2. “Not slowing down” – DE A.J. Epenesa grabs a pick six in Sunday’s practice
While many position groups are dealing with injuries, the defensive line unit remains healthy, and it’s showing based on their play. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa had a practice to remember on Sunday.
During the first team period, Epenesa muscled his way into a passing lane and came away with an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. The DE also batted a pass at the line of scrimmage later in practice.
Instead of walking off the practice field feeling good about his day once practice concluded, Epenesa found left tackle Dion Dawkins to discuss a few reps he wasn’t proud of.
“We were just talking technique a little bit because there were two run plays in particular that I just have stuck in my brain right now,” Epenesa said. “My technique wasn’t very solid, and I allowed Dion to get underneath my pads a little bit.”
Dawkins walked through how he got the upper hand by showing his hand placement on Epenesa’s jersey, and Epenesa talked through how it can be avoided next time.
“I’m thinking about what do I need to tighten up to not allow him to do that to me, or to be able to displace me a couple yards, which is all the world for the offense,” Epenesa added.
After talking through his missteps, Epenesa addressed his best play of practice.
“It was just kind of one of those feeling things,” Epenesa said of why he came away with the INT. “They didn’t block me. The way it kind of developed as a play, I kind of felt someone fly across my face.”
Epenesa graded his practice as inconsistent and wants to focus on showing his coaches he can be dependable.
“My goal is to show the coaches that I’m not slowing down,” Epenesa said. “I still play with that fire. I still play with that chip on my shoulder.”
This season marks Epenesa’s sixth year as a pro. The DE has registered at last six sacks and 10 quarterback hits in each of the last three seasons.
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