We're speaking to the defensive assistants and I'm talking with secondary coach Zac Etheridge first...
** Keionte Scott has already impressed. Shows up every day. Playing corner and nickel. Coach let him know he needed to show up in shape and he did. He's a baller. Very instinctive in what he does. He understands leverage. He comes in early in the morning to hear the install twice. He gained the respect of the guys in the room from day one.
** JD Rhym really impressive, shows up and make plays every day.
** Donovan Kaufman was getting adjusted his first year. Nobody works as hard as DK. Has a pro mindset to get better. Understands the scheme. He comes in every day with his iPad. He studies. He just loves the game. He does everything he can to go out there and execute at a high level.
** Cayden Bridges showing maturity this fall. Has a lot of athleticism to be an elite player, smart kid. Just took some maturity. Been impressive all camp, getting his hand on the ball. He works to get better every day.
** Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson have taken their games to another level. Setting the bar high for younger guys. Put in the work every day. Simpson is being consistent and being more focused day to day, play to play.
** D.J. James has improved from day one and AD Diamond has stepped up. AD getting a pick just about every day.
** Zac is pleased with the depth he's establishing this fall.
** Austin Ausberry has played all three positions but settling in at corner now. Probably his most ripped guy.
** You can't replace a guy like Zion Puckett. He's the leader in our room and probably smartest, football IQ, guy in our room. He's a silent assassin. DK is the more out-going leader, Zion will take a young player aside and talk to them, coach them up.
** Just about everybody is working at nickel. He's cross-training all his guys.
** Craig McDonald has probably played the most snaps at safety coming in. Wanted that experience in the secondary. He's just getting adjusted and coming off a foot injury. He's working himself into shape, getting comfortable in the scheme every day. Craig is a big guy, can play boundary.
** Championship teams are player-driven. Can't have guys pulling in different directions. A player-driven team is unstoppable. Feels like this year's team is player-driven.
** Derick Hall has taken team under his wing. Tank has come out of his shell. Colby Wooden has stepped up as a leader. Nick Brahms and Anders Carlson have done a lot. The leadership has risen up.
** Marquise Gilbert has showed up at times at safety as has Caleb Wooden. Those guys make plays.
** Shedrick Jackson, Koy Moore, Tar'Varish Dawson, Cam Brown have all stood out to Zac at wide receiver. Also mentioned Jay Fair. They're real competing with us. They're better, more confident in year two of system. Making more tough catches, playing with strong hands.
** On going to San Diego for NFL camp: I learned a lot listening to them in meetings. Meant the world to me to go out there. Learned a lot that I brought back. We've been able to implement some things that are going to help us. "I'm always finding ways to develop my game ... and help us get better." Impressive seeing the veterans, their star players working hard to improve their craft every day.
** Keionte Scott has already impressed. Shows up every day. Playing corner and nickel. Coach let him know he needed to show up in shape and he did. He's a baller. Very instinctive in what he does. He understands leverage. He comes in early in the morning to hear the install twice. He gained the respect of the guys in the room from day one.
** JD Rhym really impressive, shows up and make plays every day.
** Donovan Kaufman was getting adjusted his first year. Nobody works as hard as DK. Has a pro mindset to get better. Understands the scheme. He comes in every day with his iPad. He studies. He just loves the game. He does everything he can to go out there and execute at a high level.
** Cayden Bridges showing maturity this fall. Has a lot of athleticism to be an elite player, smart kid. Just took some maturity. Been impressive all camp, getting his hand on the ball. He works to get better every day.
** Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson have taken their games to another level. Setting the bar high for younger guys. Put in the work every day. Simpson is being consistent and being more focused day to day, play to play.
** D.J. James has improved from day one and AD Diamond has stepped up. AD getting a pick just about every day.
** Zac is pleased with the depth he's establishing this fall.
** Austin Ausberry has played all three positions but settling in at corner now. Probably his most ripped guy.
** You can't replace a guy like Zion Puckett. He's the leader in our room and probably smartest, football IQ, guy in our room. He's a silent assassin. DK is the more out-going leader, Zion will take a young player aside and talk to them, coach them up.
** Just about everybody is working at nickel. He's cross-training all his guys.
** Craig McDonald has probably played the most snaps at safety coming in. Wanted that experience in the secondary. He's just getting adjusted and coming off a foot injury. He's working himself into shape, getting comfortable in the scheme every day. Craig is a big guy, can play boundary.
** Championship teams are player-driven. Can't have guys pulling in different directions. A player-driven team is unstoppable. Feels like this year's team is player-driven.
** Derick Hall has taken team under his wing. Tank has come out of his shell. Colby Wooden has stepped up as a leader. Nick Brahms and Anders Carlson have done a lot. The leadership has risen up.
** Marquise Gilbert has showed up at times at safety as has Caleb Wooden. Those guys make plays.
** Shedrick Jackson, Koy Moore, Tar'Varish Dawson, Cam Brown have all stood out to Zac at wide receiver. Also mentioned Jay Fair. They're real competing with us. They're better, more confident in year two of system. Making more tough catches, playing with strong hands.
** On going to San Diego for NFL camp: I learned a lot listening to them in meetings. Meant the world to me to go out there. Learned a lot that I brought back. We've been able to implement some things that are going to help us. "I'm always finding ways to develop my game ... and help us get better." Impressive seeing the veterans, their star players working hard to improve their craft every day.
