Ford sees improvement on D-Line

Defensive end Dee Ford made his return last week after nursing a lower-abdominal injury and said he feels like himself again. Ford had three tackles, including one sack, against New Mexico State and said he’s seen improvement out of defensive tackles Angelo Blackson and Gabe Wright.

“At a time like this,” Ford said. “You start to find out, of course you want to win. Are guys getting better? That’s the most important thing. I see guys getting better, and I see those two especially. That’s why I’m not really having a hard time. I’m enjoying seeing them get better.”

Ford said increased production out of the defensive tackles would change the face of the defense.

“It would be a huge difference,” Ford said, “not just for us, but for the whole defense. Our turnover ratio would increase. It’ll be a wholesale effect on the defense.”

Ford has maintained his optimistic attitude despite the Tigers’ 2-7 record. He is determined to improve and build chemistry with a young defensive line.

“It’s hard, but it’s not as hard for me because I focus more on development,” Ford said. “Especially when we’re in a losing season like this, you know; Are you getting better? Or are you kind of skating through, or are you going backwards? And I just focus on my development, and especially the development of the D-line. Because we’re all young, we’ll all be back next year, this is all a learning process.”