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Quotes 9/16: Coach Joe Judge, QB Daniel Jones, WR Darius Slayton, DL Leonard Williams

Head Coach Joe Judge

Opening Statement: Today's been a little bit of a split day for us. Yesterday was the players' day off. This morning we spent most of our time recapping, cleaning up and correcting things from the game on Monday night. We shifted after our lunch break, and this afternoon has really been a Wednesday for us. We introduced the Bears to our players. We focused a lot on the personnel, the early downs, some of the early down situations with these guys. We'll get out on the field today. It'll really be more of a walkthrough day with the short week. We're going to have to have good mental intensity and good attention to detail. We'll hit the field tomorrow and Friday and really be more in a full-tempo pace for us to get some time in with the execution.

Obviously, this week playing the Chicago Bears, you talk about the Bears, you have to talk about the history of the league. Starting with George Halas and going to the McCaskey family, these are really some of the good people in the world of football. All of us are very beneficial to what they did through their family business to allow the NFL to develop, along with Wellington Mara, really getting this league jumpstarted. As players and coaches, we took time this morning to really review what they've done for the league and for each one of us individually when we have this opportunity.

That being said, the current Bears, this is an explosive team. Coach (Matt) Nagy has done a great job with Ryan Pace of building this team with a lot of explosive players on offense. They have multiple weapons. They use their players in very inventive ways. They do a great job of mixing a lot of personnel groups, along with tempo and quick substitutions. We need to make sure we're very attentive and in-tune to the game to match the speed that they're going to present. They present opponents with a lot of issues with their fast motions going across the formations, changing the strength, and then also looking to find ways to get favorable matchups for their skill guys.

Obviously, it starts on their offense with (Mitchell) Trubisky. This guy makes a lot of plays. It starts with his feet in the run and the pass game. You have to find a way to eliminate this guy from extended plays. He's a talented quarterback, he's a tough dude. He sits in there, he's not afraid to take a hit. He delivers a tough ball. Then you go through their skilled guys right there. Starting with their backs, whether it's (David) Montgomery, whether it's (Tarik) Cohen, whether it's (Cordarrelle) Patterson right there, who's really that kind of unique kind of blend of that receiver-running back. He runs the ball like a returner in space. He's big, he's deceptively strong, he runs through arm tackles. We have to do a good job of wrapping these guys up and getting them to the ground. They're a tough group. We have to do a good job in space against these guys.

Their receiving corps, obviously, it starts with (Allen) Robinson. This guy is dynamic, he's really their go-to guy. We have to find this guy. They do a great job of mixing him around, moving him, creating opportunities for this guy. But he's proved over time why he's one of the top in the league. You go through the tight end position, Jimmy Graham's been a huge addition for this team offensively. He brings a lot of experience, he brings that big target. This guy, when he gets moving, those extended strides tear up a lot of ground pretty fast. They have a good, talented offensive line. They play very tough. It's a Chicago team. You know it's going to be a physical game to start with on both sides of the ball.

Hitting their defense, right away, their edge players definitely jump out at you. (Robert) Quinn didn't play last week. We know how talented he is. We have coaches in the building who have had personal experience with him, obviously, from his days in Dallas. You go through (Khalil) Mack, this guy is one of the top in the league for a reason. He has a high motor, he's very productive, he's explosive off the edge. He gives you a lot of issues. You go through the size players inside with (Akiem) Hicks and some of the other guys. Their ability to push the pocket and really gap up the inside against the inside run, they do a tremendous job.

The backers of (Roquan) Smith and (Danny) Trevathan, these guys are dynamic, they're good at pass rush, they do a good job of filling and spacing out for the runs. Then on the backend, they have a very talented secondary with the corners. (Kyle) Fuller makes a lot of opportunistic plays, and obviously, (Eddie) Jackson is an opportunistic player who's been able to go ahead and capitalize on a lot of mistakes by opponents.

