Jaguars 31, Falcons 0
Q. Raheem said that you made a comment to him on Thursday that it was a pretty special day for you, and it was one of the best days of your life. I'm curious just your overall thoughts, feelings to get this extension done?
A.J. TERRELL: You know, just playing the game of football all your life, just putting in so much work and finally being able to reap the benefits of everything that you went through. For myself I know all you can do is just reminisce and pay respects to all the things I overcame and just give thanks to Arthur Blank and Terry and all them for believing in me and seeing what they saw in me being here for the next four years and hopefully forever.
Just being able to bless me and my family and just be the best version of myself, like I said, for the next four years.
Q. You probably didn't hear this at all, but I was down on the sideline before the game, and y'all were warming up and everything. There was this one fan that was kind of yelling about how -- that he was really happy that you were staying around. He just kept saying --
A.J. TERRELL: During the game?
Q. During warmups where, he is, like, A.J., I'm so happy you're here, I'm so happy you're staying. You're from Atlanta. This is your home. So the fact that you get this second contract to stay home, how much does that specific part of it mean to you with the context of the fan base really gravitating towards you because of that?
A.J. TERRELL: Right. Shout-out to the guy or lady who was saying that or whatever. I didn't hear it, but it mean a lot.
Growing up here and being able to stay home for your NFL career, and a lot of people don't get this opportunity being able to play at home and make a statement and be loved by the fans and things like that. So I don't take none of it for granted. Never did.
You know, when I go out there and play, it's always for my family, the city. Like I said, my family, the city, and the team. I'm excited to be here, man. It's been a blessing for sure. Finally soaking in the last couple of hours, and just thankful.
Q. You've been a stand-out player for the Atlanta Falcons. Can you elaborate a little bit on your particular role you are playing with the team, in context your impact on the local community?
A.J. TERRELL: Can you say that again? I'm sorry.
Q. You've been a stand-out player for the Atlanta Falcons. Can you elaborate on the significant role you've played with the team, particularly in context to the local community and the impact on the local community?
A.J. TERRELL: I didn't understand your question.
Q. So the things that you have done, the benefits of the positive impact that you have had on the local community, that being a really, really important thing for you off the field, can you talk a little bit about that?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, just all the community service events, things like that have been one of my main priorities and just being able to be somebody that you can physically touch outside of the uniform and see face-to-face has been very important.
Just going out and trying to help any way possible and, like I said, just lay eyes and be able to physically touch somebody and help somebody become a better version of themselves. Just things that I enjoy doing.
Never hesitate to help out. Me and my team, my foundation, AJT, we always find ways to impact the community any way possible. Just being able to, like I said, just be a physical touch to those people and just help them is just the beginning.
I'm still trying to find ways to even be more of a staple to the community and just represent Atlanta.
Q. It was an exciting week last week for the Falcons, particularly the defense. Of course, with Judon and Simmons. Can you speak about the excitement that you had when you -- not only Judon, but especially Simmons in the secondary and you look at how the secondary is shaping up now?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, I swear every year you come into the season, you always have so much faith in the team and the pieces that were added and the coaches' changes.
Any time, like I said, just every year you always -- the new start is always the best start. Every team feels like they can make a run for the playoffs, Super Bowl, and just have that. I've been here five years, and every year has been better.
This year, like you said, just adding Judon and Simmons and all the other pieces we did around, but them in particular, just having their vet presence and their control in the back end of the D-line or linebackers and just having pieces around me and the rest of the pieces that we have to be a top defense in the league and help our offense and the whole organization just make a push for the Super Bowl, I feel great. I can't wait to get started.
Preseason just wrapped up, so now we head down, working.
Q. You've been solid every single year you've been in the league, but the last two years you haven't had an interception. When you get a contract like this, what do you think goes into getting the interception numbers up, and do you feel more motivated now that you have the contract, the second highest paid contract as a cornerback in the NFL?
