Richard Sherman Podcast - Seahawks DE Leonard Williams

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Richard Sherman Podcast - Seahawks DE Leonard Williams"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Episode: Richard Sherman Podcast - Seahawks DE Leonard Williams
• Release Date: December 19, 2024
• Description: A deep dive into the top sports stories of the day, featuring insightful conversations with prominent sports figures.

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Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Richard Sherman welcomes Leonard Williams, Defensive End (DE) for the Seattle Seahawks. The conversation delves into Leonard's recent performances, team dynamics, personal experiences transitioning between teams, and his perspectives on broader issues in football, including changes in college football and player loyalty. The discussion is enriched with candid insights, personal anecdotes, and notable quotes that provide listeners with an in-depth understanding of Leonard's journey and the Seahawks' current season.

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Season Performance and Team Dynamics

Richard Sherman opens the discussion by commending Leonard on his impressive performances:

"[02:39] Richard Sherman: ... you've been playing great football."

Leonard Williams responds by highlighting the team's defensive strength post-bye week:

"[02:55] Leonard Williams: Defense has been rolling lately since the bye week. Team's been on a good high."

He acknowledges a recent loss but remains optimistic about the team's trajectory:

"[02:55] Leonard Williams: ... we felt like the team in general still got everything ahead of us."

Sherman reflects on the team's adjustments during a challenging game:

"[03:12] Richard Sherman: ... it was a weird game, and it seemed like y'all found the answers in the second half."

Leonard attributes their success to strategic calls and adaptability:

"[03:36] Leonard Williams: ... I think Mike just called a great call, and we had, like, a little outside stunt... it timed up perfectly."

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Play Style and Adjustments

The conversation shifts to Leonard's versatility under a new coaching staff:

"[04:31] Richard Sherman: ... different scheme than you've played in in the past... showcase your versatility."

Leonard explains his adaptability in the defensive line:

"[04:26] Leonard Williams: ... I can play, like, pretty much a shade, like, all the way to a nine technique... move all up and down the Line."

He compares his current defensive style to his time with the Ravens:

"[04:46] Leonard Williams: ... combination of that Raven style defense with AD's style of pass rush."

Leonard appreciates the balanced approach, allowing both big and small players to contribute effectively:

"[04:46] Leonard Williams: ... allows the big guys to eat, too."

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Team Depth and Leadership

Sherman inquires about key players contributing to the Seahawks' defense:

"[05:26] Richard Sherman: ... want to hear about Ernest Jones and Tyrese Knight... they've come in and just played like their hair is on fire."

Leonard emphasizes the impact of returning players post-bye week:

"[05:50] Leonard Williams: ... our defensive run game has changed a lot since the bye week with EJ and T. Knight back."

He praises Tyrese Knight's hunger and competitiveness:

"[05:50] Leonard Williams: ... T Night's like a young guy who's clearly just hungry and striving to be the best."

Leonard also commends Ernest Jones for his savvy play despite being relatively young:

"[05:50] Leonard Williams: ... EJ seems like such a savvy vet already."

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Experiences in New York vs. Seattle

Richard Sherman probes Leonard about his transition from playing in New York to Seattle:

"[14:12] Richard Sherman: ... your time in New York and you coming back and having a game you had there... felt like no better moment."

Leonard shares his mixed feelings about playing in New York:

"[14:12] Leonard Williams: ... treating it like a regular game, not really attached anymore."

Post-game reflections highlight the emotional significance of facing his former team:

"[14:46] Leonard Williams: ... it was awesome playing in MetLife Stadium on an opposing team."

Sherman and Leonard discuss the stark contrast between fan support in New York and Seattle:

"[17:37] Richard Sherman: ... Seattle's passionate, and you don't understand until you experience it."

Leonard describes the unwavering support in Seattle, even after losses:

"[17:46] Leonard Williams: ... fans still rooting for you even after a loss at 5am outside the building."

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Challenges in College Football

The conversation shifts to broader issues affecting the sport, particularly in college football:

"[08:56] Richard Sherman: ... all this chaos in college football... they ruined it."

