WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.364 (female announcer) This is a production of WKNO-Memphis. 00:03.364 --> 00:05.898 Production funding for "Sports Files" is made 00:05.898 --> 00:15.431 possible in part by.. 00:15.431 --> 00:18.331 My guest today on "Sports Files" is Memphis Tigers Quarterback 00:18.331 --> 00:19.464 Paxton Lynch. 00:19.464 --> 00:36.764 [theme music] ♪♪♪ 00:36.764 --> 00:38.531 The Memphis Grizzlies are back in the 00:38.531 --> 00:40.964 playoffs and later in the show we'll hear from members of the 00:40.964 --> 00:44.564 team as they embark on the post season for a 4th straight time. 00:44.564 --> 00:47.131 But first tonight I sit down with Memphis Tigers 00:47.131 --> 00:49.998 redshirt-sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch. 00:49.998 --> 00:52.898 Last season the six foot six inch single caller won the 00:52.898 --> 00:56.464 tigers starting job by beating out popular incumbant field 00:56.464 --> 00:58.031 general Jacob Karam. 00:58.031 --> 01:00.431 Lynch would throw for over 2,000 yards, 01:00.431 --> 01:03.631 completing 58% of his pass attempts. 01:03.631 --> 01:05.631 Unfortunately the big armed quarterback 01:05.631 --> 01:08.398 would be limited with his verticle passing game as 01:08.398 --> 01:11.398 protection was suspect, often forcing Lynch to throw 01:11.398 --> 01:13.798 underneath or even tuck and run. 01:13.798 --> 01:16.164 In addition, his receivers at times struggled, 01:16.164 --> 01:19.031 limiting Lynch to just nine touchdown passes and ten 01:19.031 --> 01:22.164 interceptions in his first full season at the wheel. 01:22.164 --> 01:25.464 Today, Paxton joins me to talk about his expectations for 01:25.464 --> 01:29.364 season two, what he learned from last year and we find out what 01:29.364 --> 01:30.531 makes him tick. 01:30.531 --> 01:33.398 In one of his first in depth interviews of his young college 01:33.398 --> 01:35.798 career, the pride of the sunshine state, 01:35.798 --> 01:38.698 Paxton Lynch, next on "Sports Files." 01:38.698 --> 01:49.831 [theme music] ♪♪♪ 01:49.831 --> 01:50.764 Paxton, great to have you here. 01:50.764 --> 01:52.231 Thank you so much! 01:52.231 --> 01:55.598 Let's talk about spring this year as opposed to last year. 01:55.598 --> 01:56.764 How different was it for you? 01:56.764 --> 01:58.764 It was a lot different, you know. 01:58.764 --> 02:00.831 Last year I was just kind of feeling it out. 02:00.831 --> 02:03.098 You know I only had summer to learn the plays. 02:03.098 --> 02:05.531 But this year I was comfortable with what I was doing. 02:05.531 --> 02:07.531 I could just go out there and have fun. 02:07.531 --> 02:10.664 Did you feel like you had to be a leader this spring, 02:10.664 --> 02:12.664 that you had the one year under your belt, 02:12.664 --> 02:15.298 that a lot of these guys are looking up to you to be that 02:15.298 --> 02:16.298 leader? 02:16.298 --> 02:17.298 Yes sir, yes sir. 02:17.298 --> 02:19.998 I mean Coach Fuente's challenged a lot of the players to be 02:19.998 --> 02:20.998 leaders. 02:20.998 --> 02:23.798 So a lot of the young guys are stepping up as well as some of 02:23.798 --> 02:24.798 the older guys. 02:24.798 --> 02:26.831 Alright, let's talk about this hurry-up offense that's been 02:26.831 --> 02:27.831 implemented. 02:27.831 --> 02:30.698 We saw some of that during the spring game. 02:30.698 --> 02:35.031 Tell us about learning that system and playing that system. 02:35.031 --> 02:36.331 You enjoy that. 02:36.331 --> 02:37.731 Yes, I do actually. 02:37.731 --> 02:42.531 All of high school and obviously in college I was huddle-up, 02:42.531 --> 02:43.531 huddle-up. 02:43.531 --> 02:45.531 But whenever we started doing it, 02:45.531 --> 02:47.731 I liked it a lot more just because of the chances of 02:47.731 --> 02:48.731 busting the big play. 02:48.731 --> 02:50.998 You can run a three yard game and the next play, 02:50.998 --> 02:53.398 play action and the defense doesn't know what's going on 02:53.398 --> 02:54.598 because you're going so fast. 02:54.598 --> 02:57.198 Is it harder to learn that type of offense? 02:57.198 --> 03:01.531 Planes fly over us here at Liberty Bowl Stadium. 03:01.531 --> 03:02.531 It's a little tougher. 03:02.531 --> 03:04.598 You've just gotta know what you're doing quicker just so you 03:04.598 --> 03:05.598 can snap the ball faster. 03:05.598 --> 03:07.964 But other than that, I mean, it's just like any other 03:07.964 --> 03:08.964 offense. 03:08.964 --> 03:09.964 How about as far as.. 03:09.964 --> 03:12.898 Obviously to click on offense, everybody has to be on the same 03:12.898 --> 03:13.898 page. 03:13.898 --> 03:17.298 Is it harder in that sense because you mess up, 03:17.298 --> 03:18.731 there could be something big. 03:18.731 --> 03:20.731 Always running in to each other. 03:20.731 --> 03:23.798 Yeah, I mean it definitely has a lot of rich reward but I 03:23.798 --> 03:26.631 definitely feel more comfortable in this offense rather than just 03:26.631 --> 03:27.631 slowing it down. 03:27.631 --> 03:29.631 Alright, let's talk about weapons. 03:29.631 --> 03:32.498 Obviously you'd know what was coming back and you're going to 03:32.498 --> 03:34.798 get some more weapons in the summer when the incoming 03:34.798 --> 03:36.564 freshman class comes in. 03:36.564 --> 03:38.031 Last year you had some. 03:38.031 --> 03:39.131 This year you had more. 03:39.131 --> 03:42.531 How comfortable are you with the players around you? 03:42.531 --> 03:43.964 I'm really comfortable. 