KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: It was a good off-season. Got to fix a couple things. Nothing crazy, but be able to put in a little extra work and get a little -- go to certain place, get some expertise on some stuff and I'm feeling great. Feeling better than last year.
Q. After last year --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: I think just fine tuning everything, right. Everything that we did well last year, trying to do excellent this year and everything we did poorly last year, just try to work on simple things like that.
Q. The linebackers they have accumulated since you've been here, how do you think that will manifest itself for you guys?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: I think it just makes everyone better, right. That's just part of Lovie Smith's scheme, right. He wants athletic linebackers, and just in his defense overall if you look at all the positions, we don't have any like slow guy, bigger guys. It's all speed, athleticism. So that's just kind of the model of our defense.
I think it's just how to be a pro, a little bit. Seeing things -- it's a little different when you come from college. You're not taught specific reads. Just things -- how we do things here, how you fit runs a little different. How you match different pass concepts and just stuff like that.
Q. Can you describe Lovie's --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: It's funny because last year he was obviously our D.C. so we spent all our time with him and the offense wasn't with him so they didn't really know him too much. So for us, it's like normal, right. It's just the same 'ole Lovie. But him as a head coach, it's really, really impressive to me. Because I knew how he was and I've heard stories that he's an amazing coach, but to see it and be living it now, he's on top of everything. The way he holds himself is amazing. We're just very excited and I'm just extremely happy to have him as a head coach.
Q. What is same 'ole Lovie?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: Just happy-going. He's always cracking jokes. But you know, at the end of the day, he has a high expectation and he truthfully I think brings the best out of everyone. He pushes everyone in the right ways and just brings greatness out of everyone.
Q. What's your take away from Man City?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: That was awesome. I definitely want to go to Europe a little bit and check out some of those Premier League games because the atmosphere was cool. But what I took out from that was like we need to pack this stadium backup because the atmosphere in that stadium, if we can get H-Town going again, it's going to be rocking.
Q. The red helmets?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: I love the red helmets. I think it's pretty sweet. Especially with the red jersey, I think it's going to look smooth. You guys like them? I would go all red, all red.
Q. Inaudible.
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: Within the defense, we've got to board -- every time you make a play, your name goes up with some points or whatever it is. It's just the expectations we hold every day, all that kind of stuff, it's just holding everyone accountable.
Q. Going back to the off-season, how has it been to see the growth --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: G is different because he's so mentally ahead of a lot of people. As a rookie, I wasn't aware of where he was at. His ability to play all three positions, understand the scheme a little bit, it's impressive. You know, he works every day and he works hard so I'm excited for him.
Q. Dalton coming here, how would you describe --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: He's one of a kind. You know what I'm starting to figure out is the people from Louisiana are a little one of a kind, also. All my friends from Louisiana are like my favorite people because they are hilarious. He's got so many yokes and just talking about his family and stuff, it's always entertaining. It's funny.
They just just crawfish there, I guess, right. You know what's funny is I never had crawfish before. Still haven't. I'm waiting off and on G to make me some. We're working on that.
Q. What about him as a player what do you see?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: He's just smart. He picks up on things easily. For as young as he is, he's a pro. He comes in every day, works hard.
Q. Does it feel like the Draft, some of the free agency acquisitions does it feel like this defense got better?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: I think so. For sure. It's tough to say certain things because you're going to obviously evolve going into your second year and to say some of the guys last year wouldn't have a better shot, you know, evolving with us is hard to say. But the talent we picked up this year and just the vibe of the whole defense is pretty impressive.
Q. The early presence of the rookies in the huddle --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: What do you mean, like --
Q. As far as are they learning, are they vocal?
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: Yeah, both of them are doing very well I think with just understanding the defense, understanding the standard that we are trying to hold. I mean, they are impressive, also. They are making calls and doing everything that they need to do as rookies, and as early as it is, it's good to see.
Q. Back with the same team --
KAMU GRUGIER-HILL: Yeah, I think my confidence is skyrocketing right now because like I said, just evolving in the second-year system and already understanding what the expectations are and I understand the scheme and I understand what Coach Lovie wants. Just fine tuning that you will and being able to play faster.
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