Montez Sweat spoke to the media today after the team practiced with helmets on for the first time this year(in the bubble due to weather). He is bulking up as he prepares to return to playing in a 4-3 like he played in college at Mississippi State. The key is maintaining the weight throughout the season.
Sweat had 7 sacks his rookie season, with 5.5 of them coming in the 2nd half of the year. He developed more of a pass rush plan later in the year, and also studied opposing QBs more to find their tendencies, and exploit them. The goal this year under new Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio is to attack, and also get more sacks.
Training Camp Press Conference - Montez Sweat https://t.co/SOs1zhHn2T
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 13, 2020
Ron Rivera:
Sweat said that every day head coach Ron Rivera talks about attitude, preparation and effort.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Getting bigger for the 4-3:
Montez Sweat on the mic.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 13, 2020
On his offseason work. Lots of film watching. Getting bigger for the 4-3.
Washington Football DE Montez Sweat said he has bulked up to play in the 4-3 and that he's excited for the new system and new year pic.twitter.com/ubE82Cvk00
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 13, 2020
Montez Sweat said he's excited to go back to the 4-3 system, which he played at Mississippi State. He says he bulked up, but doesn't throw out a number. He says a couple pounds bigger.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2020
Sweat said he started last season around 260 pounds but ended the year under 250 pounds. He says he weighs about 265 pounds right now and that it will be important to maintain that weight.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Pass rush goals:
Sweat said winning is the most important thing but admits that every defensive linemen loves to get sacks. Sweat also said the main thing the coaching staff is preaching to the defensive line is to attack.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Winning is always a priority, Sweat said, but he still wants to get more sacks. He had seven last year, 5.5 of which came in the last half of the season.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 13, 2020
Montez Sweat had 5.5 sacks over his last eight games. He attributes that to having a better rushing attack. He felt better prepared in those games.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2020
Pass rush plan:
Sweat said he developed more of a rush plan later in the rookie year. He paid more attention to the strengths and weaknesses of opposing offensive linemen. He also believes he got better against division opponents because he had more experience going against them.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 13, 2020
Sky is the limit for the DL:
Sweat: "If everyone does their job, the sky is the limit for this group."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Jack Del Rio:
Montez Sweat is excited to play for Jack Del Rio - "Jack's letting us get after it"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 13, 2020
Said he's adding protein shakes and watching the right carbs
Rookie expectations/improvements:
Montez Sweat on his rookie year: "I definitely didn't live up to my expectations." He had seven sacks, but wants better numbers.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2020
Sweat said he didn't live up to his expectations last year, but it was definitely a learning experience. Now he wants to show everyone what he can do this year.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 13, 2020
Sweat said he did not live up to his expectations last season, so he's focused on being even better this year.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Sweat said that as last season progressed, he began studying the opponent more knowing that he would not be able to get by with talent alone.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Chase Young:
Everybody looks good, Sweat said. He thinks everyone has improved from last year. And with the new additions like Chase Young and Kendall Fuller now on the team, he's looking forward to seeing what the defense can accomplish.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 13, 2020
Dwayne Haskins Jr.:
Add Montez Sweat to the list of people impressed by Dwayne Haskins' offseason pic.twitter.com/LqN5xErizK
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) August 13, 2020
Sweat on Dwayne Haskins. Sure, he can see the QB dropped weight, but says that it's Haskins' mentality that stands out. More focused.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 13, 2020
Training camp:
This was the first time Washington players got to wear the new helmets. Sweat doesn't take much from the start of the ramp up period. He's just looking forward to putting on the pads.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 13, 2020
COVID-19 protocols:
Sweat said all of the COVID-19 protocols have been different, but added "when you love the sport that you play, you're going to do anything you can to get out there."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 13, 2020
Being a top defense:
Sweat: "Overnight, we're not going to be the best defense in the country."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 13, 2020