games last year. He came back and it was unfortunate that he had to deal with an injury. We're excited to get him back out there today. He's a guy that works really really hard. He's definitely someone we look forward to getting out there on the field with us from a team perspective. Again, we'll build him up a little bit as well. You'll see a little more from X-man in the next couple of days, like Saquon, in terms of team and competitive things. But we're excited to get him out there. I know he's anxious to get out there.

Q: What did he show you last year?

A: Well, he's a physical presence. He's got the pass rush ability from the size and the speed and is really kind of the more speed to power type of guy. But in terms of holding the edge, playing with extension, shedding blocks, X really plays more to his physical build which is really power and anchor at the point of attack. That's really his physical skillset, not that we're not working to develop more things in that. He's a guy that's helped in the kicking game, too. He's had roles on defense, so we're looking to get him involved in everything we do.

Q: Hey Joe, have you decided how you are going to break up Saturday? Ones go for 15 plays or anything?

A: No, we haven't made a final decision on it, yet. A lot of that will come into how the next couple of days go. That's not looking in terms of do we have to go out there and punish someone to some point, but we want to see how practice goes the next few days. I will say this, the priority for me is to treat this more like a traditional game four and when I say that, it's more of a make sure all of the players that we really have to evaluate get an evaluation. Because of the rules this year, we have to cut five guys after the Jets game. I want to make sure that we don't make any decisions that impact our or their future without a proper evaluation.

Q: Is it safe to assume Saquon won't play on Saturday?

A: Yes, Saquon will not play on Saturday.

Q: Hey Joe, where do you guys stand on (Former Safety) Nate Ebner? You talked earlier this spring about possibly the plan to re-sign him.

A: Yeah, so Nate's continuing his rehab right now at home. He's been in touch with our medical team regularly. I'm not going to go fully into his deal, but I will say this, Nate obviously was competing for a spot on the Olympic team. The nature of Nate is, he doesn't know how to slow down, so there was a point where he was kind of pushing and pushing his body and he had to make a decision at one point. He could talk more directly about it, but obviously he had to step away from the Olympics and kind of focus more on the football season and he's at a point right now where he had to kind of step back and refocus on the rehab process instead of worrying about going to Tokyo with the competition. I know he's working hard. That's the way Nate is and how he's wired. We're looking forward to getting him and as soon as we get a chance to get him back, I'm anxious to see him back.

Q: Ultimately, what do you want to see from Saquon over these next couple of days, not just physically, but in terms of his outlook with getting back at this stage?

A: In terms of his outlook, I think this guy –

Q: I guess his confidence in any of his movements is a better way to put it?

A: I don't have any question with that. I think this guy's been doing a lot of football movements. In fact, I know he has. I know he has confidence in where he's at. It's more important for us to really just make sure that this guy is progressing on a daily basis, that when we put him back into team activities, 11-on-11, seven-on-seven, that he's in a position that he can go out there and operate at full speed and play like himself.

Running Back Saquon Barkley

Q: So how'd it feel?

A: It felt good to just be back out there playing football. The most fun part I would say is being back out there with your teammates. Obviously, the next step in my rehab process and just thankful to be able to go back out there and play football with my teammates and be able to get to practice. It's what I love.

Q: When did you find out you were coming off of PUP? Can you walk us through who told you and your emotions were kind of like?

A: Saturday, I found out. I talked to (Head Team Physician/Orthopedics) Dr. (Scott) Rodeo, (Director of Rehabilitation/Physical Therapist) Leigh (Weiss) and (Senior Vice President, Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer) Ronnie Barnes. We kind of just went over how I feel. I think I got to a point in rehab where going over there against garbage cans and cutting on cones and stuff, that was all good and stuff, but now I get to a point where I start reacting off of other athletes and they agreed with me. They felt the same. Obviously, just one more step up that journey of getting me back. The best part of it is to be back out there with my teammates and just be able to practice even if it's a little bit or a lot, whatever I can do to just get out there and do what I love is important to me.

­­Q: Saquon, is this is a good time? It's two weeks into camp, it's not deep deep deep. You haven't played a game yet, this team. Is this a good time for you to start this up?

