Lex Of It: Giants D.C. Wink Wants to Crush Them
Martindale, the Giants’ first-year defensive coordinator, spent the previous 10 seasons with Baltimore, the last four as its defensive coordinator. On Sunday, he will face his former team for the first time when the 3-2 Ravens visit the 4-1 Giants in MetLife Stadium.
Wink Martindale Wants to Bury Former Team
In his weekly meeting with reporters today, Martindale spoke of the Ravens as he would a group of college buddies, with affection and respect.
“It’s different just for this reason, I have a lot of friends on that other sideline,” Martindale said. “A lot of people that have meant a lot to me in my life. But whenever someone asks me about the Ravens, I always think about (Ravens defensive line coach) Clarence Brooks, my dear friend. He’s the one, and I’ve used it ever since, who said this game always has been and always will be about the players. That’s the truth. So, in that essence, it’s game six, but like I said I have a deep love for a lot of people over there. (Ravens owner) Steve Bisciotti took care of my family for 10 years.
Obviously, (coach) John (Harbaugh) and I have coached together. I’ve coached with his dad, and I’ve known the family forever, he’s like a brother. (Executive vice president) Ozzie Newsome was a mentor for me for 10 years over there and we helped build something that they’re on their 15th year of doing right now. The exciting part about coming here is it’s year one. We’ve just got to stay with the process, where we’re going, and how we’re going to get there.”
DC Wink Martindale: ‘Wherever you’re at is where you’re supposed to be’.
All which begs the question, if Martindale’s unit was so effective and he was so happy working there, why is he here?
“I think that it’s just one of those things,” Martindale said. “I always believe that wherever you’re at is where you’re supposed to be. John and I had conversations way back before they made the announcement of about where we wanted to be and what we wanted to do. I knew there was going to be a lot of movement in the NFL, and it has reenergized me to go someplace new and try to build it again. It was like I said, we’re family, John and I are. It was nothing negative, it was just time. When I say it was just time, it was just time for both of us.”
“I want this game to be about them,” Martindale said. “I think Dabs alluded to this earlier. In coaching, we’re gypsies anyway. Now I happened to be there for 10 years, which is a long time. I was also in Oakland, and I was also in Denver. For coaches, that’s just the way our profession is. Is there a little competitive spirit in you when you go play a team you used to work for? Sure, there is. I’m not going to deny that. Everybody knows that. But as far as circling the game and everything else, this is just the next game. We’ve had success approaching it that way.”
“We empty the tank on Sunday and we fill it up the rest of the week. I just think that’s how you have to approach it. What I tell the players all the time is, ‘What I owe you during the game is my composure. That’s where I show you my athleticism is keeping my composure, so you’re always thinking about the next play.’
There’s some people telling me that I need to be more animated on the sidelines and you’re not going to be animated if you’re thinking about the next play, what you’re going to call next. It’s like when you watch two people playing chess, if a guy makes a great move, he doesn’t stand up out of the chair and chest bump somebody because he did it.”
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So, if the Giants win Sunday, don’t expect an emotional outburst from Martindale. He will be among friends. And to him, the game is all about those who play it.
#TBT Running over the Ravens in '08 💨 — New York Giants (@Giants) October 13, 2022
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