Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch (9.13.24)
So, have to start on a little bit of a downer note, but can you just tell me, on Juan (Thornhill) being lost for the first four games, at least, of the season?
“Yes, ma’am. He’s obviously a very important part of our defense, but I think that really, it’s somewhat of a motivating factor for our whole segment because we talk about setting the pace but also having consistency with versatility, and he’s done a really good job as a leader, like helping to develop the other guys in the room. So, guys like D. (D’Anthony) Bell, guys like Ronnie (Hickman), they’re going to have their role increased and really see their impact improving.”
When we talked to Jim (Schwartz) yesterday, he mentioned watching back the Dallas (Cowboys) game, seeing plays that could have been interceptions and not just like that ball that Denzel (Ward) battled for. So, did you guys see the same thing and are these guys kind of just chomping at the bit to try and make some of those takeaways?
“Yes, ma’am. You know, we talk a lot about finishing game-changing plays and that’s been a really big focus of ours. Obviously winning the takeaway battle for our defense, for our offense, and our special teams. So, we fully anticipate making those plays and we’ve been working diligently at it.”
Going off of that, I guess, like the importance of takeaways and turnovers for you guys. What are those conversations when you’re trying to make those plays in game and what you guys are seeing in the film?
“Sure. You know what, we talk about, ‘Hope is not a strategy.’ So, keeping the focus on the work, keeping the focus on the detail, the preparation, is really at the forefront. But then, we use the start mantra, like, why that’s important? It’s important because it affects our team.”
Brandon, what’s the rookie, (Brian) Thomas, add to that passing game for them? Brian Thomas, what does he add to the Jaguars passing game?
Yeah, speed. He’s a very fast guy, contested catch guy and obviously, he’s going to take the place of other young guys that have been on that team. So again, he’s just another weapon for a great quarterback.”
How did you think Greg (Newsome II) looked in that opener, especially given the fact that he had missed so much time with that hamstring?
“Sure. Greg, even though he was gone, he was never out of the building. And when I say that’s a very hardworking young guy, and obviously putting the forefront with our communication, with executing, I thought that he did really, really well. I thought that he was very engaged on the sideline. He did a really good job moving through adjustments, but more importantly, he applied them. And you know what? It helped our defense.”
How about, I mean, Denzel really had a nice game, didn’t he, against the Cowboys? He had such tight coverage on that one 38-yarder, but then they really handled him after that.
“Yes, ma’am. We talk about, ‘Good, better, best, never let it rest. Our good is our better, and our better is our best.’ So that was a good game, but we know that that’s en route to us working to get better and the focus being on the work, we’re working on putting our best games on tape.”
What’s the teaching point on that Brandin Cooks touchdown? Some guys have called it a miscommunication, Jim called it a technique error. What was, I guess, what’s the teaching point on that?
“Sure. Attention to detail. Attention to detail and urgency to execute.”
When you watch the Jaguars, what stands out to you the most about Trevor Lawrence?
“You know, I would say, arm talent. He has great arm talent; he gets the ball out of his hands with rhythm throws. He can make every single throw and he’s a viable scrambler. He can make plays outside the pocket.”
You guys were close to some takeaways in that game, especially with the offense just kind of putting the whole thing together. How important is it for you guys to finish those takeaways and to really help out the offense?
“Absolutely. The focus is always on the team. So anytime that we can get Deshaun (Watson) more catches, we can get the ball back for our special teams to get up there, it’s gonna help us in the future.”
I was going to say Bubba (Ventrone) was saying yesterday that he sensed a lack of effort, or not enough effort, and that he didn’t feel like the guys played hard enough. What does that say to you, basically?
“With the segment that we can approach. We’re the tip of the spear, right? So, great effort is a minimal expectation in the room. We talk about physical violence; we talk about effort and passion. So that is exactly what our moral fabric is on defense.”
How tough is to see Myles (Harden) go down after week one, walking around in the boot? And the flip side of that, to have Mike Ford back in your room?
“Sure. We have to have consistency with guys in development. So we were talking to Myles yesterday about that. Unfortunate, but blessing in disguise, right? He’ll get an opportunity to see things from a different vantage point, like really develop in his mental areas. So, when he gets back, he will be prepared. And then that also highlights other guys on the roster, like you said, like Mike Ford, Kahlef (Hailassie), it gives those guys more opportunities to develop as well.”
What have you seen out of Kahlef this year? Second year, he actually had the full offseason and everything to work with him. What have you seen out of him just in his development?
“Mindset, and I say that with a smile on my face, mindset. That guy is a fierce competitor and he’s one of the hardest workers in the room. He’s a young guy that everybody – our best players in the room really respect him for that. He’s a very studious young man and then he does what we do well. He plays press well and he has impact starter ball skills. So again, when Miss Mary (Kay Cabot) talks about the importance of taking the ball away for our offense and special teams, he’s a young guy, when on the field, he can definitely do it.”