Leonard critiques the shift toward monetization and lack of loyalty among players:

"[09:55] Leonard Williams: ... kids are already thinking about NIL deals... it's become so much more of a business."

Sherman and Leonard discuss the negative impact of frequent player transfers:

"[10:00] Richard Sherman: ... 'I didn't get enough money so I'm transferring.'"

Leonard laments the erosion of team loyalty:

"[10:44] Leonard Williams: ... eventually all the players are just eventually going to bleed out from the old ways."

They reflect on the challenges coaches face in enforcing discipline amidst these changes:

"[10:02] Leonard Williams: ... kids can just be like, 'eff it, I'mma just transfer.'"

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Longevity and Future Aspirations

Sherman questions Leonard about his career longevity and future aspirations:

"[26:43] Richard Sherman: ... how long do you want to play?"

Leonard expresses his desire to continue contributing effectively:

"[26:43] Leonard Williams: ... as long as I'm able to keep being a factor in this league."

He reflects on his evolving play style and physical preparation:

"[28:26] Leonard Williams: ... once I reached a certain age, I understand the game a little bit more."

Sherman shares his own perspective on longevity, emphasizing the importance of routine and efficiency:

"[27:53] Richard Sherman: ... you have less wasted movement now... I know how to take care of my body."

Leonard underscores the importance of maintaining physical and mental discipline:

"[28:26] Leonard Williams: ... playing free and trusting the tape... not chasing plays."

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Notable Quotes

• Leonard Williams on Team Adaptability:

  "[03:36] Leonard Williams: ... got in the backfield and kind of, like, squared up, but it was a great call."

• Leonard on Motivating Younger Players:

  "[05:50] Leonard Williams: ... EJ is one of the best linebackers that I played with to be honest."

• Leonard on Player Loyalty:

  "[10:44] Leonard Williams: ... eventually all the players are just eventually going to bleed out from the old ways."

• Leonard on Career Longevity:

  "[26:43] Leonard Williams: ... as long as I'm able to keep being a factor in this league."

• Leonard on Professional Growth:

  "[28:26] Leonard Williams: ... playing free and trusting the tape... not chasing plays."

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Conclusion

The episode offers a comprehensive look into Leonard Williams' professional journey, his adaptability on the field, leadership within a dynamic defensive lineup, and his insights into the evolving landscape of football. Through candid dialogue, Sherman and Williams explore not only the tactical aspects of the game but also the personal and systemic challenges facing players today. Leonard's reflections on his time in New York versus Seattle, his aspirations for an All-Pro recognition, and his thoughts on player loyalty provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on both his career and the sport at large.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been excluded to maintain focus on the core discussion between Richard Sherman and Leonard Williams.

Transcript

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[Leonard Williams]

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[Richard Sherman]

You know this, sir. You fall for these jokes. Super Bowl Championship. That should always be the expectation. All right, man. Actually, go ahead. Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast. I got an incredible guest here, the Big Cat, Leonard Williams. How you feeling, brother? You've been playing great football.

[Leonard Williams]

I'm feeling great. I appreciate that. Defense has been rolling lately since the bye week. Team's been on a good high. We obviously came off of a loss that we're not happy about, but, you know, I feel like the team in general still got. Got everything ahead of us.

[Richard Sherman]

No question. You got everything ahead of you. I mean. Cause that. That was a weird game, and it seemed like y'all found. Y'all found the answers in the second half. I don't know what the second half adjustments were, but it was right. You know, whatever it was, it seem y'all had answers for everything. And you personally, every goddamn third and fourth down, when they trying to run the football, you. You finding a way to get through. One time, it looked like they just parted for you.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah.

[Richard Sherman]

And I was like, how you not gonna block him?

