Devon Kennard
August 2, 2015
Q: What has this defense been like for you in general? What do you think of it and what do you see your role in it?
A: It is a lot of fun. It is more complex than what we did last year but it gets everybody opportunities to make plays and puts them in position to make plays and that is exciting as a defensive player.
Q: What do you mean by more complex? Why do you say that?
A: There are different blitzes, he likes coming after the quarterback and getting pressure on the quarterbacks. He has different blitzes and different things we can do out of our coverages and stuff, so to that degree it is a little more complex but easy on us but looks more complex, I should say.
Q: Do you see yourself being able to do that more? Do you see them likely asking you to do more of blitzing and getting after the quarterback?
A: I think they will give me the opportunities where I can do that and same with some other guys on the defense. We’ve got some guys with some different skill sets and I think he is doing a good job of taking advantage of everybody.
Q: That was something that they kind of held back a little bit with you last year was going after the quarterback, right? Towards the end of the year, did they start to add that to your repertoire?
A: Yeah, I think it is something that I am sure I can do throughout camp and throughout the season, and later in the year I got some opportunities and was able to take advantage of it.
Q: Do you like doing that?
A: Oh, of course, [there is] nothing better than a sack caused fumble besides an interception for a touchdown.
Q: This team has always had defensive ends that lead the team in sacks. Do you think this system can have a linebacker among the leaders?
A: Possibly. Obviously nobody gets more opportunities to rush the passer than defensive ends but there is definitely times where we are going to pressure all of our linebackers so we will see what kind of opportunities are presented to us once the year comes.
Q: Have you played any defensive end? Have they asked you to play any natural defensive end?
A: Uh, not yet. I have been playing strictly linebacker but we will see what comes the rest of camp.
Q: Everybody talks about getting sacks and enjoying sacks but this team the one thing they didn’t do last year was stop the run. What makes you think this year will be better in that regard?
A: It is the mindset we have to have. We can’t let people run the ball all over us and me being a linebacker, that is something I want to take pride in and I think everybody in the room feels the same way. First, we have to stop the run and then everything else comes after that.
Q: When you look back at last year, what was the problem with stopping the run?
A: I just think we weren’t as disciplined as we could have been and guys just didn’t make plays when we should have made plays. I think we are starting to understand the defense, understand our responsibilities within the defense, and I think we have a hungry defense [that] is ready to prove that we are a talented group.
Q: How are you doing physically?
A: I feel 100 percent healthy.
Q: How has the chemistry been with that group?
A: The chemistry is great. Beason is a great mentor and leader and friend to me and really helped take me under his wing. I am learning as much as I can from him with how he just approaches the game everyday at practice and in games. We’ve got a great linebacking corps. I think we’ve got a very talented group from top to bottom so I’m learning and absorbing everything I can from all the guys.
Q: How much different is this year from last year? This year you are coming in as a starter and last year I don’t know what you were thinking last year when you came in here, but how different is it?
A: I’m a little more comfortable and settled. When you are a rookie you don’t know what to expect coming into camp and these situations. I kind of understand what to expect a little bit more and I’m having a lot more fun out here and being able to really understand the defense, pick things up and trying to get better everyday.