You can't forget special teams. Look, they do a great job of really controlling the field position and creating opportunities for their offense. They have two elite returners. Cohen back there on punt returns, everybody is at the point of attack every time this guy gets the ball. He's dynamic, he's explosive, he can make a homerun play on any play. Patterson is one of the best to ever play the game as a kick returner. Simply put, this guy is someone that you'll read about in history books. When you play against this guy, everybody on the field better be aware of where he's at, whether that's offense or on special teams. He's done a tremendous job covering kicks. I've had personal experience with CP from my days somewhere else. He's just a pleasure to coach, he's a fun competitor to be around. He's just good for the locker room. They have a great dynamic on their team. They're coached very well. Obviously, (Bill) Lazor is going to add from his experience of running the tempo and upbeat offenses, along with a lot of the motion and change of strength formations he's done in the past. That will only add to their offense and what they're able to do. We have some experience against him, and he's had a lot of success against us in different places. We have to make sure we prepare this week. It's going to be a very tough matchup for us. That being said, I'll open it up to any questions you guys have at this point.

Q: I wondered if there was a play that number 17, Anthony Miller, made in the Bears' opener that stood out to you? Also, just what your impressions of Trubisky were in the fourth quarter, rallying after a ho-hum performance before that?

A: I'll tell you what, forget about the first half with Trubisky. I've seen this guy in live action before and the one thing you have to remember about Mitch is this guy is a competitor. This guy is a tough dude, he can extend plays, he can make them with his feet running. He'll run through contact. He's also the guy that you have to keep on covering throughout the duration of the down because when you think he's running, that's when he finds the open receiver and gets it down the field. He's done that throughout his career right there. You can never fall asleep on him. He's definitely a dynamic player. He finds different ways of making plays, a lot of times maybe unconventionally. But he's an effective player. When Miller's on the field, one thing that stands out about him right away is this dude plays with a high motor. You can't find a snap on the field where this guy isn't going 0 to 60 in two steps. He plays fast, he plays explosive. We can sit here and talk about any one snap, I'm talking to our players about every snap, because you better bring it on every snap. He's on the field and you blink, he's walking by you right there.

Q: How different did the Bears look in Week 1 schematically than maybe what you guys had seen in previous years? I know they have new coaches, but it seemed like they were under center a lot more than we've seen them.

A: I think the one thing you have to keep in mind with this team is game by game, they're going to find different ways of matching you up and giving you different headaches. They're never going to stay in one standard formation or one standard look. When you play the Bears, you have to understand how they think, their philosophy on offense, how they want to attack you. Then as the game goes on, you have to find out their approach to what they're really looking to do to you game plan wise. All those guys who have worked under Andy (Reid), he's one of the all-time greats at having a game plan, but then adjusting within the game. Obviously, Nagy has learned a whole lot from him and it shows up every game on tape. I don't think you can really look at these guys on a one-tape sample and say, 'this is what their identity is.' Their identity is going to be whatever it takes to beat you.

Q: Tiki Barber said something today about how until Saquon Barkley improves his pass protection, he doesn't see him as an every down back. Where is Saquon in terms of where he needs to be in improving as a pass protector? I know that was a big talking point coming into the year. What do you think about someone saying those comments about your player?

A: Look, we're all working hard every day to get better at everything we do. We're coming out of training camp, we have one game under our belt. There's not a player or a coach on our team that doesn't have to improve going into Week 2, and then consistently throughout the season. We have to go ahead and make up some ground quickly. But we have confidence in all of our players. We're going to work on every technique we have to in all aspects of the game. People pay a price to watch us play. Everyone's opinion is valid if they're a fan. We have to make sure on the inside we understand what we're doing and that we prioritize on what we have to work on. But I respect Tiki. Obviously, he's a guy that knows the game. He's been a great player for this organization. But we're going to go ahead and make sure we get everybody rising up.

Q: I'm sure when you looked back and analyzed Saquon, you studied every part of his game, including the way he runs the ball, the way he catches the ball, the way he protects the quarterback. What did you see from this first two years? What did you see Monday night?

