Exclusive Interview: Eagles LB Myke Tavarres

This is an exclusive one on one interview, with Eagles undrafted free agent linebacker Myke Tavarres. We discussed why he ultimately chose to sign with the Eagles, what type of chip he has on his shoulder being an undrafted free agent, and a better in-depth look into what he brings to Philadelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @MykeT14.

What led to you deciding to sign with the Eagles after you went undrafted? Were there other teams interested in you?

On draft day, I got a couple calls from some teams. There was a lot of interest. I felt it was the right decision, to go with the Eagles, the scheme (4-3), which is the perfect scheme for me. Also, I love the fans, and kept hearing stories of how the fans love the team. The passion that comes from the fanbase and I like to play with passion, as well, so that kind of just married them together. It just felt like the right decision, to come to the Eagles.

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What’s been your early impressions of the team so far?

It’s all new to me. Everyone is working hard, that’s the one thing I’ve been able to take in. Everyone wants to get better and everyone wants to take this, to the next level. Everyone has been putting in the extra work, doing what we need to do, to make this a better team.

Who’s the one player on the Eagles you already look up to and what to soak in information from the most?

I’ve started to look up to Bryan Braman. His locker is right next to mine. A lot of people I’ve talked to, say he’s a special teams demon, so he contributes every time he’s on the field. I definitely want to try and do the same thing he did.

What was your draft experience like? Was going undrafted something that just lit a fire in you and ultimately motivates you more?

Honestly, on draft day, I went to the beach. I know everyone was sitting at home, in front of the television, and was obsession over the draft. I just wanted to get away, from the craziness. I went to the beach and just took in the scenery. My thoughts were; God’s got a plan, if I get called, then I get called. If not, I figured I’d still go somewhere, and still play ball. So, I really wasn’t stressing about it.

You’re somewhat of an unknown commodity to Eagles fans, however, you’ve gotten a lot of Twitter love from the fanbase I’ve seen. For those who might not know you or the type of player you are, how would you describe yourself?

I’m just a little bit goofy. I like to have fun and joke around. I enjoy life for what it is. On the field, I’m more serious, but I’m still relaxed, and just having fun.

There’s clips of your “hit stick” tackles, as I like to call them, that have been going viral on social media. Where did you learn to tackle like that first of all? Secondly, do you expect that to always be part of your game?

Honestly, I really don’t like tackling like that. If I’m going to make a tackle, I rather make a for sure tackle. Break it down and wrap up, make sure I have a complete tackle. If I have to make a block, that’s when I try to make that hit. The times I’ll mostly hit like that, is when I’m on special teams, or going after the quarterback.

Jim Schwartz hasn’t coached a game in this city yet, but he’s already famous among our fanbase. What are your early thoughts of him and what does he expect from you so far?

When you get with him up close in the practice field, or the meeting room, he makes a lot of jokes. Which is surprising, for a guy with his reputation, around the league. Most people wouldn’t expect that at all. He jokes around a lot, the jokes he makes are so nonchalant, they’re funny. He’s such a calm, down to earth guy. Even on the field, when he’s coaching you up, he’ll talk to you one-on-one, and just monitor everything going on. He’s really a nonchalant and cool guy.

Have they indicated to you what spot at linebacker you’ll be playing at?

Right now, as far as the defense is concerned, both sides are pretty much interchangeable. The SAM (strong-side linebacker) and the WILL (weak-side linebacker) are pretty much the same position. The only difference is, one will be on the tight end, and one won’t. Coach wants us to learn both. Whatever he deems fit on game day, I’ll play.

Is there a player in the league you want to model your game after?

No, not really actually. I don’t want to mold my style of play, after anyone else. I play my style of football, smash mouth, and old school football. I have a nose for finding the ball, I hustle as fast as I can. That’s just my style of play.

Not many know this, but you started your career at Arkansas before transferring to Incarnate Word, so you have faced higher/NFL type of competition. Do you feel like it’ll ultimately help you adjust to the next level?

Definitely, my experience at Arkansas prepared me for the next level. If I didn’t go to Arkansas, I can tell you 100% right now, I wouldn’t be ready to be on the field. In the NFL, that is.

There’s been plenty of undrafted players, who’ve had successful NFL careers. Being undrafted is an uphill battle though, do you feel like you’re coming in with something to prove? How will going undrafted motivate you?

At first I did feel like I had something to prove. I was definitely upset, about not being drafted. But, I’m a very optimistic guy, I’m a very positive guy. There’s a bunch of other guys out there, that would love to be in the position, that I’m in. I’m grateful to be on the team, grateful to compete here. With that being said, I’m not going to be pushed around, by guys drafted in front of me. I’m definitely going to fight for a spot. When I get that spot, believe me, I’m not going to lose it.

This is your chance, right now, to tell the fans why they shouldn’t sleep on Myke Tavarres.

Honestly, I want them to sleep on me. Go ahead and sleep on me. On game day, when I get the chance to prove what I can do, they’ll see then.

I just wanted to personally thank Myke Tavarres, for taking time out of his busy schedule to interview with me. After studying hours of his film, I know the Eagles added a very strong, and hard working player. Hopefully, we’ll hear much more from Myke, during the 2016 season.

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