A: Yeah, I would say it's a good time. I think I know what you're trying to get at, meaning with me and when I can come back and get ready for the regular season, I'm not even thinking about that. I just want to be able to get out there and practice and just play football with my teammates again. I'm very fortunate that that day was able to be today. But with that kind of thought process that you're alluding to, for me it's just continue to listen to my body, continue to listen to (Head) Coach (Joe) Judge, Leigh, Ronnie and Dr. Rodeo and all them, and take it one day at a time and one step at a time.

Q: And 'when people say, are you going to be ready for game one?'

A: I'm going to give y'all the same answer I've been giving you, and it's not like I'm trying to blow smoke or anything like that. To be honest, I don't know. Obviously, you guys know how I am as a competitor. I'm pretty sure you guys know what my thought process is, but at the same time, I'm very fortunate to play for an unbelievable coach and an unbelievable organization that's actually thinking about me and thinking about the rest of my career and the longevity of my career and I don't feel forced. We have a great team here, great strength staff, great trainers who are doing everything they can and when the time is the time, that'll be the time for me to come back.

Q: But you have to be encouraged that this is more than a month out from the regular season and you're actually starting to practice now, and it gives you more than a month to be ready for Week 1?

A: I guess you could say that. For me, my mindset is definitely hopeful and it's definitely better being able to practice now then, like you said, later on in camp. It was a little bit just to be able to get out there and just get the feel of things. It's the little things, like forgetting where to go for warmups. I had to ask (Fullback) Eli (Penny), 'Where we at? Where we at?' Kind of feeling like a rookie out there again, but it's just good to be back out here and be able to break the team down again and just do what I love to do.

Q: You always hear about guys coming back from ACLs, confidence is like the biggest hurdle, like confidence in the knee. When will you know that it's there and that it's back?

A: I don't know. I guess those conversations are about to happen with Leigh and Ronnie Barnes and Coach Judge, things I'll be able to do to simulate. That's the only way you're going to know. Back to what I said, I felt like I got to a point over there where obviously what I was doing was really helpful, but the next phase was to get that part, get the confidence. It's different running at a black garbage can and to be able to make that cut and simulating what you're going to do in a game or do in practice instead of actually having (Defensive Lineman) B.J. Hill shedding a block or you're reading (Tackle) Nate Solder's block. That's going to come with time I guess you could say. I guess that would be my answer, come with time and repetition.

Q: Have you gotten to the point where it's almost second nature again and natural to do all those things or do you still have to kind of re-train yourself?

A: I'm not really second-guessing myself, but like I said, that was over there. I think I know how I'm going to be, but the only way I'm going to figure it out is continuing to take reps, continuing to simulate live situations and actually playing football again.

Q: Would you be comfortable for Week 1 if you did not play in the preseason?

A: Would I be comfortable Week 1? I think I didn't really play in the preseason games like, I don't think I played in one last year, we didn't have one. The year before that I don't think I played in one. My rookie year, I played one and got like two carries. So, I wouldn't really be worried about that if I didn't play preseason because I know that Coach and the training staff and the strength staff wouldn't let me out there if I didn't show them something that I'm capable of going out there and wanting to keep myself safe and also going out there and competing at a high level.

Q: Did you lose weight?

A: No. I look good is what you're trying to say? I think I'm like the same weight about, probably like 230, 232, around there. Nah, I didn't lose weight, but thank you.

Q: Joe mentioned that philosophically if they say you're good to go, he would like to basically get you in a preseason game. What would you think of that?

A: I mean, one thing for me, I'm all for whatever's going to help the team win. If that's the mindset Coach Judge and Leigh and the training staff believe in and they would like to see me get live reps in an actual preseason game, if they feel that's what I need to do to get myself back for whenever I'm able to come back with my time, I'm willing to do that. I mean, nothing really changed. Obviously, I know I didn't play a whole year of football, but I believe that the way to success is having that team mindset, and that's never going to change.

Q: Have you been lobbying to practice since the start of camp? Saturday is when you said they said yes.

A: What do you mean by that?

Q: Like have you been arguing I'm good enough to be on the field? I would imagine that.