A: I think I saw a small sample of what Saquon is going to be able to do. We've got to do some things to help Saquon throughout the game. He's a key part of our team, he's an integral part of our offense. We're going to keep feeding him the ball and he's going to make some plays for us. I'm happy with the way he works, I'm very pleased with his attitude. He's a team-first guy who brings everybody along with him. All of our players have the mentality of whatever we have to do to be successful. Sometimes our own individual success comes off being someone who helps somebody else make plays. I'm pleased with Saquon right now.

Q: Leonard Williams had a sack the other night. I'm curious how he played on the tape because it's been a big talking point for him about getting to the quarterback. The way you guys play defense, so many of your defensive linemen only played about 47,45 percent of the snaps. Is that something you plan to do regularly?

A: Each game will call for different game plans. The other night is definitely a key point for us to have a fresh defensive line early in the season. We have some talented guys on the front. You want to keep your best players into the game and keep your strengths strong. I'd say in terms of Leo, he's really had a good camp for us. He came out, he was productive the other night. This guy is playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He's fun to be around and you can tell he really loves the game. He's a great teammate. He's a great guy to coach, I enjoy being around him. He's fun to be around on a daily basis. He was obviously productive the other night and we're going to keep working to see if we can't help him out a little bit more.

Q: We didn't get to ask you this yesterday. Were there any injuries coming out of Monday night's game we should be aware of?

A: Generally speaking, we came out pretty healthy. I'm going to check with the trainers. I'm expecting, for the most part, to have everybody on the field. Today is a walkthrough type practice. That doesn't really dictate or show anything long term wise. Generally speaking, we're pretty healthy. I'm going to check with Ronnie (Barnes) before I speak out, but we have the injury report coming out later on.

Q: There were a couple times in the game on Monday where a tight end was assigned one on one blocking on the edge and it maybe didn't work out the way you guys wanted. Is that something you are okay with scheming up and those guys you need to take care of those responsibilities? Would you rather not put certain players in certain situations like that?

A: I couldn't really give you a blanket answer because every game is going to be a little bit different. Obviously, there are talented guys on the edge for every team. Last week against Pittsburgh, that game is behind us now. We have similar talent on the edge this week. Different players, but both very dynamic, very explosive, can change the game fast. Again, based on some of the calls that come out or some ofthe checks, they may change some alignments. Whatever we're asked to do, we have to execute. As coaches, we have to make sure we put our players in a position of strength.

Q: There was a couple times the other night where your cornerbacks, I guess Bradberry and Holmes, where they ran the pick play and they ran into each other. They didn't get around it and were looking around at each other. How do you coach that moving forward to make sure that's fixed? What are the talking points to make sure that doesn't happen consistently?

A: For us, it's just about the technique based on different coverages. Obviously, we have rules that we want to prevent these guys from ever having collisions. The goal of the offense and those rub routes is to create that contact on the defensive players to free yourself up. These are things we've already talked to and addressed with the players. We're working on that throughout the week in practice. This team is going to be a team that has a lot of rub routes, a lot of misdirection trying to get you crossed over. Between linebackers, corners and safeties and who's covering who. We have to do a good job communicating pre-snap and then adjust post snap.

Q: When you have a young quarterback, a lot of people expect there are going to be mistakes. There are going to be turnovers and things like that. At what point in their careers, and I'm not talking about Daniel here, in general, when you have a young quarterback, at what point do you expect him to turn a corner and shed those habits?

A: I think it's different for every player. I think you have to keep in mind with young quarterbacks in this league, playing quarterback in the National Football League is the toughest job in professional sports, simply put. You can try to debate that one way or another, I could argue all day long. That's the toughest job in professional sports. You look at the truly great ones that have come through our league, without naming names, just think real carefully about how many of those guys were able to have high degrees of success before they had to truly carry a team? Think about those real great ones that are going to be wearing gold jackets that have played in this league for call it 15 to 20 years. How many of those guys had the benefit of working with teams that were carried more by defense or the run game or a great arsenal of guys around him that supported him. I'm very confident in our team going forward. I'll just say this specifically on Daniel, obviously there are some things you have to clean up every game. I'll tell you right now, you watch that tape from the other night, that dude stood in there like a man and delivered that ball down the field. That dude stood in there aggressively, he stood in there tough, stood in there confidently and our team feeds off that. We're proud to have him on our team.

