TE Jordan Akins (5.24.23)
How much was the how much was just the draw of getting back with Deshaun that led you to coming here?
Just the chemistry that we had. I want to pick up where we left off in Houston. Deshaun, we had great chemistry, like I said, and I like the way he plays a game. The play is always alive when he’s on the field. And I love to play with a quarterback like that.
He seems to, especially in the red zone, has an act of finding the tight end. Where does that come from?
I think it’s just his awareness and his belief in his tight ends. He trusts us. We trust him. And like I said, the play is never dead with Deshaun. A big body, sometimes it’s easier to bump and get open in the red zone. And when we do Deshaun eds up fining us.
Did him being here influence your decision?
Yes. I can say yes to that. Honestly, I just was looking to be somewhere that I was wanted and great team camaraderie when I got here and I came visit here, it was a perfect fit for me. And like I said, I’m reunited with Deshaun and it’s a good thing.
It’s kind of an added bonus? It’s definitely a bonus.
Jordan, when you saw him on December 4, went down in Houston, his first game back, what did you see compared to the guy that you played?
He definitely was rusty. He had to get back in his rhythm. His rhythm was off. I could tell that his work wasn’t where it should be and it wasn’t the typical Deshaun, but the typical Deshaun beats adversity. And that’s exactly what he faced and came back and did his job.
It had to be stressful for him that day. He later admitted it was. Did you meet with him before the game?
I met with him after the game, yeah. I told him. I told him, great job with battling adversity. Overcome it. It’s huge for you to come back and win this game. So you made a statement.
You know Deshaun really well when he’s out here and getting this chemistry going with guys. What are some of the things we’re going to see from him when it’s starting to click? What can you see?
Great rhythm throws. Deep ball throws. He’s great at that. The defense. He’s really good at it. He can read defenses, pick part defenses. Whether we get the mismatches, he’ll find the mismatches. And also whenever he seemed like he’s surrounded, he’s going down, some way he pops out. So you’ve got to stay on your feet, stay moving downfield and be ready to make a play at all times.
Last year when he was playing in those six games, there was kind of an education between the other ten that were playing with him and him playing with them. Sometimes they didn’t know what he was doing. You would, is that a process that they’re going to have to marry together?
It depends. We’re here now. We’re trying to overcome that right now. That’s what OTAs is for trying to get the rhythm down. We’re trying to get the way he plays the game. And luckily I’ve been with him for three years, so I kind of know how to maneuver when he makes certain moves. But as a team, I think we’ll be fine. Like I say, Deshaun, he will find the open guy. We will make place for him.
This time of year. Is it pretty new to you because it’s a new team, or is this close to what you’ve always done?
I would say it’s kind of similar because I was with the Giants last year, so I had to adjust. That was really my first adversity, as in moving and adjusting to a different team. But this year I was kind of prepared for it and I’m more aware of what I had to do, so I kind of put things in the right place and made the right moves so it was easier for my family and myself.
Do you feel like there’s great opportunity for you here?
I feel like it’s great opportunity, man. Like I said, being reunited with the Deshaun and being able to get a different route tree. In Houston, I was kind of labeled as a catch and run tight end in the flat. But here I’m more down the field. I get to show off my athleticism, in and out of cuts and catch it after the run as well.
Jordan, do you feel like even though it’s a new system for your new team, just the fact that you are with Deshaun and can learn this with a quarterback you’re familiar with, how much of a help is that for you?
It’s a big help, man. Deshaun knows me. I know Deshaun. Certain plays, when I’m coming across, I learn up in my formation. Sometimes I can just look at him, give him a certain look, and he can kind of signal some of the routes we have signals for from the previous team in Houston. He helps me out and I help him out through the air as far as making plays, but the unison on this team is everyone. The team comradery is great. It’s definitely different from where I’m coming from. Everyone is one accord, so that’s major in the NFL.
Your connection that you have, is it like an X factor thing that you can’t describe, or is there something specific about your games you think that works really well together with him throwing you the ball?
That’s a good question. I would say Deshaun, just his IQ for football is amazing. His reactions to certain looks are amazing. Me, I play off reactions and instincts, so I do my job. At the end of the day, you have to play ball. Deshaun being one accord with that so he’ll find you. If you find open ground.
Given your non-conventional career path, do you feel like there’s still upside? Do you feel like there’s doors that still open?
Oh, there’s definitely a lot more I can bring to the table. Last year was really me just really getting my feet wet. They kind of depended on me in the offense, so as long as I’m presented with the opportunity, I’m definitely going to overcome. And I accept any challenge that comes my way blocking, special teams, or making plays down field.
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