ON INSTALL VS. TEACHING FUNDAMENTALS IN CAMP
That’s a great question. In year two, offensively and defensively, you get more freedom in fall camp because the team already understands the system. Compared to last spring and fall camps, the players have a stronger grasp since they’ve been practicing the schemes repeatedly. For mid-year freshmen, Ryan Grubb and I spend time with them installing concepts before spring workouts, so by summer and fall camp, we can advance the complexity. But it always comes back to fundamentals — you can’t build on schemes if the basics aren’t solid. We’ve definitely made progress in that area in year two.
ON INCREASING SACK NUMBERS
Improving our ability to create negative plays, especially sacks, was a key focus after last season. We adjusted fundamentals and added more variety schematically on passing downs. It’s a constantly evolving process depending on the opposing quarterback’s style and mobility. By building a diverse defensive catalog in the offseason, we can adapt weekly to force pressure and contain elusive QBs.
ON FINISHING AT THE QB
Creating opportunities to make plays starts with players executing their assignments and finishing tackles. We constantly emphasize the physicality needed to bring down a grown man, practicing tackling from pre-contact positioning through proper form and various situational drills — from QB scrambles to goal-line and open-field tackles. This detailed work prepares players to make crucial plays when it matters most.
WHAT CAUSED LAPSES IN RUSH DEFENSE LAST SEASON
Against one-plus style offenses, stopping the run effectively requires using all 11 defenders in run support. You have to account for the QB as an additional runner, which demands proper numbers and leverage at the point of attack. We chose to limit explosive plays and create enough negative plays to force offenses into tougher down-and-distance situations. Naturally, that means giving up some yards on the ground, but the focus is on minimizing big plays, especially through the air.
QUA RUSSAW’S STUDYING OF JAMES HARRISON AND WHETHER HE SEES SIMILARITIES
I hadn’t considered that directly, but I’d like Qua to play like James Harrison. Qua stands out even among freakishly athletic players with his strength and violent hands. For example, on tape you see him completely dominating blocks at the point of attack. Beyond physicality, Qua has learned when to be aggressive and when to control that aggression, becoming a more disciplined and effective player.
ON WORKING WITH RYAN GRUBB AND WHETHER THEY COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER
We’re both very competitive, so in that way, we don’t necessarily complement each other — we challenge each other. It’s fun competing daily and sharing ideas, especially since we both view the game holistically and appreciate good fundamentals on both sides of the ball. We’re aggressive in style, with varied schemes offensively and defensively. Ryan’s urgency to improve his side pushes me to do the same. We hold everyone accountable and push hard to achieve our vision.
ON JUSTIN JEFFERSON AND HIS COMFORT LEVEL
Justin is very instinctive, and our scheme is designed to let instinctive players play freely within a disciplined framework. We encourage creative freedom within structure, so it’s a great fit for him.
ON NOAH CARTER
Noah is doing well. It’s rewarding to watch players grow in discipline, often with some back-and-forth steps before things click. Yhonzae Pierre is a good example — in his third year, he’s really progressing. Noah’s in his second year and showing similar growth. With continued effort, he’ll make a big leap in maturity, discipline, and accountability, which is exciting to see.
ON THE INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Having TK back is huge, not just for his play but for his leadership and accountability in the room. Beaman has also grown rapidly from last season to now, showing veteran-like maturity even without as many reps as others. Freddie and Jamie Mosley are pushing the group physically. Fall camp is tough, especially for big guys who don’t naturally want to run 60 snaps, so their growth and maturity will be crucial to our success.
ON THE DEPTH AT SAFETY
We’ve made significant strides in our defensive backfield since last year. Last season, we had only six players rotating through five positions, and injuries compounded the challenge. Now, the depth is much improved — arguably one of the most impressive turnarounds I’ve seen. That’s thanks to great recruiting by Courtney Morgan and staff, and strong development from coaches like Maurice Linguist and Jason Jones. We’re in a much stronger position to compete this year.
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