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah. I mean, obviously, I'm gonna take that layup. But I also think Mike just called a great call, and we had, like, a little outside stunt, and I think the offensive lineman just wasn't expecting me to stun out, and they kind of, like, misread their blocks or something like that, and it just timed up perfectly. I got in the backfield. I didn't want to shoot my shot right away, so it was funny. I got in the backfield and kind of, like, squared up, but it was. It was a great call.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah. Talk about that, because obviously, you know, you've come here and you got traded and all that, and then you get a new coaching staff, and it's much different, I think. Well, correct me if I'm wrong, it seems like a much different scheme than you've played in in the past. And they use you a lot of different ways, you know, inside, kind of on the edge. Ish. Talk about that and how much it really gets to showcase your versatility.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah. In my opinion, defensive coordinators that have, like, utilized me the best have always played me, like, all along the D line, because I can play, like, pretty much a shade, like, all the way to a nine technique if I have to. And to me, I like doing that because I'm able to move all up and down the Line, not always sticking in one spot, getting double teamed and things like that. And actually, I did play in a similar defense with Wink Martindale. He was also from the Ravens, so it was slightly similar. I think the biggest difference is here we have a combination of that Raven style defense, like, with also AD's style of, like, pass rush, which for me is a great combination, because I think that older, like, Raven style defense, they have a lot of, like, safety blitzes and pressures and things like that, where sometimes a lot of the big guys, our job is to just, like, eat blockers and, like, have these, like, smaller guys free, off the edge. And, like, I feel like this combination of defense allows, like, the big guys to eat, too.

[Richard Sherman]

I want to hear about Ernest Jones and Tyrese Knight, because again, we talked about the bye week and how dominant y'all have been since the bye week. I mean, those have been the biggest changes, you know? No, no, nothing bad. You don't got to say anything about Tyrell and Jerome, you know what I mean? Obviously, the coaching staff made decisions they felt like they needed to make, but those guys have come in and just played like their hair is on fire. Ernest didn't even know the scheme came in first week and was moving and shaking.

[Doug Gottlieb]

Yeah.

[Leonard Williams]

I mean, to your point, I mean, those guys came in and made a big difference. You know, our defensive run game has, like, changed a lot since the bye week, since having E.J. and T. Knight back there. I love T dot and those guys, but, you know, I feel like, you know, like you said, I don't control the moves, but in the end of the day, I love having EJ and T. Knight back there. T Night's like a young guy who's clearly just hungry and striving to be the best he can every week. You know, we started competing with each other since that Cardinals game, and, like, every week, he comes up to me now and he's just like, hey, Leo, like, we gonna compete again. Like, we gonna compete again. That's like, I could just see that hunger in, like, a young, passionate player's eyes that I'm just like, man, I was there before. You know what I mean? So I just. I love it. And like, EJ, I mean, it's crazy that he just turned 25. He seems like such a savvy vet already. There's times he's out there just telling us where the run play is going and bumping the front and things like that. So in my opinion, he's one of the best linebackers that I played with to Be honest. And I've only played with him in a short amount of time, so hopefully we can keep playing together.

[Richard Sherman]

Last year, you were the first player to play 18 games since like 1930 or something crazy like that. You got no bye week. Did you feel it?

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I'll say I felt it for sure. Especially, you know, playing 18 games in year nine. You know what I mean?

[Richard Sherman]

Right, right. I don't want no part of that.

[Leonard Williams]

But I finally got a bye week this year, and I also felt that it reminded me of how. Just how useful having a bye week is in the middle of the season. It's much needed.

[Richard Sherman]

So you go from that to like this year, new staff, but you're a leader, you're a captain. You know what I mean? This crazy talented front that you guys have, Derek hall, the rookie, Byron Murphy, there's so many. There's so much talent and really depth on this D line. Can you talk about what. How much fun you guys have? You know, because sometimes, you know, when there's egos involved, people don't want to rotate out. People don't want this, people don't want that. But it doesn't seem like y'all have that. Jaren Reed's in there, you know what I mean? There's a lot of really talented guys interior and on the outside. Draymond Jones and Boyer talk about how it is to manage those guys in that room.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. I mean, I think this is one of the most stacked D lines I played on in my career, and I played with some really good guys throughout my career. When I got drafted, I played with, you know, Sheldon Richardson snacks, Damon Harrison and Big Mo Wilkerson. You know, we pretty much had like three first rounders in the room, and even this feels like we have way more depth and rotation here. And like you said, sometimes it's hard when it's hard to not have egos when you've always been a guy your whole life. You know what I mean? Let's say every guy in our room has been the best at their high school, the best at their college, and even some of the best in the NFL sometimes. And it's hard sometimes when you have a room full of just alpha guys. But I think just from learning each other and having that type of family environment that we have in the D line room has allowed us to just like, understand our role and, and just. And just live up to our role the best we can. And, you know, we try to take ego out of it. As much as possible.

