Mack Wilson is now a starting linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. Since Christian Kirksey went on injured reserve, Wilson has stepped up and stepped in impressively for a fifth-round rookie. The Alabama product was on the field for every snap in the win over the Ravens and already has 16 tackles and a PD in his first four games.
Wilson refuses to rest on his impressive start, however. When asked how he felt about his play in Week 4, the rookie immediately talked about where he missed plays.
“I feel like I have done pretty good, but I could do better,” Wilson said in his Tuesday press conference. “I know that for a fact. I was kind of upset, even though we won against the Ravens 40-25, I was upset because I feel like I left some plays on the field and I feel like a few plays I let my teammates down by not doing my job.”
Run defense was the big question about Wilson in the draft process and even throughout the preseason. So far, he’s looked capable and confident, but also shown he’s still a rookie.
“I have had probably a couple plays where I fitted the run the wrong way or I did not do my assignment the right way, but I try to kind of put that play behind me. I really did not have as many. I had a few missed fit runs from this past game. They had a great offensive scheme and do a lot of window dressing. I just have to do a better job of cross keying the formations and kind of anticipate some of the things that happen within that play.”
That’s exactly what the coaches and his teammates want to hear: pride in his craft but determination to keep getting better. Wilson has shown those qualities already.
