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Robbie Leonard – May 25, 2021 Download PDF version

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Outside Linebackers Coach Robbie Leonard

(LB Jaelan Phillips – what has struck you so far? I know there hasn’t been a ton of on-field stuff, but the physical gifts that he has that had stood out to you in-person and on tape.) – “Really just for me is all the intangible stuff that he brings to the table. Who he is as a person, his work ethic, his detail and just his drive. He’s been consistent day-in and day-out so far, but that to me as a coach and really as an organization, outside of the obvious physical ability, is first for me that has stuck out with him.”

(LB Andrew Van Ginkel had himself an awesome jump last year with the Dolphins. I wanted to know what it is that you’re wanting to see from him moving forward and to further his development as a pass rusher, as a more balanced linebacker? What is it that you’re looking for from him?) – “For him, it’s really just stay the course. If you truly believe in the process of getting better every day and those aren’t empty words – which I think he speaks for himself when you ask him about those things – to stay the course and with anything, time comes, confidence comes, anticipation with the experiences. So build on the experiences he’s had, show others the way and the processes he’s developed over the past two years of being a pro. When I think of Van Ginkel, he’s a true pro just in every way that he goes about his business.”

(And to follow that up, I wanted to also ask because LB Kyle Van Noy, a lot of the veterans on the team now they’re gone, so LB Andrew Van Ginkel kind of has to take a little bit of a step up in that role. What kind of lessons do you feel that he learned from Van Noy and others last season that he can take into this next one?) – “Kyle (Van Noy) did a great job for us. Again from a professional standpoint, and I think ‘Ginkel’ (Andrew Van Ginkel) observed all that through the last year. But first and foremost with him, I would encourage him to just be himself. If you want people to follow you, you’ve got to be yourself day-in and day-out on the field and not to try to be someone you’re not and people will follow. People notice. They notice all the little things, all the detail and in my opinion, that’s what people follow is genuine authenticity. I think Andrew is those things. He doesn’t have to try to be anybody else.”

(I wanted to ask you about a free agent acquisition in LB Duke Riley. What has been your early impression on him so far on the defense and on special teams as well?) – “Duke – he’s been great again with coming here just with his intensity in which he practices, eager to learn and he’s done well so far. He’s learning the techniques and fundamentals we’re teaching him, and it’s fun to see someone embrace those things and with such tenacity. He’s done a good job.”

(I wanted to ask you – your movement on the coaching staff the last three years. How have you taken that? How have you taken on your roles and how do you think you’ve come out better as a coach for the movement that you’ve had?) – “Coaches are kind of like players in this system. I just came to work, tried to get better and tried to keep a humble mindset and learn. It’s amazing what I learned last year just being able to observe and see a way that I can improve personally, the way things all tie together. This is a special place and the time being here, seeing things evolve over time as they have, last year helped me have time to think and see all those things.”

(Could you give just an overview thoughts of what you have in your room obviously among LB Andrew Van Ginkel and LB Vince Biegel and LB Duke Riley and LB Brennan Scarlett, because you lost two pretty good players with LB Kyle Van Noy and DE Shaq Lawson at outside linebacker? Just what you have talent-wise in that room. Obviously LB Jaelan Phillips as well.) – “Again, this probably may not be what everybody wants to hear, but I always start with the intangibles and how they work together as a unit. Physically, they’re always out there trying to improve better physically in the weight room, fundamentally on the field and those things all matter; but the way we play defense here is collectively as a unit. When I see that room, that’s what I see. Guys that can communicate, they’re aware, that are smart, that won’t beat themselves and play with a relentless motor. After that, if you’re willing to do all those things, the physical things will come.”

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