03:43.964 --> 03:46.364 You know we have B Hayes in the back field. 03:46.364 --> 03:49.764 We have Sam line up at the slot coming in motion getting him the 03:49.764 --> 03:50.764 ball. 03:50.764 --> 03:52.764 And we have Anthony Miller out there on the edge too. 03:52.764 --> 03:54.764 And we have a lot of big time receivers like D Hurd. 03:54.764 --> 03:56.831 And we have another big receiver coming in. 03:56.831 --> 03:57.998 So it helps. 03:57.998 --> 04:00.798 It makes my job easier definitely having a lot more 04:00.798 --> 04:02.231 threats on the outside. 04:02.231 --> 04:04.231 And then just giving the ball on the inside, 04:04.231 --> 04:06.231 it opens up the fast game on the outside. 04:06.231 --> 04:09.364 I know a lot of fans last year wondered going in here's this 04:09.364 --> 04:10.998 guy with this big arm. 04:10.998 --> 04:14.731 Are we going to see some vertical passing? 04:14.731 --> 04:17.598 And we saw it at times but we didn't see it a lot. 04:17.598 --> 04:19.598 But you have to have protection to do that. 04:19.598 --> 04:22.331 What do you think about the offensive line for this season? 04:22.331 --> 04:24.864 Yeah, the offensive line has definitely been grinding it out 04:24.864 --> 04:26.864 this spring and over the summer. 04:26.864 --> 04:28.864 You know they've been in the weight room. 04:28.864 --> 04:29.964 They've all been getting big. 04:29.964 --> 04:32.931 So I'm very comfortable with my offensive line and I'm a lot 04:32.931 --> 04:36.031 more comfortable with play action drop back and just 04:36.031 --> 04:38.031 trusting them to throw the ball downfield. 04:38.031 --> 04:40.531 Was it frustrating for you at times last year when you wanted 04:40.531 --> 04:42.898 to throw it down the field but you couldn't? 04:42.898 --> 04:46.164 I mean it's frustrating for any quarterback I think when you 04:46.164 --> 04:47.164 have a play. 04:47.164 --> 04:49.164 But there were soem plays where I should have got the ball out 04:49.164 --> 04:50.164 sooner. 04:50.164 --> 04:52.264 And there's some plays where things jsut broke down on front. 04:52.264 --> 04:54.264 Tell me about your throwing motion. 04:54.264 --> 04:56.264 I've heard different things about it. 04:56.264 --> 04:58.264 Somebody described it as a little bit of a hitch. 04:58.264 --> 04:59.264 I don't see that. 04:59.264 --> 05:00.464 But you're long. 05:00.464 --> 05:01.464 You're lanky. 05:01.464 --> 05:04.431 So it's going to be naturally a little bit longer to get it out. 05:04.431 --> 05:06.898 Are you trying to make it quicker with your release? 05:06.898 --> 05:07.898 Definitely. 05:07.898 --> 05:10.998 Coming in to here, coming in to college I never had a personal 05:10.998 --> 05:13.031 quarterback coach to teach me how to throw. 05:13.031 --> 05:15.031 I've just been a baseball player. 05:15.031 --> 05:18.431 So whenever I got here, it's kind of been a conscious effort 05:18.431 --> 05:20.831 to try to not drop the ball as much and get it out quicker. 05:20.831 --> 05:22.831 Because when you make it to the next level, 05:22.831 --> 05:26.698 everything counts even if it's just in your throwing motion. 05:26.698 --> 05:29.764 What specifically are they working with as far as trying to 05:29.764 --> 05:30.764 make it? 05:30.764 --> 05:32.764 Just not dropping the ball as much. 05:32.764 --> 05:34.764 You know I kind of have a big wind up, 05:34.764 --> 05:36.764 kind of like Tebow kind of I guess you could say. 05:36.764 --> 05:37.764 But it's a lot different. 05:37.764 --> 05:38.831 He's a lefty and I'm a righty. 05:38.831 --> 05:40.798 Its just long I think. 05:40.798 --> 05:43.631 I've just got to quicken up and get the ball out quicker. 05:43.631 --> 05:46.531 What I think surprised me a little bit last year and maybe 05:46.531 --> 05:49.664 some other fans is you can tuck it and run. 05:49.664 --> 05:52.798 And do you like to tuck it and run? 05:52.798 --> 05:53.798 Yes, yes. 05:53.798 --> 05:54.798 I was a runner in high school. 05:54.798 --> 05:58.198 I think people were surprised by my running ability. 05:58.198 --> 06:00.198 And then towards the end of the last season, 06:00.198 --> 06:02.198 I kind of started to run the ball more. 06:02.198 --> 06:04.198 So spring, I've been running the ball. 06:04.198 --> 06:06.964 But you're not live so you can't really tell what's a big run and 06:06.964 --> 06:08.964 what's a tackle on the back field. 06:08.964 --> 06:09.964 But I definitely like to run. 06:09.964 --> 06:11.964 I definitely like the read option plays where I can pull it 06:11.964 --> 06:12.964 and keep it. 06:12.964 --> 06:13.964 Alright, you like it. 06:13.964 --> 06:15.964 How about Coach Fuente and Coach Dickey? 06:15.964 --> 06:17.964 Do they want to see their quarterback running with the 06:17.964 --> 06:18.964 football? 06:18.964 --> 06:19.964 Yeah, I mean they do. 06:19.964 --> 06:20.964 But trust me. 06:20.964 --> 06:23.464 There's a cut up film of quarterbacks sliding and not 06:23.464 --> 06:25.464 getting hit that they show me all of the time. 06:25.464 --> 06:27.464 Yeah, they want you to be very safe. 06:27.464 --> 06:28.464 Definitely, definitely. 06:28.464 --> 06:31.231 But yeah, the playing action -- that's very big in this game. 06:31.231 --> 06:32.931 And we see it often. 06:32.931 --> 06:36.098 And it seems like a high percentage of plays with the 06:36.098 --> 06:37.698 play action are successful. 06:37.698 --> 06:39.698 I mean everybody's going to be on the same page as we talked 06:39.698 --> 06:40.698 about. 