you're the first NFL player with over 1,000 yards in each
of your first eight season, which is incredible. But what
if I would have told you that, that would have been the case
in 2014 when you were first
drafted, what would you have said to me?
Now to said it's doable, but
it's never been done before. So
I mean it would have been unlikely,
but I was definitely confident though when I was young.
What would you say has allowed you to have consistency and
Longevity the productivity that you've had over the last 8
years of your career.
It's a combination of a lot of things
taking learn how to take care of my body.
Learn how to train in the offseason,
eating the right things because I was a big guy coming in.
I was got the 245 plus pounds and I was way too much weight for
a while receiver, even though I'm 65.
I found the right way to play it.
And, you know, I play with really great players
guys, that helped me,
you know, get to this position.
So it's a combination of a lot of things.
I can't help. But ask what did you have to give up
in order to get the weight down? Would you have to stop eating?
I really am. My dad is not dead crazy. You know, I heard about
probably shell, he makes everything organic. So it's
definitely lighter foods. But whenever I'm feeling a file,
Guys burger or some pizza,
I'm going to do is, apply, are going to on a Friday like today,
like all day on a Monday. I'll, you know, some
some pretty bad.
Good for you.
Let's talk about having Tom. Brady on the sidelines with
you. I want to go back to you catching the 600 touchdown and
then immediately, giving it to the fans. How much flak did you
get for that in the aftermath?
A lot. I mean, some people took it too serious,
but
it was all fun. You know, the guy he got a lot of cool stuff.
Out of it
make for good TV. Good entertainment.
So that's the funny part of it. But Tom Brady and his press
conference. He calls you Dependable. The guy that he
knows that he can rely on. What's it like to hear him,
give you praise like that. From a guy
who is widely considered the greatest of all time at
the quarterback position.
I mean, it's something I don't take for granted. I mean,
I used to be a kid fourth. Fifth grade watching. You know, my
Indianapolis Colts, you know, I'm a huge pain management and
I'm watching.
Tom Brady beat up on the,
on the colds and he's making me cry as a kid. I was a very
passionate kid when it came to sports and now he's giving me
coaching lessons, and
he's told me the ball. He's my quarterback
and no we're trying to win championships together and
it's very surreal.
When I look back on it. It's going to be awesome.
What would you say is something that you've learned from him?
If you had to give one take away, it would be what?
So many things.
Number one, there's two things. I'm going to say two things.
Take care of my body.
I learned a lot from him in the short time that I've been with
him.
I have a different outlook on how long I want to play now
and just don't get tired of doing a little things because
when it's done, it's done and he never takes anything for
granted.
He works as hard as anybody and it's a reason why he is who he
is.
It seems as though, you know, it's a little bit different
from a season ago. You guys are the reigning Super Bowl
champions, but you've had to deal with some incredible
adversity when you see, you know, Chris Godwin, go down
and the wide receiver room. What's the discussion? When
a primary ball catcher will no longer be able to compete with
you.
I mean losing a guy like Chris. I mean, he was
a huge part of our team, playmaker. Great. Teammate,
just gets the job done, blue collar, worker, and losing
a guy like that is definitely going to hurt but, you know,
the season
has to go on and do you know it gives us more motivation
because we want to win it for him. So I mean, losing a guy
like that was a huge blow.
But, you know, we still got work to do and gods have to
step up.
And you personally, I even more of the weight of an offense
does come to you. What is the adjustment, your mentality that
you have to have, knowing that he's down.
I'll always keep the same
mentality Maria. I mean,
I always, you know, trial try my best. I'll work my tail off.
When the ball comes my way. I try to make the play. Try to
get involved in the Run game and try to be the best teammate
leader. I can be. I mean,
I've always been like that
regardless of who is in or out.
And it seems like you've always been like that regardless of
whether or not the team is having a ton of success or your
winning a Super Bowl. I mean, you've been in Tampa Bay your
entire career you were there through the lean years
essentially.
So describe what it was. Like, when you were grinding your
three-time Pro Bowl, you're still having one thousand yard
seasons, but you're not seeing the outcome. You would like to
see in the record book.
