Kader Kohou – August 23, 2023
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Wednesday, August 23, 2023
CB Kader Kohou
(I know this time last year and if you were one of those guys that were maybe on the right side of the bubble or wrong side of the bubble. What goes through your mind thinking about where you are a year from then, being established on the team roster?) – “Growth. Happy to be where I’m at but I have to keep working.”
(Where do you feel like you improved the most so far this camp and preseason? Where have you seen the most growth?) – “Just being more consistent. Last year, I felt like I made splash plays, but then kind of have down plays. So just staying more consistent and not letting a bad play affect the next play.”
(Have they given you, the starters, any indication on how much you’ll play on Saturday? And do you think that this defense is regular season ready?) – “Nah, that would be a better question for the coaches. But as a defense, I feel like we do a lot of good things, but we still have a lot to work on. So we’re still just working.”
(How challenging is it to go from the slot to the outside in the same game or in the same practice?) – “It’s not that challenging. I feel like when I’m playing slot or outside, you’re playing man or just zone, so there’s not that big of a difference. It’s not that challenging.”
(Are you still renting or did you buy a house or condo?) – “(laughter) I got the same apartment I had last year.”
(What about a new car? Did you get a new car for this year?) – “Yeah.”
(Is it fancy?) – “(laughter) It’s not fancy.”
(How much have you talked to CB Jalen Ramsey since he got hurt and how’s he been?) – “Jalen, his mentality is different. When you talk to him, it doesn’t seem like he’s hurt. He’s just ready to come back and play. He’s always texting the group chat trying to give us pointers and stuff like that. He’s been great even though he’s not on the field with us.”
(Do you embrace the challenge for the time that he is going to be out, taking a little bigger role?) – “I was going to do that anyway. It’s the same mindset I had going into camp …”
(Last game, RB De’Von Achane got slammed down once and another time a 300-pound defensive lineman fell on him. Have you seen that happen out here during practice? Has anybody slammed joint practices or anything? I’m wondering if there’s anything that he can do as a running back to kind of prevent that?) – “I’ve never played running back, so I don’t know what to do. But we don’t really tackle at practice so I can’t really tell. I didn’t even see the play so I can’t really give too much info on that.”
(You didn’t see that? I know you don’t watch the offense.) – “No, but he’s a great player though.”
(You mentioned consistency as a goal for you this year. What are some things you’re doing to try get more consistent?) – “Really just building into a routine. Last year, I felt like it’s a problem for most rookies. You come in and it’s hard to find the things you do on a day-to-day basis. You get ready for practice or games or watching film and stuff like that. So building a better routine keeps you on track to make everything and settle you down and just play football.”
(Some of your teammates have been really complimentary of you and your play the last year or so. What does that mean to you? Knowing that game recognizes game and how does that make you feel?) – “Especially coming from my teammates, I go to war with those guys every Sunday. If they feel like I’m good enough to play with them and compete with them, it’s a great feeling.”
(What’s one thing CB Xavien Howard does that you make sure that if you didn’t do before, you’re like, ‘I have to do that because he’s doing it?’) – “He just plays the ball like crazy. Ball production. That’s the biggest thing he makes. Playing corner, you have to have a short-term memory. He has that down to a pat. He’s really good at not letting anything get too high or too low.”
(We heard from Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio yesterday. He said something interesting that in the meeting room is when you study, on the field is the exam and he likes to leave you guys alone and let you play. Have you noticed that hands-off approach from him when you’re on the field?) – “Most definitely. I feel like on the field, I don’t even hear him. The only time I hear him talk is when we go to the team defensive meeting room. He’s always the one leading the meetings and he coaches every position on every single play. So whatever he said, yes it’s true.”
(He coaches every position on every single play?) – “Every single play. When we’re watching film, he goes and talks about the d-line, switches the view, then talks about linebackers and then the DBs.”
(That’s unusual from your perspective?) – “I’ve only had two defensive coordinators in the NFL, but even my college coach didn’t do that. We always had separate meeting rooms.”
(We also keep hearing that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is funnier than he looks.) – “Yeah, he’s funny. I thought he was going to be one of those guys that was football 24/7, like military and stuff. But no, he cracks jokes here and there. He’s funny without even trying to be.”
(He was talking trash about your guys’ music choice though. Is there anything he pushes in the meeting room?) – “Vic doesn’t know what we listen to, but what did he just turn yesterday – 65 (years old)? I don’t think we have the same kind of music. (laughter)”
(I think he called it noise.) – “Yeah, my grandpa calls it noise too. (laughter)”