06:40.698 --> 06:42.698 But I think it gives a lot of defenses.. 06:42.698 --> 06:46.231 They have to be on their toes and watch the quarterback who 06:46.231 --> 06:47.264 can do things like that. 06:47.264 --> 06:51.098 Yeah and like I said earlier, the big plays can just happen 06:51.098 --> 06:52.098 like that, you know. 06:52.098 --> 06:54.098 We might have a play action pass for every single run play we 06:54.098 --> 06:55.098 have. 06:55.098 --> 06:57.098 So a play can turn in to a little game. 06:57.098 --> 07:01.298 And the next play, just run the exact same play it looks like. 07:01.298 --> 07:03.764 But the defense is caught off guard. 07:03.764 --> 07:06.264 We just throw it over their head. 07:06.264 --> 07:08.264 What did you learn from last year? 07:08.264 --> 07:09.664 Last year I just.. 07:09.664 --> 07:12.831 I'm not really sure to be honest. 07:12.831 --> 07:14.831 I can't think of it off of the top of my head. 07:14.831 --> 07:17.598 But just last year, I just think I needed to enjoy my self and 07:17.598 --> 07:19.598 work on my preparing for the games better. 07:19.598 --> 07:22.098 Because in the spring, I'd just been preparing for practice 07:22.098 --> 07:25.398 everyday and having the mindset that I can go out there and make 07:25.398 --> 07:26.398 every play. 07:26.398 --> 07:28.398 I don't think I had that last year. 07:28.398 --> 07:31.164 But coming to the spring, that was a big thing I worked on. 07:31.164 --> 07:34.198 There were soem fans when you would have an off game -- 07:34.198 --> 07:36.198 although a lot of times, quite honestly, 07:36.198 --> 07:38.464 you were on and maybe you're receivers weren't catching the 07:38.464 --> 07:39.464 ball. 07:39.464 --> 07:41.464 But there was the clamoring for Jacob. 07:41.464 --> 07:42.464 Could you hear that? 07:42.464 --> 07:44.998 I did but I mean, that's not something I needed to worry 07:44.998 --> 07:46.598 about on the field. 07:46.598 --> 07:48.898 You know I'm not worried about myself. 07:48.898 --> 07:51.331 I'm worried about the team and what the team needs to do. 07:51.331 --> 07:54.598 So it was my job to just push through it and help the team 07:54.598 --> 07:55.598 out. 07:55.598 --> 07:57.598 Did you have a good relationship? 07:57.598 --> 07:58.598 Oh yeah, yeah. 07:58.598 --> 08:00.598 Me and Jacob had a good relationship. 08:00.598 --> 08:01.598 Yeah, we were good friends. 08:01.598 --> 08:03.598 We were roommates, I mean when we traveled. 08:03.598 --> 08:06.798 How important was it to you to know that Coach Fuente has your 08:06.798 --> 08:08.798 back and certainly last year, had your back. 08:08.798 --> 08:10.798 There were times that he could have made a switch. 08:10.798 --> 08:11.798 He kept you in. 08:11.798 --> 08:12.798 You were his guy. 08:12.798 --> 08:16.531 I mean that just makes me more relaxed. 08:16.531 --> 08:18.964 I feel like I can just go out there and play knowing he has my 08:18.964 --> 08:20.598 back even if I make a mistake. 08:20.598 --> 08:23.931 I know that I'm still going back in there and nothing's going to 08:23.931 --> 08:24.931 change. 08:24.931 --> 08:25.931 You're right. 08:25.931 --> 08:28.131 Last year it was a bad ending to the season. 08:28.131 --> 08:31.298 The prior year, your red shirt year was a really good strong 08:31.298 --> 08:33.298 finish at the end of the season. 08:33.298 --> 08:34.298 What do you think happened? 08:34.298 --> 08:35.298 I just, I don't know. 08:35.298 --> 08:36.298 I just don't think we finished. 08:36.298 --> 08:38.298 We might have got down on ourselves. 08:38.298 --> 08:41.464 But a big thing we've been working on over the spring is 08:41.464 --> 08:42.464 just finishing. 08:42.464 --> 08:44.598 And when we started this spring, we were practicing real good. 08:44.598 --> 08:47.431 And then the last two practices, he was just working on finish. 08:47.431 --> 08:48.664 And we finished real well. 08:48.664 --> 08:51.431 So I just don't think we finished this season off strong. 08:51.431 --> 08:53.498 How do you work in practice on finishing? 08:53.498 --> 08:55.998 Just whenever things get hard because there's sometimes in 08:55.998 --> 08:57.998 practice when you feel like you hit a block. 08:57.998 --> 09:00.164 And you know the defense is winning a lot of the plays. 09:00.164 --> 09:02.198 Like you run some inside hand outs. 09:02.198 --> 09:04.198 You throw it and they're disrupting. 09:04.198 --> 09:06.798 But you just got to keep pushing and know that the big plays are 09:06.798 --> 09:07.798 tougher to make. 09:07.798 --> 09:09.298 And that's physical. 09:09.298 --> 09:11.298 Obviously you're getting beat by the defense. 09:11.298 --> 09:12.298 They're pushing you around. 09:12.298 --> 09:13.331 That's physical. 09:13.331 --> 09:15.331 But part of that certainly is mental. 09:15.331 --> 09:16.498 As you said, you hit a block. 09:16.498 --> 09:19.198 And oh gosh, you know, we can't win. 09:19.198 --> 09:20.398 You have to push through that. 09:20.398 --> 09:22.398 Is that what you're talking about? 09:22.398 --> 09:23.398 Yeah, definitely. 09:23.398 --> 09:25.398 And that's where the leadership comes in with me and a bunch of 09:25.398 --> 09:26.398 other guys. 09:26.398 --> 09:28.398 We've just got to keep pushing them along. 09:28.398 --> 09:30.798 What other things are you working on specifically and what 09:30.798 --> 09:33.931 would be your regimen this summer? 