[Richard Sherman]

All right, let's, let's pivot a little bit because I just, this is personal questions. Well, personal for me because I'm a pack 12 guy. And I just want to ask what you think about all this chaos in college football and just. They ruined it, man. They ruined it.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I mean, that's the, that's the hard thing about the. You know how I'm seeing like. I agree that I think they're ruining it just because when I was in college it was like all about like, you know, we were broke college kids. It kind of what brought us together. Once I got to the NFL, it was like so different because it's like now people are playing for money, everybody kind of has a different agenda and things like that. So you don't, you don't see that connectiveness as much. Once I transitioned from college to the NFL, which is like now you're starting to see that before kids even leave high school almost because it's like kids are already in high school thinking about NIL deals and things like that. So it's just like it's become so much more of a business and this money oriented and things like that.

[Richard Sherman]

So, you know, I'm fine with the money. You know what I mean? If you run it like the pros, you know I mean. Run it like the pros.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah.

[Richard Sherman]

You know what I mean? But it's like these kids are sitting.

[Leonard Williams]

There like the transfer.

[Richard Sherman]

I didn't get enough money, so I'm transferring or I didn't get enough money so I ain't playing this game. I'm not practicing this game. Like, bro. And you can't really punish him as a coach. That's why I don't think Belichick is going to do well. Because in a league you don't practice you getting your behind five, these kids coming to practice and like, I'm not practicing. Cut me and I'll transfer. Like, you know what I mean? Like, that's the problem.

[Leonard Williams]

No, that's the problem. That's a problem for sure. I felt like, I mean, and the worst part is eventually all the players are just eventually going to bleed out from the old, old ways. And you know, all these people from the NIL are eventually going to be the NFL players. And it's just tough to see like sometimes.

[Richard Sherman]

But the, the kid from sc, specifically, the Bear Alexander kid. Oh yeah, they said he's transferred seven schools in seven years. They said four times in high school. And this will be his third transfer in college. Like A kid like that, if I'm an NFL team, I don't know how I'm drafting that kid. I don't know how I'm drafting that kid. You can't state, can't stay.

[Leonard Williams]

Still not loyal.

[Richard Sherman]

No loyalty and no ability to overcome and just like 10 toes down and dig in and like, let's go.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, exactly. I mean, one of the main phrases that freaking Mike McDonald says all the time is through, not around. And it's just like, that's one of those situations where, you know, kids, instead of facing the hardships and facing the difficulties and being with the team and going through it together like kids sometimes nowadays can just be like, you know, eff it, I'mma just transfer. And, you know, to us, that's going around, you're not going through the problem.

[Richard Sherman]

Exactly. And I don't know how you fix that. You know what I mean? NCAA could have done it when they first start asking, hey, time to pay the kids. They should have just put a salary cap in and then upped it. Upped it up and you would have had a better argument. But yeah, that's my two cents. Sorry, we digressed.

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[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I mean that was a crazy full circuit moment. You know, me and Geno and in all my interviews leading up to that game, I kept trying to say, you know, I'm treating it like a regular game. You know, I got drafted there so long ago, I'm not really attached anymore and things like that. Which was all true for me leading up to the game. But I gotta say, after the game it definitely felt like, okay, that was pretty poetic, to be honest. So, you know, it felt good going back playing in MetLife Stadium on a, you know, opposing team this time and you know, having a day like that, it was awesome.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, I mean a 92 yard pick, six the longest by a 300 pound plus player. I mean, what about Jay Reid? Talking about he didn't know you was that heavy. I said, Jay Reed, what do you think this big human being is? You think he's 290? Like what are we doing?

