Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz addressed the media after practice on July 29. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
On what the first day with pads symbolizes for him and how today went:
"Yeah, I mean, it really is a start of football. The grass basketball is kind of just gone and behind us, and we get to play real football. Obviously, there's no tackling and we gotta take care of one another but this is gonna be the most competitive besides the preseason games that we're gonna get until game one, so, we gotta maximize these days. Obviously, the rules have changed a lot in my 12 years now but at the same time, we gotta fly around, whether we're in pads, shell or just jerseys. Whatever it is, we gotta take advantage of it because the first game's coming, preseason game number one is coming and we gotta be the best version of ourselves come week one."
On the tight end group:
"Yeah, I mean, obviously there's a lot of things that we need to improve on, myself included. But at the same time, I think we have a really good group. It's a very competitive group. Guys understand that there's only a certain amount of spots and we're pushing each other to be the best version of ourselves, but we also gotta go out there and make plays and compete in every aspect. And not only on offense, but guys in the tight end room really have to be able to carve a role on special teams. So I think everyone understands the situations that they're in and I think it's a group with a lot of potential, so it's up to us to go in there and maximize it every day."
On what he has seen from QB Jayden Daniels' progression:
"I mean, I think Jayden has done phenomenal job. I've been impressed with him from the moment he got here. The reps, like I said, are limited and so every time we have a rep, I kind of wanna stand back there and talk to him, kind of how he sees certain things because it doesn't really matter how I see things once the balls snapped, I gotta play on his timing and I gotta anticipate what he wants me to do. So, I can't just go out there and do whatever I want to do every play. So, we're really trying to hone in on the details and maximize the reps we have together because he is not always with the ones and knowing [QB] Marcus [Mariota] is doing a phenomenal job as well. But with Jayden, I really just try and communicate, really to all the quarterbacks kind of what I see and if they want me to do anything different versus certain coverages because yeah, the play is called one thing, but there's very minor details that need to be accounted for on every route."
On what are some things he feels he has gotten better with from when he was younger and his work in the red zone:
"Yeah, I think at this point in my career, there's really not a coverage that I haven't seen. And so, when I was young, you know, the game is a lot faster than it is now. You feel like the guys are moving a lot faster than they are now. But I'm also able to play almost a step ahead or two steps ahead because I understand what the defense is trying to do. So, if they're playing a certain coverage, I want to attack where they're vulnerable and maybe when I was younger, it took me a few steps into the route to really see what they were gonna do on a certain play. But now I can pretty much understand it, what they're trying to do pre-snap. So, I'm almost two steps ahead than when I was younger cause I had to react versus now I can anticipate. And obviously the red zone, red zone third down game on the line or situations that I've always wanted to excel in. I feel like I've done that throughout my career and it comes with a lot of trust from the coaches and the quarterbacks but I take a lot of pride in that area as well."
On if he has seen any differences from Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's from Arizona to Washington:
"Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen Kliff so happy. He seems like he's refreshed every time he goes out on to the practice field. He is eager. He is excited to work with the quarterbacks every single day. He's putting him through individual every single day. And so I truly believe that maybe that break from everything last year and him able to get this job and work with [QB] Jayden [Daniels] and [QB] Marcus [Mariota] and [QB] Sam [Hartman] and [QB] Jeff [Driskel] every day has really almost I would say rejuvenated him. I think I'm in the same boat, you know, it has been extremely fun to be here. I feel almost like I've gotten younger since I got out here just cause how much fun I'm having every day and so I think Kliff and I are kind of in the same boat in that regard."
On the similarities of Kingsbury's use of tight ends now compared to his time with the Arizona Cardinals:
"Yeah, there's some similarities. The running game is, I would say very different. Obviously, we have a different o-line coach [Offensive Line Coach Bobby Johnson], but at the same time I've been in this league for so long, the schemes don't get too drastic no matter what kind of offense you're in, in terms of kind of the plays. It's how coaches want to call the plays in the game and how they want to put game plans together is how the average coaches are separated from the great coaches is in that game plan. And I think Kliff is one of the best in the league at coming up with a game plan to attack defenses. So, obviously he was a big part of the reason I'm here, and it's been really fun to be back with him. And not only him, but really this entire organization has been awesome to be a part of."
On Military Appreciation Day in Training Camp:
"Yeah, I mean, obviously I can give a long speech about how amazing it is and how grateful I am, but that even doesn't do it justice. What those men and women do each and every day to fight for our freedoms is something that we'll never be able to repay and it's something that I don't think anyone should ever take for granted because we wouldn't be able to come out here and play a game without the sacrifices that they partake in every single day, being away from their families, sacrificing life unfortunately, just so that we can have our freedoms here in the States. And so for me, I'm very appreciative to all the men and women that serve this country, and I'll never be able to repay the debt that I owe them or my family owes them or we owe them. And every time I see someone, I want to thank them for everything that they do. And I know those words don't nearly do it justice, but I hope they know every time they say see me or that I greet them or I'm able to interact with them is something that I do with a lot of respect and gratitude and I'm very thankful for everything they do."
On what the energy from the fans means to him:
"Yeah, it's obviously awesome to be able to interact with the fans and have 'em at practice. We want to build off the energy. Every time there's a kind of a staff change, or you draft a quarterback really high, there's obviously going to be fresh energy. We have a new ownership group, new GM, new coaching staff, possibly a new starting quarterback week one, or obviously a new starting quarterback week one, whether Marcus [Mariota] or Jayden [Daniels]. But we want that energy to be something that we're able to build on. It's not going to be a flash in the pan, something that is able to last, you know, this place has a lot of history, obviously. I've been in this division for a long time. I understand what this team means to this city. And so for me, this isn't something that we want to just be like, oh, we had a great off season, there's a lot of good vibes around the building and the city and the area. We want to build it every day so this is sustained success and it starts every day on the practice field."
On any advice to the US Women's Soccer Team in the Olympic Games:
"Oh man, it's just so much fun to be able to watch them. Obviously, we have a different vantage point. This is the first major tournament that [Forner US Women's National Soccer Player] Julie [Ertz] hasn't played in since, whenever her first World Cup was in 2015. So just to be able to see it from afar, Julie is obviously very in tune with it. She keeps me updated, but we are off to a fast start, like you said. And it's great to see the new coaching staff be able to come in and implement their ways. Obviously, their identity is apparent. [US Women's National Soccer Player] Mallory Swanson now is probably the best player on the field every time she steps on the pitch. So, it's been fun to watch, seeing her healthy and the rest of the team as well."
