‘Always Someone Chasing Your Ass’
Rookie Diary With Will Shipley
PHILADELPHIA — If you blinked, you may have missed Will Shipley officially logging his first NFL start in Tampa, as he took the field for his first and only offensive snap that afternoon on the Eagles’ first offensive play.
Shipley was, however, an instrumental component to the Eagles’ special teams unit, specifically in terms of punt protection, a group that rebounded nicely coming off its blunder in the Superdome.
Four games into his career, Shipley hasn’t yet made much of an impact offensively, though he prepares each week as though he’s starting and primed for a sizable workload.
Prepared and always engaged, Shipley has instead undertaken a prominent position on special teams, notably growing into a leadership role. No matter his primary game day focus, Shipley works tirelessly throughout the week to ensure he’s doing his part.
An early Week 5 bye week allowed Shipley to step and away and tend to other matters, while also affording the Clemson product perspective as he reflected on the start of his career.
As part of an Inside The Birds “Rookie Diary” series, I’ll be checking in with Shipley throughout the season, learning more about the first-year running back and chronicling his rookie campaign.
On Thursday, we chatted for our fourth installment.
We discussed a wide range of topics, including how Shipley spent the bye week, his first NFL start, whether he felt he accomplished his weekly goal against the Buccaneers, pass protection, and the ownership of his role as the personal protector on punts.
Andrew: How did you spend the bye week?
Will: “I spent a little bit of it up here, in [New] Jersey and Philly. And then about mid-week, went back home to Charlotte, got to spend some time with the family to see Mom and Dad. Got some of Mom’s cooking, which can’t get much better than that for me. And came back a couple days early and gave myself a couple days for some good rest.”
Andrew: What’d she make for you?
Will: “My favorite meal is her chicken and steak quesadillas.”
Andrew: That’s right, I remember you telling me that.
Will: “Frickin’ unbelievable. I’m a big Mexican guy; it’s my favorite cuisine. So, she did a lot of Mexican, and banana pudding is my favorite dessert. So, got treated to that, too.”
Andrew: Are you someone who tries to get away from football when you have a bye week or are you still pretty immersed in it?
Will: “You know, I don’t think I make a point of emphasis to stay away from it. But when I get a week off, I definitely just tend to my other priorities. Be able to spend time with my fiancée, talk with my friends a little bit more – maybe play the game with them a little bit more. With football not at the top of the priority list, I’m able to focus on some of the other things and put a little bit more time towards those. But at the same time, still always thinking about it. Not taking a step back was the most important thing for me. Being able to head into this week and move forward.”
Andrew: So, you weren’t keeping an eye on the Clemson Tigers?
Will: “I was. Of course I was! They’re absolutely killing it. It’s fun to watch my boy Phil Mafah, Jake [Briningstool] … I mean, Cade [Klubnik] has been absolutely killing it. It’s been fun to watch the Tigers the past couple weeks.”
Andrew: Because [the bye] happened four games into your career, did it offer you any perspective? Any time to reflect?
Will: “Yeah. I think I did a lot of that over the week. Even coming back, I just feel more refreshed and ready to get after it. Not that I wasn’t before, but even more so. And just how appreciative I am of where I am and just how much fun I’m having. It’s been a dream of mine, just like I’m sure everybody in this locker room – and a lot of people that aren’t in a locker room – they’ve had this dream for a long time, and for me to be able to say mine’s here, I just wanna continue to take advantage of that and give everything I’ve got.”
Andrew: “I imagine it’s hard for you to stay idle. Do any working out, stretching, staying loose and fresh during the bye?
Will: “Oh, yeah. Every day. I’m always doing something, whether it’s mobility, stretching before bed. Always gotta keep on top of things. Like I said, you never wanna take a step back. So, being able to do that and just keep up and train with people I haven’t trained with, stuff like that. So, it’s all good.”
Andrew: Last time we spoke, you’d emphasized communication in protections on special teams. How’d it go vs. Tampa?
