DT Dalvin Tomlinson (7.28.23)
Has this felt like a slow ramp up to the start of camp to you?
“Yeah, it’s definitely different. It’s taking care of players and I feel like everybody’s feeling super refreshed, good. You don’t get camp fatigue early on and stuff like that either. So it’s definitely a different approach for me, but I feel like it’s a good one.”
You’re ready for tomorrow?
“Yeah, of course. Always. Big guys always look forward to the first day going against the offense and pass. Talk a little junk and stuff on the practice field.”
This defense seems very talkative so far. Is that kind of a fun part of these practices? A way to get your guys amped up, I guess?
“For sure. I think Coach (Jim) Schwartz is the biggest part of that. Everybody’s just talking, having fun and we love to compete. So we always competing with each other and just go against the offense to compete even more. It’s just like, you’re in heaven with competing.”
Dalvin, are you much of a trash talker?
“No, not really. I’d be so locked in on the formations and all that stuff. It’s just like, I don’t have time for all that.”
When you think of Za’Darius Smith, what does he do just in terms of revving guys up and helping younger guys and just showing all that kind of leadership out there?
“Oh, yeah, Z. You know, that’s my guy. The energy he brings to practice every single day is amazing. And like you said, he helps the young guys with technique and things he’s learned over the years on different teams. And he shares his knowledge, as we all do. And it’s just great how he’s still willing to learn and still a student of the game.”
After he was traded to Cleveland, seemed like stuff was coming out of Minnesota, questioning him as a teammate. The last six games or eight games, he didn’t have a sack and all that. Would you catch any of that? Are you surprised that negative stuff came out after the fact?
“I didn’t catch any of that because I played beside him. So we were out there just fighting every single play, and it’s the NFL. Sacks (are) hard to come by, but when you’re Z you still get him somehow. And yeah, he’s a great teammate to me and always has been. And the way he comes to work and just wants to get better each and every day, it hasn’t ever faded away.”
What kind of teammate is he just in terms of everything?
“He’s super motivational. He is going to give you some energy, give you some juice. When you feel like you’re a little tired or something, he’s going to come jump around and joke around with you to get you going a little bit more. And he’s one of those guys who learns you’re reason why you’re playing this, and he just reminds you, ‘Hey, that you’re doing this for this.’ When you go and play twelve on a drive or something like that, like ‘Keep pushing DT’, stuff like that.”
You’ve been working with Jordan Elliott a lot? What’s been sort of the message you’ve tried to impart on him and how have you seen him sort of take the advice you’ve been offering?
“Me and Jordan, we work almost every day after practice and technique work and stuff like that, and it’s the small things. And I tell them the small things makes the biggest difference when it comes to pass rush, playing the run, just being effective as a defensive tackle. And he’s been picking up everything and I feel like his game’s evolving this training camp and I’m excited. What he’s going to do when we get down the field.”
I don’t know if you’ve been asked about him, but also Ogbo (Okorokwo). I know he’s on the edge, you’re inside, but just working – what stands out about him?
“His strength is crazy. You wouldn’t expect Ogbo to be that strong. The way he sets edges, it’s crazy. He’s just so fluid when he pass rushes and stuff. I said before, it’s just every time I see him rush, it doesn’t seem real. Like somebody playing Madden or something with him out there. Every time he put his hand in there.”
As a new player to this roster, how much has this week, this experience and just having an extra week in training camp in general helped you?
“I feel like it helped out way more, super lot, just because like you said, we are in groups, walking around, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together. Just on the off day just trying to find something to do. If it’s just sitting around the table debating about different topics and stuff. And we just come together as a whole better group. I feel like that’s going to lead us and play even better throughout the season because we’re playing for each other at that point.”
Did you do anything fun on Wednesday?
“We did mostly recovery stuff as a D line. I guess you could say, we relaxed a little. In the trenches, you got to take your off days as serious as possible.”
Better combination here or in Minnesota when you were training with the Vikings?
“I don’t know. Here is definitely different. I’ve never done anything like this. For Minnesota, we really stayed at the facility when I was there, but here it’s different. It’s a different vibe and I’m enjoying it.”
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