A: Rehab was definitely tough. I think Leigh and them are probably kind of happy that I'm out and practicing and not annoying them in the training room. But nah, obviously, you know how I am as a competitor. Especially, it's different when you look and see your team competing, see your team getting into fights and going at it and you can't be a part of that, so you definitely miss that part of it. Obviously, my competitive edge, I want to be out there. But I know you've got to trust the process and you've got to stay the course and you've got to continue to run that race and take it day by day and believe in the system that we have and listen to those guys. Even if I felt I was ready to do this, but Leigh and them felt that I wasn't going to be ready, then I would have been over there running at garbage cans and still preparing myself for whenever I was able to be ready to go.

Q: Saquon, you said you're going to listen to your body, what is your body telling you after this first day?

A: I felt really good today. I'll let you guys in on a little secret with ACL rehab, it's not really the front of the week, it's the back load of the week. Just building that callous up in your body again, taking those reps. When I mean that, not just your knee in general, it's just football conditioning shape. You can do all the running you do over there, but it's really never similar to football shape. The best example I can have is if you played high school basketball and high school football, you can play the whole football season and then go play basketball. But you can do all that running, but you're not in basketball shape. It's kind of the same thing. Just still listening to my body and it felt good today. I'm going to go in and get in a lift and continue to work on my rehab process and continue to get my knee right and my body right and the more I'm allowed to do it, I'm going to attack it 110 percent and try to get better every day.

Q: You didn't consider jumping in the fight, did you?

A: I mean, I would love to have been a part of that, but I think I made the smart decision. Actually, to be honest, I didn't even see what happened at first because our O-line did an amazing job on the left side on our wide zone, so I was over like dancing and screaming. Then, when it obviously had broken down – I know the fight was a big deal towards the media, but I think at the end of the day when you leave it on the field and we're able to come into the locker room and we're all joking about it, all laughing about it -- I mentioned it to some of the guys on this team, I do believe we will have a very special year and that's one thing we'll be able to point back to. I say that really helped bring us together and helped push us towards the next thing, things we want to accomplish.

Q: You weren't in the fight, but you were in the punishment. You were ahead in the punishment.

A: Yeah, because I'm still part of the team. To be honest, I didn't know if I was actually allowed to do that, so thankful nothing came out of that. But Coach said, 'Line it up,' and like I said, even though I didn't play football in a year besides obviously now, my mindset and one of my goals was not to come back and be all by myself and worry about, 'Oh, this is how I feel, this is how I feel.' Obviously, be smart about it, but I'm part of the team. If we get punished as a team, I see myself and I think the team would agree that as one of the leaders of the team, I'd be out there running with them.

Q: Did anybody give you any grief today?

A: Oh, you know. That's just the nature of being out and coming back. Got some of the 'Woah, who is that?' shaking my hand and introducing themselves. That's all fun, love and games. Like I said, it's just fun to be back out there. These are things you miss, even that joking around. Some of the guys on the defensive side can't wait to get their hands on me, too. I'll always say that because I do talk a lot of trash on offense and defense. All that teasing is a great experience though. I just can't wait until to do more whether that's this week, next week or the week after that. I can't wait to do that stuff, too.

Cornerback Sam Beal

Q: What's the last 12 months been like for you?

A: You know, there's ups and downs, but I'm here today enjoying it right now and having fun. I can only speak for right now and right now I'm enjoying it.

Q: What was it like last year being away from the team the way you were and kind of on your own? I know you made the decision to opt out, but I'm sure that had to be a little difficult to not be around the locker room and all the guys and stuff, right?

A: I have a really good relationship with a lot of guys here. A lot weren't here when I got back and I spent time talking to them, you know? Sometimes I would watch the games and I enjoyed watching them play. Sometimes I would just sit and work out. I didn't play the game, so I would get the same type of feeling sometimes. It was different, but I dealt with it the best I could.

Q: Why did you opt out, Sam?

A: At the time, it was the best decision for me. Sometimes you gotta take responsibility for your family, gotta take care of the people around you, take care of yourself. So, I chose the best decision at the time.

Q: Did your legal situation affect you?

A: At the time, a lot of factors were involved, so I can't just say it was that.

Q: Were you concerned that the legal situation would affect your status here with the team? I'm not talking just specifically when you made the decision. I'm talking about at any point over the last year.

A: I was more concerned about playing football, not about the legal situation. That will resolve itself, but football is here and sometimes it can be gone at the same time. I was more concerned about football.

Q: How much do you think you missed out there? When you don't play for a year, you come back rusty, not sure of yourself. It's hard to pick it up right away.