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I guess because like my frame looks a little leaner than, than most guys, you know, 300 plus pounds. I think sometimes when people think of a 300 pounder on the D line, they're probably thinking of like, you know, a big rounder guy. But I'm like tall and lean, more athletic built. So sometimes guys think I'm like around like 280, 290. Sometimes I don't, I don't, I don't. 312, man, you've been around football enough. You know what I mean? Which J Re shouldn't do.

[Richard Sherman]

So that's what I'm saying. J Re, you're a D lineman. That's all you around. You know the difference. But talk to me about your draft day experience because clearly, you know, we had two totally different draft day experiences. You know, you were going top five and, and I was trying to get drafted.

[Leonard Williams]

That's hilarious. I mean, hey, you had a great career, man, regardless of where you got drafted.

[Richard Sherman]

I appreciate that.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah. I mean, my. My draft day was in Chicago, which was pretty cool. I think it was like one of the first times they started switching up where the draft was. I think it was always in New York before that. I ended up falling out of the top five, which is where I was projected, and I went sixth overall. Um, obviously still, you know, a really happy, exciting day for me. Had all my family with me in Chicago, and I just was not expecting the jets to draft me, though. I remember because when I seen them up at six, I'm like, oh, they already have, like, Mo Wilkerson and snacks and Sheldon and all these guys on the D line, like, they don't need another D lineman. But I remember when they called me and took me, they were just like, hey, like, we see it as, you know, best available, not necessarily. Necessarily what the team needs. And they thought I was best available on the board and drafted me to the Jets.

[Richard Sherman]

It's such a different city. I can imagine getting drafted to New York. It's such a big city. So much to do, so much expectations, so much media scrutiny and attention. I know that had to be a hard transition.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, that is hard. I mean, especially right out of college. I was a young player. I was only 20 years old. Um, I remember even taking the D line to rookie dinner. And, you know, when I got the bill and I tried to pay for it, the lady was just like, wait, you can't pay for the bill because y'all had drinks and you're. You. You're under 21. So I was. I got off the hook a little bit, but, you know, they. They for sure found another way to get it out of me. Don't worry. You know how I was back then, man, back then. That's crazy. That was 10 years ago for me, so I could say that.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, that's great. Time flies, doesn't it?

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, it does.

[Richard Sherman]

That's crazy. And then you come to Seattle. Seattle's a whole different city than New York, you know what I mean? And you're not really in Seattle when you play for the Seahawks. You really on the east side.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I mean, it was really tough playing in New York. I'll say. I mean, especially, like I said, as a young player, even getting drafted so high comes with this things as well, like being drafted so high. I'm thinking I'm putting pressure on myself even. There's already expectations out there. And you know, I'm putting expectations on myself as well. So I felt like when I was younger, I was kind of, you know, forcing myself to try to make these, like, TFLs and sacks, and I live up to my draft status, which I think made me play out of character and didn't allow me to play, like, freely, to be honest. And I. And that's something I try to tell the young guys now, now that I'm in year 10, I'm like, hey, like, the reason why I'm able to play good now is because, you know, I go out there and play fearless. I know what I'm doing, I play free. And I'm not trying to, like, chase these plays. I'm just trying to, you know, play good technique and play within the framework of the defense and things like that. So I think, like, playing in the city of New York definitely had a lot of pressure, a lot of scrutiny, media and things like that. And, you know, playing in Seattle now is completely different. I talked about. I remember my first game here when I got traded. We. We played against the Ravens, and it was an away game and we got blew out. It was, you know, it was a ugly loss. And I remember we got home at like 4am, pulled up to the facility, and there's fans everywhere still, like, after a loss. And I'm like, that. I'm not used to that because in New York, it's like we're losing at halftime and fans are leaving and. And booing our own team. You know, here, there's still rooting for you even after a loss at 5am Outside of the building, I'm like, this is different.

