LB Devon Kennard
December 23, 2014
Q: Can you talk about the first and second year players that are playing prominent roles on this team and the hope for the future?
A: We have a lot of young players playing big roles on this team and getting better every week. I think that is a huge testament to the organization and the guys that they have brought in, and to us players and the impact we want to have and to the future we want to have for this organization.
Q: The season got off to a rough start for you guys… What would it mean to close the season winning four straight games?
A: That is essential. That losing streak we went on for seven weeks was tough on everybody. I think it is a testament to the organization and the coaches and the players fighting back and winning these last three. We have to go out and compete and get this fourth one to finish on a strong note.
Q: You mentioned how important it would be to finish on a high note… Does part of you look back and say why didn’t we do this early on in the season?
A: Of course, there is ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ when you are in a situation where you are not going to make the playoffs, but you can’t worry about that. All you can worry about is today and doing everything you can today and this week to try and get a win. Hopefully we can feed off of what we have done so far and get a big win against Philly and finish the year right.
Q: How much have you seen your role increase in the last couple weeks?
A: I have become a bigger part of game plans and I have been playing more. In base packages I have been playing our SAM linebacker position. In nickel situations, on first and second down, I have been playing our WILL linebacker spot. I have definitely been a bigger piece of the game plan, and I am trying to grow as a player in every practice and every game.
Q: How hard is it to come to grips that this season is ending?
A: Sometimes it is like that, unfortunately. Obviously we wish we could’ve started quick and much sooner than this, but all we can worry about is this week and trying to get a win and finish the year right.
Q: When Jeff Fisher was asked about the brawl Sunday he said that the Giants should look themselves in the mirror… When you look back on that did you guys think you did anything wrong throughout the game or were you guys completely in the right?
A: I am not one to say who is in the right and wrong. I feel like we were defending our teammate. I think that is what it comes down to and you can point fingers all you want, but what happened, happened. I think it became a very physical game. There was a lot of bickering back and forth.
Q: Philly has hit a little rough patch… What has dropped off in their performance?
A: They are still a dynamic team. They had a couple of losses, but they are still a dynamic team that can play with anybody on any Sunday. We have to expect their ‘A’ game and expect them to come out flying and we know they have a very talented team and we struggled against them earlier in the year. It is going to be essential for us to come ready to play.
Q: Were there lessons you could take from the first game?
A: I think it is very essential that we don’t let them get out on the perimeter and give them space to make plays like they did before. We have to play assignment ball and know where we fit and trust one another. I know the coaches are putting together a great plan for us and we just have to make sure we are executing all week and go and do it on Sunday.
