Cubs News: Stevenson on being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week |
CHICAGO—For the second time in his young career, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. While Stevenson is grateful for this honor, he also believes it reflects the defense's overall efforts.
“Definitely grateful for the experience, but honestly, I feel like I got more room to work on and I got some things that I need to go back on and look on and step up my game. But, definitely happy for the accomplishment and (recognition),” Stevenson said. “But, definitely want to give a big shout out to the defense because without this defense stepping up and standing on our standers, I wouldn’t have this award.” The game did not start out the best for the second-year cornerback. Stevenson gave up a 17-yard touchdown to give the Tennessee Titans a 17-0 lead in the second quarter. For a player who gave up nine touchdowns last season, he did not want to start this season by giving up another one. “I’ll be honest. I was (upset) because it was a play I make 10 out of 10 with my eyes closed. So, just the fact it (happened, it) was next-play mentality and the guys didn’t let me come over to the sideline and put my head down either,” Stevenson said. “So, I would say it was more of (a) defensive thing. I got guys telling me, ‘Pick (your) head up. Got the game.’ So, I had a short memory, but I was still upset because I (knew) I could make that play and then I had guys and the leaders on this team be able to pick me up and make sure that I finish the game on strong.” While he gave up the touchdown that gave the Titans a three-possession lead, he also scored the game-winning pick-six, the first pick-six of his football career even outside of the NFL. Because Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson is on the other side, Stevenson gets more looks from offenses, so he was honored to be able to take advantage of that opportunity. He also seems to have a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, perhaps related to the touchdown he gave up because he uses mistakes to fuel himself to be better. “We all know the ball ain’t going to Jaylon,” Stevenson said. “So, this defense just look at me to be the guy that I am in practice, make the plays that come to me, catch the ball that comes to me, and be able to make sure that I can funnel everything back into this defense because (I) ain’t no weakling just because it’s an All-Pro corner over there.” Throughout the offseason, there was a lot of hype. The offense would be explosive with a trio of elite receivers and an incredibly talented quarterback. The defense was going to be one of the best in the league once again. While the expectations did not come to fruition for the offense in week one, they certainly did for the defense. Stevenson said that just provides extra motivation for the defense as they prepare for the Houston Texans this coming Sunday (7:20 p.m./NBC). “I feel like it just amps us up a little bit more because we know who we are and what style of football we coming to play and just the fact that we see the things we work on in practice and the things that we go over and over and over again, just come to life which means that we doing the right thing and moving in the right direction,” Stevenson said.