Q: I just wanted to follow up real quick. You said the other night that you really liked Daniel's aggressiveness and want him to keep it. What does that look like in terms of staying aggressive but also protecting the football? How do those two things go hand in hand going forward?

A: You can be aggressive and at the same time make the right decisions. That's across the board in everything. We're about to play this week, on special teams Chris (Tabor) has a ton of gimmicks and fakes. We're not going to go out there and play cautious. We're going to make sure we follow our keys, follow our rules and play aggressive. Play smart and play aware. These are things you have to be alert for. As a quarterback, you can't be effective in this league if you're playing cautious. You can't be effective in this league if you're playing scared. You have to be aggressive. As a coach, what you can never do is take away the teeth of your players by pumping the brakes a little bit. It's our job to instruct them, coach them and give them keys that help them develop. Everyone is going to make mistakes at certain points. The important thing is to not repeat the mistakes. We have to learn from each other's mistakes so we don't repeat them ourselves. We can learn a lesson without making the mistake. You can't take away the aggressiveness of any player. Ultimately, that's going to weaken them and that's not good coaching.

Q: Does Daniel have to work on that simulated game speed in practice? It's one thing to watch it on film and say I can't make that mistake again. Can you simulate that between games? You didn't have preseason games and a limited training camp.

A: We do everything we can every day to simulate as much of game-like circumstances and situations as we can. That may be the speed, it may be the situation we create. It may be some kind of obstruction we create within a drill to make it a little bit tougher than normal. We try to do everything in all phases involved to simulate the game every day in practice.

View photos of the Chicago Bears' starters ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Giants.

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: How hard did the coaches coach you on mistakes or plays that needed to get better? What was the process like reviewing it with this new staff with really your first game, and kind of going over the good and the bad?

A: It was certainly very clear to us as players when mistakes that we made were things we need to correct, and we did that. We did that together. I thought the communication was clear. Going out to practice today, I thought guys were on the same page and understood the urgency and the importance of each of those corrections. There were certainly good things from the game that we also discussed and obviously want to grow with and build on. But yeah, as far as corrections and fixing mistakes, the communication was clear. I know the guys understand the urgency to which it needs to be corrected.

Q: Quick follow-up. When you guys get to the line of scrimmage and you have a play call, if a protection needs to be shifted, is that your job? Do you have the freedom to do that? Is that on Nick Gates the center? Is that on the coaches? What is your process like at the line?

A: That's certainly my responsibility. Through all the protections, me and Gates will work together as far as how we want to ID it. It's my responsibility to make sure we're in the right protection and identified the right way.

Q: As I'm sure you're aware, tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of you being named starting quarterback of the Giants. I'm just kidding, I'm sure you're not aware of it. What have you learned in the last 365 days about being a franchise quarterback and a starting quarterback?

A: Certainly, a lot. I've learned a lot on the field playing football, scheme, understanding the game, a lot in how to prepare and get ready to play, and I think a lot of stuff in between. Ultimately, the importance of learning, the importance of improving every day, the importance of not repeating mistakes, continuing to build and constantly grow as a player, as a member of the team. I think that's ultimately what's most important, and I've certainly realized that in the last year. Most players know that. I think it's extremely important at this level.

Q: What about in terms of the outside expectations and the scrutiny that the position is under? Anything there caught you by surprise?

A: I understand the expectation and responsibility of playing quarterback and representing the New York Giants. I take that very seriously. I take that responsibility seriously. It's something I'm constantly learning and constantly understanding how to best do that.

