LB Jonathan Casillas
September 22, 2016
Q: Is the next stage for this defense to force turnovers?
A: That’s the number one stat when it goes into wins and losses. We’ve been able to avoid losses in the first two weeks being on the losing side of the turnover ratio. That’s something that we definitely want to do. In order for us to continue to be a really good defense, and get to that level, we have to be able to take the ball away.
Q: Last year you guys were good at that. Should this unit be good at it?
A: Definitely. For the amount of time that we've had, and the amount of veterans we have, that know the importance of creating the takeaways. That's one that we need to have start showing up in these games.
Q: Do you see this game as a chance to bury Washington?
A: I wouldn't say that. It's a divisional opponent and these wins are huge. They're more than any other non-division opponent. We've got to defend home. What people aren't really saying, they are the defending champs. They are the NFC East champs. We have to dethrone them. We have to go through them because they have that title.
Q: If they're 0-3, they're in a big hole.
A: Right. At the end of the day, last year, it was Week Eight, Nine, 10 and there wasn't anyone with a winning record and we all had a chance to win the division. They ended up stepping up and finishing strong. So it's not really about how you start. We have to continue to definitely win these games.
Q: Despite the turnover ratio, do you guys believe that you're the difference between the first two games, the way you guys have played.
A: We're the difference in every game, no matter what. That's just the [mindset] that we should take on this defense. Doesn't really matter what the offense does. As the defense, we got to stick what our goals are, limiting the other team to a certain amount of points, certain amount of yards, quarterback rating, and also creating turnovers.
Q: Does Cousins look different the first two weeks on film than last year when he was spectacular.
A: Well, yeah. At one point last year, especially towards the end of the year, he was the highest rated quarterback. He's not the highest rated quarterback this year. But there are still some things out there that make him dangerous, which he earned. He did well last year. This year, probably just a slow start for him, settling in. But he's a good quarterback. They have a lot of talent out there, especially on the offense with DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and then all the tight ends they have, Jordan Reed's one of the best tight ends in the league. He's able to spread the ball around to those guys, hopefully not against us, but I'm sure they'll catch on to him.
Q: Usually their running game has a bell cow. Alfred Morris had been that for many years. But, not now. Matt Jones only has 22 touches in the first two weeks. Is it different, looking at their run game?
A: Like you said, having that bell cow not there anymore. His [Morris’] running style was a little different, it was apparent when you see him running in Dallas right now. Jones, he's looked like he's even better though. His carriage may not show that, but watching him on film, he's a big, strong, fast, explosive back and he looks like he's gained a little bit more patience this year. If they try to run the ball with us, we're going to have our hands full. They have a good O line, and they have a good running back.
