Phillips next to be called out

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph hasn’t hesitated to call out players who aren’t doing enough. On Monday, he made clear that more is needed from defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, a second-round pick in 2015.

“The bottom line is Jordan (Phillips) has got to play better overall,” Joseph said. “Out of 35 plays, Jordan is playing a solid 25 plays very solidly. He's having four or five plays where it's not very good. I think [Ndamukong] Suh is playing well.

“I think Suh gets doubled a lot, but I think Jordan could play better. Obviously, getting Earl (Mitchell) back in a couple weeks, that's going to help us there. Losing Earl was a big deal for us inside, because now you've got probably three inside starters. Getting Earl back in two weeks, that's going to help us a lot."

These guys think they've got a winning thing going by calling guys out. They (the coaches) feel that it's because they're doing that, that is why they are winning.

They'd better be very careful with that.

white1 wrote:

These guys think they've got a winning thing going by calling guys out. They (the coaches) feel that it's because they're doing that, that is why they are winning.

They'd better be very careful with that.

There was an important clarifying point made earlier, perhaps in that same write up.  The coaches are talking privately with players BEFORE anything is ever said in public.  So, it's not a surprise to the player.  It does go against the old adage about "punish in private, praise in public" but like all people, every player is different.  It's possible the ones "called out" respond best to a public challenge.