[Richard Sherman]

Oh, it's totally different. I mean, they're passionate, and I don't think people understand until you experience it. But that's a really cool experience and a cool story because we used to have that all the time, especially in the playoffs. We. We go to a game, you know, play a playoff game, come back and, you know, as the little road when you're coming out of the airport used to be lined with Seahawks fans. So when we got on runs, it used to just be like, freaking like a mile worth of fans at whatever time we got back. You know, it didn't matter what time we got back. It'd be 3, 4 o'clock, 2 o'clock in the morning. It's gonna be fans lined up. And, you know, it really. It really was a cool thing to see and motivating factor and, And. And, you know, you had an appreciation for. For the. What those People were going through and people showing up for you and you tried to put it on, on tape form, but you putting it on tape this year in a different way than I, you know, honestly think you have. You know, it's. You're probably gonna get your first All Pro this year, I would imagine, unless they vote in it different than they have been. But you playing like an All Pro, how much would it mean to you to be named to one of those All Pro teams?

[Leonard Williams]

I mean, it would mean the world to me, honestly. You know, I've been in this league for 10 years and, you know, that's something that, you know, every player strives to be, you know, the best at what they do. And you know, I'm sitting in that defensive meeting room every day and I'm seeing you and Earl Thomas up there on the, on the All Pro board and things like that, and I'm just like, man, how, how beautiful would it be to add another bee hawk up there on, on that board and you know, I want to be remembered here and I want to, you know, put a stamp on my legacy and just my career and, and just like you said, like playing for those fans, like, you know, gives. Give the twelves just more, more things to root for and it would mean a lot to me.

[Richard Sherman]

That'd be really cool, man. And I hope you get it. You deserve it. You've been playing your butthole.

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[Doug Gottlieb]

This is Doug Gottley from All Ball with Doug Godley. Hey, I'm going to talk to you about something that's really serious for a minute. Something personal right now. In our country, hate feels like it's at an all time high and we're going backwards. And the hate is winning. It's out of control. So many different people, so many different groups are facing too much hate. And it's just enough. We need to stop and regroup, change the momentum as a team, because that's what we are. Everyone in this country is on the same team, so let's act like it. And when a team can't get together, what do they do? They call a timeout. We need to take a timeout against hate. So let's think about what we say and do. And when we see hate and we see someone doing or saying those things we know are wrong or hateful, we need to call it out. Visit Stand up to all hate.org or join me in calling for the timeout against hate by following at what's up with Hate? Or posting the Blue Square Emoji Deck.

[Leonard Williams]

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[Richard Sherman]

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[Doug Gottlieb]

Go right now to blinds.com satisfaction guaranteed.

[Adnan Virk]

Satisfaction guaranteed.

[Richard Sherman]

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[Adnan Virk]

Flavor, the tradition and the spirit of Carne Asada lives on at Del Taco. Join the Asada today with Del Taco's new limited time half pound Chipotle Carne Asada Steak Burrito packed with sweet, spicy and smoky flavor. Wrapped up and grilled to perfection, the whole Carne Asada steak menu delivers the bold flavors you crave with epic burritos, loaded fries and street tacos starting at just $2.99 only at Del Taco.

[Jason Demers]

What's up everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Virgin Demers.

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst and boy oh boy does Daddy have a lot to say.

I love you by the way on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right?

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. Culture. And you know what? Tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We get all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling. Even the stuff that you wear on NHL.

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Ferkie.

That shirt of Kazarakas. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burk and demers the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Richard Sherman]

Y'all got Minnesota this week. It's, it's, you know, they're a tough team at 11 and 2, but y'all are a tough team and y'all a tough outfit, and I think it's going to match up really well. What do you feel like y'all gotta do over these next three to. To. To. To get in? Because it's going to take all three of them really, to get y'all in the playoffs. And I know, you know, you take it one game at a time, but just talking the team more than the matchups and anything, what do you think you guys have to do as a team to just, you know, keep steady the course and, you know, obviously you won four in a row before losing this one. What do you have to do going forward?

