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Monday Media Transcript: LB Devon Kennard

Eric from BBI : Admin : 8/7/2017 4:16 pm
LB Devon Kennard

August 7, 2017

Q: There was a tweet yesterday that said you took most of your snaps last year as a pass rusher, is that something you are focusing on?


A: I think I did see that. Some friends forwarded it to me. I think that’s just because I am on the line of scrimmage a lot. We run a 4-3 defense, but they like me on the line of scrimmage and what I can do when I am on the line of scrimmage. We are in an under defense when I am on the line of scrimmage and I think that is why that happens.

Q: What does it do for the defense when all three teams shut down the offense in the two-minute drill?

A: In my opinion, that is what we are supposed to do.

Q: Does it help?

A: Absolutely. We want to be in tough situations and get the win and situations where the offense expects themselves to win and that drill is for the offense. They don’t count sacks. We get so mad on defense when one of our d-linemen gets a sack and they scramble and throw it down field and they are like ‘complete’! We are mad on the defensive side, so for us to be able to get three stops in a row, it is a testament to how well we are jelling on the defensive side of the ball.

Q: What have you seen out of BJ Goodson so far?

A: He has taken control of the huddle, which is something you need to do as a middle linebacker. We have to trust him that he is going to get the call and get everybody lined up. Get the d-line the stunts and then when the ball is hiked, he is always at the ball. I appreciate his physicality. He is coming in there trying to get strips, putting his shoulder pads on guys, and that’s how I like to play too so it’s exciting.

Q: Do you look forward to a preseason game?

A: I am excited to hit somebody else besides my Giants teammates. As you guys can see, it has been feisty at some of the practices, so I am excited to hit some other people. I got big dreams for myself and the team, so obviously the regular season is most important.

Q: Chad Wheeler said you showed him the ropes at USC as a young tackle, what do you remember about him back then and what is he capable of?

A: He was always so competitive, I always respected that. I would try to wear him out as much as I could because he was a young guy when I was there, but he was very competitive all of the time and he ended up an All-American, so when he came I didn’t even realize and when I saw his picture on the Trojan wall, I just wanted to congratulate him because he came a long way and that’s a testament to his work ethic and how he handles himself.

Q: What do you want to see out of this defense from a general perspective this preseason?

A: I would like to see our communication be very well and physicality. Teams tried to run the ball on us. I want to see us set the tempo from ground zero and that’s me personally. If safeties and linebackers are communicating well, and we are getting the things that we need to to the d-line, from a linebacker perspective, I think it starts there. If we are doing that and being physical, I like where we are headed.

Q: With so many guys back, is the playbook for the defense bigger?

A: It gets more detailed. We already know so much about the defense so now we can get into the little details and nuances that maybe a year or two ago we weren’t able to hit the same way because there were so many guys trying to learn the defense. Having such a strong nucleus of guys who have a good understanding of this defense, we are able to tweak some things that we did last year, we are able to add some different wrinkles to what we were doing and I think it is going to pay off.

Q: Do you linebackers have a chip on your shoulder knowing that if your particular group performs well this season, it could take this defense to a whole new level?

A: Oh absolutely. That’s my mindset every year, especially when you have such good defensive linemen and DB’s behind you. I think we have a special group coming up on the defensive side of the ball and I am excited. I think it starts with us. We are the ones that are calling the calls, we are the ones that are getting everyone lined up and I think if we play at a high level, then everyone else is going to follow suit.
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