DEFENSIVE TACKLE LEVI DRAKE RODRIGUEZ
How did it feel your first game back out there?
Ah, so good, cleats on the turf, moving, having some confidence out there, It felt great.
How long did that injury take to heal?
I think the trainers, me, we all had a good mindset, just communication through it all. Just spending hours in the training room, getting on the field, testing it out and trusting it. So, I was ready to go, yeah.
How have you guys grown together on the D-line?
Oh my goodness. Love our boys, man. Just to grind every day. It doesn't matter how we feel, we freaking work, you know? So, it was an honor just playing with our boys man, and just see everybody grow mentally, physically, spiritually, especially during the game.
Can you take us through the sack?
Oh my goodness, saw the slide coming to me, and I knew the center was a double-hand puncher. So cool little cross-chop, and I got home, felt great. Needed that.
What was your reaction to the news that Harrison Phillips was being traded to the Jets?
It hurt. That's my boy. Love him to death, but I know the Lord has a great plan for him. He's made an impact on and off the field, so just can't wait to see what he does in the near future.
Did you have a conversation with him before he left?
Yeah, yeah that's my dog. I love him to death. He's family. He is a brother for life, no doubt.
Did him leaving kind of inspire you at all to take on a bigger role in terms of leadership both in the defensive line meeting room and in the locker room?
Of course, yeah, I'm a young player. But the Lord instilled in me that I am a leader. So just picking up those pieces where he left off and him being vocal and on the field as a leader. So man, he helped me grow as a player and as a young man as well.
I know there's a lot of emotions there, but it also has to be a bit of a confidence boost for you guys to know how deep that room was this year, that they could consider that trade, right?
Right, yeah. I mean its business, but it's all love as well.
