Out of the Shadows, MSU DE Joel Heath Steps Into Key Role With MSU Football
Out of the Shadows, MSU DE Joel Heath Steps Into Key Role With MSU Football
A: …working to try to get to the point where I wanna be.
Q: Are you getting a lot of reps in today?
A: Yeah, I’m getting a lot. I’m getting with the 2’s and the 3’s, so it’s a good mixture. I’m getting probably about the same amount as the 1’s.
Q: What are you learning from some the other guys, older guys in front of you?
A: When I look at Rush, I look at his hands, the way he uses his hands. I’m trying to learn how to develop and how to use my hips more. Same way when you look at Shilique and different guys. Really Jerome; he uses his hands very well.
Q: Talk a little bit, if you would please, about you and Shilique and your relationship and how you guys are able to strengthen each other.
A: We have a very good bond. We see each other every single day. Basically we have like this brotherhood where we compete every day, whatever we do. Whether it’s the weight room, whether it’s on the field. We talk about it and we have this connection to where we can communicate about anything. And if we have a problem, no matter what happens, the other person is gonna be there for him.
Q: How has Ron Burton made you a better player this spring?
A: Man, he’s taught me how to use my hands tremendously. When I look at what I’ve done this spring, I see the way I can move my hands a lot better.
Q: What is the value of Saturday versus the other scrimmages and the practices? What is the value of an actual spring game? And is there anything beyond that the fans are there…
A: I would say the value of it is more just showing the fans what we can do, what the defense as a whole can do. Just really showing everybody individually, and the coaches, that we can handle the pressure of having people watch us, the pressure that comes with it at Spartan Stadium.
Q: Can you give me any updates on the quarterback? Coach D said it’d be live on Saturday?
A: Yeah, for sure. Every day it’s been live periods with him. It’s been really good for the quarterbacks and us getting to him.
Q: When you’re coming up on a quarterback, knowing it’s a teammate, are you taking a little bit off it or are you going full strength?
A: It depends. Sometimes Coach D will say he’s active but not live. So sometimes it varies. But for the most part when it’s go time, we’re coming after him.
Q: Are there things you try and avoid like hitting the arm?
A: For the most part, yeah. Just try to avoid raking the back of the arm and stuff. That kind of thing.
Q: How much progress would you say that you’ve made this spring?
A: This spring I think I‘ve made a lot of progress from last year. I can pick up on the plays and understand where I’m going with it. Really, just fundamentally I think I’ve been a lot better with it.
