Matt Ioannidis has improved every year he’s been in the league since Washington drafted him in the 5th round in 2016. He says there have been many coaches who have helped him get better including his last DL Coach Jim Tomsula. New DL Coach Sam Mills III calls the defensive line the tip of the spear, and they have the right guys to lead the team.
Ioannidis doesn’t know his exact role under new WFT Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio, but he’s willing to help in any position. Ryan Anderson has been working with the defensive line this year, and has looked good so far. And of course #2 overall pick Chase Young is already fitting right in with the group.
Training Camp Press Conference - Matt Ioannidis https://t.co/xKtQIMcuRc
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 7, 2020
Role in the new defense:
Ioannidis said the defense is still in the early stages of getting into the new system. He doesn't know what his new role is going to be, but he hopes to help the team as much as I can.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 7, 2020
Chase Young:
Matt Ioannidis on Chase Young: "He fits in great. ... It's good having him around."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 7, 2020
Matt Ioannidis says that Chase Young fits in great with the DL group. Has the same mindset and physically fits the group.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 7, 2020
Ioannidis said Chase Young has looked great so far. He fits right in with the group and chemistry that the defensive line has already built. He hasn't tried to be a vocal leader with Chase yet. He's trying to let Young breathe and experience the league for himself.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 7, 2020
Ryan Anderson:
Matt Ioannidis said that Ryan Anderson is playing and moving fast. He looks good with the defensive line group after working with the linebackers last year.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 7, 2020
Cohesiveness on the defensive line:
Ioannidis said that the defensive line has meshed well over the years, and that will only continue to grow, regardless of who the defensive line coach is.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 7, 2020
Face shields:
Matt Ioannidis said that they haven't brought helmets out yet, and said when they do, he'll look into maybe wearing the face shield. He'll see once he sees them in person.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 7, 2020
Modified training camp:
Here's an example of how this year is so different. Matt Ioannidis said they haven't put on helmets yet and that they really haven't done enough on the field to really grasp how the new scheme plan affects his play. He's confident the DL will be ready to rock by Week 1.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) August 7, 2020
Decision to play this year:
Ioannidis said there was some reflection and some prayer when it came to deciding to play in 2020. But after talking to his wife, they decided they were comfortable going through with it.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 7, 2020
Improving every year:
Ioannidis has gotten better every season. He's not sure if there's one specific thing that has helped him. All he can do is focus on trying to get better every day.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 7, 2020
DL Coach Sam Mills III:
Matt Ioannidis said that DL coach Sam Mills III calls the group the tip of the spear. He feels the pressure for this group to perform and lead the defensive side of the ball.
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) August 7, 2020
Matt Ioannidis said that D-Line coach Samm Mills III calls the D-Line the ”tip of the spear.” He said that the unit is highly capable and that he has no confidence worries at all.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) August 7, 2020
Ioannidis agrees with D-Line coach Sam Mills III "100 percent" that the defensive line has to lead the team.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 7, 2020
"We have the right guys in this room to lead the team."
Madden 21 rating(available here!):
Ioannidis said that him and the rest of the defensive line have bonded in the weight room, so it was cool when he saw he had the second-highest strength rating in Madden 21.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) August 7, 2020
Ioannidis is rated as the second strongest defensive lineman on Madden. He honestly hasn't thought much about it, but he does think it's a reflection of the work he has put in with the team's strength staff.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) August 7, 2020