S Grant Delpit (9.15.23)
What are your thoughts of heading into this big Monday night game? National television, Steelers, chance to go 2-0 and just the magnitude of this game?
“Primetime. The guys are supposed to shine. We’re putting the work we need to put in right now. Carry some momentum over. Go over there, take care of business.”
Do you think that’s the best you’ve played against Cincinnati?
“I don’t know. Maybe so far. We didn’t come away with any takeaways or anything like that, but it was a pretty solid game for myself and as a defense as a whole, too. So build on that.”
What does it mean for this group to play with the freedom that Coach (Jim) Schwartz allows? I know he’s got you guys accountable on plays as well, but just allowing you to play loose and do your thing.
“Yes. No, we’re accountable for sure. It just looks like we’re playing loose. Because everybody’s locked in and we did a lot of good work in camp because we had an emphasis on starting fast. But I think everybody’s on the same page for the most part, try to keep stuff simple so guys can move fast. I think it’s working out.”
So what does it do for the group and its confidence and its trust in Coach (Jim) Schwartz when things go as well as they did in the first week?
“It’s going to be okay. But nobody writes a team on or off, off of one week. Are we the team that we think we are going to this week? Primetime, show the whole world so we going to see.”
Grant, you guys talked all preseason, offseason about the versatility at safety. Just talk about in one game how you guys were able to show that off.
“Versatility at safety? Yeah. As a safety myself, I pride myself on doing everything. I was able to show, like some man coverage on receiver. That was a good third-down stop. My tackling has been all right and really get a chance to show them ball skills in a few. So I try to work in every facet of my game, and I think that as the three safety talent that we have and Rocket (Ronnie Hickman) coming up and D Bell (D’Anthony Bell) too. We have a lot of talent in that room. We’re not a room that everybody’s too high on coming to the season. So we take that with a grain of salt and we bite down and we are going to work. So we want to show that we want stronger groups on the team.”
You did that all without Juan Thornhill on the field. When he gets back into the lineup, how lethal does that make his defense?
“Yeah, it’s going to be scary, man. Juan had a little preview of what he could do. KC, pick six. So we try to carry that momentum, man. He’s got great ball skills, smart guy. Two Super Bowl rings. We have a pretty deep room, so don’t be surprised.”
I think Ogbo (Okoronkwo) after the game made a comment, like in Coach Schwartz we trust. As the defense, I guess, what about Jim with him coming in has allowed him to gain the trust of his defense so quickly?
“Yeah, I mean, just as long as he’s been in the game. The success he’s had. He knows what he’s talking about, so we trust him. He puts us in the right position, and he lets that D line go in and lets us showcase what we could do in the back end.”
How about Kenny Pickett? What are your thoughts on Kenny? What are you seeing on film, and do you guys feel like you can do some of the same things maybe that San Francisco did last week?
“He beat us last year when he played there. So he’s seen us before we’ve seen him. We know what he can do. It’s year two for him. He’s gotten better as a player. I’m sure got more familiar with that scheme. He can make some sideline throws, deep balls, stuff like that. Got a good receiver, 14 (George Pickens) that can go catch the ball. So they got weapons, man. So it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
You were able to be physical with Tee Higgins. Part of the reason why you guys held him in check for so long. Now you’re going against George Pickens, who’s arguably probably a little bit even more physical. Do you think you guys are prepared to handle that?
“It’s going to be a good challenge. He’s going to catch the ball. He got some raw talent, but we got to go in there with the same mentality that we always have. We try to be the best in the world, man, and Steelers just next in our way, to be honest. So we’re going there with that same mentality, take care of business and get out of there.”
We’ve heard Coach (Jim) Schwartz hold you guys accountable. What’s that like when he’s kind of getting after you? That hard coaching?
“Every great coach going to come from a good place, man. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t coming from a good place. We’re talking about stuff like played out leverage !!and that’s some stuff that he might get on you for as a DB, for getting beat from the leverage or something like that. But DB, you out there, man, you out there, you got to show us what you could do and make some plays.”
Grant, especially coming off of a week in which you guys were somewhat disrespected. Deshuan (Watson) mentioned this is a chance for you guys on national television to show the world what you’re all about. I mean, do you sort of feel that way, too?
“Yeah, I’m sure not a lot of people had us high on their radar coming to the season—we did. That’s all that matter, really. I don’t pay too much attention what they say on the TV. They get paid to do that. It’s a good opportunity for us to go out, show we could do. Nothing too much else to say. Myself and I do the same thing. I keep a low profile, let my playing just talk, to be honest. I’ll get to talking after that.”
Being on that national stage and on prime time how do you kind of manage the emotions and the excitement that can go into a game like that?
“It’s really the same man. This is the NFL. Every game, every rep counts. Everything’s on. If the game’s not on primetime, it’s on social media somewhere, people see it. We’re going there with the same mentality. Stars shine in the primetime games. So somebody has to step up.”
What’s it about that stadium that makes it so hard to win it?
“We haven’t won in that stadium?”
2003 in the regular season.
“I did not know that. It’s a new year. They’ve had a great team. Obviously they’ve had our number, I guess for a few years now. So go in there, take care of business. We don’t have to worry about that. They have a great team, great coaches, crazy fans so it’s going to be hyped atmosphere.”
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