T Jedrick Wills Jr. (8.23.23)
Jed, the final week of camp. We know the starters are going to play in Kansas City. How do you guys feel about getting out there? Like a dress rehearsal?
“It should be fun. We’ll play as long as Coach (Stefanski) allows us to. Defending Super Bowl Champions, so it’ll be good to go out there and put our skills to the test.”
How important do you think these two weeks are going against two Super Bowl teams? Basically, back to back in the preseason here.
“It’s great work and it kind of gives us a feel of where we’re at going into the season. But like I said, it’s great work going against those guys and the coaches and everything like that. Just kind of put our skills to the test together.”
The addition on the defensive line and some of these guys, what has that done for you to be able to go against talent that they’ve been able to bring?
“It’s done a lot. It’s helped us groove with each other. It’s helped them groove with me especially, and it’s going to add to us a lot to the season to have that depth and those types of players for us on both sides that can hype the game up.”
Is there a part of your game that you feel has been more honed because of some of the different kinds of talents and versatility they brought in here?
“I wouldn’t say honed, but we’ve been focusing a lot more on path pro just to kind of help out Deshaun (Watson) and things like that. So just kind of grooving those techniques a little bit.”
How do you think it’s going with the timing of Deshaun (Watson) being a scrambling quarterback and guys getting used to him and getting used to you?
“I mean, it’s definitely an adjustment, but in the long run, it’s helpful, especially when he can make plays like that with his feet. So just knowing that there’s a forever clock in the back of your head just to kind of let him run around and make plays.”
What does it mean to you? I mean, this line, you guys have been together now for so long, how has that helped you and how does it help all the other guys?
“It just helped us build and continue to build and kind of create that trust between each other, that comfortability between one another and just get good with the guy next to you and along the whole line.”
Right now, in this season, entering the regular season, week one, where’s your head at?
“Really just preparing for the Chiefs right now, but also looking forward to September 10 as we play at home for the first game. But just making sure that we’re getting there each and every day, preparing for the big goal with season.”
What’s the biggest thing you think you’ve learned over the last year about blocking for Deshaun (Watson)? Besides the obvious of having to stay alive for longer?
“That he never stops. Even if the play breaks down, there’s always an opportunity for him to make a play.”
How has going against Myles (Garrett) every day helped?
“It’s helped me a lot. When I go against other people, it’s just crazy how much the game slows down. But going against him as a whole, that’s a challenge. I hope, I pray for everybody else he has to go against.”
Does he ever do anything to surprise you still?
“Yeah, I mean, there’ll be certain positions, like where you think you have him in a block and he’ll just completely move his body in a way that he should not be able to move. You never get used to that.”
You probably don’t win every rep against everybody. When he (Myles Garrett) beats you three out of four, whatever. Does it take a different kind of processing there and judge it yourself?
“Yeah, but you have to look at the good things you do. There’s always a reason why he’ll win, but, I mean, he’s just good at what he does, but you kind of have to look at the things that I do well and what I can fix to kind of put myself in a competition to block him. And especially when I do win, I mean, you got to look at the things that I do well. Just look at what he does too. So it’s a mental hand that you kind of got to focus on.”
It’s got to be good for you in the long term.
“Yeah, definitely.”
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