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September 9 against the Cardinals. |
There are no dreary work days for Don Martindale Philip Rivers Jersey , who has overwhelmingly embraced his new role as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
After serving for five seasons as the team’s linebackers coach, Martindale was promoted to coordinator in January after Dean Pees left the post.
Enthusiastic doesn’t even begin to describe Martindale’s attitude about being in charge of the defense.
”Ever since we’ve made this transition, it’s been a joy to just come through those gates every day. I love it,” Martindale said after Wednesday’s mandatory minicamp practice.
This isn’t the first time Martindale has been put in charge of molding a defense. In 2010, he watched over a unit in Denver that was the worst in the NFL in both yards and points allowed per game.
Given a second chance, the 55-year-old Martindale is putting together a defense that will rely heavily on the instinct of several of its most proven players, most notably safety Eric Weddle and linebackers Terrell Suggs and C.J. Mosley.
”He’s just putting his personal fix on our defense and expanding it, giving the guys confidence to play fast,” Weddle said. ”The idea is to do what’s best for the defense, not what’s best the individual.”
Martindale called Mosley ”the quarterback” of a fluid unit that can make a snap-change from drop-back coverage to an all-out blitz. In that regard, Mosley believes this defense is superior to the one that in 2017 yielded 18.9 points per game DeSean Jackson Jersey , sixth-best in the NFL.
”The way we’re able to use our core guys, put them in different spots and do some of the same things just from different positions, it’s more creative, I would say, than where we were last year,” Mosley said.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh promoted Martindale rather than go outside the organization because he wanted to extend his vision of a defense that has evolved since his arrival in 2008.
”All we’re doing is forwarding John’s plan,” Martindale said. ”We’re remodeling the package. It’s still Ravens football, it’s still Ravens defense, but we’ve streamlined it. It’s the elegant simplicity. Guys are playing really fast.”
Asked for his take on Martindale’s defense, Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg replied, ”They’re fast and they’re furious.”
Sure LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey , things might be different once the pads go on at training camp, but at this point, Martindale’s boss likes what he sees.
”We’re doing a lot of neat things on defense, things that are really good,” Harbaugh said. ”More than ever, we’re putting it on our players to make decisions in real time.”
Martindale has a new title, but old habits die hard.
”For the most part, it’s been the same,” Mosley said. ”He always comes in and says, `I have to lead the linebacker room,’ and sits down and gets to talking like he’s back at linebacker coach.”
Told of Mosley’s disclosure Demarcus Robinson Jersey , Martindale smiled and said, ”I’ve been trying to stay out of there, but you can’t help but go in. That’s home. I have a good time in the secondary room as well.”
And just about everywhere else.
”Where we’re going with this thing is really exciting to me,” Martindale said, ”and I know it’s exciting to the players.”
In other training camp news, cornerback Jimmy Smith was a surprise participant at practice, going through a light regimen of individual drills just six months after tearing his left Achilles tendon.
”I don’t know if Jimmy’s like half Wolverine, but he’s healed up in half the time of regular human beings,” Weddle said, referring to the amazing recuperative powers of the Marvel super hero.
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COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa will miss the opener against Kansas City after reinjuring his left foot.
Coach Anthony Lynn said Friday that Bosa’s first foot injury had healed but that he suffered a new injury during Wednesday’s practice. Bosa first injured the foot on Aug. 7 during training camp and missed the preseason.
The Chargers had been cautious with Bosa during the preseason Keanu Neal Jersey , hoping that another injury wouldn’t occur.
“He’s real frustrated. He’s been waiting for a while to get back on the field,” Lynn said. “It’s going to be week to week. We hope it doesn’t linger but it could.”
This will be the first time Bosa has missed a game because of injury since being selected with the third overall pick in the 2016 draft. He has 23 career sacks in two seasons, including an NFL-record 19 in his first 20 games.
Bosa led the team last season in tackles (54) and sacks (12.5) while being second in tackles for loss (17.5) and quarterback hits (22).
With Bosa’s injury, the Chargers will be without two starters on their defensive line. Defensive tackle Corey Liuget is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Isaac Rochell will get his first NFL start in Bosa’s place. The second-year player saw extensive playing time during the preseason and led the team in tackles for loss (3) along with two sacks.
“Isaac had a great camp. He’s grown like a weed, stepped up and got the job done,” Lynn said.
Rochell said the increased snaps have allowed him to develop more confidence and also gain the trust of coaches. He added that “you don’t want your coaches to feel like they are in survival mode.”
The defense’s biggest challenge this week will be containing Patrick Mahomes. The second-year quarterback uses his athleticism to keep plays alive, which has led to big gains downfield.
“He has a strong arm but has the threat of running,” Rochelle said. “With the other threats they have, there are going to be a lot of challenges.”
Lynn also said that he expects tight end Antonio Gates to be active for Sunday’s game. Gates re-signed with the team Monday, and Lynn said it looked as though Gates picked up where he left off last season.
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