ASSISTANT HEAD COACH AND INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH CHARLIE STRONG
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
(On CB CJ Henderson returning to practice today) “It is good. He’s a really good player and the thing about it is we know this; he can make us a lot better football team. Just to see him get around us and get out on the field and go to work was really exciting.”
(On if CB CJ Henderson is back full time with the team) “Well, it’s just hard to say because today was his first day. So, we’re going to have to work through it and we’re going to do everything we can to get him in position where he can come back and go to work for us.”
(On if CB CJ Henderson wants to play this year) “Oh, he does. He wants to play, that’s the thing. He’s going to do everything he can to get back and we’re going to everything we can to help him get back.”
(On the impact of CB CJ Henderson’s lack of availability on his progress) “I think that we still have
enough time here because we’re a month still out from playing our first game. I know we have these preseason games, and they will always be good to get him back so he can get out there and run around. But just knowing that he can get back and that we can just teach him the defense and he can learn it, because we’re doing a lot on defense and that’ll be good for him to get back and just go through the whole learning process. Even if he can’t come out to practice, just being in the classroom really helps.”
(On the report that he and Head Coach Urban Meyer went to CB CJ Henderson’s home to get him to practice) “No, we didn’t have to go over to get him to come to the facility. We just had a conversation with him. Any time you have a great young man like that, you want to make sure that you do everything possible to help him and to help him get back on track. I was telling Coach [Urban Meyer], I said we’re out of the process of just trying to get guys and just push them aside. Our whole thing’s just creating value for them.”
(On if CB CJ Henderson will be limited in the remaining practices this week) “That’s the thing, it’s all a buildup now because he hasn’t been out there. So, you want to make sure that when he goes in a game that he’s fit and ready to go play.”
(On the possibility in CB CJ Henderson playing in the first preseason game on Saturday against the Browns) “It’s a chance and it’s going to be [based on] how much practice he gets in here the next few days.”
(On how the challenges of mental health have evolved over years for players) “I think that what’s really happened now with the mental health, everything’s driven now by social media. So, when you were coming up earlier, you didn’t ever read about what anyone was saying because the access wasn’t there. They couldn’t get on their phones and pull up something and then all of a sudden ‘Charlie Strong is this, Charlie Strong is this’. Now, that’s all available to them and as much as you tell them not to read it, they still read it. Now, some things that you felt like that it never got out, now it gets out because just the availability. All you have to do is tell someone something and then it’s like a spark and the fire becomes a big fire. More than anything now, you just try to work with young men and females, whether it be males or females in any sport, because the mental aspect is there. Each and every day we’re telling them, hey, you have to get better, but you really have to develop a great relationship to get them to open up to you and to tell you whatever it may be that’s bothering them that you can help them work through it.”
(On the meeting between himself, Head Coach Urban Meyer and CB CJ Henderson) “We went, and we saw him.”
(On if he believes CB CJ Henderson is focused) “The thing about it, when you talk about just focus, it’s just more of him getting around and being out at practice and then he will get focused and locked in. But it’s going to be a step-by-step process and we’re willing to take whatever time we need to take to help work with him. When you say focus, [we need to] just make sure that we can just get him out there, whether in the classroom or on the playing field, that we have him around us.”
(On the players that were absent from practice today) “I think those guys will be back. They may not be able to play Saturday. When you talk about Rudy [Ford], I think that Rudy, he’ll be back out here tomorrow to practice. Then with [Andrew] Norwell, I think that it may be a few days with him. But those guys, they’ll be ready. It’s not like they have this serious injury, but they’ll be ready.”
(On WR Laviska Shenault Jr.’s absence at practice today) “Laviska [Shenault Jr.] had a personal issue, but he’ll be back also.”
(On his impressions of S Andre Cisco) “[Andre] Cisco is really doing well for us and [we’re] really excited about his total development and how he’s coming along. He came in with an issue that he had with the knee, but he hasn’t missed one beat. We got him here and he was able to work through it and then now, all of a sudden, he’s out there. He’s doing a great job for us.”
(On DT DaVon Hamilton) “DaVon’s doing a great job inside. You look at him and Malcolm [Brown], two big bodies. We need big bodies. It’s always fun when you’re seeing it and just see his effort, watch tape and he just hustles to the ball and runs down field after the football. He’s a young guy that’s really improving and has taken a big step.”
DEFENSIVE TACKLE DAVON HAMILTON
(On being reunited with Head Coach Urban Meyer) “It’s been a great experience. Obviously, I know a lot about him, he knows a lot about me. We’re able to gel and get to winning some games around here. So, hopefully this upcoming Saturday we’re coming out with some heat and some energy.”
(On his impression of an Urban Meyer-led training camp would be like compared to his experiences at Ohio State University) “I mean, it’s always going to be tough, but that competition, that heat, that
everything is going to build us, it’s going to be able to help us stack, help us become better than what we were and it’s ultimately a friend for us.”
(On his reaction when the announcement of Urban Meyer becoming Head Coach) “[I was] very excited, because I want to win games. It’s the number one thing in this league, we’ve got to win.”
(On how many teammates called him asking for the scoop on Urban Meyer) “Every single one. I tell them every time, it’s been good, it’s definitely very challenging and that’s something we need on a team.”
(On whether he heard similar things at Ohio State as he’s hearing now) “No, you’ve got to pay every time. And you never know when he’s going to throw a question at you, you never know when he’s going to expect something out of you and again, it’s a challenge on and off the field.”