09:33.931 --> 09:36.331 I think I just need to become more of a leader and just around 09:36.331 --> 09:38.898 the guys and be myself, just continue to be more comfortable 09:38.898 --> 09:40.898 and keep pushing the guys around me to be better. 09:40.898 --> 09:41.898 What will you do this summer? 09:41.898 --> 09:45.031 Give me an example of how your work outs will be? 09:45.031 --> 09:48.064 Just like weight room, like getting bigger and then going 09:48.064 --> 09:50.231 out there and running in that, in the heat, 09:50.231 --> 09:51.231 you know. 09:51.231 --> 09:52.231 That's not easy. 09:52.231 --> 09:54.231 And when you've got guys that are sturggling, 09:54.231 --> 09:56.231 you've just got to be the guy that can clap them up and help 09:56.231 --> 09:57.231 them finish. 09:57.231 --> 09:58.531 Does a leader have to be vocal? 09:58.531 --> 10:00.864 I think he has to be vocal but more importantly, 10:00.864 --> 10:04.631 I think a leader leads by example to younger guys. 10:04.631 --> 10:07.531 You know when I first got here, I was trying to figure out what 10:07.531 --> 10:08.531 was going on. 10:08.531 --> 10:10.831 And it wasn't really to me that I focused on who was talking the 10:10.831 --> 10:11.831 most. 10:11.831 --> 10:13.831 It was who was doing the right thing. 10:13.831 --> 10:15.831 And I was following the people who were doing the right thing 10:15.831 --> 10:16.831 basically. 10:16.831 --> 10:17.831 I agree with that. 10:17.831 --> 10:19.264 But are you a vocal guy? 10:19.264 --> 10:22.531 I've never been really a vocal guy. 10:22.531 --> 10:23.598 I've kind of been to myself. 10:23.598 --> 10:26.098 But I've definitely been working on that a lot more, 10:26.098 --> 10:27.131 you know, with coaches. 10:27.131 --> 10:30.231 You know you've got ot get out of your comfort zone to be a 10:30.231 --> 10:31.231 leader. 10:31.231 --> 10:32.731 So I've just been.. 10:32.731 --> 10:36.464 I believed in being the showing guy. 10:36.464 --> 10:37.464 Right. 10:37.464 --> 10:40.431 You know and I've just been working on my being more vocal 10:40.431 --> 10:42.631 for the guys and talking to them, 10:42.631 --> 10:44.631 like when we're in the weight room. 10:44.631 --> 10:45.631 That's a great time. 10:45.631 --> 10:47.631 When they're struggling underneath the bar, 10:47.631 --> 10:49.631 you know, you just help them out or they missed a rep. 10:49.631 --> 10:51.631 You know that's a good time to jump on it. 10:51.631 --> 10:54.498 In practice or in a scrimmage, when you're going up against the 10:54.498 --> 10:57.164 Tigers defense, who's trash talking the most? 10:57.164 --> 10:59.164 The D-line for sure when Bobby's out there.. 10:59.164 --> 11:00.264 Yeah, he can get in your ear. 11:00.264 --> 11:02.264 But even when he's not practicing, 11:02.264 --> 11:05.464 you know, he's finding me on the sidelines somewhere saying 11:05.464 --> 11:06.498 something to me. 11:06.498 --> 11:10.364 But today when he was on the blue team with me, 11:10.364 --> 11:13.164 you know, he was all cheering for me. 11:13.164 --> 11:14.898 So he's funny I guess. 11:14.898 --> 11:16.298 What are they saying? 11:16.298 --> 11:20.131 And let me remind you that this is a family show. 11:20.131 --> 11:22.231 They're saying something that, I mean, 11:22.231 --> 11:23.631 you can't really say. 11:23.631 --> 11:25.731 But they're definitely getting in your.. 11:25.731 --> 11:28.898 They're trying to get in your head for sure. 11:28.898 --> 11:31.998 Now I'm sure it happened during last season. 11:31.998 --> 11:34.564 Did you ever find a time where you got rattled by that or is 11:34.564 --> 11:36.564 that in one ear and out the other? 11:36.564 --> 11:39.364 As a quarterback, you've got to be in one ear and out the other 11:39.364 --> 11:40.364 like you said. 11:40.364 --> 11:43.464 Because you know the next play, I'm touching the ball every 11:43.464 --> 11:44.464 single play. 11:44.464 --> 11:47.698 So if I'm rattled on the next play or the previous play, 11:47.698 --> 11:52.331 then that's gonna affect how I -- I'm looking for the word for 11:52.331 --> 11:53.331 it. 11:53.331 --> 11:55.398 How I finish the next play basically I guess you could say, 11:55.398 --> 11:56.464 like perfect the next play. 11:56.464 --> 11:59.031 Do you feel you can make every throw out there? 11:59.031 --> 12:00.164 Yes, I do. 12:00.164 --> 12:02.164 And that's one big thing that the coaches have been helping me 12:02.164 --> 12:05.598 out with, knowing that I can go out there and complete every 12:05.598 --> 12:06.598 throw. 12:06.598 --> 12:08.598 And that's where I feel a lot mroe confident because I have 12:08.598 --> 12:10.598 been doing that through the spring. 12:10.598 --> 12:12.598 What's the hardest throw to make? 12:12.598 --> 12:15.198 The hardest throw to make I feel like is a lot of throws to the 12:15.198 --> 12:16.198 field to be honest with you. 12:16.198 --> 12:18.564 Like if we're n the left hatch and we're throwing across the 12:18.564 --> 12:21.898 field to the right hatch, like maybe a comeback or an in and 12:21.898 --> 12:24.631 out kind of route like a corner post. 12:24.631 --> 12:27.298 You always hear about like throwing across your body is a 12:27.298 --> 12:28.298 tough throw for a quarterback. 12:28.298 --> 12:29.298 Yeah, definitely. 12:29.298 --> 12:32.198 Like if I'm rolling to my left and I got a guy coming this way, 12:32.198 --> 12:34.198 I've got to flip my hips around. 12:34.198 --> 12:36.231 And I didn't really throw well in the run when I first got 12:36.231 --> 12:37.231 here. 12:37.231 --> 12:39.231 So that was something I was working on too. 12:39.231 --> 12:41.398 What quarterbacks in professional football do you 12:41.398 --> 12:44.898 like to watch and maybe look at tape or try to emulate? 