[Leonard Williams]

I think just really lock in. You know, I feel like we did a good job of that after the bye week because we, we started off the season high and then we kind of lost a few games and then we were kind of at like that 500 team place after the bye week. And after the bye week, you know, the leaders and the coaches and everybody said, hey, we got to treat it like playoffs now. So that kind of got us in the mindset of like, treat like week by week, we just were locked in. And I don't want to say we got comfortable or anything like that, but, you know, after four game winning streak, sometimes it does get a little, you know, you've been there before where, you know, guys start to get a little comfortable. You start not doing the little things as, as fine tuned as you were when you were losing and knew what was on the line and things like that. So I think this loss, you know, definitely put a bad taste in our mouth and we're about to be home again this week and I think coming off of that loss is definitely going to make us, you know, lock back in and, you know, dial in on the details again.

[Richard Sherman]

So how long do you want to play?

[Leonard Williams]

And I think I want to play as. As long as I'm able to keep being a factor in this league, then I'm going to try to keep playing. To be honest, I think when I was young, I said, hey, when I get to year 10, I'm gonna retire. You know, I was young, I thought, you know, 10 years was a great career. Like, you know, I didn't know how fast it was just gonna go like that. You know what I mean? It Went by so fast. And I feel like now I'm still playing, you know, some of my best ball, to be honest. So I feel like I still got a few good years under my belt.

[Richard Sherman]

I think so too. I think so too. I think that's gonna be cool. And you say so much. When I was first getting into the league, I was like, man, I just wanna get past the three years, three games, man. I feel like if I go four, I'm pretty, I felt pretty good about myself. Like, I didn't. I went past average and then I got to year like nine and I was like, in the Super Bowl, I was like, I think I could do a couple more. I think I, I think I got a couple more in me. I think I, I got this game pretty well figured out.

[Leonard Williams]

You get to that point.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, yeah. And, and it's so hard because you.

[Leonard Williams]

You tell yourself when you're older where you almost just take it year by year at this point, you know what I mean? It's just like, as long as you're still feeling good, still got it, you're just like, all right, maybe I got a year or two more left in me. You know what I mean?

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, you take it year by year and you're so like, you have such less wasted movement now. You know what I mean? Like, you're not wasting. I'm not wasting time, I'm not wasting steps. I'm not doing unnecessary stuff. I know how to take care of my body. I got my routine together. I got my off season routine together. I know what's going on. And sometimes it's hard to explain it to a young guy until they experience it. You're like, hey, you might not want to do that. You might not want to do that. But sometimes you got to go out there and bump your head to be like, oh, okay, maybe. Look, I told you, I told you you might not want to do that. Like, that was from experience.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, exactly. I mean, I remember when I was younger, I was going out all the time. Like you said, I was in big New York City. I had that, you know, I wasn't taking care of my body as well and things like that. And, and you know, like you said, it's like being older now, it's like you understand the game a little bit more. You're not out there just like wasting energy. And I also, I've been talking about joking lately that I just have like grown man strength too now. So it's like once I reached a certain age, once I reached a certain Age it' Now I'm like, okay, if I'm getting a one on one block, I know I'm lock this guy out. You know what I mean? That obviously plays a difference.

[Richard Sherman]

No question, no question. I don't know if you got kids yet, but when you. As soon as you have kids, that. That it comes that day.

[Leonard Williams]

Now you got something to play for. That's what it is.

[Richard Sherman]

I start strong arm long arming people at the corner spot. I said, look at this. Where did this come from?

[Leonard Williams]

What you know about a long arm, bro?

[Richard Sherman]

Come on. I know something. You blessed a few times. Every now and then off the edge.

[Leonard Williams]

The arm over is crazy.

[Richard Sherman]

They never let me blitz, though. You got any questions for me before I let you go, man? Because I noticed that you're off day and you, you. I mean, you got to go get your. Your time. And I appreciate you. You sharing some moments with me, but I know you gotta. Gotta go take care of yourself.

[Leonard Williams]

Yeah, I appreciate that. I mean, I didn't expect you to ask me if I had any questions, to be honest. But, you know, I definitely hope we can link up sometime and, you know, chat and just keep talking ball. And I want to be an all Pro one day, and I want to continue to be an all Pro. So I think just seeing how you manage being that level this year in, year out, like back to back, you know what I mean?

