Transcript: Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen

Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen

Q: What have you learned about (outside linebacker) Brian Burns so far?

SHANE BOWEN: Obviously the talent is evident. The skill set is unique. I think just his approach day in and day out. He's taking on a leadership role in that room. I think it's evolving for us in the unit. But really, ultimate pro on how he goes about his business. He wants to be one of the premier players in this league, and he works that way.

Q: You think there's another level for him to get to? He's already a really good player in this league. He's a Pro Bowl player in this league. Is there another level that you think he could take his game to? And if so, like what ways can he get there?

SHANE BOWEN: Absolutely. I hope he does take it to a new level. I do. I think just continuing to be consistent to make sure he takes advantage of his opportunities when he gets chances to rush. I think the complementary piece of what we have up front is probably going to help him a little bit, too, having (defensive lineman) Dex (Dexter Lawrence), having (outside linebacker) KT (Kayvon Thibodeaux), having whoever that fourth guy is. I think that's going to play a role. But I hope all these guys are striving to achieve more than what they've achieved and have goals beyond what has been so far that they can go try to attain for themselves and obviously for us.

Q: Isaiah Simmons, is he starting to define a role in what you want him to do in his defense, or are you still kind of mixing and matching with him?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, he's done a good job. I think he's played a little sub-backer for us in some of those passing situations. He's been inside on early downs for us. I think he's continued to improve and find some comfort in the places that we've put him up to this point. I've been pleased with him so far throughout camp. I have seen growth from him. I have. To be in some unfamiliar positions at times, especially out there on early downs, I think he's done a good job of kind of understanding, being able to turn the page and progress in his understanding, not just only his role. I've been encouraged by him and hopefully that continues.

Q: You said 'Whoever that fourth guy is,' when you're talking about up-front. Who is standing out aside from (defensive lineman) Dex (Dexter Lawrence)? I know (defensive lineman) Nacho (Rakeem Nunez-Roches) obviously has a role too, but who else of those young guys?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, I think Nacho (Rakeem Nunez-Roches) has done some good things. I think (defensive lineman) Ryder (Anderson) has done some good things. I think (defensive lineman) Elijah (Chatman) has done some good things in there. (Outside linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari) possibly. Who knows where that goes. But I think they've all kind of done some good things when they've had their opportunities to rush in there with that group.

Q: You guys seemed to challenge (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) to take a step this year. Do you think he's had a really good camp so far and what do you like about it?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, I do. The one thing I've noticed with Kayvon (Thibodeaux) is he's working hard to improve. I think he wants to take that next step, it's not just us. We're going to continue to push him, but I think consistently you felt him a little bit more out there each day. I haven't seen many lull days from him, but it hasn't really been the roller coaster ride. He's done a good job accepting the challenge and accepting the way we want those guys to play, the play style, what's involved with that position and the expectation (Outside Linebackers Coach) Charlie (Bullen) has for that position and I have for that position. I've coached that position. I think he's done a good job accepting that and he's working hard and there's been improvement.

Q: Where are you with the second cornerback position opposite Tae (Deonte) Banks? Obviously (cornerback) Cor'Dale (Flott) is out right now.

SHANE BOWEN: (Cor'Dale) Flott has been hurt, so he hasn't been out there. I think (cornerback) Nick (McCloud) done a really good job. We moved him out there and he's had opportunity. So they're going to keep battling it out. We'll see where it goes. But those two guys have done a good job. I think (cornerback) Hawk (Tre Hawkins III) had a really good game last week. He was challenging guys. He had a few PBUs (pass break-ups). I thought he showed up in the run game. He's done a good job for us out there. So, continue to compete. Those guys battle it out and kind of see where it goes.

Q: Is that an area, as a defensive coordinator I'm sure there's 12 areas of concern, right? But is that an area of specific concern for you right now?

SHANE BOWEN: I think it's just an area we haven't totally made a decision on. I think that's just where we're at right now. We're working these guys, trying to find the best 11 as a unit together. And who those pieces are doesn't always come down to possibly even the most talented player across the board. It's finding the best 11 for us. Not really an area of concern as much as just something we're continuing to work through.

Q: Many times we don't see the inner workings of a team. When you guys make a trade, let's say (defensive lineman) Jordan Phillips, I mean, do they come up to you and say, 'Do you need him?' or how does that work?

SHANE BOWEN: Yeah, I'll let (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll) and (Senior Vice President/General Manager) Joe (Schoen) address that. I think Dabs (Brian Daboll) is coming up here in a little bit. I'll let him kind of talk about roster decisions and kind of how all that goes down.

Q: Just philosophically, in your history, do you like having the number one corner(back) travel with a receiver or do you just prefer to play sides?

SHANE BOWEN: I think it depends by game plan who you're going against, matchups, skill sets of who our guy is and who their guy is and how they match up. I'm not opposed to it, especially in certain situations. But, at the same time, as soon as you do some of that stuff, at times it shows your hand, too. It's ultimately what you're trying to get across scheme-wise, just pre-snap alignment, what information you're willing to give the quarterback, some of that comes into play, but (I'm) not opposed to doing it.

Q: You only let up three points in the first game. What tenets of your defense do you feel like kind of stood out that you got some reinforcement on in the production?

SHANE BOWEN: Want to give it to me one more time?

Q: What tenets of your defense that you've been preaching and teaching with your team did they put on the field?

SHANE BOWEN: I think the thing I was most proud of was probably their resolve. They had some drives on us and our guys kept playing. They turned the page and focused on the next play. We found stops in the red zone, we found stops on fourth down and we found turnovers. That's what this league is. Those guys get paid, too. We're going to have to be able to continue to play the next play and not worry about what happened but focus more on what's about to happen. I was extremely pleased with that. (I) Felt they played physical for the most part. Showed up in the run game. I thought we were square and playing with our hands. There is some technique things we have to continue to work on. But I felt like they were swarming, flying around. I think just naturally, just the style of play. It's not like we're going into these games game planning a whole lot. It's more about getting evaluations and hopefully as a unit continue to progress our style of play and how we want to attack each down.

Q: You mentioned (outside linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari) before and just where he fits. Obviously with all the attention on (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) and (outside linebacker Brian) Burns, what have you seen from the Azeez (Ojulari) so far and why would he be an option to maybe be that fourth guy up-front with Dex (Dexter Lawrence) and the two guys?

SHANE BOWEN: I think he's had a really good camp. I do. I think he's been consistent. Like I think he's flashed throughout camp each day. There's usually a play or two where I'm like, 'Okay, that's a great play.' That's something I've been pleased with him about is just the progression and being able to be the same guy every day. Again, when you get to those passing situations, it's finding the best four, whoever that is and however we got to coordinate it, to be able to get to the quarterback. He gives you a lot of versatility in that regard. I think (Brian) Burns gives you some versatility. KT (Kayvon Thibodeaux) gives you some versatility in that regard. It's just a matter of where you place them. If you've got three edge guys on the field, well there's only two edges. So, it's where you place them. That's something we'll kind of work through as a staff as, again, some of these personnel decisions unfold with the front guys as well.

Q: And somebody argues who gets to be next to (defensive lineman) Dex (Dexter Lawrence), right?

SHANE BOWEN: That's right.

Q: Is Tyler Nubin's playmaking starting to stand out in practice now that he's on the field?

SHANE BOWEN: It was good to see him last week versus Detroit as well. He continues to get better. He continues to improve each day. I think the one thing with him is he's finally out there. He's healthy. We missed him those first two weeks. And he's had ground to make up to get back in that competition. He's been good. He's taking advantage of the opportunities. Doesn't make the same mistake twice. I've been encouraged by where he's at right now.