Q: How typically do you visualize hoisting the Lombardi Trophy?
A: Day by day. I’m an enormous visualizer, meditation sort of man. In order that’s one thing that I visualize daily that I get up,
Q: How lifelike is it?
A: I feel it’s very lifelike. Clearly, we received to remain wholesome, that’s the secret, however I really feel like if we’re wholesome for probably the most half, we may go very far.
Q: This workforce has not made the playoffs 13 straight years.
A: God willingly, we’re breaking that. We received the workforce, so we simply received to remain wholesome.
Q: Additionally, 55 years since this workforce gained a Tremendous Bowl.
A: God willingly, we’re breaking that. We received the workforce to do it.
Q: This franchise has not gained a division title since 2002.
A: God willingly, that’s going to vary this yr. We received the workforce to do it.
Q: That’s your normal reply.
A: I imply, it’s true. We received the workforce.
Q: How good can this protection be?
A: I feel that we could possibly be legendary, to be trustworthy. I feel that we could possibly be nice. But it surely’s going to take communication, all people be on the identical web page to have the ability to obtain these targets.
Q: No. 1 protection, is that the aim?
A: The aim is to be the perfect model of ourself, which I consider if we try this, we’ll have the No. 1 protection.
Q: What do you want finest about your protection?
A: Simply the aggressiveness of our protection. The D-line goes eat, linebackers go eat, DBs go eat … so all of us eat.
Q: What’s Aaron Rodgers like off the sector?
A: Tremendous cool … laid-back … chill. … He’s a Cali boy. You realize us, we simply be chillin’.
Q: Do you sense a starvation in him?
A: Oh yeah, he’s positively actually hungry. Simply from OTAs to now, the offense is locked in. We’re able to go.
Q: Have you ever picked him off in follow?
A: Nah, haven’t received him. I didn’t get him this coaching camp. Simply [pass breakups. It’s hard to pick him because he throws the ball where the receivers could just get it.
Q: What would you tell Jets fans about the kind of season you expect from him?
A: He’s going to have a legendary season. The way he prepares, the level of quarterback he is, the mindset that he has — it’s bound to happen. He’s going to play great.
Q: What are you most proud of about what you’re able to do at your size on the field?
A: Yeah, I just feel like when I’m out there, I don’t feel small [5-foot-9]. So like I’m the enormous, or the superior once I take the sector. It’s probably not, ‘Oh, this receiver’s 6-5.’ I don’t even consider that. Whoever’s lined up in opposition to me, I simply assume that I’m going to win the rep, and that’s simply how I function.
Q: Why hasn’t your peak been a legal responsibility or detriment?
A: That’s an excellent query. … I don’t know. … Like I mentioned, once I’m within the area, I really feel like an enormous, I don’t really feel 5-9, I don’t even take into consideration being 5-9. Possibly it’s as a result of I don’t give it some thought once I’m on the sector. I don’t know … as a result of I do know quite a lot of guys aren’t 5-9 that might play nook. It doesn’t occur. Most likely like two, three guys perhaps — Kenny Moore … Tre Brown … so it’s not that many guys which can be 5-9.
Q: However at the same time as a child, it by no means dissuaded you, it by no means discouraged you.
A: No, I received advised on a regular basis, like, “You’re too small,” so perhaps it’s simply I’m proof against listening to that. It’s what it’s, go on the market and dominate.
Q: And you continue to use that as motivation?
A: Probably not anymore. I do know if I do my system, if I follow my script, I’m going to play properly.
Q: The place does that confidence, that athletic conceitedness, come from?
A: Simply how I grew up. I grew up with quite a lot of brothers. Received two older brothers, however we had lots of people out and in of our home, so it was similar to very aggressive enjoying basketball, enjoying soccer, and simply studying the right way to trash speak, studying the right way to beat people who’s larger than you, so it’s one thing that simply got here pure from how I grew up.
Q: No matter involves thoughts: Garrett Wilson.
A: He could possibly be the highest man this yr within the league, I consider that.
Q: Breece Corridor.
A:.Breece goes to be actually good as properly, particularly with the O-line that we received. As soon as he hits the crease, he’s gone. He runs like a DB, he’s quick, actually quick. He’s an explosive play ready to occur.
Q: Mike Williams.
A: I feel he’s going to be the X-factor for our offense. If he’s wholesome and he will get going, Garrett’s going to most likely entice quite a lot of double groups, so he’s going to have quite a lot of 1-on-1 [opportunities] with cornerbacks. And he has a catch radius and talent to make performs. If he will get going, the offense is gonna be much more harmful.
Q: Describe the newcomers on the offensive line.
A: They give the impression of being nice, bro. Tyron Smith seems nice. Hopefully he may keep wholesome. I imply, all people else seems nice too — Morgan Moses, [John] Simpson — all people seems nice.
Q: C.J. Mosley.
A: A frontrunner, on and off the sector. That’s Captain.
Q: Michael Carter II.