I mean it was tough, you know,
obviously I'm super blessed
to be in this position.
I mean regardless winning or losing but
it's one of the things I hate the most
hate. The most is losing
and we were doing that, you know,
for six years straight and I was tough man, that not being
able to be in the playoff contention. And because these
last two years being in the playoffs, it's no greater
feeling to different type of football.
It's where the Big Time Players really
know, step up and show off. So I've
Want to be in this position
and I'm grateful that I'm in this position now.
And hopefully,
you know, I can stay here until my career is over.
How does going through the first six years? With no
postseason play to being the last two seasons. Now, you've
been to the postseason. How does it make it that much
sweeter?
It makes it so much. It makes it worth it. I mean, I never
really
six seasons in a row and these are long in a fellow seasons
and not to touch the postseason.
It was terrible. And I know what it feels like now. And
it definitely was worth the wait.
And, you know, like I said, hopefully know every year
the rest of my career, I can, you know, be in the playoffs.
Alright, let's talk about the the Rams. So you guys fall to
them and Lala. What was your takeaway when you watch that
film back and something that you can
take forward in the divisional, round this weekend?
Oh, we gotta make more plays.
They're really talented team,
really talented team or they stack up well against us.
We have to be the most physical team.
First of all, I mean if we were the most physical team
I think will win the game.
Gotta play smart ball
and we gotta execute a little bit better early on.
I felt like the second half. We did a decent job,
but we had come out swinging in the first half and execute.
What's it like going up against a guy like Jalen Ramsey?
One of the best players in
his position and one of the best players in the game.
I mean, it's a challenge that every competitor wants
and, you know, hopefully we get a, we get to see a lot of each
other, the come Sunday.
What would you say is the the workout that you do every
single day? The thing that makes you have such great hands
and it's allowed you to have some of the success. I'm always
interested in. What wide receivers do
to make sure that they can consistently
make the catch when it matters.
It's a lot. It's a lot of repetition. I mean, I've caught in
over 100,000 patients like the random
at all those drills at some point. But right now
I just I just catch, I just catch a
normal house. I mean when I run my Ross,
I just focus but I've definitely done. All the tennis
balls, practice it over the shoulder. Catch is laying down,
catching the ball, and things like that. But,
you know, now is one of the rods no are. Or when
the receiver coaches. Don't read the ball, just always frame it.
I also wanted to ask you about after you got your Super Bowl
ring. We all remember you just passing it off to the fans.
Letting other people. Try it on.
It seems like you're really bonded to the city,
but would you describe just the relationship you have with your
fan base and being able to play a home postseason divisional
game? What that means to you?
Well, first, those were Noah's family and friends. So this was
like right after cohle Bangkok,
and it was, it was family and friends. So I knew most of
blood,
half of those people. I was getting the Rings to Linda.
Then people wear my ring, half those people, I knew them.
So, you know, I'm not, I'm not that crazy, but
it's great that were able to have, you know, this
this past week. We had the first home playoff game and now
we got this one and you know, it's great for the fans. I mean
they put on an unbelievable
showing last week
and had this The Rockin
and
Tempo,
it's been a great place to be been great to my family as
well.
And then last question, it's about Cooper cut because
the only guy that had more receiving touchdowns this
season, then you is him. So what have you seen from him?
When you do get a chance to just watch him play?
A complete player
doesn't really talk much. It just gets the job done.
Contested, catch
routes are unbelievable.
We can do the Dirty Work and blog run after catch
deep deep balls and custody balls.
It can do it all complete player, and it's a reason why
he got the Triple Crown this year.
And did you tell Brady that he made you cry?
When you were younger?
Beating your guy? Yeah.
Yeah. I told him. I told him about it.
He's cool with it. He's, he's heard it all before.
Well, it kind of makes up for it. You guys have a Super Bowl
ring together. Yeah, it does.
We're good. Well, I appreciate it. Mike. This was good.
I'm glad you made the time. Appreciate it.
I appreciate you.