Defensive line coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington
On new DL Jordon Riley and Quinton Bohanna:
Both of those guys have done a really good job coming in, trying to get sped up, learning the defense, learning the fundamentals, learning the techniques, trying to learn new teammates. Both of them have been true professionals in trying to stay a step ahead of that. You sign those guys for a reason, to be able to come in and anchor, play in the middle of the defense, take on double teams, defeat blocks. Those guys are working hard each day, competing, and trying to bring value to the team.
On how hard it is to take DL Micah Parsons out, but knowing he needs a break:
Of course. I know just as well on the other side of the ball, they’re looking to see when he’s out of the game. He brings such a dynamic element to our defense, it definitely is hard ot take him off. But understanding, we have a great problem where we have really good football players, especially within the front. You’ve got guys who have really earned the right to play, who can bring value to the football team. It is hard to take him off, and then when you try to find those times, get back in.
Linebackers coach Sean Duggan
On LB Quay Walker’s return after missing multiple games:
Obviously he’s a really good player, but just his leadership, his communication ability, I think having that back out there was awesome. I thought he did a great job. I thought he played physical in the run game, understood their pass concepts, did a good job there. He’s great on the sidelines. He’s a great person to have out there.
On LB Edgerrin Cooper’s solid play without as many big plays as last year:
Consistency, right? He’s a guy that does his job every play. He knows where he’s supposed to be in the run game, and he does it in a violent, physical manner. I think that’s been incredibly consistent, and maybe that’s not splashy, but sometimes playing linebacker isn’t splashy. You’ve got to go down there and stone a fullback in the middle of the A gap or the B gap, that may not be a flashy play, but it’s what our position’s called to do. In the pass game, he does a good job getting to where he’s supposed to be, seeing the quarterback, breaking on passes, and maybe those aren’t interceptions or PBUs yet, but they’re catch-tackles. You don’t see a lot of guys getting yards after the catch when he’s in that zone. This is a guy who grew a lot. Right now he’s a guy we don’t take off the field. That’s knowing what you’re doing as far as the scheme and being able to execute, but it also says a lot to how in shape the guy is, right? He never comes off the field.
Defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley
On CB Keisean Nixon’s game-saving INT:
As a coach, you never want to coach the instincts out of your players. Everything is always ABCD in the air conditioner we call it, in the meeting room, but on the field, things are not that way. That was one player reacting to something he saw, and one guy just instincts taking over and making the play with 25. I don’t think he was trying to do that, but when he saw the guy pop open, he was going that way and then his natural instincts took him to the catch point and he came down with the play.
On S Javon Bullard’s second season:
I don’t know that I’m shocked that he’s playing this way. Known him for a long time. He was a contact player in high school, that carried over to Georgia, fit right into that culture, and then you saw it last year when he got here and he was starting at safety. Then we kind of evolved him to the slot as the season went. I think the biggest thing from Year 1 to Year 2 is his health. Last year he was battling that ankle, he had to get some things done to it in the offseason, and that kind of slowed him down toward the end of the season. But early last year, he was flying around, playing safety, blitzing off the edge, seeing the same things you see now, you saw then. As the season went on, that ankle was really bothering him, and credit to him for fighting through it, and gutting it out. He’s tough, man. He’s tough. He’s built from the ground up. He loves ball. He has an appetite to find contact and very instinctive. Very proud of how he’s playing.