A: Sensible … high-level IQ … finest nickelback within the recreation.
Q: Quinnen Williams.
A: Dominant. Pressure to be reckoned with. Greatest D-lineman within the recreation.
Q: Malik Nabers.
A: He’s going to be good. You may simply see how he strikes, strikes rather well. He may catch the ball rather well.
Q: What do you consider Jalen Brunson, what he did with the Knicks?
A: Baller. I watched him reside twice. He’s very underrated. I feel he’s the most effective level guards within the league proper now. I don’t assume it’s a query. And yeah, he’s only a baller. Lefty, not huge, may rating anytime he needs to, will get to the bucket how he needs to, will get his teammates concerned, understands the sport, has a high-level IQ. He’s general only a nice basketball participant.
Q: Describe your on-field mentality.
A: Simply dominate. We’re about to get to that point the place every thing’s going to rely, so simply locking in, getting again into the mindset, for actual. I’m prepared for that.
Q: Why do you want enjoying within the New York market on the large stage?
A: I simply get pleasure from it, particularly enjoying with nice DBs round me, simply understanding that the ball’s coming my method. We received a first-team All-Professional on the opposite facet [Sauce Gardner], so understanding that I’m going to get focused positively motivates me to need to make the play for my workforce. It’s only a nice scenario to be in to be trustworthy with you.
Q: Sauce seems like he bulked up a little bit bit.
A: Yeah, he positively received larger, he gained some good weight this offseason. You may inform he was lifting weights within the offseason. Simply the longevity of the season, God willingly, if we win within the common season and go to the playoffs and make the Tremendous Bowl run, you’re going to wish that further weight, that further muscle to only endure the lengthy season.
Q: Describe Jets followers.
A: I like Jet followers — I feel you guys are the perfect followers. I’m not simply saying that as a result of I’m right here. You’ve a company that hasn’t gained, you guys are nonetheless loyal, you guys nonetheless present as much as the video games. The video games are pretty, often offered out, or virtually offered out, in order that’s a testomony to the consistency and the … you bought to be a little bit loopy to try this. You all may be a little bit loopy, however I’m a little bit loopy too, I like loopy. … I like you Jet followers, and I recognize you all.
Q: What do you imply you’re a little bit loopy?
A: We play soccer. You’re enjoying soccer this lengthy, you’re most likely a little bit loopy. It’s not a foul factor.
Q: How for much longer do you need to play?
A: I haven’t put a timetable on how lengthy I need to play. It’s actually simply how my physique holds up. Like proper now I really feel wholesome. So I’m simply going to maintain enjoying. Nonetheless lengthy which may be, we’ll see.
Q: How do you are feeling about not making ESPN’s High 100?
A: We’re going to see this yr. Yearly’s a brand new yr. I didn’t even find out about it. Like I mentioned, I’m motivated internally. I’m wanting ahead to this season, and we’ll see the way it goes.
Q: However you consider you’re within the prime 100 of soccer gamers within the NFL?
A: Completely. And not using a query.
Q: What’s the finest story Robert Saleh has ever advised, or the one which resonated with you?
A: One factor he mentioned in San Francisco [when Saleh was defensive coordinator] that persist with me is, he mentioned one thing like, “All of us have the personal to our story. As a person, the worst factor you need to do is let any person else write your story.” You don’t need to even go away it up for grabs, so daily is like an interview. You need to present up, and put your finest model of your self daily on tape. As a result of should you don’t, then individuals will be capable to persuade or write your individual story, individuals within the constructing that you just don’t know should you enable them to.
Q: How irritating or agonizing was final season?
A: Aaron received harm on the fourth play, that was devastating. It was positively a humbling expertise, nevertheless it taught me loads. It actually taught me you gotta actually simply deal with your self and be the perfect model of you regardless of what’s happening round you, since you’re nonetheless being judged for what you placed on movie.
Q: Would you need to retire as a Jet?
A: Yeah, I feel that’d be dope, however this can be a enterprise, so you realize what I’m saying? (Snigger). Issues don’t all the time play out like that, however these three years that I’ve been right here, positively grateful for it. New York will all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart. I used to be telling my spouse, like, I like town, I like Jersey, would positively be again even when I’m on one other workforce or no matter, however it will be dope, however on the finish of the day this can be a enterprise.
Q: What drives you?
A: My religion in God. He’s given me this chance. He’s given me these presents, and I simply really feel prefer it’s simply my due diligence to pay it again to Him, wholeheartedly. In order that’s why I transfer how I transfer and function how I function. Probably not an exterior man. Actually simply care about God, my household, and that’s actually it. I’m simply easy in that side. However yeah, I’m simply actually motivated simply internally.
Q: In case you may return in time and intercept any QB in NFL historical past, who wouldn’t it be?
A: Most likely say Tom Brady. I by no means performed in opposition to Tom.
Q: What’s your favourite NFL interception to this point?
A: I’ll must say my first choose in opposition to my former workforce, the Niners, that’s most likely the perfect one, and in addition the Baltimore recreation, my dad handed, that was a high-point ball that I went and received.