A: Well, I've actually dealt with it before having an injury and stayed out a while, and I came back and knocked the rust off. So, I kind of figured it would be the same way. It's a great coaching staff, they actually helped me along kind of faster than I thought it would be, so now I'm kind of playing how I want to play. I can be a step faster, be a little bit stronger. That's why I trust my coaches.

Q: How much do you feel like you have to prove still in this league? Obviously, you went through a lot of injuries and you just opted out last year, and it's pretty much a new coaching staff since you opted out. Do you feel like you have a lot to prove as you come into this year?

A: I just want to be a part of this team, show these coaches what I can do and help this team as much as I can. I love football, it's all I've been doing since I came here and I'm glad to be back with the Giants this camp to show what I can do.

Q: You've played so sparingly in three years. Is there a danger in your mind that – you know, they brought some other guys here. What's your thoughts about being able to stick on this team?

A: Anybody that plays football knows that in your life you're always competing. When you've got competitors with you, it makes it fun, especially when you've got a relationship with the guys and they're all teaching every day. So, when you make plays, they make plays, it's always fun to watch in the film room. I'm just going to enjoy it. Just speak to the guys that accomplished a lot, places I want to be, positions I want to be in. I just look at them and tell myself every day to just try and get better.

Q: Where are you on the football side of things? Where do you consider yourself? Are you back to where you were two, three years ago or how do you look at that?

A: Anybody that competes in the game wants to be better than they were two or three years ago.

Q: Is that realistic right away, though?

A: I would say my coaches play a big factor in that, they've actually helped me along pretty fast. I'm feeling great, I'm stepping up myself, still trying to get faster.

Q: How much contact were you able to have with the guys on the team and even the coaches, if you were able to talk to them when you opted out?

A: The guys that I knew, of course, would hit me up or I'll talk to them through social media or through text or whenever I could. It was just the fact that we reached out to each other or if they had a good game, I would try and share my thoughts, let them know how good they did or what they could've done better, you know what I mean? But it was always fun to watch them play and I enjoyed watching the new guys on the team play, too. It was just more excitement on my side and I just wanted to be back out there, having fun.

Q: Was it a strange feeling walking back into the locker room with this new coaching staff, all these new guys? Like, you pretty much haven't been in the locker room since December 2019. Did it feel like a new team almost?

A: Yeah, I feel like a lot of guys came here from different teams and things like that. With a new coaching staff, it was just like, okay, time to show the guy what I can do. I'm going to feel them out, they're going to feel me out, you know what I mean? And ever since I got in here, it's been great. I enjoy the atmosphere, it's competitive, it's fast. They're all just taking care of us. They take care of us.

Q: Have you heard anything from the league about potential discipline from the arrest?

A: I'll let that side take care of itself.

Q: Did you have to apologize to the Giants or explain to the Giants what happened with that legal situation? How did that kind of play out?

A: Anybody in that position would want to explain themselves, you know what I mean? Because if things didn't happen the way they should've, of course, you would want them to know your side of the story and what happened. So, of course I talked to a bunch of coaches and let them know my side of the story of what really happened. And a lot of guys on social media had a story or something and they didn't necessarily have the true facts. I would've loved for you guys to have asked me first about what really happened instead of going off of what somebody else said because a lot of things you guys said weren't true.

Q: Is there anything you want to tell us now, though?

A: It's kind of too late now, so I'll let you guys go about it how you guys go about it. I'll go about it how I go about it.

Q: There are still legal issues pending though, aren't there?

A: No.

Q: The probation still stands though, correct?

A: Correct.

Q: What do you think of (Head Coach) Joe (Judge)?

A: I love him. He teaches me more every day. He lets you compete, that's what I love. When I came in here, I didn't know what to expect, but now I know that every day you have to be at your best. You want him to see you at your best. I try to be my best every day.

Q: Sam, you came here three years ago as a pretty confident guy. Have you lost that? Do you still have it? Where are you today?

A: If you play DB, you should never lose your confidence because every game you go out, you can get beat or you could have the best game of your life. So, I will never lose that competitive side that I have always had. I'll continue to be competitive and compete every day.

Linebacker Oshane Ximines

Q: How did it feel to be out there after all you have been going through this last year?

