AJ Barner: "There's Another Level That We Can Get To"

AJ Barner (0:03)

Long time no see up here.

How did that feel? Good win. Glad we were able to get a win at home and get our swagger back. So guys played well, and I think there's a whole other level that we can get to.

SPEAKER_2 (0:16)

Did you think you were going to just keep getting the ball there?

AJ Barner (0:20)

When you got down to the goal line? Yeah, I think I want, you know, hell yeah. You know, when they call my number, yeah, absolutely. And when we get down there, we just got to keep scoring. And I think having the backs get going today, running the ball down there is everything.

So we're going to continue to do that. Did you feel the return of Charbonnet and Jadarian Price a little bit more this week? Absolutely, yeah. Shout out to those guys, man. Sharp running incredibly tough.

JD, you know, just the spark that he provided. And O-line, too, just getting back to what we were doing. And again, there's a whole other level that we can get to. But I felt like we took a lot of strides today.

SPEAKER_2 (1:01)

Your touchdown catch, can you take us through that play?

AJ Barner (1:03)

Yeah. Drew just gave me a chance and I was able to go up and make the play.

And yeah, just excited to get back in there. Like I said, you know, it's been a little while for me. So happy I can make a play for the team.

SPEAKER_3 (1:15)

Did you hurt your hand on that play?

AJ Barner (1:18)

A little bit earlier, just, you know, hurt my hand, but got to play through those things.

SPEAKER_2 (1:24)

What were you thinking as they were reviewing it?

AJ Barner (1:25)

Did you think there was any question? I mean, shoot, I think what everyone else was thinking, you know, I thought I caught it, but I thought, you know, maybe they might have reversed it. But, you know, I've been living right and I got rewarded for it. So they called it a catch on the field. They reviewed and they called it a catch. So it'll live on as a catch forever.

SPEAKER_4 (1:45)

What do you think of Drew's day's play through the elbow injury?

SPEAKER_3 (1:47)

Except something that caused it to go to the back.

AJ Barner (1:51)

Yeah, just cool as can be.

Drew came in and balled. And that's what we expect from Drew. I mean, we've seen it before. And Sam and Jalen did a great job, too, of just having that room all together. I think every position room, the tight ends, for example, you know, there's so many of us that play and it takes a whole room to really succeed. So shout out all those guys for doing their thing this week.

SPEAKER_4 (2:14)

AJ, going back to the offensive line, what did it take for them to get in sync and be productive this game?

AJ Barner (2:20)

I think just, you know, leaning on the opponent, wearing on them. And again, kind of getting our swagger back. Like, let's go. You know, we play for the Seahawks. We're here in front of the 12s. Let's run the damn ball. And those guys, us tight ends, our running backs, our offense in general, we take a lot of pride in being able to run the football.

SPEAKER_3 (2:38)

You talk about getting your swagger back, like full team, you go into a game like this without a bunch of guys. Do you have this kind of physical performance? How much of that do you feel like is kind of a program win? Kind of just kind of who you want to be?

AJ Barner (2:49)

Yeah, I think it just shows, you know, you put the right inputs in, you're going to get out what you want. And in this league, I think it's a good lesson for everyone. I think when you're a young player, you're really one play away and you got to just keep stacking days and remain focused because before you know your opportunity is going to come. And we had plenty of guys step up today, and that's everyone coming together for a team win.

SPEAKER_2 (3:10)

What are the things that happen that give a team their swagger back?

AJ Barner (3:14)

Yeah, you got to create it, man. And you got to weather the storm sometimes or create the storm yourself. And everyone's kind of been going through it. And again, just got to remain focused, block out the noise and trust in your ability and the work that you're putting in every day.

SPEAKER_2 (3:30)