Q: Joe Judge was saying the other day and again today that he wants you to stay aggressive and that he's most concerned about you maintaining your aggressiveness than worrying about turnovers or you playing timid. I'm just curious as a quarterback, how do you do that while also working on protecting the football? What do you need to do differently to maintain that aggressiveness but also be mindful of not turning it over?

A: At this level, you must be able to do that. You must be able to play aggressive and take care of the football. That's the job and the expectation. Continuing to understand what the defense is doing to take what they give you, and when the look's not there, get rid of the ball or find a back or do something to get it out of your hands. Just continuing to work on that. At this level, you're expected to be able to do both, and that's something I certainly expect of myself.

Q: How much of that is being able to replicate game speed in practice and maybe situations that you might see on the field, and how much of it is just kind of retention from film study and all that stuff to kind of get it in your mind, 'Ok, I need to get rid of the ball quicker here. I need to avoid putting the ball into harm's way there'? What's that process like?

A: You're constantly learning, whether it's on the field or watching film and studying an opponent, or certainly watching your own film. However, you can learn, you have to use a variety of different ways. It's something you're always working on.

Q: I want to ask you about a specific play on that 19-play drive. The play right before you had to throw the ball across your body to Saquon (Barkley) on fourth down, it was a third down scramble where you ran out of bounds with a guy chasing you. You came up a yard short. I'm wondering if you didn't stretch the ball out there after a wariness of not fumbling it? Holding the ball out obviously is a dangerous thing to do. I'm wondering if that's why… All the work you did on not fumbling it, if that was in your mind there?

A: Yeah, that's something we talk about as a team and something Coach Judge has emphasized. We're not going to stretch the ball out in those situations unless it's fourth down or kind of a two point situation or something where it's absolutely necessary to get the yard and the risk is worth it. But in those situations, protecting the ball is certainly the most important thing.

Q: What's the conversation like when you go over the second interception? What's the feedback on that? Also, what makes Darius Slayton special and that connection with you really work?

A: The second interception was a situation where I just needed to get the ball out of my hands sooner. Ultimately, I was trying to throw it away, but I needed to make that decision sooner. That was that. Darius showed up and played a great game Monday night. I think he's someone who you can really trust and rely on to be in the right spot and finds a way to get open a lot. He's a really good football player, someone you can count on. I've enjoyed working with him, I've enjoyed playing with him so far.

Q: Following up on the Darius question. Is that comfort with him something because you came in as rookies together? Or is the game plan… is he a target more because of your comfort?

A: We certainly plan for guys to get the ball on certain plays against certain looks. It's my job to understand who is supposed to get the ball in which look. We design plays for everyone, and it's dictated by the defense where the ball goes. He's certainly a big-time playmaker for us. He did a good job Monday night.

Q: I'm curious, I know you're a big film guy, game prep. When you're off yesterday, how much do you go back to what you worked on the Bears last year, knowing that it's an opponent you faced the second time? The only other one last year may have been Washington, at least by my count off the top of my head. I'm curious what you see? Do you see and familiarity or similarities in how you may be able to go after them?

A: Yeah, I took a look at that game yesterday. There are possibly some similarities here and there. It's the same system on defense. Certainly, we're in a different system. I think you can take little pieces from it, but I expect they'll defend us and have a little bit of a different game plan this year with the new system. It's helpful to some extent, but we have to prepare for this week and use what they did this week, and then certainly other games from their season last year.

Q: I know it was a little later in the season last year, it wasn't obviously right in the beginning, but when you see yourself when you're watching them, do you see a different quarterback?

A: Yeah, I certainly feel like I've improved a lot since then. I would hope I would have and hope to continue to improve.

Wide Receiver Darius Slayton

Q: When a quarterback throws to you nine times in a game, is that simply a matter of you're getting open, or is that something in the game plan that they're going to go to you?

A: Definitely being open helps the quarterback be more inclined to throw the ball to you, of course. But every play, you have options within plays for him to throw the ball to different guys. Fortunately, he just chose to come my way nine times.

Q: Does this feel like a continuation of last year the way you produced?

