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Nik Needham – September 30, 2021 Download PDF version

Thursday, September 30, 2021

CB Nik Needham

(One thing that’s a little different this year, we were talking to Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer about this, is more players are being used in the defensive backfield than last November/December. Obviously you and CB Justin Coleman are sharing slot duties and four safeties are playing. Last year it was just S Bobby McCain McCain, S Eric Rowe and S Brandon Jones. I’m curious if you tin that has had any impact at all in terms of third down defense being a lot worse as a group this year. I know it’s a small sample size, but is that a factor a lot of guys playing which could lead to confusion or is it unrelated?) – “I don’t think that’s the issue. I think we have to do a better job on first and second down. We got a lot of teams getting in third-and-2, third-and-1, which are real manageable third downs. When they’re in that situation, it’s like 50/50 for them to get it. If we can just execute better on first and second down, we’ll be able to keep them in backed up situations like second-and-10-plus. Just doing that will create a third-and-10 and we are more likely to get off the field with that. It has nothing to do with confusion.”

(How much time in practice do you spend splitting boundary and slot? Do you spend time at both?) – “Wherever they put me, whenever they do that, yeah. I think it’s all gameplan and matchup-wise. I’m more in the slot but like you’ve seen last game, I will go outside as well, because when I first came here, I played outside corner so I have that available with me. I think just wherever they need me or wherever they think this week someone will fit, that’s where they plug a guy.”

(How frustrating does it get when offenses are moving the chains on you like they have in the past couple of games?) – “It’s very frustrating because we know we are better than that. We got too many talented guys on the team to be giving up all of them third downs. We’re just back to the drawing board. We’ve been going over it with Coach (Josh) Boyer and focusing on the minor things as far as execution and communication. That’s really what that comes down to as well.”

(In addition to trying to force more third-and-long situations, what are some other things that were definitely happening last year on third downs that lead to the team being first in the league in that category, that you would love to see start to happen again?) – “I think we just have to make more plays on the ball. Win our one-on-ones. We’ve got to win our one-on-one matchups. I think that’s what it’s come down to as well, D-line and DBs. Like I said, if we can all start doing that and really focusing on that, winning our one-on-ones on third down, this guy is not going to make the play to get the first down. If we can all think like that and move like that, I think it will be more successful.”

(I know they have a new offensive coordinator but has QB Jacoby Brissett shared anything about the Colts offense with you guys?) – “No, I actually haven’t asked him but that’s a good idea. (laughter) I might need to go talk to him and see what he knows about over there. But no, I haven’t asked him yet. I like your shirt, by the way.”

(It’s only been three games but how do you feel like you are performing overall?) – “I think I’m playing alright. I’ve got a lot more work to do. I would say I’m off to a better start than last season, I just feel a little bit more comfortable. Like I said, I’ve got way more work to do. I just need to focus on one play at a time. Like I said earlier about the one-on-one matchups, like last game, I gave up a catch. Me, personally, I don’t want to give up anything so just to have that mindset every game. I think if you stack those on top of week on week on week, you’ll just get better every week.  That’s my goal and the overall focus for me.”

(Thinking back to a play last game. I’m wondering from your perspective if you saw it the same way. There was a high pass to TE Darren Waller and you were deeper in coverage. Did it look like that ball was going to get to you and Waller just comes in and leaped?) – “We were in Cover 3. The seven route, I had a fade on me and I was kind of in between because Derek Carr is a good quarterback and he had already tricked me kind of with his gameplay in the game. I saw him looking at Waller but I didn’t know. He might double-pump it and then throw it to the fade. You have to always protect the go ball, so that’s why. But I did for a second think it might go over his head, so I was kind of a little hesitant. That dude is big. He’s big as hell.”

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