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Eric Rowe – September 2, 2021 Download PDF version

Thursday, September 2, 2021

S Eric Rowe

(Is it harder at all for you, does it increase your number of hours of preparation not being completely sure who is going to be lining up next to you always during the season? It could be DB Jason McCourty some, it could be S Jevon Holland some. Does that add any extra work to you in terms of achieving chemistry and communication with both guys?) – “No, not really. Really all camp we’ve been in rotation with each other. I know what it’s like being out there with Jason, I know what it’s like being out there with Jevon. Even when Brandon (Jones), when he’s in the mix. We all rotate so we all get a feel for how the other person acts. They make the call, they’re quick on it, stuff like that.”

(What do you think of S Jevon Holland wearing No. 8?) – “Oh yeah, I just noticed that today. I was like, ‘Who’s No. 8 out there?’ (laughter) I just noticed. I remember he did tell me and I was like ‘hey, it looks cool.’

(That’s S Jevon Holland’s college number. Did you get a vibe that he felt real comfortable in it today at practice? Felt like he was back in his college days.) – “I don’t know. I just saw a No. 8 and said, ‘Yeah, that’s pretty cool.’ If I was a rookie, I would definitely go single digit too. (laughter)”

(Obviously this is an unusual bye week. We are all looking forward to it. When the team does play its first game, which will be here real soon, what kind of first impression do you think the club would like to make about what’s coming for the season?) – “Our goal as a team – as a defense, special teams, offense, it doesn’t matter – is to start fast because last year we did not start fast at all. We started like 0-2, didn’t play as well first game in New England last year even though we had the potential. That’s been our main goal this year as a team, organization, to start fast.”

(You are familiar with both players, but TE Jonnu Smith and TE Hunter Henry, have you spent much time watching film of them at all in the last week or so? Or is that more of a next week thing?) – “A little bit this week and definitely next week. This past week, it’s kind of been still focused on us. I watch a little bit, really the past couple days and then next week obviously game plan week and I am all on it. Those two guys, they have a reputation in the NFL. You know their names. I respect all opponents, but those two guys are some of the two best at it.”

(What was your reaction when the Patriots moved on from QB Cam Newton and named QB Mac Jones the guy?) – “Just like everybody else – surprised. We’re sitting here getting ready for trying to think about how are we going to stop this quarterback run and then he’s let go. It’s like alright, well now we have to shift our thoughts of who we are playing. It’s pretty guaranteed it’s probably Mac Jones but whoever else they have next. Just like everyone else, I was surprised.”

(How does that go for you defense-wise? You go from the big 250-pound bruiser to a pocket passer?) – “Two totally different style quarterbacks. You got one who can definitely throw but he’s a runner. You got quarterback runs that are definitely a threat. Now, you have a rookie that we only have preseason tape on him. We know he can throw. He’s a smart guy but he doesn’t have any NFL tape. Just kind of transition, you have to adapt to it.”

(I know you get very formal cut-ups of QB Mac Jones preseason and of Mac Jones college, but do you ever just type in YouTube “Mac Jones Alabama” just to watch? Do you ever go on YouTube and type in player names?) – “No (laughter). No, I don’t really go watch someone’s highlights. I’m trying to see how they play throughout the whole game.”

(You mentioned limited NFL preseason tape that you can watch on QB Mac Jones. Can QB Tua Tagovailoa help in that regard having played with him at Alabama?) – “I don’t know how much he can help. Mac is in a totally different offense. Obviously, he’s probably grown from whenever Tua was there with him. I don’t know how much he can help.”

(You guys really thrived on taking the ball away last year. This year the team obviously added LB Jaelan Phillips to help spark that pass rush. What can an improved pass rush do for you guys do in the secondary?) – “Really an improved pass rush can help for everything. One, having a core to put pressure on the O-line and quarterback to make a decision quicker, but it’s also on us to cover the guys. If we don’t cover them, the quarterback can get it out quick and the pass rush doesn’t mean anything. With the pass rush, the quarterback has to get it out quicker, maybe bad decisions are made and that’s when INTs or strip sacks come in or sacks come in. Pass rush is everything.”

(Rush plus coverage?) – “Yeah, it all works together. You can’t do one without the other. An improved pass rush? Improved coverage.”

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