The art of the interview is something I have worked hard at over the years, knowing that there is a significant difference in the setting of conversations. For example, when journalists are brought together for a press conference, the questions come out quickly, are often very pointed and breathless, and can often have an urgent tone. Too often in these cases, the interviewee feels that the experience is more of an interrogation.
In a one-on-one setting, there is time to breathe and develop rapport and give the subject a chance to present a storyline. This is my focus in my interviews with Eagles players, coaches and front office staff over the years. The fans don’t want to hear from me. You already have enough. These interviews are about the Eagles being interviewed.
With that in mind, I’ve had four such interviews in the last week at the opening of training camp (lots of love to the Football Communications staff for doing them) and the players have been responsive , personal and open during these discussions. I want you to feel like you’ve gotten to know them a bit more when the interviews are over, and I want the players to feel like they’ve done the same. Here are some excerpts from interviews with quarterback Jalen Hurts, safety Jaquiski Tartt, receiver AJ Brown and defensive end Josh Sweat. I hope you want to hear the full interviews, so be sure to subscribe (for free, of course) to the Eagles Insider podcast if you’re not already subscribed.
AJ Brown: ‘I believe I can do anything and everything’
“I think it’s harder to stay in the league than to be in it. A lot of guys feel comfortable when they get here. It’s the kind of time they’re exposed. Every day, someone is working for your job.They are drafting someone younger and faster.
“My mindset is what makes me a great player. I believe I can do anything and everything whenever I want. It’s how I approach my day-to-day endeavors. I try to stick to my routine rather than motivation. I “I’m not always motivated, but if I can stick to my routine, I’m very disciplined. Talent is not going to keep you in this league. It’s doing the little things over and over again. I try to break this game down to the smallest part I can, working on the little fundamentals over and over. Everybody wants to do the flashy stuff, but I just try to work on the fundamentals because when the game is on the line and you need that first try, I’m going to stick to my fundamentals.”
Josh Sweat: ‘I don’t want to be that puppy anymore’
“They called me to play the Pro Bowl, for example, the day before the game. I wasn’t ready to play – I had been sick a few weeks before and hadn’t played against Tampa Bay – but I definitely wasn’t. missing the Pro Bowl. It helped me. It gave me a big boost to get over what I was going through, that’s for sure. I’m a lot hungrier. Out of that Pro Bowl experience, I just need more, bro. I just wanna keep going, further, further.
“I felt like a puppy in the Pro Bowl and I don’t want to be that puppy anymore. I want to be the guy. But, you know, I come here and I feel like the puppy in this defense. That’s how I gotta address it. I already made myself think that I’m the shortest guy in this defense. That’s what keeps me going. That’s how I get motivated. You’re the shortest dude here. I didn’t win anything, so I have to keep going.”
