Jelani Jenkins – June 9, 2016
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Thursday, June 9, 2016
LB Jelani Jenkins
(On how he would describe Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s coaching style) – “I think he’s very articulate and he’s very sure of what he wants and he explains it really well. He coaches really well and he teaches it really well – not just what we’re doing, but how we’re doing it (and) why we’re doing it. So I mean that’s the best way I can describe that.”
(On the development of the players from last year’s rookie class and if anything has surprised him about the class) – “I think just being one year in already and getting one year under their belt, I think with experience they definitely look more comfortable out there. I think that biggest jump is usually from that rookie year to that second year. You can definitely see that they worked on what they needed to work on in the offseason and just got better in those areas that they were weak in. With this new coaching staff, I think they’re teaching them really well and I think ascension, as you said, is really happening for them.”
(On what has struck him so far about the Wide 9 defense) – “That we are just always attacking. I think that’s just the biggest part of it. It’s a very attack-style defense (with) constant pressure and I think that’s how we like it.”
(On how much pressure it puts on the linebackers, especially stopping the run) – “I don’t think it puts too much more pressure on us. I think with the Wide 9, it kind of keeps everything in the box and inside, and that’s where we are. So it doesn’t put too much pressure on us.”
(On what changes has he noticed from the linebackers with Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s approach compared to previous coaching staffs) – “I’d say that I think that we are playing a little bit more just team-oriented. I mean that’s the best way I can describe it, without going too much into the depth of (the) scheme. I think we’re just working well together as a unit and kind of moving with each other, if that makes sense.”
(On what unique skill that LB Kiko Alonso has that’s going to be a real asset to their group) – “I think just his instincts and just his ability to run to the ball. What I’ve noticed from him, just in the run game and the pass game, is just … he’s smart. He kind of understands scheme – offensive scheme – and he’s able to decipher things really fast (and) not bite on decoys. He’s really good at just instinctually playing in the middle and kind of seeing the bigger picture.”
(On if he is concerned about linemen getting to the second level in the Wide 9 defense) – “Yeah, I mean when the linemen get up and say there’s space, a little bit of space, that kind of puts the lineman on the island. So you got a lot of things you do to them. You can beat them with speed, juke them, hit them. I think it plays well for me.”
(On if he doesn’t have to always take on linemen head-on in that defense) – “Not at all. You don’t always have to.”
(On being one of two draft picks still here from his draft class and if he feels like he has to make up for everybody else) – “No, not necessarily. Not necessarily. I don’t really feel too much pressure on what happened to everybody else in the draft class. I just come in every day to work. I didn’t even notice that or didn’t even think about it, to be honest with you.”
(On the biggest issue the linebackers had against the run last year and what they’re doing to fix it) – “I think just overall, that front seven, just everybody being on the same page (and) playing the same way. People are playing things a little differently and I think that caused gaps in the scheme. In the past years, I think if everybody was on the same page (and) we’re all playing stuff the same exact way, it probably would have been a little better. That’s what I saw.”
(On if it’s a combination of the right people and thinking a little bit too much) – “It could be a little bit of that. I’m not sure. I do know in the Wide 9, we all kind of know where they are going to be. They’re going to be up the field, they’re going to be doing that thing on the edge. So (thinking too much) could be a little bit (of it), but I think a lot of different things played a role.”
(On if there’s a little bit of anticipation and excitement with a week left of the offseason program) – “Yeah, I think we’ve worked really hard since we’ve gotten back and we’ve learned a lot. I know that guys are looking forward to this break (and) kind of getting everything that we learned and kind of revamping their skills in this next little offseason part. Training camp is right around the corner so we’re just trying to finish strong next week; but I think there is a little bit of looking forward to it for a lot of guys.”
(On how you get yourself prepared for training camp after the grind of OTAs) – “You still watch film. You watch film on things that you did wrong. You just tweak the little things. You focus on weaknesses. You know if you got a little banged up, you work or those things and you just keep getting stronger and faster. That’s all you can do. Yeah, you kind of get with the guys (and) work on catching (and) linebacker drills for me. You kind of just revamp and technically work on the skills that you got to do.”
(On what he is going to work on) – “Me personally, I think I just need to … because I can’t hit anybody without the pads on in the offseason, (I’ll) just work in the weight room and just (try to) get stronger, faster. I’ll keep working on the foot work that linebackers have to work on.”
(On his coverage ability paired with LB Kiko Alonso’s coverage ability and how much flexibility that gives the defense) – “He gives (us) a lot of flexibility. It kind of keeps offenses off balanced because you don’t really know … You can’t really say this is the cover guy and this is not the cover guy. They don’t really know exactly who’s going to cover who, because we can kind of do both. I think that’s one of the biggest advantages of that – it’s hard for offenses to game plan or scheme up because you never really know what we’re going to do.”
(On any observations of who has been good at running routes out of the backfield) – “Yeah, I think Jay (Ajayi) has done an excellent job out of the backfield. He’s done really well. I think this second year is going to be really good for him. I think Jakeem Grant, he’s done an excellent job in that slot. I mean he’s one of the quickest people I’ve ever seen. But we got talent all over the place over there (on the offensive side of the ball). Obviously the coaches are doing a good job of putting them in good situations to make those plays.”
(On his early impressions of the undrafted linebackers such as LB James Burgess) – “Yeah, I think they all work hard and they’re learning at rookie pace – kind of just what we’re used to seeing from rookies. They’re learning. They’re getting adjusted to the speed of the game; but athletically, they’re all gifted and they pick up on stuff really fast.”
