Jordan Battle on Bengals' Defense, Potentially Starting at Safety
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00:00 So it don't really change too much, but obviously we know losing the guy like
00:04 Joe is a big change, best quarterback in the league.
00:08 So we know it's gonna be tough, we know we gotta go out there and
00:11 do whatever we can to help the offense, whether that's creating a field position,
00:16 whether that's getting off the field early.
00:18 So those things are gonna be good for us and we accept the challenge as a defense.
00:22 >> Is it hard to convince yourself to feel that way and
00:25 not step back and say, man, look what we're missing?
00:28 But also to spin it forward the way you are,
00:30 is it a hard thing for a freshman at league to do that?
00:33 >> Yeah, obviously it's hard, but I feel like as a defense,
00:36 we go into every game knowing we have the pressure on us.
00:39 We try to put that pressure on us as a defense,
00:41 cuz we know the capability we can play at.
00:43 And we know we can get to, we know what we still have to reach.
00:46 And I feel like we've been doing a good job as a defense, creating takeaways.
00:50 I think we're number one still in the league in takeaways.
00:53 So that's been the focus in the room along with communication.
00:57 So we are trying to improve on those things, all those things as well, and
01:00 getting off the field early.
01:02 >> Got your guy Najee on the other side.
01:04 >> Mm-hm.
01:04 >> What's the key to stopping Najee Harris?
01:07 >> He's a hard guy to stop.
01:09 Bama guys are hard to stop.
01:12 As a running back, as a whole, I feel like Bama is RBU.
01:16 But yeah, we know Najee's a tough guy to take down.
01:19 Has quads, has quads on, has good legs, runs his feet through contact.
01:24 So we don't have to wrap up and game tackle, second guy in,
01:27 rip at the ball, try to create turnovers, and get off the field early, like I said.
01:32 >> What's a hump as a youth defensive unit for working with guys?
01:37 >> Probably our biggest thing is communication.
01:40 And it starts in the back end as a safety group.
01:42 I know we're young, but we have to do a good job getting the call in there,
01:46 relating the call to the corner, relating the call to the linebacker,
01:48 making sure we're on the same page.
01:50 Cuz when we're on the same page, we already be beat.
01:52 >> Would you say some of the explosive players join the group because of
01:55 communication, and there's been some breakdown in some areas?
01:58 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course.
02:00 Whenever there's a big player on an explosive,
02:03 usually that's on us on communication issues.
02:06 Cuz usually we're on the same page, it's when we get those turnovers,
02:10 it's when we can have fun, we can celebrate in the end zone.
02:12 So yeah, that's what we've been trying to work on, is communication.
02:15 >> How much Pittsburgh take, have y'all watched so far?
02:18 >> How many what? >> How much Pittsburgh take, excuse me,
02:20 have y'all watched so far?
02:21 >> I mean, obviously, a lot of us started right after the game,
02:26 on the plane ride back.
02:28 So I mean, we started watching it as a team, we started watching it today and
02:32 yesterday.
02:34 Just knowing that these guys are heavy on the run game,
02:36 we have to tackle very well this week.
02:39 Just trying to get all the tactics we can get going to this game to get a win.
02:43 >> How dangerous, what's your most favorite thing about the offense today?
02:47 >> They have two good running backs.
02:49 They have a down field receiver, George Pickens.
02:51 Deontay Johnson is good after the catch as well with the ball.
02:55 I have a gadget guy in Calvin Austin, so
02:57 you have to know he's on the field as well.
03:00 They got a good little rotation going and the skill positions.
03:04 So we know we have to come to play.
03:06 Obviously, it's a AFC North game, so we know how to play.
03:09 We need this win, just like we need any other win.
03:12 >> How similar, how different are they at the running back position?
03:15 The tandem running back, how similar, how different is their skill set?
03:18 >> Yeah, they're both great backs.
03:20 Number 30 seems to run a little lower, a little behind his pads.
03:26 He runs very well.
03:27 22, Najee's a big guy.
03:30 Great legs, runs through contact as well.
03:32 So we know we have to wrap up, come to play, come to hit.
03:35 Second guy in, get that ball out.
03:37 >> How much of a matchup was that?
03:39 How before game?
03:40 Was y'all rubbing off?
03:42 >> Yeah, we played a few years together.
03:45 Won the national championship together, 2020.
03:48 Najee's my guy, we used to talk a lot.
03:51 In practice, we used to compete a lot.
03:53 And he was one of the guys that got me better as a player in college,
03:58 whether it was tackling or just being more on my feet in open field.
04:02 Cuz he did try to get a little shifty in practice, just so I could get that work.
04:06 And yeah, he was one of my guys.
04:08 >> What's your favorite Najee story line?
04:09 I don't wanna answer.
04:10 >> I know in practice one day, I think it was a red zone play,
04:16 and red zone periods, we try not to let him get in the end zone.
04:21 So I did do a little extra.
04:24 I came in, we trying to thud a little harder than we do on the other days.
04:28 And we got to it a little bit, but we know it's all brotherly love.
04:32 At the end of the day, we hugged it out,
04:34 just realizing that we were competing at the time.