Mike Hull – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
LB Mike Hull
(A lot was made in the offseason about needing to improve the linebacker corps. Do you take any of that personally and what was your view of how the linebackers performed last season?) – “Obviously, whenever you need to improve, you take it personally. I definitely think that we can get better from last year and I think we’ve brought in the people to do that – Lawrence (Timmons) and Raekwon (McMillan). Even in training camp right now, in the spring, you can tell that there’s obviously a lot more competition. Those guys are capable of doing a lot of great things.”
(When you look at the linebackers now – you mentioned LB Lawrence Timmons and LB Raekwon McMillan, LB Koa Misi – you’ve got a little starting experience, Neville Hewitt has some starting experience. Are you much improved or can you say without having pads on?) – “I think it’s too early to tell, but obviously in training camp we’ll find out pretty quickly. I do feel a lot better having another year under my belt. I know Neville feels the same. I think with Lawrence’s experience over the last 10 years in the NFL, we’re only going to get better from here as a unit.”
(Given the talent that has been brought in at linebacker, how do you see yourself fitting in and how do you see the potential for more playing time on defense?) – “That’s up to the coaches. It’s up to myself in training camp to perform whenever I get the opportunity. I’m not worried about it too much right now. I want to take every day as a step and try to get better and be consistent.”
(What have you worked on this offseason to improve?) – “Footwork and playing faster. I think if I can do that, it’s going to go a long way. Also, I think having one more year in the system is definitely going to pay dividends.”
(Obviously, Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is cycling through a lot of players at different linebacker spots. Who has cycled through at middle linebacker? You, LB Lawrence Timmons, LB Kiko Alonso?) – “I think pretty much everyone has played there. I think three or four guys have played there, including myself. Like Coach Burke said, we’re mixing and matching a lot even through first team, second team, third team – it doesn’t matter. They’re just trying to get different looks for different guys at different spots.”
(Has LB Lawrence Timmons become anything of a vocal leader in the room yet or is he quiet?) – “He’s quiet, but he gives really good advice. He’s not (a) ‘rah-rah’ type guy, but if you ask him a question or he has good insight on different looks or how even he played it in his last system, that can really go a long way with helping the young guys and even Kiko, bouncing things back and forth.”
(Have you had a chance to talk to LB Koa Misi? We haven’t at this point. How are spirits, obviously, coming off of major surgery?) – “He’s doing everything he can to get back. I’m not sure what’s going on. The coaches I’m sure can tell you a lot better than I can.”
(When you say that LB Lawrence Timmons gives really good advice, can you give us an example of certain situations where you’ve looked at film and he provides insight?) – “You’re playing a fire zone and you get crossers and digs behind you or something and ask him how they played that in Pittsburgh or how he sees something playing out in his mind, as opposed to maybe chasing a route or being patient on things. He has seen a lot of things. He has been in multiple defenses over 10 years. Little things like that (like), ‘How would you play this play? What do you see whenever you see the offensive tackle do this?’ And he’ll give you his input.”
(When you see crossers, what does LB Lawrence Timmons say? Just knock them out?) – “That has pretty much been his philosophy it seems like. (laughter)”
(When we’ve seen the open practices, we’ve seen you working with the first unit a lot. When you’re in there like that, do you feel like you have as much of a shot winning that job as anybody else?) – “Yes. I’m going to do everything I can to win that starting spot and to maximize my ability. It’s up to the coaches ultimately and what I do in camp. I’m just trying to get better every day, work at my craft and be consistent.”
(What’s different between Mike Hull the rookie free agent from Penn State to Mike Hull the third-year veteran?) – “I think confidence and experience. Last year, playing all 16 games and a playoff game, I got a lot of experience, got to see a lot of things, got to learn a lot from Kiko Alonso. I feel a lot more confident going into this year that I can get it done whatever my role may be.”
(Are you getting recognized more or at all?) – “No, I blend in pretty well with the general population. (laughter) I keep a low profile.”
(Your thoughts on Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke in his first year as defensive coordinator?) – “(I) love Coach Burke. I loved him as a linebackers coach. I think he’s really intelligent. I think he’s going to get our defense right this year. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about this defense. I have a lot of confidence in him, and I think a lot of the players are excited about what he can do.”
(Everybody says that Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is really intelligent. How can you tell? Let’s say away from football, is there stuff that you talk about?) – “For what it’s worth, I guess he went to Dartmouth, and he thinks he’s smart, because he went to an Ivy League school. (laughter) Just in every day conversations, you can tell he’s always thinking about what his answer is going to be and always analyzing situations. You can tell that through interactions with him every day.”
(If I could follow up on the footwork, why specifically focus on footwork this offseason? What does that do for you?) – “Footwork, it’s going to put you in the right position. Honestly, me being a little bit smaller of a linebacker, every step I can gain is an advantage for me. I really think that’s something that will help bring me to the next level as far as defeating blocks in the run game and even getting myself in position to play the pass as well.”
(You have a new position coach, right?) – “Yes.”
(What’s Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Frank Bush like?) – “Coach Bush – he’s actually really similar to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Burke as far as coaching style. He’s a player’s coach. He gets along well with the players. He’s just fun to play for. (I) really enjoy having him in the room as our coach. He gets a lot out of us. Very similar philosophy, so I don’t think there’s too big of a change going from Coach Burke to him.”