A.J. TERRELL: Always motivated. The interceptions, they come just off of play. You know, the schemes and things that are drawn up and just watching film, the Xs and Os, and just making plays when you are there. Once you miss the op, you most likely won't get it back until it come again.
So I try not to pay too much attention to it, but I know, like, the defense is all about the ball. We try and get the ball. Definitely going to make a push for that. Just getting the ball, that's the main thing. Punching that.
Any type of ball production. It's not just interceptions. It's PWUs, it's forced fumbles, scoops, it's scores, points. Just all those things added to my game and to the defense, that's what we pride ourselves on.
Q. Raheem was telling us how much he appreciated your mentality coming into this training camp. Obviously, with the contract kind of looming at that point and you just putting on the uniform and going to work, is that something that came natural for you, or were you kind of -- was it hard for you emotionally wrestling with the frustration of trying to get this contract? What was kind of your mentality through all this?
A.J. TERRELL: Oh, man, football is my job. I never really paid attention to it. I let my agent do that. That's his job.
So me just coming in, doing something I love with the team I love, for the city, like I said, it wasn't hard for me coming in. Like I said, I was sleeping peaceful at night. I wasn't ever thinking about what if all that.
As long as I'm going out there handling my business in practice, leading by example and making my presence felt, it all take care of itself. So I never had any thoughts like that. I just played any cards and kept my head forward and just kept working.
Q. How much of that mentality could be attributed to your support system, your family that has been with you and holding programs with you and so forth that, hey, just go take care of business and the business will take care of itself kind of approach you showed?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, that's what I was brought up on, morals. Just having a lot of life lessons growing up with my parents, never having nothing given to me. I was always going out there to work.
God blessed me with this deal, but at the end of the day just believing what my parents was always saying growing up. Being coachable and just staying ahead of the game, like competing with myself, not comparing. Just challenging myself. Setting goals and accomplishing things and being self-motivated. All those things played a role into today and it's still that.
It's never me losing my mind or trying to be somebody I'm not. I'm always level-headed and humble and just want to get the job done.
Q. Just about the guys on the other side, potentially on the other side, Michael and Clark, how have they played in practice as y'all are putting in the defense? Then what about Brooks who has come out and played real tough in these exhibition games?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, we got bodies. Just Clark, like you said, Clark and Mike and Brooks. We talking about them because they have all been making plays. That's the great thing about it.
I love all those guys. Tight with all of them. We all kick it and laugh and joke and compete and have fun. So whatever happens with whatever, that's the culture part, everything is good.
Q. Taylor Heinicke was just in here telling us this was the most talented roster he has been a part of in the NFL so far. What are your feelings about the talent on this team and what you guys can achieve this year?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, like I said, you look at us on paper, we got everything we need to be successful. It's on us to just go get the job done week in, week out, how we prepare for games, how we take care of our bodies, how we attack the week.
We just got to handle business, take it one game at a time, one practice at a time, and just stack 1%.
Q. Kind of away from the NFL, I know you went to Westlake, and I know that group is a tight-knit group. Have you heard from Cam? Then, also, can you speak about just how a lot of players from Westlake go to the league and have been successful?
A.J. TERRELL: Yeah, man, Westlake, four years strong. No, I didn't hear nothing from Cam. Yeah, it ain't -- I ain't think about none of that. I know it's all love. I looked up Cam and seen Cam and went to his camp seven-on-sevens all my life. I know he means well and everybody else who are alumni that went there, Pacman and so on.
Yeah, we got a little pipeline out of there where we tend to produce great athletes. Not just football, but all around in track and basketball and things too. I'm thankful for that, and I'm proud representing for Westlake.
I'll be there actually this weekend. They're retiring my jersey. Yeah, I'll be there on the 30th before the Clemson-Georgia game. I'll be here for that too. Yeah, it's a good weekend ahead coming up, so I can't wait to get to it.
Q. Was it 24 in high school?
A.J. TERRELL: I was 8 in high school. 8 in high school. I was going to get it from Cal, but...
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