Bill Belichick always talks about the jump players make from Year 1 to Year 2, and specific to the team this year, Chase Winovich is one player to watch.
Speaking to reporters via video conference Monday, Winovich was asked what part of his game he's been working on?
"I don't want to get too specific because that would obviously help my enemies," he said. "There's some decencies and some weaknesses. I've looked at from across the board and made different strategies and different techniques and hired different people whatever it may be to address those head on. We're going to see whether or not it makes a difference. I feel great out there. Only time will tell. It's only a matter of putting in the work now and the rest will take care of itself."
Winovich was asked specifically about the Year 2 jump, but he didn't really want to get into it.
"I think potential, all that means is you haven't done what you need to do yet," he said. "I don't want to get that misconstrued. Potential is just air. What I'm focused on is what I can control and I can't worry about what year it is. I need to worry about the process. I've really invested in that process and I know that I've taken steps this offseason to take that leap that I'm trying to hold myself accountable to and take that next step as an athlete. As a team, everyone needs to make that next step. I'm trying to do just that. I can't really speak to what the future may bring or what that leap might look like. I just know I've been working extra hard to make sure it was better than last year."
The second-year outside linebacker likely will be asked to play a bigger role this season given the losses of Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower in the front-seven.
Another player who could see a big role in the front-seven is second-rounder Josh Uche, who played with Winovich at Michigan.
"It's been great," Winovich said. "Josh can tell you about Josh. It's been great. You can tell it's a learning experience for any of the rookies. I'm trying to help as much as I can with that process especially in the linebacker room. If they have any questions or I see them trying to work on something maybe, 'hey this is how I did it' and they can do with that information as they please. This is what being a team is all about. I'm trying to be the best teammate that I can to the young guys.
"Of course, it's great to have Michigan here. It's great to have Michigan here. That's all I have to say. Go Blue. Let's go."