Will: “I feel like it went really well. Especially punt, we did our job, we flipped the field. Huge shout-out to Braden [Mann], he’s got a hell of a leg on ’em. It’s fun to be the P.P. on punt when you’ve got a punter like that. So, yeah, my special teams role, just trying to embrace it as much as I can and just get better every, single week. And same thing, just not taking a step back. Always getting better, getting better. And just being a problem for the opposing team to go make a play, because I wanna be the one making the play.”
Andrew: Technically, you got your first NFL start in that game. Was that expected?
Will: “[Laughs] Yeah, it was great. We always go over our first nine, 10 plays, whatever it is. So, I knew I was getting the start I think Friday or Saturday. Right before the game. It was pretty special. At the end of the day, Saquon [Barkley] and I were joking about it, like, ‘Hey, we’re both co-starters this week!’ It’s just how I lucked out … get out there first play. Didn’t get a chance to get back in there. But at the end of the day, just take advantage of every opportunity. That’s kinda my mantra this year — whatever comes my way, I’m gonna be ready for it.”
Andrew: Coming out of the bye, do you get a sense that you’re going to have more involvement in the offense?
Will: “It kind of goes back to, I’ve got my package, and I’ve got my plays and whether or not they fit into the game plan that week is not up to me. I’m just kinda along for the ride and ready for any opportunity. I prepare like a starter every, single week. So, if they have to stick me in there, I’m prepared for any and every play they could call. Not just a singular package, but every, single thing that’s been installed, I’m ready for it.”
Andrew: One thing that really caught me last time we spoke was you took full accountability of that punt block in New Orleans.
Will: “Yeah, no doubt. I think as the P.P., you’re the quarterback of that team. So, it doesn’t matter what happens, it’s on me at the end of the day. Just as the quarterback takes that responsibility of offense, the linebacker takes that responsibility on defense, that’s the responsibility I take on punt. So, just always taking full responsibility for anything that goes on. Taking control and understanding that the team goes as I go. And one, I’ve gotta lead; two, I’ve always gotta set the example and the standard. And then three, when something goes wrong, it’s on me.”
Andrew: What stands out to you about the Browns defense?
Will: “Tough, physical, they fly around upfield. Obviously, [No.] 95 is 95 [Myles Garrett]. You watch him on film and he’s just someone you gotta account for. He’s a special player. So, I think they’re a really good squad – their record may not show that – but we’re going in and we gotta chance to flip the script on our end … 2-2, go into the next [week] 3-2, that’s the opportunity that we have in front of us. So, just going to take advantage of that and feel the offensive staff has done a great job this week. So, looking forward to going up against them.”
Andrew: You and I haven’t talked pass protection. How’ve you gone about developing and where do you feel you stand?
Will: “I’m feeling great. I’ve made a lot of improvement and progress. Shout-out to [Running Backs] coach [Jemal] Singleton. Saquon and I have been working on it a ton. So, he’s been helping me out. I think it just goes to the preparation part. Especially when you get in-season, you’re really game-planning for these different blitz packages. So, you understand all your protections, but you’re installing just a certain few of those protections to do. It just goes back to the preparation piece, and that’s not as much as can you do it; it’s are you willing to do it? And I’m very willing to get in the film room, watch it, and make sure I understand it – watch it until I do understand it. My mindset is you can never be good enough, and that’s with anything – pass protection, running the football, protecting the football. It’s like, how can you get better? And even if you’re the best, how can I get better? Because there’s always someone chasing your ass.”
Andrew: As we always do, Will, what’s one thing you’re looking to improve on this week?
Will: “I would say, if I get another opportunity on kick return, make ’em pay! That’s what I’m looking forward to this week. Not sure if I’ll get one, just like going into any week. But if they decide to kick it to 28 and test ’em out, go out there and make ’em pay for it.”
Andrew: You going to lower the shoulder?
Will: [Laughs] Lower the shoulder or just turn on the burners. Either one. Whatever the situation calls for, I’ll be ready for it.”
– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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