Q. What was your first day like out here?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, it was -- I think it was fun getting out here, new system. Excited to get in here, learn the plays sure meet everyone. Really fun out there today.
Q. Just starting to learn the playbook, but can you talk about some of the differences in this defense versus what you played in Kentucky?
DRU PHILLIPS: Every defense is like specifically like unique. So this one, some different techniques to what I do down at nickel. Just got to pick up on it. The faster I get it easier it's coming. Just in the playbook trying to study and make sure I get everything right.
Q. Do you consider yourself more of a nickel or more of a an outside guy or both?
DRU PHILLIPS: I can play both, but preferably the nickel position.
Q. Through the years the nickel has taken on a life of its own. (Indiscernible.) Become more and more important. When did you embrace the idea of what you know, I'm going to take this challenge, move inside?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, definitely. I remember when I was growing up people thought nickel was a bad thing. Can't just throw a guy in there, especially how the game is going and how there is so much passing in the league and also in college.
When I went to Kentucky, I always wanted to play nickel the whole time. Didn't really get an opportunity until my junior year. Once I got the opportunities I kind of like -- I embodied it. I felt like that's who I was. That's what I did best, so I went all in on it. It carried over here, so I'm out here to play nickel now.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
DRU PHILLIPS: You know, it's so much going on at that nickel. I like being in control a lot of times. You get to communicate more. You're involved in the run game as well as the pass game. Lost of times on certain down distances you know that ball is coming to you.
Q. You were in a draft class, you're a high pick in a class where the receiver was picked No. 1. You guys hopefully have a long career together going against each other. What will that be like with Malik?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I just got to meet him today. Just got here today. Really cool guy. Like I said I think a couple weeks ago, excited to go out there and compete against him. I know he's a high talent. Just want to go out there and compete and do the best and compete against each other.
Q. Today is not the day for that.
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, no, no, no. They wouldn't let us do that today. Too early.
Q. When they call 7-on-7 and you're not in there, is that kind of like -- they told you I guess.
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah. I'm one of those guys where I want every rep. I'm sitting there like I want to go. I understand it, being patient. I'm taking mental reps and learning on the sideline.
Q. You had a moment out there with Tyler when he was walking off. When did you guys meet and what's that relationship like?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, you know, I got to meet Tyler the day after the draft when we both came up here. Got to meet that day a little bit. Went out to dinner.
Since we been here, we're in the same room. We're both in the playbook, so just able to talk football and get to know each other outside of that as well. Like I said, good relationship.
Q. What kind of guy is he? What kind of teammate? What kind of leader?
DRU PHILLIPS: He's good. He's vocal. I know I took my time in the playbook, but you should hear him. A lot of times in the back end he's yelling it. Sometimes you can't hear yourself calling out the plays. I can tell you he's going to be a great player because of his knowledge and how he communicates on the field.
Q. How does your insane vertical jump translate on the football field? Did you get to use it as much?
DRU PHILLIPS: Sometimes not the vert, but it all kind of plays in. Doing a vertical is just your explosion. You can see it my quick move with my short area, how I tackle when I strike, how I move in and out my breaks.
It kind of -- you're not going to -- you rarely are going to jump 42 inches on a football field, but it shows in so many different ways. Backs up what I can do.
Q. The fact that your family, everybody has been a big athlete, does that get you ready for this next step being a professional?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, they all think it's cool that I'm here now, and them being athletic so it always was competitive for me in the household. Always competing for something if that was more food. Everyone else in my family a kind of bigger. That's why I say that.
No, it taught me how to compete and get to this level. Now I'm just kind of trying to maintain. They got my back so just keep on doing it.
Q. Who is the best athlete in your family?
DRU PHILLIPS: Oh, me.
Q. How much pride do you take in being a physical corner?
DRU PHILLIPS: I take a lot of pride in it. It's probably one of the top things about who I am.
Q. Where does that come from? We don't need to tell you but not every corner loves to tackle.
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I know I ain't the 6'4" corner, but you got to make up for it in some ways. I've always known that. One thing I never shied away from my whole life. I was that one kid, I was going -- as a little kid I was just dare devil. O just want to go do whatever.
It just comes from like who I am as a person. I don't want to shy away from anything and that's from anybody or any circumstance.
Kind of just second nature.
Q. What's what the craziest stunt you did as a kid?
DRU PHILLIPS: Oh, man, I ain't want to get in specifics man. Probably when I jumped over this car, man. I've done some stuff throughout my time. I don't know.
Q. That has to install I would think confidence in yourself that you can do anything?
DRU PHILLIPS: That's what I think a lot of times. If I put my mind to something I can go do it.
Q. Your car jumping days are over?
DRU PHILLIPS: Yeah, I won't do that no more. Did it once and after that I learned my lesson.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports