Linebackers Coach Bill McGovern
April 4, 2018
Q: What are your challenges moving forward? Have to put what you had here last year behind you, and how do you attack this new defense?
A: It’s an exciting time. We’re getting a little bit of new blood in and obviously, some guys will be playing some different positions, but it’s the same scheme that I’ve dealt with in the past. But obviously, [Defensive Coordinator] James [Bettcher] has been around it a long time and understands it better and we’re looking to just kind of move forward with the guys that we have.
Q: What do you see from linebacker Alec Ogletree on tape?
A: I see a guy who’s a playmaker. You can tell he takes the lead out on the field on the defensive side of the ball. He can run and hit, he shows up, he flashes on the pass rush game too. So, we’re excited to have him.
Q: How important is that leadership element after last year?
A: It doesn’t matter any year, you always want the leadership out there. And again, every position would like to have it come from their position, but in particular, it’s naturally expected to come from a linebacker group and we’re excited to have Alec.
Q: Is it an unusual dynamic, being a part of last year’s staff and sticking around to be a part of the new coaching staff?
A: No, I don’t think so. I think being in the profession a long time, you get to know a lot of guys. And obviously, I’ve worked with Shurm [Head Coach Pat Shurmur], I’ve known Bettch [Bettcher], we’ve talked way back when I was at Boston College, we’d spend time together, talking ball. [Defensive Line Coach] Gary Emanuel and myself worked together at UMass. So, there’s a lot of connections there. It’s just an exciting time to get with them all. Each year you never know who you’re going to be working with, but you’re excited to have some guys that you’ve been around and have the same general beliefs with.
Q: Will you have more bodies in your linebacker room now?
A: Yes. As we start out with a 3-4 [defense], so we’ll have a Sam, a Will, and a Mike and a Moe. But [Assistant Linebackers Coach] Robbie Leonard will also be working with me with the linebackers too.
Q: You would probably have a guy like defensive end Olivier Vernon in the linebackers room, right?
A: Right. We would expect to have OV [Olivier Vernon] there, yeah.
Q: Is it interesting for you to now have the chance to work with Vernon?
A: Right, you’re excited to work with a guy like him. OV not only is a real professional, he’s a guy that’s obviously got a great deal of talent that we’re looking to kind of get him on the field and kind of let his talents kind of take over.
Q: How difficult is that transition for Vernon?
A: He’s had some work at it in the past in Miami a little bit way back when. But, it’s going to be one of those things; initially it’s always a little bit different if you get your hand down, when you’re standing up. Or your eye level, your eyes, it’s different right from that point. But it won’t be a long adjustment. That’s what the offseason program is hopefully for and preseason camp, give the guys enough chances to get familiar with it.
Q: How does linebacker B.J. Goodson fit into this defense?
A: We’re looking for B.J. to come back, we’re excited for him. Obviously we thought a lot of him last year, but unfortunately he got injured. So, excited to see him when he gets back and see how he is after the injury and the rehab.
I guess JR never got that memo.
Considering how often he didn't play, it would be tough to sing his praises. He had some good moments. Worth staying with him. He'll certainly play if they run any 3-4 sets like they most likely will.