CB Martin Emerson Jr. (10.18.23)
MJ, why do you think that you and Denzel (Ward) have been such a great complement to one another, different skill sets you guys bring to the cornerback table?
“Just being in the same room with each other, having those similar goals, and just going out there and just being the best for our brother. We have a standard we hold each other to. Just got to be the standard and be the reason.”
Why has man coverage been such a weapon for you guys relative to other secondaries in the NFL?
“Great defensive line, man, great scheme, obviously coming to the game, but man, we got some great players on this defense and we just try to use everybody to the best of our ability and we like to play first command and we let our defense get off the quarterback.”
Coming off that big game for you and getting your first career interception, what’s your mentality going into this Colts game trying to keep those takeaways turnovers?
“Oh, man. Just doing my job, honestly. I don’t really want to try to do anything different. Just doing my job. Don’t try to find a place. Just let the plays come to me and make my place that’s come to me.”
People talk about Jim Schwartz kind of changing the culture, especially on that side of the ball. What do you think it means? What stands out to you most about the changes made under him?
“Yeah, man. As soon as he got the job and I just watched the interview, I knew the culture was going to be different. It was going to be a shock to some players. He wants his players to be uncomfortable. He want to put you in the hardest position during practice. So when Sunday comes, it’s more like routine. It’s easy. We are very blessed to have a DC come in and set the standard and just bring the best out of his players and just bring everybody along to what his standard is.”
Did you know everybody in the locker room would embrace that style?
“I mean, we all here. We are here for the same goal and that’s to win. So everybody should embrace that style and everybody has.”
So did you get the ball that you intercepted.
“Yes, sir, I did get the ball actually. I signed it this morning. We have a cage in the defensive room and every time we get a turnover or a stop on fourth down, a big play, we just put it into the cage. So it’s in the cage right now.”
You get to take it home?
“Yeah, after the season, at the end of the season. So that’s a long time from now. Hopefully I get a few more in there.”
What did you see on that interception? I guess as it was happening, what did you see when you caught the ball? What was going through your mind?
“Who was in, man. So I was off. I was playing good out the whole time. No say good, bad. I wasn’t peeking at the quarterback. I was just watching my man. As soon as he broke the inside breaking route, I peeked up. Ball was just right there. Literally, it was just in my chest, man. So I just had to make the catch and just try to get the positive yards.”
How the guy celebrated with you afterwards? What was that like to see? I know celebration has been such a big thing for you guys defensively, but to see them rally?
“Just to bring Jim Schwartz back up, that’s the standard. So when we make a big play, we all celebrate each other’s success. But, man, it was just a big play in the game. And just to see just the sideline, guys that wasn’t out there, to even run out on the field and just celebrate, man, it was a great feeling with the team.”
How much Gardner Minshew tape have you been watching these last couple of days? With Anthony Richardson done for the year and going to have that surgery.
“Yeah, I’ve been watching that tape. I watched a little bit of five, a little bit of ten, both of them pretty good quarterbacks. Been watching tape, breaking it down, just trying to get a feel for them.”
How about that receiving core?
“Pretty good, man. 11 (Michael Pittman), he runs every route, 14 (Alec Pierce), take the top off type of guy. Number 1 (Josh Downs) slot shifting, slot receiver. Kind of remind me of Tyler Boyd in a sense, but great receiving core, man.”
Have you been able to speak with Joe Haden recently?
“No, I haven’t spoken to Joe recently, man. I got to hit his phone. He usually hit me up, though, man. Joe is a good friend of mine now. Just me coming in and he embraced me. He gave me some tips last year going through my rookie year, and I have his phone number and his line always open whenever I need him.”
Some guys were talking the other day about having no weak links on this defense. Outsiders question the linebacking court heading into the year, but then JOK seems like he’s now the best he has been. What have you seen, especially out of JOK this season?
“Man, six is playing great ball, man, just for one. And he’s flying around. He’s doing what he do best in this scheme. I’m proud of them, the linebacker core. Just proud of them as a whole.”
You guys play a lot of man, more than anybody. But how much off versus how much press?
“It just all depends on the game plan. Just depends on what we keep, you know, certain routes they like to run, doing certain splits, and we just try to put ourselves in the best position to win.”
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