11-20-2021, 11:32 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2021, 04:27 AM by .simo. Edited 1 time in total.)
I sat down with Wilkins to get some things off his mind and this is how it went:
Who is the mystery girl we have seen you with multiple times and what is her relationship with you?
So, in all honesty, that relationship is complicated and personal. Not sure I want to expose her to the prying eyes of the public just yet, so I'll keep her identity to myself for the time being.
Fair enough, let's move on. So the media has come to the conclusion that there is a rift between you and your organization. Can you tell us your side of the story?
I don't see it as a rift, if I'm honest. I approach the game differently than my teammates, than the front office, so we've had our disagreements. I've been cold with them, they've been harsh with me, but that don't mean we can't set that aside when we take the field. I want to win, they want to win, both sides have shown that commitment, that's what counts.
Okay, that's a great explanation. Alright, so you have been lacking in recent games, what has happened to you over the last few games and what needs to change?
I guess to me, I'm always looking to improve, I'm always working to be better at this game. Early struggles, that's a chip on my shoulder. I'm attacking the issue every way I can.
So, you do it one way and we all come to expect another. Were you raised on a hands on method or did you just adapt to the game that way?
I learned this game from my dad. He was a hands on teacher, so I became a hands on learner. I play this game a little mean, a little scrappy, because that's how I learned the game. And some people approach it different, Philly seems to approach it different, but that ain't changing how I play.
So if Philly makes you change would you be willing to go to another team or ask for a trade if that time comes?
I guess I'm going to go where I feel I can make the most of my talent. Maybe that's Philly, maybe not. I'll give them what they're due, and after that I'll make my mind up.
So you think Philly is the destination or do you believe that decision is still to be made?
I'm not going to say they ain't the destination. I don't think that's settled. But I'm always going to be willing to look at my options. I got goals for myself, and I got people to take care of, so I've got to do what's best for me and for them.
Could we talk about family? Or would you rather not?
What you got in mind?
Your mother had not come to a single game, and she just shows up with you at one, but you wouldn't let the press talk to them. What was that all about?
My mom, she loves watching her boy do his thing, especially since my dad passed. But she don't need all that noise, that ain't for her. I always loved the spotlight, mom wasn't like that, isn't like that. So I just asked people to leave her be, that's all.
That's a fair point. Why had you been refusing to talk to the press for a while there?
I've got things I've been working on, both on and off the field. I want to be the best I can be in every part of my life, and journalists felt like a distraction. Happy to sit here and clear the air a bit there.
I understand. Let's move on to another topic. What is your relationship with Bubba Thumper?
I guess I got his name from the guys in Baltimore, reached out because I figured he seems like the type of guy who's willing to go out of his way to help a rookie out. And that clearly paid off.
So are you guys close at all?
We haven't been, no. But he's a great guy, really impressed looking back at his legacy, I'd be humbled to have his guidance going forward.
So you have been in the spotlight for a minute now, and for what seemed to be the wrong reasons. What do you want to tell the people who have called made you sound like a bad person?
I mean, I guess I get their perspective. Obviously I don't agree with it, obviously I hope they see they were wrong, but I'm not going to lash out at them, that ain't going to heal nothing.
I have a couple more questions for you. What are your goals for this season and seasons to come?
I'm here to prove that I've got what it takes to be here. I can run with the best, I can take down the best, and this is all about proving that. I want people to remember my name.
What do you think it will take to get there?
Same thing I've always given. Every ounce of juice I've got to spare, it goes to the game.
Who is the mystery girl we have seen you with multiple times and what is her relationship with you?
So, in all honesty, that relationship is complicated and personal. Not sure I want to expose her to the prying eyes of the public just yet, so I'll keep her identity to myself for the time being.
Fair enough, let's move on. So the media has come to the conclusion that there is a rift between you and your organization. Can you tell us your side of the story?
I don't see it as a rift, if I'm honest. I approach the game differently than my teammates, than the front office, so we've had our disagreements. I've been cold with them, they've been harsh with me, but that don't mean we can't set that aside when we take the field. I want to win, they want to win, both sides have shown that commitment, that's what counts.
Okay, that's a great explanation. Alright, so you have been lacking in recent games, what has happened to you over the last few games and what needs to change?
I guess to me, I'm always looking to improve, I'm always working to be better at this game. Early struggles, that's a chip on my shoulder. I'm attacking the issue every way I can.
So, you do it one way and we all come to expect another. Were you raised on a hands on method or did you just adapt to the game that way?
I learned this game from my dad. He was a hands on teacher, so I became a hands on learner. I play this game a little mean, a little scrappy, because that's how I learned the game. And some people approach it different, Philly seems to approach it different, but that ain't changing how I play.
So if Philly makes you change would you be willing to go to another team or ask for a trade if that time comes?
I guess I'm going to go where I feel I can make the most of my talent. Maybe that's Philly, maybe not. I'll give them what they're due, and after that I'll make my mind up.
So you think Philly is the destination or do you believe that decision is still to be made?
I'm not going to say they ain't the destination. I don't think that's settled. But I'm always going to be willing to look at my options. I got goals for myself, and I got people to take care of, so I've got to do what's best for me and for them.
Could we talk about family? Or would you rather not?
What you got in mind?
Your mother had not come to a single game, and she just shows up with you at one, but you wouldn't let the press talk to them. What was that all about?
My mom, she loves watching her boy do his thing, especially since my dad passed. But she don't need all that noise, that ain't for her. I always loved the spotlight, mom wasn't like that, isn't like that. So I just asked people to leave her be, that's all.
That's a fair point. Why had you been refusing to talk to the press for a while there?
I've got things I've been working on, both on and off the field. I want to be the best I can be in every part of my life, and journalists felt like a distraction. Happy to sit here and clear the air a bit there.
I understand. Let's move on to another topic. What is your relationship with Bubba Thumper?
I guess I got his name from the guys in Baltimore, reached out because I figured he seems like the type of guy who's willing to go out of his way to help a rookie out. And that clearly paid off.
So are you guys close at all?
We haven't been, no. But he's a great guy, really impressed looking back at his legacy, I'd be humbled to have his guidance going forward.
So you have been in the spotlight for a minute now, and for what seemed to be the wrong reasons. What do you want to tell the people who have called made you sound like a bad person?
I mean, I guess I get their perspective. Obviously I don't agree with it, obviously I hope they see they were wrong, but I'm not going to lash out at them, that ain't going to heal nothing.
I have a couple more questions for you. What are your goals for this season and seasons to come?
I'm here to prove that I've got what it takes to be here. I can run with the best, I can take down the best, and this is all about proving that. I want people to remember my name.
What do you think it will take to get there?
Same thing I've always given. Every ounce of juice I've got to spare, it goes to the game.
