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The Washington Football Team’s new Defensive Line Coach Sam Mills III is next up in the team’s position coach pressers. He also has a long history with Head Coach Ron Rivera, and talked about the process of changing a team/organization’s culture. He echoed themes that we’ve heard all year about accountability, versatility, and competition being key to building the team the right way.
Mills spoke highly of #2 overall pick Chase Young, the rookie’s determination to be better at the next level, and not to rest on what he did in college. He also spoke very highly of 3rd year DL Tim Settle, who should have a big role in the DL rotation this year.
Training Camp Press Conference - Sam Mills III https://t.co/GQLnA6giKu
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 3, 2020
Pass rushing rookies:
DL coach Sam Mills III said that the defensive line added some juice with Chase Young and James Smith-Williams. He's excited about the line getting after the QB.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Mills said the group added some youth and "juice" with Chase Young and James Smith-Williams. Said it was already a "really good" unit, and this only helps.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 3, 2020
Chase Young:
Sam Mills on Chase Young - “The young man is determined.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 3, 2020
Says no worries about rookie mental overload with Young.
Mills highlights the determination of Chase Young. Said he's come in focused, prepared and willing to learn.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 3, 2020
Mills on Chase Young: “he’s determined to not just come here and sit on what he did in college.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 3, 2020
Sam Mills III said that Chase Young comes to the field everyday with the attitude he wants to be better than what he's done. Said he was prepared and he's excited about how fast he's picked everything up.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Washington DL coach Sam Mills III on the mic today.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 3, 2020
On Chase Young. Mills is the latest person to emphasize Young's will along with the talent.
Rotation/Depth:
Sam Mills III said that he sees all of the depth that the team has as an opportunity to have fresh rushers. When one guy is all spent, you have another one ready to go.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Sam Mills says that if the defense is having a good game they should play around 55-65 snaps a game. No one should be playing all of those snaps and players should be very fresh.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Defensive line coach Sam Mills III addressing reporters. He says he doesn't see playing time as a problem, allows Washington to have fresh legs as part of a rotation.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 3, 2020
"You never know when you're going to need someone, so we're getting everybody ready to play." Sam Mills III on the defensive line depth. This competition is going to beneficial to the starters and the backups
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Versatility:
Mills says he wants his guys to be versatile. "A big component of our defense will be penetrating and attacking"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 3, 2020
Like so many other positions on defense, versatility will be key to the defensive line. If a defensive end can play inside, then Mills will put them there and vice versa.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 3, 2020
Success with the Panthers:
Sam Mills III when asked about the formula for his Carolina Panthers' defensive lines leading the league in sacks since 2012, started with saying first they're going to stop the run, then when teams try to pass, they're going to suffocate the line.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Ryan Kerrigan:
Mills said it's been a pleasure to work with Ryan Kerrigan. He called Kerrigan a student of the game and thinks he'll be a great leader to the younger guys at the position.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 3, 2020
Mills said it's been a "pleasure" to work with Ryan Kerrigan so far. Mentioned his work ethic, leadership and mental approach to the game.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 3, 2020
Ron Rivera’s culture:
Sam Mills III said that he'd describe coach Ron Rivera's culture as "Not a sometimes thing." It's about commitment all the time, from coaches to players on down.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Mills called Ron Rivera a man of his word. He's a great guy to work for because you know what you're going to get. He said Rivera's culture is built on doing the right thing.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 3, 2020
Sam Mills said it's easy to work for Ron Rivera; says his philosophy is "it's not always easy, but you have to do the right things."
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 3, 2020
Virtual offseason:
Sam Mills III said that the Zoom calls challenged the coaches to grow, they used different apps to test the players, and he had to remember that because players are at home and an occasional kid may pop up or what have you.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Mills said the Zoom meetings has forced the coaching staff to step up and figure out effective methods to teach over video. The challenge has been demonstrating technique.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 3, 2020
Familiarity with players through scouting process:
Mills said when in Carolina, he had interviewed most of Washington's defensive linemen when coming out of the draft.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 3, 2020
Sam Mills III said he had the chance to meet most of these players before coming to Washington because he's an on the field guy at the NFL Combine.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Under normal circumstances, Mills would personally be able to teach players different techniques. As a coach, the virtual offseason forced Mills to step up his game during class sessions.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 3, 2020
Attack:
"We're going to study our opponent, and then we're going to attack." Sam Mills III
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Accountability:
A big theme for Washington's assistants: Accountability.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 3, 2020
Ken Zampese and now Sam Mills have echoed that.
"Responsibility and accountability." Sam Mills III said the reality is they're going to lead the defense, and they're going to be better this year stopping the run.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 3, 2020
Washington's assistants have all voiced the need for "accountability." Sam Mills III mentioned it again. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio did too in an interview with @PostSports this morning: pic.twitter.com/89hMuasFeA
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 3, 2020
Tim Settle:
Mills says DT Tim Settle is a "talented, talented young man who has a bright future." Mentioned how working with the other defensive linemen has helped his development.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 3, 2020
Sam Mills on Tim Settle - very talented young man with a bright future.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 3, 2020
(We’ve been hearing that a bunch this offseason from different coaches)
Mills said Time Settle is a "talented, talented" young man with a bright future. He's been watching the veterans and is ready to compete. Mills said he is very happy with the players outside of the main contributors.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 3, 2020
DL leading the defense:
Washington DL coach Sam Mills III on the expectations of his unit this season: "Let's be honest, this room is supposed to lead this defense."
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) August 3, 2020