Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire (9.26.25)
What kind of start would you say that Myles (Garrett) is off to so far?
“He’s off to a great start right now. Really happy for him because he’s worked extremely hard throughout the offseason, especially preseason. You know, his preseason camp, he just came in, just extremely focused, ready to go, and every day he comes out there with a purpose, and you’re seeing that live out on the field right now. You know, he just, he understands how people are going to attack him, and he knows what he wants to do. He has a plan, and he sticks to the plan the entire game.”
Mason (Graham) talked about working out with Maliek (Collins) during the off season. Just how much have you seen those two kind of work off of each other and sort of that, you know, that off season work kind of pay off and what you see with them on the field.
“I worked with Maliek (Collins) in Houston and when I heard that he was available, you know, I jumped at the opportunity and credit to AB (Andrew Berry) and those guys for doing a great job bringing him in and just bringing in guys that attack guys. As far as those two are concerned, you know, right away, right off the bat, you know, me and Maliek (Collins) talked and I said, ‘hey, we got one right now this kid’s gonna be really good.’ He just needs a little refinement. And Maliek (Collins) just kind of just took it over from there. You know, just started off as big brother and he’s just done a great job of just talking through rushes with Mason (Graham) and then just working with him every single day. You know, they go out early, they work on their rushes together, they make sure that they’re on the same page. So, you know, it’s really good to see all that happening right now, especially with all the attention that Myles (Garrett) is getting. Now you’re seeing that, you know, guys away from Myles (Garrett) are winning their one-on-ones and rushing together. So it’s really fun to watch right now.”
I think it was last week Jim (Schwartz) talked about like Mason (Graham) taking those next steps as an interior rusher. Like, what does that look like for you? And what are maybe some steps he’s taking over these first three games.
“It looks like what it looked like last Sunday, okay. You know, he, and, and honestly, he’s been having those opportunities all year long and now it’s, it’s finished. You know, I tell the guys all the time, hey, look, you’re in a race right now. You’re in a race versus Myles Garrett, okay? Myles’ (Garrett) gonna have two, three guys on him. So, guess what? You know, that means that, you know, he’s giving you guys a head start. And so, he’s done a really good job of just sticking to the basics, sticking to what he knows what he can do and just working those rushes. And like I said, you know, when a guy comes in and he’s young and into the NFL, he wants to do everything. He thinks he can make every play and he just…Mason (Graham) understanding where he fits his role in our defense and where he is going to get those opportunities. You know, he’s not always going to be away from the center slide, so he has to work some of those rushes. But when he is away from the center slide, he got to get busy. He got to go and he’s got to go fast.”
What are your thoughts on Lions OC John Morton saying that you guys, you know, haven’t faced a running game like theirs?
“You know, for me personally, I coach, I don’t play. And then, you know, I don’t have anything to say about things like that. You know, for me and the guys, we just, we’re all about just working. We don’t need to say anything. We don’t need to respond to anything. We’re just going to go out there, work, play our butts off four quarters, and then we’ll see at the end.”
Myles (Garrett), I think it was last week. Myles (Garrett) said he thinks the sample size is a little too small to say this is the best he’s ever played, but looks like this might be the best he’s ever played. Is that what you’re seeing?
“Yeah. I mean, I’ve only been with Myles now, just going on my second year, but he’s playing really well right now, and he has a very high standard for himself. Whatever it is, if it’s a passing situation and he’s not close to the quarterback or at least in position to hit or sack the quarterback, then he’s not going to feel good about it. And he’s always going to think about it and analyze it and see how he can get more out of that situation. So, I understand what he’s talking about as far as him not thinking that this is his best start because he has high standards and high goals. At the end of the day, I’m happy the way he’s playing right now and whatever he needs to do to keep going on this track, I hope he’s doing it.”
Jacques, as a defense, you guys are leading the league in the least amount of running yards allowed. So as a defensive line, what are you just seeing from the way that those guys are able to stop the run, take guys down behind the line of scrimmage and just their success in the run games?
“Yeah, you know, I always start every year by telling the guys that if it gets past us, it’s our fault at the end of the day. And I know that’s a lot to put on the defensive line, and I understand there’s run fits, and there’s scheme issues and things like that, but I want them to think how I feel about them is that this is the best defensive line in the NFL as far as I’m concerned. And they have to satisfy every single snap. And so, if it gets past us, it’s our fault. So, they take a lot of pride in doing exactly what we’re asking to do. Fitting the run the way we want them to fit it. Attacking, penetrating, creating havoc in the backfield. And we’re always looking like, ‘hey, they got way too many leaky yards right there. We gotta shorten this up.’ And they’re always talking to each other. So, it’s a defensive line that has a lot of pride in themselves and how they work. So, I’m extremely excited about that. And every week is going to be a challenge. Every week you got great offensive lines and running backs and great schemes coming at us. So, we just got to keep doing a good job of what we do best, which is attack. We set the line of scrimmage close on the ball and then rush when we have to.”
