LB Sione Takitaki (11.6.23)
I was curious, after your interception, you gave the ball to your wife on the sideline, what was that moment like for you and just being able to go over to her and hand her that ball?
“Yeah, it was pretty funny because she usually doesn’t sit in those seats. But she kind of told me the night before, like, ‘Hey, we’re going to be sitting in these seats.’ My in-laws are in town. And she’s like, ‘If you get an interception, just run me the ball.’ And I was like, all right, cool. I was like, Bet if I make a play, I’ll run you the ball.’ And so it was kind of funny how it happened. Sometimes you’re like, I don’t know if I’m going to make an interception, but play came my way, got it. And the first thing I thought when I got to the ground like, ‘Oh, dang, this is really about to happen.’ You know what I mean? And she’s sitting over there, and I ran it over there. So it was pretty cool. It’s a pretty sweet moment.”
What was going through your head as that play was unfolding and you did get the interception? What was your vantage point through that play?
“Yeah, we knew they liked to do the flat seven concept and the tight end motioned over and I was kind of the buzz player. I’ve been in the position throughout my career, in that buzz position. So I kind of just baited him a little bit. If he was to throw it to the flat, I’d have to rally there and make the tackle. But he was definitely trying to go for the seven route and I was just able to get it. We work it a lot too with my coaches every week. So just happy I was in that position to make a play for my team.”
We’ve heard all season long about how the defensive line are kind of the stars, they’re the big playmakers, but how satisfying is it for you when you’re able to make a play down the line, when those plays fall back to you guys and you’re able to make those big, explosive, splash plays as well?
“Yeah, I feel like you mentioned our D-line, our defense. When those guys are going, man, then we’re firing. You’ve heard that throughout this whole season, since camp. So those guys make it easy for us. I feel like they have been making plays since day one. It feels good when we’re able to make those splash plays, too, as the linebackers and safeties when the ball comes our way, but just really proud of our guys. Just want to shed light on the D-line, man. I feel it was their game. They played really well and it’s the reason why were able to dominate.”
How much of this is trust in that D line? Juan (Thornhill) mentioned not wanting to chase plays and just letting them come to him. How much is that trusting that they’re going to be able to get their job done and just letting the plays unfold as they will?
“Yeah, we have an incredible front, sometimes things don’t go our way. We just got to stay consistent and keep at it, you know what I mean? Don’t try to do anything out of the norm. The other teams get paid to play, too, so they’re going to make their plays. But I trust big in the D line to continue to call our plays and let them be as disruptive as possible.”
Hey, Sione, do you guys feel like you have something to prove defensively after how that first matchup with the Ravens went?
“Yeah, you always want to play better, you know what I mean, with the loss. So we definitely want to show up and put our better foot forward. Incredible team. They’re playing really good ball and so we’re up for the challenge to practice our tails off and come ready to play.”
And Jim (Schwartz) talked last week about stopping the feast of famine, part of the defense. How do you guys gain that consistency that you’re looking for?
“Yeah, just focusing on the details every week, you know what I mean? Not trying to do anything out of the norm and just focusing on the details every day, being consistent and that’s really how we’re going to get back to being us. And I feel like we had a great week last week. It’s something to build on going into a great challenge, great conference game.”
Sione, what can you say about how well Lamar (Jackson) is playing this season and how it looks like he has taken his game to a whole new level?
“Yeah, Lamar has been, I feel like, pretty dominant his whole career. Obviously he got the contract, so he’s pretty dominant this year. He’s showing that he’s still one of the best in the league and he’s just one of those dynamic players where he’s going to throw the ball, but he’s also going to use his legs. And so when teams game plan for him, you got to account for his legs and him running. So like I said, we’re going to have to get back to the details this week, focus in, have a great week of practice. We’ve got a good challenge ahead.”
Coaches like to talk about taking them one week at a time here, you know, you have to separate game to game. But in your guys’ case, coming off the performance that you had Sunday against the Cardinals, how do you carry that momentum forward when you’re playing a team that’s as hot as Baltimore is right now?
“Yeah, we got to take the good things we did, correct the bad things we did and prepare for the Ravens. Obviously, you don’t like to dwell on the win that we have. You know what I mean? You don’t want to kind of, hey, we had a great win. It can kind of leak into this week. So, we’re happy with the win. But now this is a new week, a new team, a conference game, really great team we got to prepare for. So just really locking in and focusing on these guys.”
And as someone that’s been with this team for a few years now, from your perspective, just how neat is it to really see maybe the type of defense that you had hoped to be a part of when they drafted you really kind of come together this year?
“Yeah, we’ve had good defenses over the past, but I feel like this has definitely been one of the best. Just really happy. As a defensive player, you always want to be part of a unit that’s towards the top and I feel like I’m just excited to be a part of it wherever I can help. And we got still a long season ahead, so continue to attack the details and don’t try to look too much ahead. Don’t try to look at the stats, where we’re at, where we’re slotted. Just try to take it day by day.”
You guys were front loaded really early on in the season with a bunch of divisional matchups. How important do you think those were now that you’re here at this point and those divisional matchups are coming back around for the second go, how important do you think that having those guys early in the season could be when you face them again coming up?
“Yeah, I feel like every game is important, obviously, but yeah, these conference games mean a lot, especially right now where I feel like our conference is doing really well. It was good to get a look at them early. Things kind of change as the season goes on, but just watching the tape, these guys still do really great things and things that they were doing early in the season, they’re still doing that. But we got to prepare for them. They’re a really good team and we’re up for the challenge. We got to take it day by day.”
Hey, Sione, I’m just wondering on a personal level, I know you got your locker near him and everything. Kevin (Stefanski) told us that Jed (Wills) is going to miss some time, but it’s not a season ending injury. So how relieved are you that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked when he got carted off there.
“Yeah. I’m really sad for Jed. I’m actually really happy, though, you know what I mean? I thought it was more serious than six weeks, so that’s good news. And he’ll attack rehab and get back after it. So good news for the team.”
You mentioned how good the division is. What goes through your head when you look at those graphics that say all four of the teams would be in the playoffs if they know if the season ended right now and the fact that I think you guys are the only division with all four teams with winning records?
“Yeah. Scott (Petrak), like I said, man, we try not to look at all the stats and where we’re slotting. Just looking forward to this week and the challenge we have ahead.”
Does it speak to just how tough the competition is, though, that you guys face throughout the season with these guys?
“Right. Yeah. Tough, tough conference. You know what I mean? We’re going to have to put our best foot forward every week.”
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