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Vance Joseph – August 5, 2016 Download PDF version

Friday, August 5, 2016

Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph

(On the defensive front) – “So far so good. It’s an experienced front, so I’m not surprised what they’re doing between Mario (Williams) and (Ndamukong) Suh. Jason Jones has been a nice surprise as an edge-setter, as an inside rusher. I’m pleased with those guys.”

(On the cornerback group) – “(Byron) Maxwell is playing really well. He came back in great shape (at) about 200 pounds, which he played at two or three years ago. He’s playing well. The right corner, it’s a competition position. We’ve got three or four guys who are working there, and the best guy is going to play. Right now, it’s more about experience and how to play to the system. It’s not about talent right now. So, we got three or four guys working, and we’ll find someone to play.”

(On whether CB Xavien Howard can be a Week 1 starter) – “Absolutely. He’s a second-round pick for a reason. He’s talented. What we saw in the spring, that gave us hope that he could be a starter. But again, he hasn’t practiced yet. He hasn’t worked. Until he comes back, I won’t know that answer.”

(On what Senior Defensive Assistant/Pass Rush Specialist Jim Washburn brings to the team) – “Coach (Jim) Washburn brings a lot of experience in coaching defensive line play. He’s a veteran coach that veteran players respect. In that room, that’s critical when you have alpha personalities who’ve been to multiple Pro Bowls. It’s critical to have a guy that can push those guys. (Reporter: “People like Cam Wake?”) Absolutely. He’s going to make Cam five percent better, so I’m looking forward to that.”

(On how many sacks DE Cam Wake will have this season) – “I’m not sure. Ask him. He’ll tell you.”

(On whether DT Earl Mitchell has surpassed DT Jordan Phillips for a starting role) – “I’ll tell you this, Earl (Mitchell) and Jordan (Phillips) have both worked hard. It was a pact that we came into camp (that) whoever practices best goes out up with the starters. But obviously we’re going to need at least four inside guys to play. Whoever starts – in my mind – does not matter. I want those four inside guys we keep on the roster to be all dominant players. I’m not down on Jordan, but I want Jordan to grow and become the player we think he can be. That’s why he has been pushing the way he has been pushed.”

(On whether DT Jordan Phillip’s past comments about taking plays off in college is haunting him) “I don’t think it’s haunting him. I think it comes back from time to time, but it’s our job to coach players. You get a player with that size and ability, we got to make him do it. That’s why you pay coaches. I’m not down on Jordan (Phillips). We’re going to keep working with Jordan, and we’re going to make Jordan the player he should be.”

(On the communication between S Isa Abdul-Quddus and S Reshad Jones) “When Reshad (Jones) got back in the spring, you could see his impact with the DBs from the corners to the safeties. He has played a bunch of ball. Formations, down-and-distance, little keys and checks that he gives those guys as far as disguise – he’s been amazing with those guys. Actually, (Byron) Maxwell playing better – in my opinion – is because of Reshad, because of the conversations they’ve had. He has been a major part of why we got better in the back end from the spring.”

(On the new terminology of the defense) – “Every NFL team plays certain coverages, certain styles. You just call it differently and you play it differently. (Reshad Jones) has played a bunch of ball. Any veteran DB that comes here, he’s going to have some experience with what we’re doing.”

(On LB Kiko Alonso playing middle linebacker) – “I think middle for him is his natural position. I think Kiko is a modern-day Mike ‘backer. Back in the day, you got those Mike ‘backers who are really A-gap run stoppers and big guys who can cover. It’s a passing league along with a little bit of one-back run. So, I think it fits him. He’s a modern day Mike ‘backer – a guy with size and length, but also the speed to run to the flat and run the seam.”

(On how LB Kiko Alonso has looked) – “He has looked great. I’ve been really impressed with him from the spring to now. (I am) more impressed with his football IQ and his ability to move. He has got great instincts in the pass game.”

(On whether he will coach from the booth or sidelines) – “I’m going to be on the sideline. That’s my comfort. That’s where I’ve been my entire career. I’ll be on the sideline.”

(On the pros and cons to coaching from the sideline) – “I don’t think there are any cons at all. I think as far as calling a game, it’s more about down-and-distance. I’ll have guys in the box who’ll be my eyes for me, but I want to be in the midst of it, so I can feel the tempo of the guys.”

 

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