Q: You have been in jail as soon as in Bakersfield, Calif., for the way lengthy?
A: Thirty days, technically 34 days as a result of I used to be in holding for 4 days. That was positively a low level in my life. I realized a lot from that have. If I didn’t undergo that have I positively wouldn’t be on this scenario that I’m in. It positively matured me actually quick. I used to be simply targeted after that occurred.
Q: What was the low level in there?
A: Simply the unknowing of what’s going to occur subsequent, with having to overlook my playoff video games in basketball, having to look at them win the Valley championship, having to look at them go to State and I couldn’t take part … having to clarify to schools the scenario that I received in, and so they’re didn’t need you to recruit me as a result of they have been fearful of the scenario … seeing how individuals have been treating me, academics, so-called mates, simply seeing the totally different vibes of how I used to be getting handled once I received in hassle. So it simply was a studying expertise of like when issues aren’t going good, individuals aren’t going to be messing with you, when issues are going nice vice versa. However on the finish of the day, it matured me, and it locked me in to what I need to do which was play soccer.
Q: You bought in hassle for what?
A: Me and my mates, we received right into a combat, we ended up stealing one of many youngsters’ bikes. We received charged with theft, so needed to do 34 days. … I used to be 16. I used to be a junior in highschool.
Q: That should have been robust telling your mother, proper?
A: When it occurred, I referred to as her so she wouldn’t have to listen to from any person else. I used to be with my little brother too, so she had two of her sons getting arrested, which is, I can’t even think about that feeling. I actually felt unhealthy as a result of I put my mother by way of that.
Q: You’ve a 1 ¹/₂-year-old daughter, Kinsley Nicole, and a child boy on the way in which?
A: September 20.
Q: Do you could have a reputation picked out?
A: Yeah, Brody Christian Reed.
Q: What’s fatherhood like?
A: It’s the perfect. It’s one thing that once I go dwelling, simply overlook about every thing that occurred on the facility, and I simply flip into dad mode, so it’s only a whole totally different model of me, simply D.J. Reed the household man, and yeah, simply goofy (smile), simply making my daughter snicker … simply totally different facet of me.
Q: Three dinner visitors?
A: Tupac [Shakur], Kobe Bryant, my pops.
Q: Favourite film?
A: “Step Brothers.”
Q: Favourite actor?
A: Denzel [Washington].
Q: Favourite actress?
A: Angelina Jolie.
Q: Favourite singer?
A: Marvin Sapp.
Q: Favourite meal?
A: Steak and eggs.
Q: What do you assume your feelings will likely be every week from Monday evening in San Francisco within the tunnel for the opener?
A: Able to set the tone for the season.
Q: What goes by way of your intestine within the tunnel earlier than a recreation?
A: Simply dominate. I flip my alter ego on. It’s a complete totally different particular person on the market, one thing else simply actually takes over, and whoever’s in entrance of me, I’m gonna dominate, that’s my mindset once I take the sector.
Q: You simply flip a change, is that it?
A: Yeah, it’s referred to as the “Darkish Horse,” it’s my alter ego.
Q: Why is that your alter ego?
A: I don’t know, it simply is. Darkish Horse.
Q: Any person name you that?
A: That’s what I name myself. Simply poise … domination … and strategic … simply resilient, and simply going to discover a approach to win.
Q: What’s the origin of Darkish Horse? Why would you choose that?
A: That’s an excellent query. I received a tat on me, I don’t know.
Q: On the left arm.
A: The left arm is the deviant arm — that’s Kobe … “By no means Give Up” … the Darkish Horse on the opposite facet, alter ego … and the crown (left bicep). And this facet (proper arm) is the heavenly facet. The “In Due Time,” that’s type of the slogan that I had rising up … the yin and yang, David and Goliath. … I received Jesus with the 2 thieves on the cross … “NFL Spherical 5 Decide 142.” That is the story facet and that is the deviant facet.
Q: What could be your profession targets?
A: I need to turn into an All-Professional. That’s one thing I haven’t executed that I need to do. I need to be a Professional Bowler. I need to win a Tremendous Bowl. Was capable of be in a Tremendous Bowl [LIV], I’d need to win a Tremendous Bowl, that may be a dope aim to have earlier than leaving.
Q: What was that feeling like strolling off the sector not profitable the Tremendous Bowl?
A: It was horrible. And I used to be solely enjoying particular groups my second yr. And it was simply loopy ’trigger we [49ers] have been up by 10 with seven minutes left and ended up shedding. I keep in mind T. [Tarvarius] Moore received an interception, and we have been all celebrating like we gained the sport, and I keep in mind Richard Sherman was attempting to calm all people down like, “You guys received to chill out, it’s not over.” And little have you learnt, [Patrick] Mahomes got here again, scored a landing, after which the sport modified and yeah, they find yourself profitable. … I realized from that, you simply received to remain poised. You bought to remain poised.