12:44.898 --> 12:50.231 I like to watch Aaron Rodgers a lot and Colin Kaepernick and Cam 12:50.231 --> 12:53.498 Newton too just because of how excited I can be. 12:53.498 --> 12:55.998 Aaron Rodgers is more of a drop back kind of quarterback. 12:55.998 --> 12:57.298 But he's got a canon. 12:57.298 --> 12:59.298 He just throws the ball in there. 12:59.298 --> 13:03.131 And then Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton can just run and make 13:03.131 --> 13:05.198 any defense look stupid. 13:05.198 --> 13:07.198 Going back to something we talked about earlier, 13:07.198 --> 13:09.198 everybody needs to be on the same page. 13:09.198 --> 13:11.198 How confident are you in receiving? 13:11.198 --> 13:12.198 Oh, I'm very confident. 13:12.198 --> 13:14.731 You know we've been working hard during the spring. 13:14.731 --> 13:16.731 We've been running a lot of routes. 13:16.731 --> 13:18.731 We've been throwing a lot of balls. 13:18.731 --> 13:20.331 So we're on the same page. 13:20.331 --> 13:24.064 What was your welcome to big time Division I college football 13:24.064 --> 13:25.498 moment last year? 13:25.498 --> 13:29.164 I would have to say when we played Duke and I was running up 13:29.164 --> 13:30.164 the sideline. 13:30.164 --> 13:31.164 I hit a pump fake. 13:31.164 --> 13:33.164 And as I was running out of bounds, 13:33.164 --> 13:34.164 I got hit still. 13:34.164 --> 13:35.164 And I was like woah. 13:35.164 --> 13:37.531 I mean this is the big leagues -- not the big leagues but this 13:37.531 --> 13:39.531 is bigger than what I've been playing with. 13:39.531 --> 13:40.531 So.. 13:40.531 --> 13:45.131 There are some hard hits that you took but you backed up and 13:45.131 --> 13:47.798 brushed yourself off and got back in there. 13:47.798 --> 13:50.631 What do you think the highlight of last season was for you? 13:50.631 --> 13:51.631 The highlight? 13:51.631 --> 13:55.298 You know it was just we were playing some teams close. 13:55.298 --> 13:56.864 And that was a highlight to me. 13:56.864 --> 14:00.164 But you know we weren't used to playing good teams close like 14:00.164 --> 14:01.598 U-C-F and Lousiville. 14:01.598 --> 14:03.898 We were close as a comeback on them. 14:03.898 --> 14:07.498 But you know that just helped me out knowing that we could play 14:07.498 --> 14:09.498 against the big time teams like that. 14:09.498 --> 14:11.498 And that goes back to what you said earlier that you're 14:11.498 --> 14:12.498 learning how to finish those. 14:12.498 --> 14:14.564 Becuase you had U-C-F as you said. 14:14.564 --> 14:17.664 I mean we, like you said, we had it right there in our hands. 14:17.664 --> 14:22.164 So this year if we have a game close we know we can finish it 14:22.164 --> 14:23.164 up. 14:23.164 --> 14:25.164 Alright, big time opponents coming up next season. 14:25.164 --> 14:26.198 You go to U-C-L-A. 14:26.198 --> 14:28.564 You're going to play Ole Miss in Oxford. 14:28.564 --> 14:31.598 How neat is that for you and your team mates when you have 14:31.598 --> 14:33.598 big time opponents on the schedule? 14:33.598 --> 14:35.598 I mean it's definitely a cool thing. 14:35.598 --> 14:37.598 But you can't really focus on how big the opponent is. 14:37.598 --> 14:39.598 You know it's just another opponent and you've got to 14:39.598 --> 14:40.598 prepare for it. 14:40.598 --> 14:42.598 And you got to go out there and play. 14:42.598 --> 14:43.598 Is there a different.. 14:43.598 --> 14:45.598 You always hear coaches talk about, 14:45.598 --> 14:46.598 you know, the next game. 14:46.598 --> 14:47.831 We got to win the next game. 14:47.831 --> 14:49.831 And some players say that as well. 14:49.831 --> 14:50.831 And you do. 14:50.831 --> 14:52.831 You have to prepare the same way. 14:52.831 --> 14:53.831 Come on. 14:53.831 --> 14:54.831 You've got to tell me. 14:54.831 --> 14:56.831 When you're gearing up for U-C-L-A as opposed to maybe a 14:56.831 --> 14:58.931 one double A, it's a little bit different. 14:58.931 --> 14:59.931 It is. 14:59.931 --> 15:00.931 It's very different, yeah. 15:00.931 --> 15:02.931 I mean you do gotta go worry about the next game. 15:02.931 --> 15:05.298 But how you prepare for a team is a lot different. 15:05.298 --> 15:07.964 How you prepare for a different team like Austin Peay maybe a 15:07.964 --> 15:08.964 little different. 15:08.964 --> 15:12.764 But your mind set on you executing is the same way. 15:12.764 --> 15:13.764 Lousiville's gone. 15:13.764 --> 15:14.764 They're leaving the conference. 15:14.764 --> 15:17.164 You don't have U-C-F on the schedule. 15:17.164 --> 15:20.664 What do you think your chances are and the opportunity is in 15:20.664 --> 15:22.964 the American to make some big time moves? 15:22.964 --> 15:25.831 I think we have really high chances of doing that. 15:25.831 --> 15:28.498 We're all confident in the offense and the defense. 15:28.498 --> 15:30.498 We know we can do out there and score points. 15:30.498 --> 15:32.498 And we know the defense can stop teams. 15:32.498 --> 15:34.931 So we're confident in what we can do and it's a big time goal 15:34.931 --> 15:37.798 to go to the conference championship and win it. 15:37.798 --> 15:38.931 What is your pre game ritual? 15:38.931 --> 15:41.231 What do you like to do before a game? 15:41.231 --> 15:43.398 I'm not really a ritual kind of guy, 15:43.398 --> 15:44.831 just kind of keep to myself. 