“It’s fair to say I’m an old soul”

The art of interviewing is something I have worked hard on over the years, understanding that there is a significant difference in the setting of the conversations. For example, when reporters gather for a press conference, the questions come out quickly, are often very sharp and breathless, and can often have an urgent tone. Too many times 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 a relationship and give the subject a chance to present a story. This has been my goal in my interviews with players, coaches and front office staff over the years. The fans don’t want to hear anything from me. You’ve had enough of this already. These interviews are about the Eagles being interviewed.

With that in mind, I conducted four such interviews in the last week since Training Camp opened (many thanks to the Football Communications staff for doing them) and the players were responsive, personal and open during these chats. I want you to feel like you’ve gotten to know them a little 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, wide receiver AJ Brown and defensive end Josh Sweet. I hope you want to hear the entire interviews, so feel free to subscribe (for free, of course) to the Eagles Insider Podcast if you haven’t already.

AJ Brown: ‘I believe I can do anything’

“I think it’s harder to stay in the league than to make the league. A lot of guys feel comfortable when they come here. This is what it looks like when exposed. Every day someone works 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. This is how I approach my daily endeavors. I try to stick to my routine instead of motivation. I’m not always motivated, but if I can stick to my routine, I’m very disciplined. Talent won’t keep you in this league. It’s doing the little things over and over again. I’m trying to break this game down into the smallest part I can, working on the little basics over and over again. Everybody wants to do flashy things, but I’m just trying to work on the basics because when the game is on the line and you need that first, I’m going to stick to my basics.”

Josh Swat: ‘I don’t want to be that puppy anymore’

“I got called up to play in the Pro Bowl the night before the game. I wasn’t ready to play — I’d been sick a few weeks before and didn’t play against Tampa Bay — but I definitely hadn’t missed the Pro Bowl. This helped me. It certainly gave me a big push to get through what I was going through. I’m much more hungry. Besides that Pro Bowl experience, I just need more bro. i just want to go on, more, more, more, more.

“I felt like a puppy at the Pro Bowl and I don’t want to be that puppy anymore. I want to be the man. But, you know, I come in here and I feel like the puppy in this defense. This is how I should approach it. I’ve already made myself think I’m the smallest person in this defense. It keeps me going. That’s just how I motivate myself. You’re the smallest dude here. I didn’t win anything, so I have to move on.”