Q. (Regarding CJ Stroud)... grown from when you first got here to who he is now.
NICO COLLINS: I would say a lot. I feel like CJ same guy he was from day one: Calm, collected leader, the leader he is. That's what you would expect from your quarterback.
But feel like this year he's on a mission every day to get better. Just like everybody else. I feel can't get complacent and comfortable in the league. You got to be able to grow. You see it every day on the grass field.
Q. (Regarding receiving corps.)
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, yeah, real dynamic. I feel like we got weapons everywhere. Everybody is different. Feel like we got slights, outside. Everybody is playmakers, man. Feel like we can't wait for the season to start and go out there and be us.
Q. ...mentioned a session on the jug machine.
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, for sure.
Q. Those moments, how important are those?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah.
Q. When you're enjoying the work together?
NICO COLLINS: For sure it's important. It's important. Because when you catch the jugs, man, you know, realistic, you're not about to sit there, DEB not about to let you catch the ball. He don't tug at you. Wobbly head, moving. I try to distract him. Make him concentrate in the heat. We rotate. So my turn, do the same thing, distraction drill.
So when it's competitive, you know, competing for the ball, just go out there and make a play without even thinking about it.
Q. (No microphone.)
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
Q. Real dynamic, a bunch of playmakers. Why this year will it be different than the way the offense was last year?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, I just feel like it's a new offense, Nick Caley coming in, giving playmakers the ball. Just like it was last year, but I feel like this year, man, rookies, Jayden, man, everybody. Everybody is playmakers, dog.
We got a lot of playmakers on the offensive end, and just can't wait to play and get everybody going. First day of camp. First day, so got to keep going.
Q. How do you feel being designated as the Alpha Dog in the receiver room?
NICO COLLINS: It's crazy. It's crazy how time flies. With my first year looking up to Cooks, Chris Conley, all them boys. Second year, same thing third year. Now got around the room. I feel like for me I got lead by example and continue to be me. Not doing more, just being the same person every day and come out here and work. Be with my teammates, be with my brothers, keep stacking.
Feel like that's what you got to do every day. Can't get comfortable.
Q. Is Nick Caley an intense dude?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, he is. Man, you can tell by his enthusiasm every day. He's a great coach. You can tell in the meetings. He talks about the plays, the install, just explaining the install, just his grit, his mind behind it, his energy, dog. You can feel it. He gets you pumped up to go out here and play.
Q. After what you did last year, how do you feel about the potential for your season?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, yeah, last year was good. More room for improvement. Last year is in the past. It's a new year, new slate, new opportunity, new juice. Can't wait.
Q. Between Higgins and Jaylin Noel, what's the specific things you see from them from a style standpoint?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, they locked in. They bought in every day. They come in ready to work. Them boys, man, like I said, it's two different games. Got a big body and a slight, so I feel like at the end of the day them boys working to get better, working on their game.
I feel that's all you can do as a receiver, work on your craft and learn. They asking me questions, I ask them questions. I feel like that's the only way you can grow.
Now we going to continue to grow, be in the playbook, and just keep making plays.
Q. Coach Ryans came out here earlier and called this a clean operation day one. He was happy with what he saw out there. How does that make you feel?
NICO COLLINS: Feels good. Feels good. To hear that from that DeMeco means a lot. First day coming off from OTAs, going to be some hiccups. For us to come out there smooth means a lot for him to say that. We got to continue to build on that and come back tomorrow and do the same thing.
It's no time to go back. We got continue to excel and continue to grow as a team, as a unit.
Q. ...from last year and this year in the offense?
NICO COLLINS: Shoot, feel like it's pretty much like the same. Not same, but get the playmakers the ball. Same with this offense. Get the ball in your hand, go do something with it. I feel like Nick really making that an emphasis. Yeah, it's a big thing.
Feel like as a receiver group, as an offensive unit, that's what you want to do. Get the ball in hand and go score. I ain't trying to be on that field ten plays. Trying to be one and done, you know.
But no, it's a great upswing to go out there and just have fun.
Q. (Regarding Tank Dell.)
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, man, you know, Tank, he want to be out here. We got to continue to keep his spirits up, tell him we out here for you. Be in his corner no matter what. You know, like nobody want to miss the game you love. It's heartbreaking, it's crushing when you can't be out there with your brothers. You see them every day and you're like, dang, I miss you bro, you know what I'm saying.
We know in spirit he getting better, so we're going to go out here keep spinning for him and make plays for him and keep his spirits up. We going to pick up where we left off. Nah, he's in great spirits though.
Q. You called Christian Kirk a slot magician. What makes him so good for your team?
NICO COLLINS: Yeah, just balance. I feel like you got to have great balance as an offense. Like I said, when he's in the slot it's dangerous. The dude can make plays. Great addition to the team and the offense, and a great weapon.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports