Blog of the week 16: attention to detail

Attention to detail: Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hit the 100 tackle mark for the first time in his career this year, and while he said it was cool to do, he also joked about feeling it.

“This is the first time that I’m doing it. If that’s what I’m asked, I will,” said Fitzpatrick. “My body feels it for sure. “

Fitzpatrick has been a last line of defense for the defense in his stead, and while he admits it wasn’t something that was always his strong suit early on, he’s definitely overpowered it lately.

“I haven’t always been good at it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Earlier this year I was doing a lot of tackles, but I was missing a few that I wouldn’t normally miss. Sometimes it’s all about your eyes. That’s what it was to me for a while. , my eyes. I was running. the ball carrier, so I had to work my eyes. Coach (Teryl Austin) vindicates me every day in training, make sure my eyes are in the right place, enveloping tackles and not just diving into people. I insisted on standing, staying square, putting my body on people and being physical. “

These are details like those that Fitzpatrick and everyone on the 53-man squad will need to focus on this week and the rest of the season. The win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday kept them in the playoff race and the next three games are crucial and a solid finish is a must.

“A great thing is the attention to detail,” said Fitzpatrick. “This time of year, a lot of people are beaten up, people are injured, a lot of people are sore, tired. It’s hard to focus on (the mentality) I have to do this little thing right every time every day to next month. Your mind normally isn’t what it is. I feel like last year we argued over the details. I think that’s something we just need to remember now . Staying on the details. What we do is a blessing. Just approach each day with energy, no matter how difficult it is. “

It can pay off, however. It’s that attention to detail that has led to four turnovers against the Titans, and the key is to continue that momentum in Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, who lead the AFC with a 10-4 record.

“It’s a combination of everyone doing their job,” Fitzpatrick said. “Doing the little things that we practice throughout the week, like hitting the ball, like reaching when you rush for the quarterback, putting pressure on the quarterback, all the things that we’ve been working on all. throughout the week come to fruition. “