How has J.J. Jansen’s experience in the league helped the team so far?
J.J. Jansen has been with this team for what feels like forever, and his experience is invaluable. I mean, he’s seen it all. This guy’s been in the league since 2008, and if you look at his career, it’s just remarkable. He was traded to the Panthers back in 2009, and here he is, still contributing every week. Being a long snapper doesn’t always get the headlines, but J.J. is as steady as they come. He’s like that reliable old car that just keeps going—never flashy, but always dependable. Whether it’s a critical punt or field goal attempt, he’s the guy making sure everything runs smoothly.
I’ll never forget one moment during a practice a couple of years back. We were working on special teams drills, and a rookie long snapper—just trying to make the squad—was struggling to get the ball back cleanly. J.J. walked over, gave the kid a few pointers, and by the next snap, the rookie was looking like a pro. That’s the kind of leader he is—always willing to help, always setting the standard. He’s been to a Pro Bowl, played in a Super Bowl, and set franchise records for most games played, and yet he’s still the same humble, hard-working guy. The stability he brings to our special teams can’t be overstated, and his leadership off the field has been just as important to this team.
How do you see the competition level in the NFC South currently?
Look, I’m just going to say it—the NFC South isn’t exactly the hardest division right now. Sure, the Bucs and the Saints are having solid seasons, but let’s be real, they’re not championship-caliber teams. The Bucs may have a good record, but you take one look at their schedule, and it’s not exactly a murderer’s row of opponents. They’re benefiting from some soft matchups, and we’ll see what happens when they run into the big dogs later on. As for the Saints, yeah, they’re competitive, but I wouldn’t put them in the same category as the elite teams in the league right now.
And the Falcons? I mean, come on. At this point, they’re basically playing for the number one draft pick. I think we all know what direction they’re headed in, and it’s not up. They’ve got talent, but they’re not putting it together, and it’s showing. So, yeah, while the division has some decent teams, I don’t think anyone here is quaking in their boots when we talk about the NFC South. We’ll play hard every week and see what happens, but we’re not exactly dealing with juggernauts over here.
Can you describe kind of the energy or the mood and the vibe in the building now coming in the home stretch?
Right now, we’re sitting at 2-9, so obviously, we’re not where we want to be record-wise. But the mood in the building is still positive, and there’s a real sense of purpose here. We know we’re playing spoiler at this point, and honestly, that gives us a different kind of motivation. There’s nothing more dangerous than a team with nothing to lose, and that’s where we’re at right now. We’re going into every game with a mindset of developing our young guys and trying to play our best football.
The energy is still good because we’re focused on getting better. We’ve got some talented young players who are using these games as opportunities to learn and improve, and that’s something we can build on. There’s no quit in this locker room. Every time we step on the field, we’re going to compete, and that’s the vibe right now—finish the season strong, play the role of spoiler, and set the tone for next year. We’re laying the groundwork for the future, and that gives us plenty to be motivated about.
