REX BURKHEAD: You know, it's been a pleasure to be a part of. Just seeing the generosity of my teammates, not only my teammates but the McNairs, the coaching staff, everyone doing whatever we can to help out the community in Uvalde. There's a lot of people hurting there. We have one staff member Roland Ramirez who this is really close to home for him. He went to that elementary school, he's from that town and knows some of the people affected by the tragedy.
So we're just doing this and showing our support and doing whatever we can to help those families there.
Q. Logan mentioned that I think it came from the players. How did you hear about it? What was your perception of how this originated?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, a bunch of guys had been talking in the locker room and wanted to reach out. That's what's great about this organization, is there's so many caring people, people wanting to do good and what's best for this world.
We reached out to Dylan, and of course Coach Lovie, to see what we can do. We know the funds and donations are going to go where they should be and used in the correct way.
Q. What's it say about the character of the guys in this locker room that you guys as a group can push football aside temporarily --
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, it's huge. We've got a lot of great guys on this team, a lot of veteran leadership, and also a lot of young guys who also were very involved in the whole thing and wanting to help out.
When you have those leaders that have been around a while, wanting to impact not only what they do on the field but off the field, as well, it helps kind of pave the way and show these young guys there's more to it than just football, and there's things you can do off the field to really give back to the community when those opportunities come.
Q. What have you seen from Marlon Mack?
REX BURKHEAD: Marlon is a hard worker, great guy, pleasure to be playing with him. I've watched him from another team the past few years, and so it's great to have him back there. He comes out, works hard, doesn't say much, gets the job done in the meeting room and out on the field.
Q. What's been your impression of rookie Dameon Pierce?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, a lot of energy, a lot of energy. You know, rookie coming in. He finishes plays. He's trying to learn as much as he can as quickly as possible, and that's what you've got to do as a rookie. You've got to learn it quick but also don't let it get all jumbled in your mind when you get out there on the field.
Every day he seems more confident, he's moving quicker, and the game is starting to slow down.
Q. How would you describe the challenges of making that transition from college to pros?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, there's a lot of big things. For me personally it was pass protection. College you have one or two pass protections and that's really it. You get to the NFL level and you've got multiple, you've got a ton.
And so he's doing a good job picking that up, picking off myself and some of the other veterans in the backfield to learn as quick as possible.
Q. Can you tell the difference with Pep in charge of the offense versus the previous offense here? Is that something you've been able to notice so far?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, you know, I don't want to give too many comparisons, but Pep has done a tremendous job so far making sure we're taking it day by day. With the new things he puts in the offense every single day, make sure we're really honed in on that day and we get it done.
We're taking steps backwards, we're taking steps forward. Any new progression that we get to the next day, he wants to take advantage of it while we're out here on the field, and I think Davis has done a great job making sure we're all in the right place.
He's so comfortable this year in the spring and really with the playbook. It's kind of amazing. He knows where guys are lined up. Even myself coming out there, a new play, and he's like, you're right here, you've got this. I'm like, all right, that's pretty awesome for a second-year quarterback.
Yeah, it's been a joy seeing him grow every single day especially in his leadership.
Q. Without making comparisons, what do you like about the offense by itself?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, yeah, very multiple, do a lot of different things. It's not just a one-track offense. It's been fun. He knows how to use his guys and whatever skill sets they have, put them in the right positions to succeed.
Q. Last week Lovie said there was about 95 percent of players on the roster were here for voluntary OTAs. What does that say about the core and what they're trying to do regardless of age or experience and what they're trying to learn in this new system?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, it's huge. We want to take a step forward and we want to continue to get better. It shows great veteran leadership and guys wanting to compete and improve. We were a four-win team last year. We don't want to do that again.
We want to continue to strive for greatness, and by being here every single day, coming together as a team, knowing your teammates, I think that's a big part of the whole thing because when you have those tough days, you get into training camp, that's what kind of carries you along, holding each other accountable, having that relationship with each other to keep pushing forward.
Q. As a veteran, do you see anybody standing out just in the practices so far?
REX BURKHEAD: Yeah, I can't single out one guy. There's multiple guys doing well, guys who have taken steps forward and really detail oriented. I hate to say one person, but Pharoah Brown, he's done a really good job, he really has.
He's impressed me not only physically what he's done on the field, but mentally as well, just his day by day focus, attention to detail, and being ready to compete.
Q. What are your goals and motivations at this point of your career, a guy that's been around for as long as you have? Do you still set goals and expectations for yourself?
REX BURKHEAD: I do, absolutely. None individually that I would like to share, but as a team I want to help this team continue to grow, continue to get better. And being a veteran guy, I guess, a couple guys, rookies in the locker room, they're like, yeah, I grew up playing with you in Madden and stuff. I'm like, oh, gosh, don't tell me that.
But it's just a cool place to be in because you can mentor those guys, bring them along, while continuing to get better. And myself and my details, especially with the new offense, picking it up and relaying that information to those guys.
Q. Who has used you most in Madden out of your teammates?
REX BURKHEAD: Oh, I can't give it away. But Dameon did say it the first day when he came in.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports