Is there that kind of belief in this locker room that you can dig yourselves out of this hole? For sure,

yeah.

No, we've got the guys.

We've got the right group.

It's just a matter of putting it together.

And, you know, there's adversity.

In my experience, you hit adversity in different points in a season, and we're hitting it early, and we'll see where it goes.

doing?

Is this a day the defense waits for the offense?

I mean, yeah.

I mean, I wouldn't say necessarily the O-line and some of the guys blocking tight ends, but it definitely gets a little bit different for, you know, the crossing routes and some of the runs that look like they're free, but now when pads come on, they're not.

So it changes up things a little bit.

Yeah, some good plays too, not just some typical zone plays.

He got some gap scheme plays where he had to read the pulling guard.

He's a good, heady player, so it's not shocking to me.

Bucky and they get different,

I grew up an Eagles fan, so I watched his dad growing up.

I mean, you grow out of that, you know, as you get older and go through the league for a little while.

But no, obviously he's a great player, second round draft pick.

And, you know, he has some learning to do and some growth to do, and this is really good for him.

I know he's getting some team reps now and, you know, training camp will be really big for him and his development.

So, you know, as soon as he can, you know, pick up the playbook and, you know, just see the different concepts and routes and, things you need to do as a linebacker, he'll be even better and ready when season comes.

Yeah, it's good.

Yeah,

My kids' teachers, my good friends, my family will watch me play." Can you talk about that, how playing in front of your community hits differently?

No doubt, yeah.

You did your research.

You definitely did.

Um, no, yeah, this is home for us.

It's been home.

Uh, my wife was born and raised here.

I do wanna know, how do you think your position that you choose shapes your personality and vice versa?

I'm just saying, I think you guys pay a certain price that the normal layperson does not pay.

For sure, and, you know, I, I know this past year I voiced that I, you know, had wanted to retire a Lion, and, um, you know, I put a lot into it, like you said, five-year captain, and, you know, I wanted that opportunity, but, you know, I wasn't able to get it for one reason or another, and, you know, that wasn't really up to me.

It was, you know, other, other decision-makers that, you know, made, made where they wanted to make moves and whatnot.

But, um, yeah.

But yeah, you, you feel a certain type of way about it.

But, you know, the past five years, it's, it's been a blessing.

So it's like, how much of it do you get upset or how much do you, do you hold resentment? It...

What's it represent to you, though, to play linebacker for a team that's had some absolute legends at that position, guys like Lavonte and Derrick Brooks, et cetera?

What was your reaction when you heard or you saw that?

Yeah, so we found out as players, uh, you know, early in the week, uh, on Wednesday practice.

So, um, you know, it, it kind of is, is one of those situations, it is what it is.

He felt it was right for the team, um, right for the offense, and, uh, you know, he gets that, you know, p- he has the persona of being a meathead and kind of a motivational s- you know, coach or speaker.

But he's really, uh, highly intelligent with the X's and O's and, um, you know, he's proved it in 2021 when he took over play calling in, uh, this last game.

And, you know, I'm excited to, you know, have him keep, keep on doing it throughout the year.

And, um, you know, just one of those situations, it is what it is, and he felt like it was best for, for the team.

I know it's only Tuesday, but how do you see your matchup with Philadelphia?