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Media Transcript: Assistant DB Coach Deshea Townsend

Eric from BBI : Admin : 4/4/2018 2:50 pm
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Deshea Townsend

April 4, 2018

Q: Do you feel like you have enough defensive backs here?

A: Yeah, we’re just starting that process. [Head] Coach [Pat [Shurmur], they’ll do a good job of getting what we need in the room. But the one thing that we’ll have to have is the mindset that we’re going to compete.

Q: How much does it help having played in the NFL for as long as you did?

A: I think it just gives them another side of perspective of what it takes to be a pro. That’s one thing that I always share with the guys, is what it took for me to make it this long. But also, give them some insight on what is going to happen to them on the field. If I can help you from making the pitfall or the mistake that I made, that’s my job. And I think being a player, it gives me a little insight to help them.

Q: Have you been able to talk to cornerback Eli Apple about off the field things?

A: Well, you know, for him we haven’t really had the opportunity to sit down and do all that. But, my job as a coach is to be as transparent with my guys as I can. Like I said, whatever mistake I made, my job is to make sure they don’t make it. And if I can help you be a better pro, I can only give you what helped me. And that’s the thing about our unit – we’re going to be one, we’re going to be close, but we’re going to work. That has to be the mindset of our room.

Q: When you look at the off the field issues of the defensive backs from season, how do you go about getting them to be together and close?

A: Well, the good thing is it’s a new year and the mindset of Coach Shurmur, of Coach Bettcher, is we’re going to be a unit. We can only get it done when we get to work, when we get out here on the field and we start to talk about our message, start to talk about what it takes for the Giants to be successful and that’s what we’ll do.

Q: Do you think your playing experience will help get that message across?

A: Well, the one thing we know, it’ll be said. The one thing I know from the groups that I’ve played in, the good defenses that I’ve been on, the good units that you see in the NFL, it’s only done one way. It’s done right. If it’s not right, it’s wrong and that has to be the message we have to have in the building.

Q: From a talent perspective, what do you see in Eli Apple?

A: Well, you know, there’s a reason you went in the first round. He’s a big guy, he can run, he’ll tackle and that’s the thing it takes to be a good corner, if you can get close in coverage. Everybody, every day, the one thing you can always control is your technique. We’ll work that daily. Tackling, you’ll work that. But he has God-given ability that most people don’t have. He’s 6’1”, runs a 4.4 and he’ll hit you. So, that’s something good to work with.

Q: What is your initial impression of cornerback Janoris Jenkins?

A: I love him. Same thing. Those guys, they’re professional corners. They’ve got a skillset that most people don’t have. They can cover. For him, he can get really sticky, he can piece. And that’s the one thing that you love to see when you watch him on tape. You love the way that he goes out and he applies himself, he’s emotional. The life of a corner is different. We have to have a different mentality out there than most people have and he has it.

Q: What will you tell these cornerbacks about blitzing and coaching them up there?

A: Well, the one thing I’ve always believed is, when you do get the opportunity to blitz, think about what it feels like when you’re covering. So, that has to be your mindset. Think about the other guys out there with their life on the line, to say. But, think about it when you’re going in there, with your attack, your plan that you have, to go to the quarterback. And that’s the urgency that you have to have. Your brothers holding on back there for as long as they can, let’s go get the quarterback.

Q: Why was Curtis Riley a guy that you wanted?

A: Well for one, he’s a guy that, he has some NFL experience. He’s a smart guy. He’ll be able to pick up the defense, he’ll be able to line some guys up and he has some athletic ability. I think he’s a good player, he’s a player that’s played in the NFL and he’ll be a good pickup for us.

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