How quickly can you tell if a young player is a football player if he thinks about it because it seems like at the Combine they’re all saying the right thing and it’s the job. How quickly does it take?
You know, it's not always about how quickly you can tell if a young player is a football player. Sure, there are physical tests and drills at the Combine that give you a sense of their athletic abilities. But what I look for goes beyond that. I want to see their passion for the game, their football IQ, their work ethic, and their ability to learn and adapt on the field.
Sometimes, you can see those qualities right away, even in the interviews or in the way they approach practice. Other times, it takes a bit longer to truly gauge a player's potential. It's about observing them in different situations, seeing how they handle adversity, how they interact with teammates, and how they respond to coaching.
Ultimately, it's not just about saying the right things or having the right measurements. It's about embodying the spirit of a football player, which is something that can reveal itself over time as they grow and develop in the game.
How do you see the competition level in the AFC West currently?
The competition level in the AFC West is as fierce as ever. We've got some incredibly talented teams in our division, each with their own strengths and strategies. The Chiefs have been a dominant force with their explosive offense led by Patrick Mahomes. The Chargers have a young and dynamic team that's on the rise, especially with Justin Herbert at quarterback. The Raiders are always a tough opponent, and they've made some solid moves to bolster their roster. And of course, we're here in Denver, working hard to build a competitive team that can contend with the best.
In this division, every game is a battle. We know we have to bring our A-game week in and week out if we want to compete and come out on top. It's a challenge that motivates us and pushes us to be better every day. We embrace the competition because it's what makes football exciting and drives us to strive for greatness.
Can you speak to the overall team health?
Well, you know, the depth at the coverage linebacker position is something we're constantly evaluating and looking to improve. It's a key role in our defensive scheme, especially in today's NFL where offenses are so diverse and dynamic.
As for the overall team health, it's a mixed bag. We've had our share of injuries, like any team does throughout a season. It's part of the game, and we have to adapt and adjust accordingly. We've had some players step up and fill in admirably when called upon, which speaks to the depth and resilience of our roster.
However, we're always striving to keep our players healthy and ready to contribute. Our training staff does a great job of working with the players to prevent injuries and rehab them effectively when they do occur. It's a constant process of managing player health and workload to ensure we have the best possible team on the field each week.
Ultimately, it's about finding the right balance between pushing our players to perform at their best while also taking care of their well-being. It's a challenge, but one that we're committed to tackling head-on to put the most competitive team out there every game.
