Dobbins on His First Weeks With Baltimore
La Grange running back J.K. Dobbins was recently featured at a press conference for media covering the Baltimore Ravens.
Here’s a sampling of the questions and answers as Dobbins talks about his first preseason as a rookie on the team:
How has being at the facility and all the new protocols, being a rookie and trying to learn everything new as it is, how much different is it? Also, trying to learn all the new rules and regulations that come with the COVID-19 protocols?
Dobbins: “It’s definitely something different, I feel – way different than the past years for rookies. I think it’s something that we’re handling super, super good. The facility is set up super nice, and I feel like it’s very easy though, very easy.”
It looks like you’ve added some muscle this offseason. What was your biggest focus trying to transition from college to pro there? What did you focus on?
Dobbins: “I just focused on, really, everything. I just focused on getting faster, bigger, stronger, because I know the NFL is going to be a different challenge for me. And I feel like I just want to help my team get to a Super Bowl. The way to do that is just to get this work in, look good and look the part.”
The Ravens had you graded higher than you were picked [in the draft]. Does that fuel you, being around at number 55? Do you even need any fuel?
Dobbins: “I don’t need any fuel, but it is added fuel. I definitely thought I played last year – in college football – at a high rate, very productive. It was definitely kind of shocking, but I fell to the right team. I’m so grateful to be on this team. It’s such a great program. Everything is going to go correctly, but I do have that added chip on my shoulder. I’m working hard to prove that I should’ve been [drafted] earlier.”
In college, you’re the guy. You know you’re going to be the workhorse. You know you’re going to get the carries. You come to the Ravens as a rookie, you’re in a backfield and you’re one-of-four guys. How difficult of a transition is that for you? What do you have to do to become the guy in this backfield?
“When you go to a new program … Just like in college when I went into Ohio State, there’s always the older guys and guys that are there that are talented. I’m just working; I’m going to learn from the older guys. Mark Ingram II – he won a Heisman trophy and has been in the league for 10 years. My main objective is to come in and learn, compete, and however the chips fall, that’s how they fall. That’s the coaches’ decision on who plays what and how much playing time someone gets. My job is to just come in and do anything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl.”
What do you tell your friends, your past teammates, about the opportunity to play with QB Lamar Jackson?
“Some of my old teammates asked me about it. It’s definitely a blessing to play with Lamar (Jackson), because he’s such a great player – voted Number One (NFL’s Top 100 list) by his peers. My job is to come in and help him, that’s all I say. I feel like we have a good relationship. He’s a pretty funny dude, he’s cool. I’m glad I get to play with him.”
You mentioned the other running backs in Mark Ingram II. How much interaction have you had with guys like Mark (Ingram II) and RB Gus Edwards and RB Justice Hill?
“I’ve had a lot of interaction with them. Those are my guys, already. Mark (Ingram II) is my guy, as well. We talk quite a bit. I talk quite a bit to all of them. We have a good relationship. I’m honestly glad that I have four other running backs with me to help me as a rookie. But I have a good relationship with all of them.”
As you go through what you went through at Ohio State and the quality of the offense in total, and in particular, the run game – compared to what you’ve seen thus far just playbook wise – talk about maybe some of the differences and just the complexity of the Ravens’ run game that was the best ever a year ago?
“Definitely, it’s complex – that’s what makes it so good. Ohio State’s (run game) was pretty complex, too. It’s a smooth transition for me, but I’ve just got to keep learning it, keep learning it inside-and-out, so I can be successful as well. It’s very complex. Like you said, it was Number One in the league last year. I’m just trying to help, trying to make it stay at Number One.”
You kind of talked about how you fit into this stable of running backs. What are your expectations for your rookie season, and what your role will be?
“My expectations – I don’t really have any. My role is predicated off of how I practice and how I play. I’m just going to come in, work hard, and try to be the best I can. The chips will fall in where they fall in. I’m just happy to be with this group of guys.”
I’m curious from the perspective of a rookie during the coronavirus. You’re about to accomplish a dream and play in your first NFL season, but there’s so much else going on. Your first NFL game, for instance, might be without fans. How do you, kind of, reconcile that in your mind that, and on a personal level, where you’re accomplishing your dream during such a weird time?
“I think it makes it that much better. It’s something that has never happened. If I can contribute to helping my team win a Super Bowl during times like these, where you really have to hone-in on what you do and perfect your craft, I feel like it’s going to be even more special. Being without fans will definitely be different, if that happens. But I feel like we’ve got to bring our own juice anyway if you want to win a game on Sunday, or Thursday or Monday. So, I think it’ll be special.”
Everywhere you’ve been, you’ve played right away, and you’ve played a lot. Do you know just how patient you can be if the opportunities aren’t coming as often as they used to?
“I don’t know how patient I can be. My thing is, I’m just going to try to work hard. I’m going to try to play. I’m going to try to get on the field someway, somehow. My goal is not to be patient. I was not taught that in college. Don’t be patient; take advantage of your opportunities. (I’m) not saying that I’m going to start or anything, but I feel like if I just work hard enough and show the coaches that I can play at this level, then I’ll be on the field. My goal is to help the team win the Super Bowl, not sitting on the bench.”