A: I definitely think I'm off to a great start this year. Obviously, the goal is to be consistent and to keep building on this throughout the rest of the year.

Q: There was a lot of talk in the offseason that your eight touchdowns as a rookie was not sustainable. What do you have to say to people who would say that after two touchdowns in your first week?

A: I just try to go out there and make plays. I didn't really know that was a thing to be honest with you. I just try to go out there and make plays and find my way to the end zone as often as possible. Hopefully I'll be able to continue to find my way there the rest of this year.

Q: Quick follow-up. Joe Judge seemed very impressed with how Daniel (Jones) stood in there and took hits to make plays. I'm just wondering, obviously, you've played with him for about a year now. How much confidence does Daniel give you guys? Even in a drive that doesn't end in a touchdown, in that 19-play drive, how much do you guys believe in him and why do you believe in him?

A: Tremendous amount. There are a lot of guys that once they take a shot or once they start feeling a little bit of pressure, they tuck and run or what have you. But DJ did a great job of standing in there all night, making throws, some throws under duress, some throws getting hit just as he's letting go of the ball, and he was still really accurate and productive. That's definitely something that guys rally behind, a guy that's going to fight for you and stand in there and try to get you the ball no matter what.

Q: Building off what was just asked, do you ever see Daniel hang his head? Like after he throws that interception in the end zone or some other mistake, do you ever see him rattled? Do you, as one of his buddies, ever have to pick him up or does he bring it himself?

A: No, I don't ever really see (that). He's really steady, with the highs and the lows. Obviously, with the highs you get excited and obviously, anybody is going to do whatever with that. But I know he's hard on himself. I know he wants to be perfect, but no, I think he does a good job of keeping himself even-keeled, moving on to the next play.

Q: One other follow-up. The noise in the stadium, how was that while you were on the field? Could you hear it? Did you not hear it? When you're in the huddle, did you guys have to speak up and raise your voices at all, or was it just like being at a practice?

A: It was pretty quiet. It was really nothing going on in the stadium beyond us, so you could hear everything. It was a little weird scoring a touchdown and it was like crickets. Other than that, it was pretty quiet.

Q: What do you think you need to do to prove to people that you're the "number one receiver" in this league?

A: I don't know necessarily about that, but I definitely think obviously, like I said, being consistent. If I go out there and I make plays every week, week in and week out, and I help propel my team to wins, the rest will take care of itself.

Q: How much are you seeing like that when you face other teams? Or are you? Do you see teams shading in your direction or giving you more attention? Have you noticed that as you sort of progress there?

A: It's game one, so it's kind of hard to tell what the game plan is.

Q: I kind of meant a little bit even as last year went along?

A: Not so much. We have a guy named Saquon Barkley that they have to worry about all the time. That really helps a guy like me as far as that goes.

Q: I wanted to just follow up on something. We talk about your chemistry with Daniel Jones. Is that because you guys came in together? It just seems like you guys… every time you connect on a pass, it's like you guys have been playing with each other for 100 years or something like that. I'm just wondering if there's something to it? Are you guys reading each other? What do you think is behind that?

A: I definitely think the fact that we literally came here together from day one, whether it was rookie minicamp or what have you, we've literally been catching and throwing since day one. I think that familiarity is definitely there. I think it's something that we'll continue to build on.

View rare photos of the all-time history between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

DL Leonard Williams

Q: For your guys' first game, how do you think the pass rush did over the full four quarters? I'm also wondering if it was difficult, frankly, keeping it up through four quarters? Coming off of that kind of training camp as well and a shortened offseason.

A: For it to be our first game after a weird season with this coronavirus going on, I think the team overall came out with a lot of good energy actually. I think throughout the game we were able to maintain a good energy and support each other and keep each other up and keep fighting throughout the game. I think we came out really fired up and starting the game off really well. I think there was a few times where we wish we could have got some plays back. I think nobody is in full game mode, week one, people are still ironing a lot of kinks and stuff right now. Overall, I think the defense did pretty well. There's always room for improvement like I said.