(On his favorite thing that Urban Meyer says) “Relentless effort. I mean, that’s going to win games. I mean, honestly, if we’ve got everybody out there, plus two-ing, finishing, there’s really not too many teams that are going to beat us.”
(On what he did differently to get ready for season two) “It’s definitely different. Obviously, last year, we had COVID-19 and we were at home the majority of the time. This year was actually a lot better because I was able to be here. Obviously, I got injured last year, so I was here a majority of the offseason, just trying to heal up. But it’s been great, I love the staff, I love what they’re doing, I love what they’re bringing to the city. Can’t beat it.”
(On what his number one priority was to be ready for this season) “Just overall quickness. I mean, you’re always going to have lateral quickness, especially as a nose. You’ve always got to finish.”
(On how he’s playing compared from year one to year two) “Oh yes, I feel like I’m just a little bit more experienced. I’m able to see stuff, the game is slowing down for me, that’s a big thing.”
(On where he sees the game when it slows down for him) “A lot of disruption in the backfield, for me, personally.”
(On his physical changes during the offseason) “Yeah, I obviously worked really, really hard this
offseason to try to drop some body fat and gain some more muscle, just be ready. And also, be like physically ready when it comes to stamina and what not, especially in this heat.”
(On whether there’s a weight difference or just redistributed) “Just redistributed overall.”
(On what DT Malcom Brown means to this defensive group) “He definitely brings something to the defensive group, he’s definitely a leader for our defense. And for me, he’s just another vet in the room that’s able to help me out, critique some things that I normally wouldn’t see and ultimately make me better.”
(On what having DT Malcom Brown as a second nose tackle does for the team) “It just allows us to substitute, allows us to be fresh out there on the field and ultimately play better.”
(On his approach to the preseason) “Work as hard as possible, work on my craft and ultimately just keep on getting better.”
(On going against the offensive line like OL Brandon Linder and helping each other) “I love going against Linder because he’s a good vet. He’s also one of the best centers in the league, and I can’t ask anymore from him. I mean, he’s just giving me advice, helping me get better every day and I mean, I can’t beat it.”
(On the biggest area with which Brandon Linder has helped him) “I would say pass rush for sure. How he sets, how he explains, how he’s coming off what he’s looking for. He’s been a big help.”
SAFETY JOSH JONES
(On the veteran depth at safety and what S Andre Cisco has added) “I mean there is competition
everywhere not just — you know it’s all across the board. I think we got like eight guys so each and everyday man we come out here, compete and we bust are tail. Plus two man — high effort and do it all over again.”
(On re-signing with the Jaguars) “Well I know what Urban [Meyer] brings to the table — you know with his track record and him developing players and his mentality and the culture that he’ll build here and it’s wanting to win now. The fact that you know, new defense brought from Baltimore — it’s everything all together. It’s just why not, it’s a no-brainer.”
(On why players want to play in the Baltimore defensive scheme) “I mean it’s crazy because you’ve got things flying from everywhere. You know, it’s not just you’re lining up in one defense and just playing in it. You’ve got coverages here, blitz here, doing this, this and that. It’s a mix of a lot of things and it’s pretty cool.”
(On if it’s a defense he has ever played in before) “I wouldn’t say dramatically different — I would say it’s some similarities to the things I did in the past like in Green Bay, but it’s definitely different from the one last year.”
(On embracing the role the coaches envisioned for him) “I mean you just embrace each and every day. I’m where my feet are, so whatever today is that’s what I did today and tomorrow that’s going to be tomorrow. I’m not thinking of yesterday or tomorrow. I’m just where my feet are.”
(On how long it takes players to learn and progress in this new scheme) “Well you know what, that’s what the spring was for. The spring was for us to learn — for us to get the nuggets and to go out there and bring it into training camp and now training camp you take those training wheels off and you just go full speed and you hit it.”
(On the new defense being more difficult because it’s multiple) “I wouldn’t say more difficult — it
depends on how you look at it. I would say there is more things that we’re doing as opposed to last year. I would say that.”
(On players’ talent getting maximized by this new scheme) “Absolutely, 100 percent.”
(On increased flexibility on defense with new personnel) “Well you know we’ll see, but definitely it is a lot of flexibility. This defense is for guys to fly around. One, relentless effort, that’s one thing we’re going to do. We’re going to lead the league in effort.”
(On relationship with S Rayshawn Jenkins) “It’s crazy because me and Rayshawn [Jenkins], we trained together coming off the draft so I’ve known Rayshawn since we got drafted – before we got drafted actually.
(On reuniting with S Rayshawn Jenkins) “He brings a lot — you know he played in a couple of good defenses out in L.A. He brings a lot of good knowledge — he is a high energy guy, flies around, so me and his relationship is pretty good.”
(On how this camp’s energy compares to previous training camps) “Man — energy it doesn’t compare to anything. You guys have been out here, when you come out here, and you see us practice and you see us work and it’s like we’re going — it’s nonstop. You know and that’s good. Guys need that, it’s already embedded in our head. We were 1-15 last year so no matter how hot it is, I don’t care if it’s 115 [degrees] we’re coming out here to work, we’re coming out here to give plus two, give maximum effort.”
(On being ready to hit someone from the opposing team) “Oh yeah, absolutely — been ready to do that.”
(On games being a reward for how hard the team has been working) “Yes, 100% — the games are for guys to go out there. You know obviously we compete out here, but you know the games are for us to go out there and really see when the lights turn on who can really do it live, who can make those plays live.”
(On playing expectations for Saturday) “I have no idea yet.”
