Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire (7.25.25)
What are the early returns on Mason Graham?
“Mason (Graham) looks great, and the thing I can say about Mason is you can tell right away that he’s a professional. He came back, he’s in great shape, he takes great notes, asks great questions, answers his questions that he’s supposed to, and he’s really starting to understand the scheme. So, I’m really happy with his progress since rookie minicamp to OTAs, to now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do for us.”
Jacques (Cesaire), I know the guys have talked about that second starting edge rusher spot opposite of Myles (Garrett), and you challenging everyone. It sounded like saying it’s an open competition. Just how’s that going so far?
“Yeah, I mean, we’re giving everybody an opportunity to showcase what they can do. For us right now, it’s about just getting everybody ready to play a football game. You know, we’re going to get a game here in about two weeks. So, it’s not about who’s running out there first or anything like that right now. It’s about getting quality reps and making sure that everybody’s understanding what they’re supposed to do in the scheme and understanding that they have to keep working their craft and their technique every day.”
Hey, Jacques (Cesaire), when quarterbacks can throw to receivers during those five weeks between minicamp and (training camp), what can a defensive lineman do to get better during that time?
“Well, I know a lot of the guys, they have certain trainers that they go and work with all over the country, and I appreciate that. I appreciate all those D-line trainers out there that are trying to get guys to come in and work with them, because we can’t work with them. So, they have to have some kind of space where they can go, where they’re working their rush, they’re working their run schemes in their individual technique, and the only way they can do that is they get with other defensive linemen and D-line trainers that know how to train defensive linemen.”
What do you think Maliek’s (Collins) is going to bring to that interior?
“You know, I love Maliek (Collins), and I always sleep good at night when Maliek Collins is on my defensive line just because he knows who I am, he knows how I work. He’s a technician, he’s a professional runner to the other side as a rusher. So, I’m just excited to see what Maliek (Collins) can bring to the table.”
Jacques (Cesaire), when we talk about interior pressure, there’s been a real emphasis here trying to increase that over the last couple years. How important is that on your D-line?
“It’s really important because you have to collapse the pocket. If you don’t collapse the pocket now, the quarterback has a step-up lane, so you got to have two guys inside, whether they’re tackles, big defensive ends, whoever it may be. We need guys that need that can collapse the pocket so those defensive ends can shorten that corner and get to the quarterback.”
Obviously Mike’s (Hall Jr.) not out here practicing yet, but I’m sure you’ve been around him throughout the off season. How is he doing? What’s on going spirit-wise? How excited are you to have him back?
“Yeah, Mike’s been great. He’s been in the meeting rooms, he’s locked in. He’s always answering questions. I think right now with his development, as far as just learning the game as much as he can, I think he’s doing a really great job at that.”
What’s changed, you know, from the entire offense, the evolution under Jim Schwartz up front from, you know, 2023, last season and now as you guys go into year three here, what’s the biggest adjustment or change that we can expect to see?
“There is no change. Okay? We’re going to come off the ball, we’re going to attack, we’re going to set edges, we’re going to penetrate, we’re going to disrupt. That’s what we’re about. We don’t need to change, okay. We need the guys that are going to buy in and do exactly what we asked them to do.”
Jacques (Cesaire) I know Isaiah (McGuire) got a lot of run last year, big time reps and things like that. How has he kind of snowballed that experience coming into camp now and where has he gone?
“Yeah, I mean he’s picked up right where he left off, and obviously, last year it was really understanding what he had to do within the scheme and understanding what the technique was and how I am as a coach. This year, we’re used to each other. So now he could just take the next step, next level up and really dial in on where he can get his rush in each defense and how he can improve his overall run technique. I think Isaiah is doing a tremendous job for us right now.”
The transition Mason’s (Graham) making from the read and react to the attack, he was saying the other day about not stopping his feet. Is that the number one technique change that he has to make?
“No, there’s a lot. Not just for Mason (Graham), for everybody, because we’re asking him to do things that normally a lot of defensive schemes don’t ask them to do. But he’s extremely athletic, a lot more athletic than a lot of people realize that he is. He has really strong hands, and he’s extremely smart. That’s a guy that came in already understanding how to rush, how to make guys move their feet, what to do with his hands. So just getting him to just get used to that habit of running through contact is what we’ve been working on since OTAs. He’s done a great job, man, he really has.”
In the first few days, I know they’re small, short practices, but look like he (Mason Graham) had a sack, then he forces a fumble. Is he already flashing that kind of playmaking ability you saw?
“Yeah, I mean, he’s a playmaker. He’s the fifth pick in the draft for a reason. You can see it out here, the way he moves, how strong he is, the way he rushes and then the way he runs to the ball. I mean, he’s done a great job of getting his shape. That’s the number one thing I can say. That’s a guy that left here, you know, being committed to being in shape because he’s trying to get ready for a full season.”
Jacques (Cesaire) you guys almost do hockey-like line changes on that defensive line in-game. How many guys, ideally, would you love to play on Sundays?
“How many guys we have on the team? 15. I’ll take all 15. All right. Nah. It’s a testament to AB (Andrew Berry) and his group. Those guys do a good job of bringing the guys that we want into the program that fit us. Those guys, they embrace it, they go out, they do exactly what we’re asking them to do. So, I’m excited for everybody, really. I want to see everybody get out there and shine, because all the guys in the room have an opportunity to play in the NFL.”
I know he wasn’t in your group, but Jordan Hicks retired today. I’m sure you kind of felt his presence because he was one of the leaders on that defense. What kind of interactions did you get to have with him?
“Yeah, I’ve known Jordan for some time now and he’s a great professional, great man, and, you know, I wish him all the best.”
We’ve talked about Mason’s (Graham) skill set. In these first couple practices, seeing how he can penetrate like that and use his ability to attack, how has that changed the defensive line so far as you get to see how he fits next to Myles (Garrett), next to the other guys as a unit.
“It looks pretty. No, it’s good when you got four guys that are committed to attacking and penetrating. Like I said, Mason’s (Graham) done a good job. Maliek’s (Collins) has done a good job, Sam Kamara has done an excellent job. We got some some younger guys. Adin Huntington, Cam (Cameron) Thomas has done a great job. I mean, they’re all really working their butts off right now, and they’re doing a tremendous job, doing exactly what I want to do.”
With Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire, what’s the next step for them as young players?
“Right now, they’re just continually working on their rush technique, continually working on their rush. They’re doing a great job out here being team leaders and leading the way. They’re in great shape and I’m excited to see everybody right now on the field, because really, across the board, everybody is showcasing that they can play in this system, they can play in the NFL. They can rush, they can stop the run, and I’m just excited to see what these guys can do.”
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