When you were talking about Maliek (Collins) earlier, do you feel like he gets overlooked when we talk about some of the best D-tackles in the league? And what is it about his skill set that you like so much?
“The best part about Maliek (Collins) is he don’t care. He is a professional, probably one of the best professionals I’ve ever been around. Meticulous, detailed notes. He is a student of the game. He understands how to rush a quarterback, he understands how to rush protection, and he just works at it every single day. And he holds everybody accountable to it. You know, these rush opportunities are few and far between and he does a good job maximizing every single opportunity that he gets.”
What about Adin (Huntington)? I mean, he gets that first half sack on Sunday, but because of using him, obviously so many different ways in all three phases. What has it been like to coach him?
“Yeah, turtle time. No, he’s awesome. First of all, great, great young man. And extremely smart, extremely humble and just works his butt off. And the same type of guy, he doesn’t care how many snaps he gets, he doesn’t care where it’s at. Just give him an opportunity and he’s going to produce. And I’ve enjoyed working with him. I’m going to continue to enjoy working with him. I love to see him developing and how he’s playing the run a lot better than he was when it was the preseason. And, you know, the sky’s the limit for that kid. He has a tremendous skill set that not a lot of people his size have, and we’re looking to exploit that in all facets of the game, defense, offense and special teams. So really excited for Adin (Huntington) right now.”
When you look at the Lions, the last couple of games, they haven’t had a lot of sacks. Very little pressure on Jared (Goff). They ran for 200-plus against Baltimore. Do your guys sort of look at that and sort of salivate at the challenge of, we’ve seen what they’ve done, we you to kind of prove that…
“You know, for, again, like for us it’s, it’s next game up mentality and we just look at every challenge different. You know, hey, here’s what they’re doing this week. This is what they’re trying to get done.’ You know, this is the offensive line. This is the scheme. You know, here’s where we can get our opportunities and they just do it. They don’t try and force anything. You know, they just, they play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. They play within the defensive scheme and they work. We’re going to be playing a very disciplined, gritty, high effort team. So, we got to match that discipline, that grit, that high effort, because it’s going to be a slug fest, and they understand that. So, I think they’re more excited about that. Just getting the opportunity to go out and play football. Old school, you know, knock them in the mouth football. The guys that we have in the room love doing that.”
There were a number of times in the first half where I thought I saw like you and when Myles (Garrett) was not in the game, maybe on first and second down, you guys were kind of talking some things through over there on the sidelines. I mean, is it hard to keep him off the field on those downs or are you guys talking about what he’s going to be able to do on third down or what happens during those?
“We talk about all types of crazy stuff, but with Myles (Garrett), obviously you don’t want to wear a guy like that out, and you want him to be at his best. And luckily for us, we have great guys coming right behind him. Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire, Cameron Thomas, Joe Tryon (Tryon-Shoyinka), all those guys can play for any NFL team. And all those guys understand their role, and they know, like, ‘hey, if Myles (Garrett) not in the game, we got to take advantage of our opportunity.’ And that’s what you’re seeing happen. You know, Alex had a great sack the other day. Joe Tryon came in, limited reps, and had four tackles. Cam Thomas, you know, he didn’t make the stat sheet. But if people go back and watch that game and see what Cam was doing to people in that game, you know, he’d probably get arrested. I mean, it’s physicality. It’s fun. They’re playing with a lot of swagger right now, and I’m really enjoying coaching these guys.”
With Isaiah (McGuire). I mean, this was a guy that was a healthy scratch in week one last year, and now he’s one of your key starters. What has it been like, kind of watching him develop into what he is now?
“Yeah, no, it’s been great. You know, and I remember last year when I got here and I told Isaiah (McGuire), ‘hey, man, like, you remind me of Jonathan Greenard and the way he was when I first got to Houston. And Isaiah (McGuire) is just kind of just, you know, he’s reveled in that role of coming in and just doing everything he needs to do to help us win. And again, another guy that’s just selfless. He doesn’t try and force anything. Whatever comes his way, he’s going to make the play at the point of attack. If he’s away from the point of attack, you know, he’s going to run that thing down. And the way his rushes have been developing, you know, you’re not always going to get home, and it’s not always going to show up in a stat sheet. But the things that he does, as far as collapsing the pocket, you know, bending the corner and making the quarterback get off his spot, those things are invaluable. So, I’m excited for Isaiah (McGuire). All those guys, Isaiah (McGuire), Alex (Wright), Joe (Tryon-Shoyinka), Cam (Cameron Thomas), all those guys have been great for us. You know, Shelby Harris with the big block kick the other day. The entire defensive line right now, all I ask is that they go out, play extremely hard, okay? Play extremely hard with a lot of effort, make sure they’re running to the ball, make sure they’re being violent, make sure they’re penetrating, being disruptive, and just contribute in some way, shape or form, contribute to helping this team win.”
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