The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Sunday, August 8

We play our first game Monday night and it'll be exciting for me. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like. I know the atmosphere and the speed of the game is going to be a step up from Utah State--and really anything I've ever been through since I've been playing football.


For my first game to be at the Hall of Fame is pretty special, too.

As far as my preparation for the game, I feel like I'm ready. We'll have some meetings when we get to Canton and that'll be when we finalize everything for the game. But I know the game plan and I know what I'm supposed to do on the field. With all of that out of the way, I feel like I can just absorb and enjoy the experience until game time.

I'm still amazed at the turnout for Fan Day on Saturday. I walked out onto the field and to see thousands of people all here to basically watch us practice was just astonishing. It's like nothing I've ever seen before.

It was fun meeting all of the people afterwards in the autograph tents and fans had so many encouraging words for me. I've never signed so many autographs in my life. I really appreciate their support.

I feel practice has gone really well the last few days. I feel like I've been picking up on my assignments and progressing to the point that I'm ready to see how I do when I go up against another team. The fans aren't a distraction at all. Occasionally you hear a fan shout out your name, but my focus is always on my responsibilities for each play.

Friday, August 6

I was just thinking about the first time I visited Redskins Park back in April and how far I've come. Coaches brought me here for an interview--I also visited Dallas, but visiting Washington was a totally different situation. The coaches were friendly to me and it was a more comfortable experience.

I had a car ride with Coach Gibbs and went out to dinner with all of the coaches. They sat down and talked with me and I felt great in that situation. I kind of had an idea they might draft me. I knew they thought I would be a good fit and I knew I would be a good fit for them, so I was hoping they would draft me.

Coach Gibbs is an amazing man. In the meetings, you just listen to him and you don't think about anything else. He holds your concentration--he holds everything the whole time you're there. You're hanging on every word, especially the stories. He's probably forgotten more football than most people will ever see.

I know football history pretty well, but he's got stories about every team and every player. It's so amazing to sit in the meetings and just listen.

Tight ends coach [Rennie] Simmons is another great guy. He's such a thorough coach and he doesn't miss anything. He also makes you feel comfortable on the field.

Wednesday, August 4

Every day after practice, I try to sign as many autographs as I can because I want to be part of the community and do everything I can. I love it here and everyone's been so great to me, so I'm going to do everything I can to give back what I can out here.

I've never signed any autographs before, not even at Utah State. So it's exciting to meet so many people this way.

I grew up in Logan, Utah and it actually feels good to be away. It's good to be out here, my wife is with me and we're enjoying the experience right now.

Living in the Washington, D.C., is a pretty big difference from Logan, obviously, but I think I'm adjusting really well. I don't mind the heat too much at practice, as long as I drink enough fluids. As far as the area, it's a beautiful place to live and a beautiful place to be--it's real neat change for me.

My wife and I did a tour of Washington and that was neat. It was my first time to see D.C. I'd have to say my favorite thing was seeing the White House. I had always wanted to see the White House. We didn't get to do the tour, we just stood outside the gates and take a couple pictures. It was a great time.

Monday, August 2

I had a couple mistakes on run plays on Sunday that I wish I could have had back. I blocked a defensive end and just got off balance a little bit--it just wasn't a real good block there. Then I had an outside linebacker go up outside of me and I didn't get out to him. I'm there, it's just that I have to keep on getting better with my technique.

Run blocking is the biggest thing I need to work on. We didn't run the ball very much in college. Utah State was primarily a passing offense.

I did a little bit of everything at Utah State. We didn't have a H-back position. I was lined up at fullback, along the line and in the slot.

Really the H-back is a more pass-oriented position. There's a little bit of blocking, but the wide tight end is on the ball and in the pass game they're blocking in pass protection.

When it comes to the passing game, I feel very confident in what we're doing in practice. It's the same type of offense that I had at Utah State. But I know I need a lot of work in the run game and it's good that I'm getting a lot of work at it now so that I'm ready for the season.

Right now, special teams is the most important thing for me. If I want to get on the field, that's where I'm going to do it. There are a couple of things I still need to work on because I didn't really get much of a chance to play kickoff or punt coverage, so I'm working on my tackling skills. But I feel good about it out there.

Saturday, July 31

I think we did really well for the first day of practice. We did more than I expected for the first day, at least. Overall, it felt really good to get going with camp. The pace of practice seemed really fast. The way we moved around out there, it was really wild.

I feel like I'm getting to the point where I know the playbook better each day. I've been picking things up really quickly, I think.

We're known as a running team, so right now I'm at the stage where I'm focusing on my blocking technique more. The biggest thing I need to work on is keeping a low pad level every time. Staying low is key, with all these guys out here, since they're so fast and so quick. You have to stay low in order to get yourself into a competitive position to make a block.

The crowd out here was great. It was like the biggest crowd we would ever have for a game at Utah State--a sellout game. It seems like the energy at practice is higher with the fans. It's not as if the fans can capture your attention, but you know they're there and it's wild.

As far as my position, it seems like there are so many tight ends out here. Since it's the first day of camp, everybody's out here with something to prove to the coaches. We're working to get up to the level where we need to be. It all begins today.

My goal? It's to always do the best I possibly can on each play and to try to fit into the scheme of this offense. So, I'm going to block as hard as I can every time.