WR Rashard Higgins (10.29.20)
WR Rashard Higgins:
On how he expects his role to expand this week:
“I am still in the starting lineup as of now. I really do not expect anything to change. When the ball comes my way, just make the most of it. Still just doing what I do. Playing football at the end of the day.”
On the confidence boost last week’s game gives him:
“To be honest, I get my confidence during practice. I try to go hard in practice. Therefore, when game time comes, it is just easy. I say my hardest thing is just picking up all the new plays and trying to learn all the positions just in case a guy goes down, just like what happened it the game. We were able to bounce around and just know every position. I would say that is my biggest challenge – just knowing what to do and being in the right spots all the time.”
On why QB Baker Mayfield does not feel pressure to throw the ball to any specific player:
“I feel like that goes with the coaches surrounding Baker with ballplayers. Every receiver on the team is able to make the plays when it comes their way. I feel like we all run the routes just about the same. If not, some people just run them faster. (WR) Odell (Beckham Jr.) was a little faster. I am a little slower so Baker has to slow the ball down for me a little bit (laughter). I feel like Baker has playmakers all around so there is really not a huge difference.”
On why some statistical numbers may indicate Mayfield’s performance is better without Beckham on the field:
“I have no idea.”
On if WR Jarvis Landry feels a need to take on a bigger role and if there will be more pressure on Landry with Beckham out:
“I do not feel like Juice has a lot of pressure on him. I do not feel like any of us do. That was one main thing that coach told us is do not feel like there is a lot of pressure on you guys. We are going to continue to keep the offense the same, and whether the ball comes to you or not, it is up to you to make the plays. That is really the biggest difference for guys like DPJ (WR Donovan Peoples-Jones), him getting his first catch and him getting his feet wet. Now it is go time for him. There should be a lot of balls coming his way. (WR) KhaDarel Hodge just came back so we are expecting a lot out of him, as well, too. We have playmakers, but it is up to us.”
On his high-point catch at the end of the Bengals game:
“When the play was called, I was like, ‘Baker just be ready for a back shoulder.’ I was expecting him to be on top. Baker said, ‘To hell with that. I am throwing the ball down the field, and you are going to get.’ Those were his exact words. Looking back at it, I just went up and tried to high point the ball and come down with it. Like I have been saying, whatever I can do to help the team, I am here for it.”
On if it was the best catch of his life in a game:
“I had the same catch before in college.”
On if it was his best catch in the NFL:
“Best in the NFL so far.”
On how different things feel in the locker room this year with the team’s successful start:
“Big difference. Try not to get too high on ourselves because at the blink of an eye, everything can go south. It is up to us to be poised. We have the [Las Vegas] game coming up. It is a big game. We have to come out to play because those guys are some ballers. Can’t wait till Sunday.”
On his reaction to seeing the photo of his spectacular high-point catch against the Bengals:
“Like I have been saying, I try to practice so hard. I know you all have not been able to watch practices and stuff, but I practice hard. When times like that come, it is just like, ‘You know what? That is like a routine catch.’ It was nothing spectacular for me. I just went up and high pointed the ball and came down with it.”
On facing adversity during his career and producing with opportunities in recent weeks:
“At the end of the day, I had to work for everything I ever got. If I had to work to get in this position, I am going to do it. Here I am. To God give the glory. I can’t be thankful for enough. I am going to keep working, keep putting my head down, not get too big headed on myself and just keep working. The sky is the limit.”
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