15:44.831 --> 15:47.498 I just listen to my music and that's about it. 15:47.498 --> 15:49.798 Is there anything that you would do during the day differently 15:49.798 --> 15:52.998 than when you don't have a game as far as you get a little 15:52.998 --> 15:53.998 Madden? 15:53.998 --> 15:55.998 Of course you've got class and things like that. 15:55.998 --> 15:57.998 You hear a lot of professional athletes, 15:57.998 --> 15:58.998 especially N-B-A guys. 15:58.998 --> 16:00.164 They got to take their nap. 16:00.164 --> 16:03.764 The bgi thing about taking a nap for me is waking up afterwards. 16:03.764 --> 16:06.264 I mean the days that I don't have practice, 16:06.264 --> 16:09.564 I'll definitely take a long four hour nap or something like that. 16:09.564 --> 16:11.798 But the days of games or something like that, 16:11.798 --> 16:14.064 I try not to take a nap just so I can keep myself up. 16:14.064 --> 16:16.064 Would you feel maybe if you took the nap, 16:16.064 --> 16:17.064 you'd feel groggy? 16:17.064 --> 16:18.064 Yeah, yeah, definitely. 16:18.064 --> 16:20.064 You definitely have to wake yourself back up. 16:20.064 --> 16:22.231 What do you think about the support you get from the fan 16:22.231 --> 16:23.231 base? 16:23.231 --> 16:25.231 I know you would like, as everybody else would, 16:25.231 --> 16:26.231 to have more fans. 16:26.231 --> 16:28.464 The fans that you have are very, very passionate. 16:28.464 --> 16:29.464 Yes, yes. 16:29.464 --> 16:32.098 You know we're really grateful for the fans that we have. 16:32.098 --> 16:34.498 And a lot of the fans stuck through it even to the season 16:34.498 --> 16:37.164 when we weren't winning as much games as we hoped so. 16:37.164 --> 16:40.898 But I'm real proud of our fan support. 16:40.898 --> 16:41.898 You converse with them? 16:41.898 --> 16:44.798 Obviously you have students that probably come up to you and say 16:44.798 --> 16:46.798 hey, that was a great pass in that game. 16:46.798 --> 16:47.798 Way to pull one out. 16:47.798 --> 16:48.998 What do people say to you? 16:48.998 --> 16:52.664 There are some people that I've talked to who knew who I was. 16:52.664 --> 16:54.664 But other than that, I don't like walk around the campus and 16:54.664 --> 16:56.664 talk about how I'm the quarterback. 16:56.664 --> 16:57.664 [laughter] Yeah, it's kind of.. 16:57.664 --> 17:03.764 You know I just kind of go with the flow and whatever happens, 17:03.764 --> 17:04.764 happens. 17:04.764 --> 17:05.931 How about social network? 17:05.931 --> 17:07.931 Social networking is such a big thing. 17:07.931 --> 17:08.931 Are you on Twitter? 17:08.931 --> 17:09.931 Do you do that? 17:09.931 --> 17:11.931 Yeah, I'm on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and all 17:11.931 --> 17:12.931 that. 17:12.931 --> 17:15.064 But you know everyone gets on to me because I don't have that 17:15.064 --> 17:17.064 many followers on Twitter and stuff like that. 17:17.064 --> 17:19.064 And I'm like dude, you've got to give me a shoutout there or 17:19.064 --> 17:21.064 something like that, get my followers up. 17:21.064 --> 17:23.064 We've got to get him more followers. 17:23.064 --> 17:24.064 Exactly! 17:24.064 --> 17:25.064 What's your handle? 17:25.064 --> 17:26.064 It's just at-paxton-lynch. 17:26.064 --> 17:27.064 Pretty simple, at-paxton-lynch. 17:27.064 --> 17:28.064 But you have to watch yourself. 17:28.064 --> 17:31.164 Because we know with social media sometimes people think of 17:31.164 --> 17:33.298 something, they write it down, they send it and they go wow, 17:33.298 --> 17:34.498 I should have never sent that. 17:34.498 --> 17:35.498 Exactly. 17:35.498 --> 17:37.498 That's something you've always got to think about before you 17:37.498 --> 17:38.498 type a Tweet. 17:38.498 --> 17:39.498 How's school going for you? 17:39.498 --> 17:41.498 It's going good, it's going good. 17:41.498 --> 17:43.498 The way my classes are set up are pretty good right now. 17:43.498 --> 17:46.098 I have a lot of online classes and I'm only on campus for two 17:46.098 --> 17:47.098 days, Tuesday and Thursday. 17:47.098 --> 17:49.798 And the rest I just go to breakfast and workouts and I'm 17:49.798 --> 17:50.798 done for the day. 17:50.798 --> 17:51.798 What's your major? 17:51.798 --> 17:53.798 My major is sports management right now. 17:53.798 --> 17:54.798 Yeah? 17:54.798 --> 17:55.798 Yeah. 17:55.798 --> 17:57.798 Working on a degree with that and then obviously, 17:57.798 --> 17:59.798 hoping to lead this team to bigger and better things. 17:59.798 --> 18:00.798 Exactly. 18:00.798 --> 18:02.798 Alright, before we say goodbye we like to end all our 18:02.798 --> 18:04.798 interviews with something called Five for the Road. 18:04.798 --> 18:06.798 So I'm gonna ask you five questions. 18:06.798 --> 18:08.164 First thing that comes to mind. 18:08.164 --> 18:09.164 Okay. 18:09.164 --> 18:10.164 Ready? 18:10.164 --> 18:12.531 Favorite professional sports team in any sport? 18:12.531 --> 18:14.531 Favorite professional sports team.. 18:14.531 --> 18:15.531 Oh man. 18:15.531 --> 18:16.531 You're from Florida? 18:16.531 --> 18:17.531 Yeah. 18:17.531 --> 18:19.864 I don't think it's a Florida team to be honest. 18:19.864 --> 18:23.131 I'm a big Steelers fan because I have some family in 18:23.131 --> 18:24.131 Pennsylvania. 18:24.131 --> 18:26.131 And whenever we go on a family reunion, 18:26.131 --> 18:30.064 I remember as a kid we used to go to their practices during the 18:30.064 --> 18:32.798 summer and I used to get all their autographs. 