Malik you've been on this field before, but haven't put up career numbers like you did today, what was the difference in this game and maybe just getting acclimated in these two starts for Green Bay?
More than anything, I think it's just a different opportunity. I only got three starts here as a rookie and like I said before, just wasn't ready at that point in time. And I've had a lot of time to just work hard and just grind every day in order to make use of my next opportunity, which I've just been trying to do these past two weeks. And more than anything just try to continue to work hard and understand that you don't know when the opportunity will come, but you have to be ready for it if you get it.
The first drive marching down the field in the first parts of the game, how much did that do for the team's confidence and for yours in particular, set that tone?
I'm not sure you look at it from that perspective. More than anything I think you just try to execute each play as best you can, and I think that's all we were focused on. We're just trying to do our best on the first drive to, I don't want to say set the tone for the game, but just do our best to execute each play they called.
To not turn the ball over these two games, how huge was that for you and was that a focus?
More than anything, it's a testament to Coach (Matt) LaFluer and all the other coaches. We all ball meeting and talk about what's a key component to winning ball games and more than anything is the turnover differential. And I think he does a great job, showing us the importance of the ball, and keeping it and being clutch on the turnover margin. I think we just try to focus on that and that's throughout the team, the running backs, receivers, and even the O-line just being prepared to cover.
You mentioned the chance to sit and develop and be a different player than you were as a rookie. Do you feel like this is the game you would have brought into the season, no matter who you were with, what team you were with? Or is there something about this team, this offense, this situation, that has really just fit well for you?
I'm not sure I could say that. I just don't have the external viewpoint in my life to say that. I just try to continue to just work. And like you said, three starts that's what I was judged off. That's what it is and you don't really have a say so in that. It's a results-based league. It's a business so I can't really be mad at that. I got my opportunity whether it was one of the better opportunities or not, it was the opportunity. I'm grateful for that and I learned from it and try to continue to work hard 'til my next one comes.
How rewarding is it to beat this team that you beat today?
I think all wins count the same. It doesn't really matter too much more or less. It was cool to see some of my old guys, but I don't think it adds or devalues.
In the ball meeting, who's in that, and how long does it last and what do you talk about it?
It rotates and I can't tell you.
At what point did you kind of feel a groove a little bit today? Did you ever feel that? I mean just kind of seeing how successful you guys were especially in that first half.
I think more than anything that's theoretical. I think it's more from your guy's perspective. I think you get that when you string together a bunch of executed plays and that's what people assume is the groove. That's why we focus on executing each play the way it's called and to the best of our ability.
Malik, what was going through your head when you walked off the field?
Who am I going to give my towel to and my little hat? I know they came a long way to support us and trying to just give them something. I can't give them my cleats or anything. I don't want to walk in here barefoot, but I try to give them something.
Are you going to give yourself a chance to reflect on what this win means?
Not until after the season. It's a long season. We just got to continue to try to go out here and do our best to execute these plays and stack wins.
Malik you- the first play, the crosser to Jayden (Reed) I think and then down the field to Christian (Watson) on the first drive, can you take us through what you saw on those plays?
Open guys, just giving them a chance and letting them do what they blessed to do. Those guys are great players and as you see, get the ball to them and they'll do some things. So, it's my job to just try to get it to them the best that I can.
Did you know going in that you guys were going to get the chance to throw the ball a little bit more early in this game?
I think that we just try to play the game the way the game is being played. Each game is different and there's a different complexity to each of them. And I think we had great calls coming in by Matt (LaFleur) and I think we did our best executing.
When did you know this week that you were going to start?
I didn't know for sure. They were giving Jordan (Love) all the time. So, I was just trying to prepare, just like last week, just like the week before that. Just doing my part to execute and prepare as a starter. Make sure I'm getting those mental reps and understanding what I need to be doing on each play.
Were there fewer first team reps this week than there were for you last week?
I wasn't counting it, I'm sorry. I don't know for sure; I was just trying to–if I wasn't get a rep, trying to maybe mentally get that rep and watching film and get those extra go abouts at it.
When you were getting ready for this game in the prep did it feel different being on the other side of the Nissan stadium?
A little bit. I mean perspective wise I was always on that sideline looking at you know, it just is kind of weird. But it's the same thing last weekend, at Lambeau. That was my first time playing there on the home sideline, it felt like a different stadium than when we played there in 2022, and it was snowing so that was a little different.
Malik, what do you like the most about being a part of this offense?
Getting to play football. more than anything. It's not really- I just try to go out there and have fun. You can only do this for so long, you try to take advantage of it, it's a blessing.
Malik you've been kind of downplaying the emotions of everything the whole week, did you have any emotions at all when you walked out on that field today?
Not really. Don't make no difference to me. Just trying to play football. Playing football, that's cool. That's it.
What can you say about the Packers defense, eight sacks and-
On my goodness, they were crazy. That was amazing. Eight sacks, right? Oh my goodness, that was super, I mean they won the game for us, if you want to say that. Them guys did great; everybody deserves a game ball and I'll pay any how much money out my pocket. If they keep doing that, I'll add to their salaries. Oh my goodness. That was amazing. But it was good to see, those guys work hard all week, and you just love to see it come to fruition out there on the field.
Did you have a chance to hit any of your favorite spots since you've been back?
Oh I did. I ate good yesterday.
Could you tell us where?
I ain't going to speak on that too much.
Malik, how much easier is it for you to play quarterback when the defense is playing like that?
I mean, I think it would have been easy for anybody to play with that defense running like that. You go out there and just try to execute our plays and take care of the football and everything else works itself out.
