Vance Joseph – September 27, 2016
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Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph
(On if LB Jelani Jenkins is a starter or if there is some competition there with LB Donald Butler and LB Neville Hewitt) – “Well, we’ve got (Donald) Butler ready to be the starter at Sam (line)backer if we don’t get Koa (Misi), and at Will (line)backer, we’ve got Neville (Hewitt) ready to be the starter for Jelani, if he doesn’t go. So we’ve got two guys ready to go. That’s why they’re here, especially Butler. He’s here to play linebacker. It’s his chance. It’s his turn to show us what he can do.”
(On if LB Jelani Jenkins would have some competition for his starting position if he was healthy) – “No. He’s played well all summer. He’s played well all fall so far. I’m pleased with Jelani. Obviously he has to stay healthy. That’s been an issue over the years. When he’s healthy, he’s played well for us. I’ve been pleased with Jelani.”
(On if his background with the Bengals helps him in a short week) – “Absolutely. Even playing the Browns last week with Hue Jackson, it’s going to be similar offensive philosophies, the run game and pass game alike. For us, it’s kind of fitting that we’re playing the Browns and playing the Bengals in back-to-back weeks. It helps us.”
(On if DE Cameron Wake’s snap count this past week was where he’d like it to be throughout the year) – “Absolutely. We had, I think, 15 or 16 third downs. We had more passing opportunities in this game. If Cam gets about 25 to 30 snaps a game, that’s perfect for us, because you can see if he is fresh at the end of the game, he can close the game out.”
(On if his defense is super hard to learn) – “I don’t think it’s super hard, but you have to be detailed. We’ve had a lot of errors. We’ve practiced very well each week, but in the game there have been a lot of errors. It’s been probably eight to nine plays a game (where there’s) been critical errors that have caused explosive plays. Outside of those eight to 10 plays, it’s been pretty good. I think it’s a case of a new system. It’s a case of having some young guys playing out there. That’s what I’ve got to attribute it to because it’s a system where it’s almost the same job even when there’s pressure or zone. So I’m not sure why there’s a lot of error right now, but it’s got to be fixed quickly. Again, it’s been eight to 10 snaps (with) errors and the other 60 snaps have been pretty good.”
(On Head Coach Adam Gase saying there was some freelancing in the front four and what was going on there) – “That happens when guys are pass rushing every snap. We’ve got to play blocks better. Every snap can’t be a pass rush. When you’re pass rushing, it forces you to be softer in your gaps. So you can be in your gap, but it’s soft, so it gets moved. For the linebacker, instead of it being a smaller gap, it becomes a big gap. We’ve got to recognize run/pass better and play blocks better up front. That’s an issue when you’re an attack front, because we’ve preached attack, attack, attack. But in the same aspect, they’ve got to play blocks better.”
(On if he is saying that guys were acting like it was a pass but it was a run) – “No. I think our guys are just getting off the ball and attacking gaps without realizing it could be run or pass. We have to do a better job of playing gaps up front so we can keep those gaps tighter. Obviously, rushing the passer won’t be our problem. Every game we’ve played this year. we’re hitting the quarterback and we’re getting sacks. But teams are going to counter you when you’re an attack front with reverses, screens and draws, and those things work if you’re constantly up the field. So we’ve got to realize how teams are going to play us. I like being an attack front. It’s great when it’s pass, but when it’s run, you have to field a block and fight the pressure off the block.”
(On if he has any emotion going back to Cincinnati and if he thinks he has any advantage in terms of knowing the personnel) – “It’s no emotion, really. It’s the next game for us. We’ve got to go 2-2. That’s our goal this week. As far as the personnel, it does help. I’ve watched A.J. (Green) in practice for two years. A.J. is a special, special player. The Jeremy Hill kid is a special (running back. Gio Bernard is a special player. I watched the o-line for two years and it’s a good group. Being in that building for two years, you understand why they’ve been good for a long time.”
(On how the defensive tackle play has been from guys other than DT Ndamukong Suh) – “It’s been okay to inconsistent. Last week it was the edge, this week it was down the middle. We’ve got to do a better job of filling blocks, fitting our gaps, the (line)backers coming downhill. There were five explosive runs and I would bet two popped because of gap responsibilities and the other three because of missed tackles. There were five explosive passes in the game and nothing thrown over 8 yards. Most of our explosive passes this year have been thrown inside of 5 years. That’s tackling; that’s being in position to make a play. I’m not concerned about the explosive passes because it’s been tackling for the most part, on explosive passes. The run game we have to fix. It’s been an issue.”
(On how the team can really work on tackling when they are limited in padded practices) – “Most of our (practices are in) shoulder pads (or) shells. We still tackle. We still tackle those dummies and tackle bodies the best we can, even if you don’t have on pads. But everyone has the same rules. If one defense tackles well and one does not, it’s not because of the rules. We’ve got to do a better job of tackling each week in practice and it will transfer into the game.”