A: It felt great to be back out there, man. It was a long, long offseason to finally be back right. Today was just a first step to a long journey to getting where I was. 

Q: How much did you do today?

A: I did individuals. I was able to do basics at the end of practice. Then after, I just kind of worked on my rhythm and my pass rush, and stuff like that.

Q: How do your legs feel?

A: They feel pretty good. It feels good to be back out there.

Q: What was last year like for you? Obviously, you came into the season hoping to really get a chance to prove yourself. Then, you went down, and you weren't able to come back. How tough was last year on you?

A: It's tough, but it's in the back seat now. Injuries are a part of the game, it's something that, listen, everybody has to deal with. So, as soon as I got hurt, I just wanted to do everything I could to get back, and that's what I did.

Q: What's your sense of this coaching staff?  You played for them last year, but you didn't get into a lot of games. What's your sense of what they think about you, what they think you can do, and things like that?

A: This is my favorite coaching staff that I've played with. I just know we're going to bust our tails here and we're going to work hard every day. Coach is going to make sure the best guys play, so that's something that I respect highly. I'm glad to be here.

Q: What's your sense of the whole edge rusher situation here? There seems to be spots waiting for people to take.

A: (Head) Coach (Joe) Judge made it clear to us that this is going to be a competitive camp. We have a bunch of good guys in the room, and we all learn from each other. It's a pleasure working with those guys every day.

Q: What do you kind of hope to bring to this defense when you get your shot?

A: I just hope to come in every day and work as hard as I possibly can. That in itself is going help the defense take it to another level because you come in there, you're putting your head down, and working, and that's all you can really do. 

Q: It's your first day back, but where's your confidence level in terms of thinking of week one?

A: Confidence is confidence, and I'm confident. I'm always confident in myself, so my confidence level is as high as always. I'm just happy to be back out here and I'm willing to work every day.

Q: You get hurt and you can't play, and then, do you say, "look, I don't want them to forget about me"? They bring other guys in, they brought in a rookie in (Linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari). Do you say, "look, I'm still here too"? Do you like have to prove that again almost?

A: I mean, this is a day-to-day business, like nobody is secure ever anywhere in the NFL. So, if you're not putting your best out every single day, then this is not the profession for you. That's my mindset in everything in life. I want to put my best out there at all times, so whatever they're doing, they're doing. Azeez is a great dude, he's a good kid. He's going to be a good ball player for us. I'm glad they brought him in. So, I'm just going to work every day like I've always done and let the chips fall where they may.

Q: Did you and (Linebacker) Lorenzo (Carter) kind of have to be injury buddies last year because you weren't playing?

A: Like I said, injuries are a part of the game, it's an unfortunate part of the game. Nobody wants to go down, nobody wants to sit on the sideline. But, when it happens, you got to do what you got to do to get yourself back to where you were and just put your best foot forward when you do get back.

Q: Do you have any doubt that, for the season opener, you will be physically ready?

A: I'm just going to work every single day to get back and we'll see when the season begins.

Q: Oshane, which part of your game do you think will come back to you the quickest, and which do you think will come back the longest?

A: It's hard to say because I'm not able to do team reps yet, so I haven't gotten out there really. But, in my head, I'm already back to where I was. But of course, when I get out, I'm going to realize what I need to work on more, where I'm more rusty at, and things like that. That's why I was just itching so bad to get out there today. But I'm trying to be smart and take the right steps so I'll be ready.

Q: Because you just said in your mind, you think you're where you were. Do you have to guard against doing too much too soon?

A: Exactly, like that's one thing I struggled with because when I get hurt, I want to go back out there, like I'm good, like I've always been that way. But, sometimes it's not the smartest thing to do. That's something I learned from last year and I'm looking to be smarter this year.

Q: Two guys back came off PUP today, you and some other guy (Running Back Saquon Barkley), right?

A: Yeah, I don't know who that guy is. What's his name? I don't know.

Q: Did you introduce yourself to him, or anything?

A: No man, forget that kid. No man, it was good seeing two-six back out there. He's always a high-level spirit guy. He was with me rehabbing in the offseason and he was somebody who brought a lot of energy to the rehab guys. I'm glad to see him back out here. He's just a good football player.

Q: You can always remember that you guys came back the same day, you know?

A: Yeah, exactly.