[Richard Sherman]

We could definitely chat that out, you know what I mean? I'll pull up to the facility and we can have coffee in mo office and chop it up and talk some ball. But it's a lot of it is just grinding, man. Like, it's staying in your routine. Like, everything you're saying right now and what you're talking about, like, playing free and, like, letting it go and trusting the tape. You study trusting your teammates. Like, for us, it was like the standard was so high for us that we'd be practicing so damn hard every damn day that you go to games and be like, oh, it's like a sigh of relief out here. Y'all boys. Y'all boys don't know the tempo. By the time y'all know that, we up by 25.

[Leonard Williams]

I love. I love that, man. Jay Reed talks a lot about that too, actually, because he played with y'all, you know what I mean? So he talked about how different y'all were in practice. That's the main thing he talks about. He doesn't talk about game today. He's just. I mean, the way these guys practice was like on another Level, you know.

[Richard Sherman]

Because we had, like. Like, imagine the annoying guy in practice that goes way too hard and walk through. We had like 25 of them by.

[Leonard Williams]

All of y'all on that one, the whole defense.

[Richard Sherman]

So. So you sitting there and you're like, hey, y'all, you know what I mean? Y'all putting cleats on for walkthroughs. Y'all like, rolling all the time. And it's like, at that point, Pete has to just say, like, hey, either you don't want us on the field or don't do the walkthrough, because you know what tempo we're going to be at, and you know what it's going to be asked and what we're going to be doing. So if you don't want that, don't put us out there. Put the scout team out there and let it go how it's going to go. But if you put us out there, you getting full speed, tempo, and you're getting aggression all the time.

[Leonard Williams]

In aggression.

[Richard Sherman]

In aggression, because somebody might get hurt. That's why we kept losing draft picks and stuff, because we go to OTAs and, you know, they tell us not to break up passes and stuff, but Pete, you know, would show one on ones every single day, and he'd show one on ones and he'd show the corners losing, and it's like, bro, I could have batted that. I could have picked that. But y'all tell me not to go for the ball. All right, that's the last we gonna ever do that. So now we going for the ball every time. Kick me out the practice.

[Leonard Williams]

Put manners into our own hands.

[Richard Sherman]

Yeah, that's how we was. And then we lose draft picks and all this other shit, but now, you know, not. Don't show one on ones if you don't want us going out there and playing as hard as we can. Because don't try to get these dudes no fake confidence. We don't. We ain't like that.

[Leonard Williams]

I mean, we. We are competitive out here, man.

[Richard Sherman]

We all real dogs. But I appreciate you, brother. I'll let you go. Let's. I'm hit. You give you my number once we get off the recording. And we could figure out when you free and I can pull up and. And have some coffee in Moe's office.

[Leonard Williams]

All right. For sure. Thank you, man.

[Richard Sherman]

Appreciate you.

[Leonard Williams]

Yes, sir. I appreciate.

[Richard Sherman]

The volume.

[Adnan Virk]

The flavor, the tradition, and the spirit of carne asada lives on at Del Taco. Join the asada today with Del Taco's new limited time. Half pound Chipotle Carnegie Carne Asada steak burrito. Packed with sweet, spicy and smoky flavor. Wrapped up and grilled to perfection, the whole carne Asada steak menu delivers the bold flavors you crave with epic burritos, loaded fries and street tacos. Starting at just $2.99 only at Del Taco.

[Jason Demers]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Virk here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers.

Jason Demers here, And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.

I got a lot to say here, too.

[Richard Sherman]

Okay?

[Jason Demers]

Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.

Tons of guests are gonna join in, too. But we're not just gonna be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table.

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Vir and Demers in the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Richard Sherman]

What's up, everyone? It's Justin Pennik from John Boy Media, the host of the Football Today podcast with Bobby Scott Beginner and Chris Rose. We roll three times a week on Mondays, on Wednesdays, on Fridays, breaking down everything you need to know about the NFL. We're gearing up for the NFL playoffs. I hope you can join us. Join in with us three times a week. Listen to Football Today on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and you will be glad.