Rookie linebacker Jaelan Phillips’ numbers don’t jump off the page through the first four weeks of the season.
That’s to be expected for a guy making the leap to the NFL level. In four games, he’s received credit for 11 tackles, four quarterback hits, and half of a sack.
What’s comforting is knowing he’s doing what his coaches ask of him, and he’s learning. Whether it’s saying the right thing about playing against Tom Brady or working hard in practice, Phillips appears to be adjusting well to life as a pro.
So, when defensive coordinator Josh Boyer paid him a compliment during his media availability, it wasn’t a surprise.
“I think he is a diligent worker,” Boyer said Tuesday. “He comes in, puts a good day’s work in, and he is working hard to improve some things that he needs to improve. And, the things that aren’t going so well, you know he is working to improve those. I would say Jaelan is going to get better and because of his work ethic and his skill set and I think he gets a little bit more comfortable, umm, and the more experience he has the better off he will be.”
Obviously, it would be nice to see him log more sacks and make more plays in the backfield, as he did in his lone season as a Hurricane. That will come with time.
For now, Phillips is focused on the right things.
