TRANSCRIPT: Terrell Williams Press Conference 8/19
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Here’s what defensive coordinator Terrell Williams had to say during his press conference on Tuesday, August 19, 2025:
On how he’s feeling and what camp has been like for him, as well as if he’s ready to go with this defense:
“Oh, yeah, I’m ready to go. That’s why I’m here. Camp’s been good. I feel great. Guys are practicing hard, so it’s been a good camp so far.”
On the fact he was in the booth for the first two preseason games and what does he like about that view as opposed to being on the field:
“You know what? I’ve been down on the field as an assistant most of my career, pretty much all of my career. But you see it from a different perspective up top. So I feel pretty good about being up there and seeing everything.”
On what it means to him to be back on the practice field this summer after what he went through this spring:
“I mean, it’s great to be back. It’s training camp, it’s football, and it’s normal to me. So I’m happy to be back. I’m happy to be around these players and happy to be here in New England.”
On if he would reveal what he was dealing with:
“No, I don’t want to get into that right now because it’s really irrelevant. I’m not dealing with that anymore. So, we’ve kind of moved on. I know people were worried about what happened on the field, and really, I was dehydrated. That could happen to you. So drink water. That’s what you learn from that. But I feel great.”
On what he’s seen from the defense from day one when he got here to where he is now getting ready for a third preseason game and eventually the opener:
“Just willing to learn, willing to take coaching. That’s been really good. They’ve gotten better from the start of training camp to where we are now. I felt like yesterday we had a good day. We got to start stacking these days because it’s been a little inconsistent at times, but now we’re getting to the point, I told them this morning, that we got to start stacking these days because we’re getting close to playing a real football game.”
On the fact he talked about, when he talked in the spring, wanting a defense to play violently, and if he can tell that at this point in training camp, if you have that in place, or because of the rules and some of the limited allowances for contact, if that is still to be determined?
“Well, you can see it. When we have pads on, you can see guys playing with good pad level, using their hands, really at all levels. The linebackers, I think, are doing a great job of being physical, coming down, hitting offensive linemen, running backs. The DBs are doing a good job. You can see it. But there is a difference in training camp versus playing in preseason games and in the regular season. So, we’ll see what it looks like in September.”
On Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings seeming to be a little bit lower on the depth chart than we’re used to seeing them, and if he sees them as fits for this defense:
“Well, we don’t… I mean, in my mind, there is no depth chart right now. We’re just playing guys. I don’t know what they were before or … We don’t really look at that. They’re out there competing just like the rest of the guys. It doesn’t matter what your status was or what people think it should be. Everybody’s out there competing, and those guys are doing a good job.”
On if he thinks they’re a fit for this defense:
“Yeah, of course, they’re fits. I mean, they play hard, they play physical. Everybody’s competing for jobs right now.”
Looking at two guys, are new to this coaching staff and program, Khyiris Tonga and K’Lavon Chaisson and the fact they’ve spoken about their pass rush development, and what he and [Defensive Line] Coach [Clinton] McMillan have done, specifically with Tonga and Chaisson, to help elevate their games:
“I think [Outside Linebackers coach] Mike Smith’s done a great job with the edge guys. I mean, really just watching tape and seeing what they do well and really building on that, and then studying other players. To develop great rushers, you’ve got to look at other great rushers, and that will help develop them. Those guys have been receptive to all the things that we’re asking them to do.”
On the fact he has an extensive history on the defensive line and how that gives him a unique perspective on the back end now that he’s a defensive coordinator:
“Well, you know what? I told the guys the other day, ‘I’m a defensive coordinator/DLine Coach.’ You have some coordinators that are Linebacker Coach/Coordinators, and then DB Coach/Coordinators. So my expertise is up front, and I have an idea of what I want the back end to look like. And I think Book [safeties coach Scott Booker] and [Cornerbacks Coach] Justin Hamilton and [Defensive Assistant] Kevin Richardson are doing a good job making that picture kind of come to life. So all of us have areas of expertise, and I’m a front guy. That’s what I know, that’s what I believe in, that’s what I gravitate towards. So it’s been good.”
On the fact he was around Harold Landry in Tennessee and what he’s seen from him this summer, and if he looks kind of like the player he did in ’21, ’22:
“You know what? He looks like a guy that’s got something to prove. And that’s what I like about Harold. I’ve always loved him. We drafted him out of Boston College in 2018, and he had some great years for us in Tennessee. But right now, I see a more mature player that understands now in year, what is it, eight, I guess, what his role is and what he wants to be. I’m excited to have him here because Harold understands what we want. He was with us for six years there in Tennessee, so he knows exactly what we’re looking for on defense.”
On as a guy gets older, and he gets it, how much has he seen that work:
“You know what? Some guys, it takes two years, three years. Some guys, it takes seven years. I feel like he’s been a good player, but he’s kind of elevating himself right now. And that’s always great to see. And hopefully, the younger guys can see the way he works in year eight or seven, whatever the heck it is.”
On what his expectations are for how good his pass rush can be:
“My expectation is we’re going to find ways to get to the quarterback. You can do it by scheme, you can do it by player. We just got to figure out what’s going to work for us. The pass rush changes every week depending on who you’re going against. We’ll find ways to get to the quarterback, so we’ll be okay.”
On the fact DJ James has had a nice camp and with Christian Gonzalez sidelined, and what he’s seen from him as a cornerback taking advantage of an opportunity:
“DJ has taken advantage of his opportunities. He’s done a good job. He was with us in the Senior Bowl, I think a year or two ago, whenever it was. Really coming here now and being with him here in New England, you see a guy that’s developing and taking coaching. He’s done a really good job of competing and just taking advantage of his opportunities with Gonzo being out and Carlton [Davis] having some limitations there.”
On the rotation at safety with Craig [Woodson] and Kyle [Dugger] occasionally and what that looks like right now:
“Just rotating guys in to see… Again, everybody’s competing for a job right now, and I think people got I remember that. When we came in here, and we told the players, ‘Everybody’s going to have to compete for a job, and that includes the guys that have been starters in the past.’ You don’t inherit positions just because you were there last year. I think Kyle has done a good job of competing, and all those guys, Hawk [Jaylinn Hawkins], I mean, all of them have done a good job. Craig is a rookie. Those guys have been good. They’re all competing for jobs right now.”
On what he’s seen from Robert Spillane and the energy he brings:
“Love him. He’s like having another coach on the field. He can fix things. He can get guys lined up. I remember him. He was an undrafted free agent for us, in … I almost said, Oakland, but in Tennessee in 2018. I want to say he was a tryout guy, and he still has that mentality, that underdog mentality. He does a good job of leading the defense. I love the kid.”
On how the process of calling plays has been going:
“It’s been great. I’m not just saying that because I’m calling the plays, but no, it’s been really good. We know what we want on defense, and I know what Vrabes wants, I know what I want, and we all know what we want it to look like on defense. It’s just a preseason right now. I think our guys are doing a good job of responding to what we’re asking them to do.”
On if Vrabel is involved when it comes to the playcalls:
“He’s involved in every aspect of our football team. That’s the type of head coach he is. He’s involved in offense, defense, special teams, the training room, the meal room, the grass, everything. He’s involved in everything, and I love it.”
On what his impression is of Keion White and what he brings to the team:
“Big, physical guy, still a young player that has some development to do, but I like where he is right now. So he’s working hard and doing the things that we’re asking him to do.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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