18:32.798 --> 18:33.631 So I'd probably say the Steelers. 18:33.631 --> 18:38.098 So no faith in the Dolphins, Buccaneers or the Jaguars? 18:38.098 --> 18:39.198 I'm not saying that. 18:39.198 --> 18:40.331 I'm not saying that now. 18:40.331 --> 18:41.331 Okay. 18:41.331 --> 18:42.331 Go with the Steelers. 18:42.331 --> 18:43.331 Favorite pro athlete? 18:43.331 --> 18:45.564 I would say maybe Cam Newton probably. 18:45.564 --> 18:47.098 I don't know. 18:47.098 --> 18:49.098 I've been watching a lot of golf lately. 18:49.098 --> 18:51.598 So I've been like dang, that guy's pretty good. 18:51.598 --> 18:54.198 Because you know I've tried to play a lot of golf so maybe it's 18:54.198 --> 18:55.198 a golfer. 18:55.198 --> 18:56.198 I don't know. 18:56.198 --> 18:57.198 But really Cam Newton. 18:57.198 --> 18:59.198 Even when I watched him at Auburn, 18:59.198 --> 19:01.331 just the things he did was just it drove me to be like that. 19:01.331 --> 19:03.531 You know maybe not as good as a runner but.. 19:03.531 --> 19:04.531 I know. 19:04.531 --> 19:05.531 I understand. 19:05.531 --> 19:07.531 Look up to somebody like Cam Newton is not bad. 19:07.531 --> 19:10.231 Favorite music or musician or maybe genre of music? 19:10.231 --> 19:11.298 What do you like to listen to? 19:11.298 --> 19:12.298 I like country a lot. 19:12.298 --> 19:14.698 When I go home, I have a lot of buddies that live out there in 19:14.698 --> 19:15.698 the back woods. 19:15.698 --> 19:17.498 So I like Justin Moore a lot. 19:17.498 --> 19:19.764 So whenever I go home, we just, you know, 19:19.764 --> 19:21.898 a couple of my buddies got some trucks and we just go out there. 19:21.898 --> 19:24.531 Yeah, I think people don't understand how country Florida 19:24.531 --> 19:25.531 is. 19:25.531 --> 19:26.531 Exactly! 19:26.531 --> 19:28.531 There's some parts out there now. 19:28.531 --> 19:31.231 There's one house for however many miles. 19:31.231 --> 19:33.231 Alright, two more questions for ya. 19:33.231 --> 19:35.231 What's your favorite movie of all time? 19:35.231 --> 19:36.631 My favorite movie of all time? 19:36.631 --> 19:39.898 Probably either Anchorman one or Anchorman two. 19:39.898 --> 19:42.131 I just saw Anchorman two the other day and I was laughing so 19:42.131 --> 19:43.131 hard. 19:43.131 --> 19:44.131 I haven't seen it yet. 19:44.131 --> 19:45.131 It's hilarious. 19:45.131 --> 19:46.131 I think it's better. 19:46.131 --> 19:47.131 I was laughing. 19:47.131 --> 19:49.131 Yes, I was laughing the whole time. 19:49.131 --> 19:51.131 Alright, that's Paxton's pick-- Anchorman two. 19:51.131 --> 19:57.831 And finally for ya, what's your favorite television show? 19:57.831 --> 19:58.831 My favorite television show? 19:58.831 --> 19:59.831 Breaking Bad. 19:59.831 --> 20:01.831 I started watching it on Netflix and I couldn't get enough of it. 20:01.831 --> 20:03.831 And then when it ended, I was kind of disappointed. 20:03.831 --> 20:04.831 You were sad? 20:04.831 --> 20:05.831 Yeah, I was. 20:05.831 --> 20:07.998 And then you find a new show on Netflix and you forget about 20:07.998 --> 20:08.998 that one. 20:08.998 --> 20:10.998 Paxton, thank you so much for joining us. 20:10.998 --> 20:11.931 We found out a lot more about you. 20:11.931 --> 20:13.498 We look forward to watching you play in 2014 and of course after 20:13.498 --> 20:14.731 that. 20:14.731 --> 20:16.264 Thanks so much for your time. 20:16.264 --> 20:17.298 Thanks for having me on. 20:17.298 --> 20:18.164 We'll take a break. 20:18.164 --> 20:20.664 Overtime is next. 20:20.664 --> 20:40.298 [theme music] ♪♪♪ 20:40.298 --> 20:40.898 Three.. 20:40.898 --> 20:41.798 Two.. 20:41.798 --> 20:43.964 One.. 20:43.964 --> 20:46.231 [buzzer sounds] 20:46.231 --> 20:49.431 Hoop City is once again basking in the glow 20:49.431 --> 20:50.798 of the Memphis Grizzlies. 20:50.798 --> 20:53.264 For a franchise record fourth straight time, 20:53.264 --> 20:55.264 the Grizz are headed to the playoffs. 20:55.264 --> 20:58.098 The Good guys will open up a best of seven first round series 20:58.098 --> 21:00.598 in Oklahoma City on Saturday. 21:00.598 --> 21:03.331 Not only did the Grizz battle major injuries and a coaching 21:03.331 --> 21:05.564 change to return to the "second season", 21:05.564 --> 21:09.064 but they earned the seventh seed after knocking off the Mavericks 21:09.064 --> 21:11.798 last night 106-105 in overtime. 21:11.798 --> 21:15.198 And by doing so, they avoid a first round meeting with the top 21:15.198 --> 21:17.398 seeded San Antonio Spurs. 21:17.398 --> 21:19.964 Now let's get this straight, the Thunder is no picnic either. 21:19.964 --> 21:22.431 Superstar Kevin Durant is the odds on favorite to win the 21:22.431 --> 21:24.098 league's M-V-P Award. 21:24.098 --> 21:26.798 And they have another superstar in guard Russell Westbrook, 21:26.798 --> 21:28.898 who missed last season's second round matchup with the 21:28.898 --> 21:31.498 Grizzlies, a series won by Memphis. 21:31.498 --> 21:34.164 This season, the Thunder took three of four from the Grizz 21:34.164 --> 21:36.798 including a 16 point win at FedExForum, 21:36.798 --> 21:39.531 but there's no question the Grizzlies feel confident in 21:39.531 --> 21:43.398 their ability to go toe to toe with the Thunder. 21:43.398 --> 21:45.398 Should be a very competitive series. 21:45.398 --> 21:50.298 I think the point differential in the number of games that 21:50.298 --> 21:52.364 we've played are our status. 