Q: What did it feel like to get that first sack after all you've had to deal with about those sack numbers? Going back to last year and the pressure people put on you to produce sacks.

A: Getting a sack always feels good regardless of the circumstances. It's one of the best plays as a D-linemen we want to get. At the same time, it's only one week. It's only the first week of the season, I'm not satisfied. I'm ready to keep working with the rest of my team, the rest of my defense and the rest of the guys I'm rushing with to keep getting home.

Q: From a defensive line rotation, you played the most of anybody. There were some snaps where there were no defensive linemen, some snaps nobody had a hand in the dirt. What did you think of the way the front four was deployed. It seemed like there were some creative looks.

A: I like it. Even the rotation was pretty good. We rotated really good, I think everybody was able to stay fresh. I feel like every time I was in, I was feeling really fresh. I think it also contributes to the way we worked in camp and how hard we worked and how much we focus on conditioning. I think it showed.

Q: It looked like you and Dexter Lawrence did a really nice job getting to the quarterback the other night. At one point it looked like it was a race to get there first. Just curious in terms of your relationship with Dexter, how that's evolved since you have been here? The pairing of you two, what you think the potential is for you guys along that line?

A: Dex, I love that guy. Since day one when I came in - I think he reached out to me on Instagram actually and welcomed me to the team. We exchanged numbers and he was one of the first guys I was in contact with on the team. I think he welcomed me in with open arms. He's a young guy, really talented big guy and he's young. I feel like he's open minded and soaking up the game. I think I love playing with a guy like that. I don't want to play no favorites but he was one of my best friends on the team.

Q: How much easier does it make for you having a guy with that size and skill set playing on the same line next to you?

A: It helps a lot obviously. Sometimes the offensive line can't scheme against one person when there's multiple guys on the D-line. It's not just me and it's not just Dex, it's all of us on the front. It's hard to play against a defense when you can't single out one person. If they slide to protect to one side then the other guy is open, if they slide protect to that guy then the other guys is open. I think it helps out the front a lot.

Q: What was the reaction in the film room to the tackle he made on that screen play when he lunged back down the field and pulled the guy down by his shirt?

A: I was on the field when that play happened so I saw it live and it looked crazy. After watching it on film I went up to him and I was like, 'I know you got a sack and we all love sacks but that might have been your best play of the game'. I think it was just really a high football IQ play, and good reaction skills and good athleticism for him to break through the line like that. Find the back, track him down and pull him down with one hand, I think that was a great play from him.

Q:What's the key to that play? Is it the read, is it the athleticism? What's the most important part?

A: I think it's a little bit of all of it. Him feeling that he broke through the O-line so quickly, and was able to break down, that takes some athleticism. Also realizing that you broke through the line and finding the back takes a high IQ from a D-linemen. Usually D-linemen want to get a sack, so you feel that breakthrough and you want to go toward the quarterback because you are like, 'oh I broke through'. He was able to think during that play and that split second to realize it was screen play. He found the back immediately, tracked with his eyes and pulled him down. I think that was great play.

Q: You played more snaps than any other defensive linemen the other night. Does it give you confidence that the coaching staff feels good enough to put you out there that much? Do you like the idea of moving up and down the line the way you were the other night as well?

A: I'm a little confused on the first question. I'm definitely excited with the way we rotate and the way we move around. I think even when we're in a base three down linemen me and Dex will flop sides sometimes. Because we want to try different sides and after we flop sides we'll say if you're on the right side and you're feeling better than you are on the left side, let me know and I will let you work the right side more. We try to move around as much as possible and rotate as much as possible. Keep everybody fresh and able to keep rushing after the quarterback.

Q: You guys doing some of the moving around on your own?

A: A lot of it is obviously scheme. When I'm standing up outside. Like he said the question earlier there were no D-linemen with their hand in the dirt. Two down linemen, three down linemen, that's all defensive scheme. Every once in a while, since me and Dexter play basically the same position but on opposite sides, sometimes we like to switch sides to feel out the offensive line.

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