Greg Rousseau Interview: 'I Wanted To Do Something Special'

Buffalo Bills veteran defensive end Greg Rousseau is currently enjoying one of the better stretches of his career. With two sacks in his previous three games, Rousseau is producing for a defensive line that is placing terrific pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Right before a big-time win over the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded a strip-sack of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco that was recovered by Damar Hamlin.

Rousseau recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network while discussing his partnership with Campbell's Chunky and their Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Rousseau broke down that strip sack, discussed his evolving pass-rush arsenal, trying to win a Super Bowl in Buffalo, and more.

JM: You're here at FeedMore WNY fighting food inequality on behalf of Campbell's Chunky and the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Why is this cause so important to you and your family?

Greg Rousseau: It’s a terrific opportunity to give back to people in need. Chunky Sacks Hunger is donating 1,000 meals for every sack in the NFL this season. There’s been a lot of sacks in the league this year, as always, so that’s a lot of meals donated to families in need.

It was a terrific opportunity for me to give back through on-field performance. I wanted to do something special because no American family should ever go hungry. 

JM: You helped contribute to that recently when you recorded a strip sack that was recovered by Damar Hamlin in a win over the Colts. Can you break down that play for me? How did you win the rep?

Greg Rousseau: I’ve been playing fast and doing exactly what I’m being coached to do. I’ve been blessed for every opportunity that comes my way and that play was one of them. I made a big play on that rep.

I hit the offensive tackle with a stab to an arm-over. I went for the ball when I saw Joe Flacco getting ready to let it go.

JM: You’ve amassed multiple sacks recently and have already surpassed last season's sack total. Are you aiming for a new career high this year? You’re already at 5.5 sacks and the previous career high is 8.0. You’re creeping up on that number.

Greg Rousseau: I feel like whatever God has in store for me, that’s what it’s going to be. I try not to chase stats or individual accolades. I’m always putting the team first. If I’m putting my best foot forward, some of that stuff [sacks] is going to come naturally.

Sometimes, the individual accolades don’t come at all. That’s fine with me as long as I’m still helping the team win games. I’m just trying to play good-quality football. Whatever happens, happens. I just want to do my job at the highest level. All I care about is helping the team win.

JM: Being a veteran guy now, how has your pass-rush arsenal evolved as you've gotten older and more experienced?

Greg Rousseau: I think you get better with every single rep. It’s like anything you do in life. If you’re a kid trying to learn how to ride a bike, the more you try to ride a bike, the better you get at it.

Football is the exact same way. The more reps you get under your belt, the better you are at something. I’ve learned different nuances over the years and you see different things. I understand how to switch it up.

JM: Does chasing Josh Allen around practice make you better suited to play against mobile quarterbacks on Sundays?

Greg Rousseau: Yeah, it does. We have something in practice called mobile quarterback fundamentals. There’s a lot of mobile quarterbacks in the league. A lot of them are big as well. Practicing against a dude like Josh [Allen] certainly helps us prepare.

Of course, we don’t get near him in practice but in the back of your mind, it helps how to defend those extended plays outside the pocket. Going up against a dude like Josh Allen definitely helps.

JM: Rookies like Keon Coleman and Ray Davis are giving you guys good snaps. As a guy who knows what it takes to make a quick impact, what have you seen from the rookie class?

Greg Rousseau: The rookie class came in and went to work. They put their heads down. They come to work every single day. They’re humble guys and a bunch of hard workers. When you put your head down and go to work in this industry, good things happen for you.

JM: We've appreciated your time today, and all you’re doing with the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. What are your goals for the remainder of this season?

Greg Rousseau: We’re going to continue trying to execute at a high level. I’m putting my best foot forward for sure. We go into every game trying to go 1-0. We’re going to continue putting the work in while taking things day by day.

JM: Getting over the hump and getting to the Super Bowl has to be the goal.

Greg Rousseau: I think getting to the Super Bowl is the goal for all 32 teams. Everybody wants to lift the Lombardi Trophy. We’re one of those 32 teams with that goal. That’s definitely our goal, but it doesn’t happen overnight. We have to win every single day. We’re focused on the next opponent.