Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Unlike Reddick, who already had a role before Jones got hurt, Gardeck had none. The first defensive snaps of his career came in the game Jones was injured, and he doesn't get many. There were only eight against the Giants – he remains one of the team's top special teams players – and he has averaged only 5.5 defensive snaps a game over the last six games.
With five sacks, he averages a sack every 13.8 snaps this season, an impressive ratio. But he isn't campaigning for more playing time.
"I'll take whatever opportunity I can to get out on the field," Gardeck said. "I think the packages I am in fit my skillset very well. (Defensive coordinator) Vance (Joseph) talked about being a star in your role … and whatever your role is, you do it to the best of your ability. I'm not worried about how else they can use me. That's their job. My job is to be the best the way they are using me."
That doesn't mean he can't make his defensive appearances memorable. Like his sack dance, which definitely catches the attention of opponents and is here to stay.
"I think if it ain't broke, don't fix it," Gardeck said. " 'Hitting the strobe' is working for me so I'm going to continue that. Chandler (Jones) never switches up the guitar celebration and he's getting like four sacks a game sometimes so, I think I can stick with 'Hitting the strobe.' "
JUSTIN MURRAY LISTED AS STARTER
When the latest depth chart was released Tuesday, Justin Murray has been moved into the starting right guard spot ahead of J.R. Sweezy. Murray had started for Sweezy Sunday in New York, although Murray moved to left guard when Justin Pugh left the game with a calf injury.
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