21:52.364 --> 21:56.164 It's like virtually, they can really score the basketball. 21:56.164 --> 21:59.931 They're a completely different team with Russell Westbrook than 21:59.931 --> 22:04.098 the team that we saw last year in the playoffs. 22:04.098 --> 22:09.198 And you know it's gonna be which style of play is more forceful. 22:09.198 --> 22:11.998 If we can play them slow and get them to play slow and in the 22:11.998 --> 22:15.031 mud, as Zach always says, or if they turn it into a race horse 22:15.031 --> 22:18.231 game, that's going to be tough for us. 22:18.231 --> 22:20.631 Yeah, we know them very well. 22:20.631 --> 22:23.531 But like I say, it's going to be a competition. 22:23.531 --> 22:25.198 One game at a time. 22:25.198 --> 22:26.198 Keep that mindset. 22:26.198 --> 22:27.598 Playing hard, playing together. 22:27.598 --> 22:30.698 And just like I say, paying attention to detail. 22:30.698 --> 22:31.898 We know those guys very well. 22:31.898 --> 22:34.931 They've got great scores and they get up and down with the 22:34.931 --> 22:35.931 athleticism. 22:35.931 --> 22:37.931 But we have to be able to, you know, 22:37.931 --> 22:40.298 control the paint and play hard in those defenses. 22:40.298 --> 22:42.531 You know they got Westbrook now. 22:42.531 --> 22:45.164 And that makes them a lot better. 22:45.164 --> 22:49.898 Like I say, Coach Joergers gonna drop a game plan and we gotta be 22:49.898 --> 22:51.898 able to, you know, go out there and execute it, 22:51.898 --> 22:53.231 defensively and offensively. 22:53.231 --> 22:54.664 They gonna scout us as well. 22:54.664 --> 22:57.698 So we have to be ready to make adjustments on the offensive end 22:57.698 --> 23:00.131 on the fly because like I say, they know us very well. 23:00.131 --> 23:01.231 And we have to compete. 23:01.231 --> 23:02.998 You know they're always tough. 23:02.998 --> 23:06.931 You know they're one of the best teams in the league, 23:06.931 --> 23:10.198 have two of the best players in the league that we have to 23:10.198 --> 23:11.198 contend with. 23:11.198 --> 23:13.198 And you know when it comes down to it, 23:13.198 --> 23:15.798 it's all about can we, you know, enforce our style of play on 23:15.798 --> 23:18.298 theirs and force our big guys. 23:18.298 --> 23:22.898 Try to take advantage of where we're strong and be able to do 23:22.898 --> 23:24.764 that and win four games. 23:24.764 --> 23:29.498 They got two of the best scorers in the N-B-A right now with 23:29.498 --> 23:30.498 Westbrook. 23:30.498 --> 23:32.498 I mean he's capable of having big nights. 23:32.498 --> 23:34.798 Durant, of course, is capable if having big nights. 23:34.798 --> 23:37.464 So I mean we can live with those guys scoring but we gotta try to 23:37.464 --> 23:39.464 contain them as much as possible, 23:39.464 --> 23:40.464 make it difficult on them. 23:40.464 --> 23:42.464 And we just can't let everybody else beat us. 23:42.464 --> 23:45.898 So a few things is make sure we box a block out. 23:45.898 --> 23:49.298 Don't let them become a factor when blocking shots and getting 23:49.298 --> 23:54.598 dunks and continue to run their supporting cast of the three 23:54.598 --> 23:55.598 point line. 23:55.598 --> 23:58.364 There's Derek Fisher, Caron Butler and those guys. 23:58.364 --> 24:01.331 Then like I said, just make it hard on those two guys and their 24:01.331 --> 24:03.898 primary scorers and I think we'll be fine. 24:03.898 --> 24:07.298 We definitely got to take them. 24:07.298 --> 24:09.364 Oklahoma City is a great team. 24:09.364 --> 24:11.831 We have had a lot of battles these last couple years. 24:11.831 --> 24:13.831 We're going to continue to battle. 24:13.831 --> 24:15.831 It's going to be some tough games. 24:15.831 --> 24:18.364 But we're gonna go down there with confidence and play hard. 24:18.364 --> 24:20.764 What's the biggest challenge that faces you when you play a 24:20.764 --> 24:21.764 team like that? 24:21.764 --> 24:23.364 They got Westbrook and Durant. 24:23.364 --> 24:25.364 And they try to contain them, slow, 24:25.364 --> 24:26.364 you know, one of them down. 24:26.364 --> 24:28.431 And try to contain everybody else. 24:28.431 --> 24:30.431 Offensively, what do you guys have to do? 24:30.431 --> 24:31.431 Just play our game. 24:31.431 --> 24:33.431 You know, play our game, be steady, 24:33.431 --> 24:35.431 take care of the ball, not turn the ball over. 24:35.431 --> 24:36.431 They get back in transition. 24:36.431 --> 24:40.164 Just play. 24:40.164 --> 24:43.831 Execute, play the game and try to, 24:43.831 --> 24:45.831 you know, do what you're supposed to. 24:45.831 --> 24:47.831 And we're gonna get on the game plane tomorrow. 24:47.831 --> 24:51.164 We'll enjoy and we'll worry about the Thunder tomorrow. 24:51.164 --> 24:58.464 Obviously that was a very excited and relieved Grizzlies 24:58.464 --> 25:01.298 team and while the task in front of them is a tall one, 25:01.298 --> 25:03.864 as you heard, the team is as confident as they can be. 25:03.864 --> 25:06.264 And that will put a wrap on this week's show. 25:06.264 --> 25:08.898 Remember you can see any of our previous episodes of "Sports 25:08.898 --> 25:10.898 Files" by heading to our website, 25:10.898 --> 25:13.931 WKNO-dot-ORG, and clicking on 'KNO Tonite. 25:13.931 --> 25:17.364 Have a great week, Go Grizzlies, and we'll see you next time. 25:22.431 --> 25:44.531 [theme music] ♪♪♪ 25:44.531 --> 25:48.531 CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY WKNO-MEMPHIS.