TITANS at BUCCANEERS
PRESEASON WEEK 2
Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021
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(On Head Coach Bruce Arians' praise of O'Connor's play)
"It was an overall effort. Stopping the run was a main priority for us. Kacy [Rodgers] and Coach [Todd] Bowles have been preaching all week to us, and we did that the first half, but towards the second half we kind of let it get away. And we just have to finish overall. We've got to keep working."
(On the chemistry of the defensive line)
"We have a great room – I think we have the best room. We have good vets. Will [Gholston], [Ndamukong] Suh, Vita [Vea] is getting there too. A vet that has high influence on us. Tonight, we were just calling out plays – Kacy [Rodgers] gets us prepared every week, knowing formations, back sets, tackles the way they are set. Basically, drilling us to know the play before it happens. We were all communicating, great communication was up front – just shows [with] what happened."
(On the importance of the preseason games)
"These games are so important for me. Just to show how versatile I can be – from special teams, to [defensive] tackle, to nose tackle, to [defensive] end. Whatever it is – I'll play punter if they wanted me to, it doesn't matter. Just to show how versatile I can be in all aspects of the game, and just play as hard as I could – trying my best to do that. We'll see what happens – just run with it."
(On advice to younger players in preparing for roster cuts)
"It's going to be a tough few hours. I've been through this. Every year, it's always hard. There's always something that can happen – I'm going on five years now. I never thought I would be here, coming from Eastern Michigan. I would just say keep grinding. Stuff happens – even if you get cut here, you have film for 31 other teams that you are putting up for. You're not just trying to make the Bucs, but you are trying to make 31 other teams. You just have to keep the best foot forward, best film, and just keep running with it."
