Sam Madison – September 22, 2022
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Thursday, September 22, 2022
Corner Backs/Defensive Pass Game Specialist Sam Madison
(It’s one thing for an undrafted rookie like CB Kader Kohou to make the team, but to play as much as he has, what has led to that? What is he done specifically that has impressed you?) – “Mindset. I talk to him all the time. I was like, ‘Man, coming into the league as far as me, like, I didn’t really have many friends in the National Football League. So all my friends were on the Miami Dolphins.’ So same with him. He was like, ‘I don’t know nobody. I have nobody in the league.’ So he takes everything to heart. He takes it seriously. He goes out there and he just works. So it’s just fun to be able to watch the things that he’s been able to do since he’s been here. Just being able to talk through some things with him and then goes out there and applies them. But he’s a hard-nosed, tough little young corner, and we try to get him in when we can.”
(When you guys have CB Xavien Howard shadowing a receiver, what does that do to the corner on the other side?) – “It gives them an opportunity because you know, sometimes when you have a great corner like ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), people tend to shy away from them. Then the ball tends to find the other corner. So quarterbacks, offensive schemes, offensive coaches, they’re going to try to deliver that ball to the opposite side. But whoever’s out there on the field, you’ve just got to be ready to go and when your number’s called, you just got to go out there and make something happen.”
(Speaking of CB Xavien Howard, we don’t see many big plays on him. The one to Rashod Bateman, it seemed like there was some late communication going on there. What happened on that slant?) – “Just talking to ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) about technique. Every single play, every down, throughout the course of practice, when you’re in games, when you’re in film study, just making sure that you’re on point at all times. It’s just some lackadaisical play for his technique. And I’m pretty sure if he had that play back, he’d want to go back and do it again. But watching it, coming to the sideline, being able to break it all down and give him the information so he can go out there. Then after that, he went out there and he was confident and he played extremely well towards the end of the game. So just from playing one all the way to play 67 or 77 or 55, you’ve got to be locked in. After that, he definitely was locked in. So we just want to get him there from the beginning of the game and making sure little things like that don’t creep up during the middle.”
(I know CB Xavien Howard has good playmaking ability. Did you say anything about him missing that pick six?) – “Absolutely. I definitely did. (laughter) He’s definitely trying to reach a goal. And by dropping those, he’s not going to get there as quickly as possible. He was heartbroken. And just being able to watch film over here in the last couple of years, he’s been in those positions before. So throughout the course of the week, we’re always doing ball drills and making sure that everybody is in the right position and being able to get their hands on the ball. So that is one of my things that I really like putting these guys in position of being able to catch on a consistent basis. A wide receiver will catch probably over 100-plus balls a day. As far as defensive backs, we’re doing other things, have to tackle and read concepts and all of those. So trying to get them ball drills almost every day is really important.”
(I know on CB Xavien Howard, he was out with a groin yesterday. Are you worried about the possibility of him not playing on Sunday?) – “I’m not worried. I mean, you look around the league there’s veteran maintenance days all around the league and something new to me. Jimmy (Johnson) was like your veteran day is out here on this field. But just understanding it. He’s a pro. He’s been through this before and I’m looking forward to him to be 100 percent. But that’s the trainers. They’ll get him right. Coach (Mike) McDaniel, he’ll do what’s right by the players and making sure that everybody’s available when it comes time for Sunday.”
(Assuming CB Xavien Howard will play, what are your thoughts on the matchup this Sunday?) – “We’re going to see what happens. Coach (Josh) Boyer does a very good job of dissecting what offenses do and where we need him to go. And he’s always up for any matchup. His mindset is right. I think when it all comes down to it, he’s going to go out there and put his best foot forward no matter who he who he’s covering. But the Buffalo Bills have whole lot of wide receivers. A lot of good guys. And then they have a really good quarterback who can deliver the ball, and guys just making plays. So it’s going to be fun to be able to watch these guys go out and play.”
(You mentioned the ball skill drills that you do. We don’t get to see all of practice. Can you give us a little insight on what you work on with the DBs and try to get those ball skills?) – “It’s just understanding and watching film and seeing exactly what types of route and these concepts that they’re running. Then just understanding the breaks that they’ll have to be coming out of, and then delivering balls that you’re pretty much going to see from a quarterback and just try to simulate those throws, and putting those guys in position to utilize their hands, if it’s body catching, big-body wide receivers or tight ends. Just simulating those types of things to try to put them in position to be able to get around those situations, using the bag drills and using other players to make sure that they have opportunity to secure that ball when they have the opportunity to.”
(It looks like you’ve got a good arm.) – “It’s ok. I’m still working on it. (laughter)”
