Within the final function reversal, Wink Martindale confronted a blitz.
Why did he cut up with the Baltimore Ravens? Any lingering laborious emotions towards Ravens head coach John Harbaugh? Was his stunning transfer to the Giants a step towards changing into a head coach? Has this Giants-Ravens recreation been circled on his calendar for the reason that schedule got here out?
Inquiring minds wished to know extra Thursday about how one of many NFL’s greatest defensive coordinators ended up on the open market after final season and the way he feels about going through his former workforce for the primary time Sunday, when the Ravens go to the Giants.
“It has re-energized me to go someplace new and attempt to construct it once more,” Martindale mentioned. “John and I are household. It was nothing destructive. It was simply time for each of us.”
Martindale, 59, has been one of many NFL’s Most worthy assistant coaches this season, melding an unheralded unit of largely kids and journeymen right into a formidable protection that ranks No. 9 in factors per recreation allowed (18.6). Whereas he could be re-energized, Martindale will not be reinvented, nonetheless utilizing the identical blitz-heavy playbook (43.3 p.c of performs, tops within the NFL) that final week stored in verify Aaron Rodgers in a Giants’ upset of the Packers.
“The thrilling half about coming right here is it’s Yr 1,” Martindale mentioned. “We simply must preserve staying with the method of the place we’re going and the way we’re going to get there. I’ve at all times believed that the place you might be at is the place you might be alleged to be.”
Martindale labored beneath Harbaugh’s father, Jack, earlier in his profession and acquired a lifeline from John after a 12 months out of teaching in 2011. Martindale joined the Ravens, gained a Tremendous Bowl ring as linebackers coach in 2012 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018.
The Ravens ranked No. 1, No. 4, No. 7 and No. 25 in whole protection in 4 seasons beneath Martindale. Because the numbers went within the incorrect course and the Ravens closed final season with six straight losses, Harbaugh and Martindale reached a mutual settlement that the Ravens wanted a recent voice (finally hiring Martindale protégé Mike McDonald) and Martindale’s pursuit of a head coach job would profit from working his magic at one other cease.
“I would like this recreation to be about [the players],” Martindale mentioned. “Is there somewhat aggressive spirit in you while you go play a workforce that you just used to work for? Positive, I’m not going to disclaim that. So far as circling the sport and every thing else, that is simply the subsequent recreation. We’ve had success approaching it that means.”
Regardless of feeling that Maryland is dwelling for his kids and lauding Ravens proprietor Steve Bisciotti, government Ozzie Newsome and his “brother” Harbaugh, Martindale described his feelings leaving the Ravens as “completely satisfied and excited in regards to the subsequent chapter.” Simpler to say in hindsight now that he has landed tall on his toes as a result of the Giants’ unique plan was to retain defensive coordinator Patrick Graham (now with the Raiders), which might’ve despatched Martindale scrambling elsewhere.
It could be a shock to some that Martindale — synonymous with bravado — mentioned he has been criticized up to now for not displaying extra emotion on the sideline.
“I inform the gamers on a regular basis: What I owe you through the recreation is my composure. That’s the place I present you my athleticism,” Martindale mentioned. “You aren't going to be animated in case you are fascinated with what you're going to name subsequent. Once you watch two folks taking part in chess, if a man makes an important transfer, he doesn’t stand on a chair and chest-bump any individual.”
The Giants don’t have an interception in 5 video games, however they haven’t been victimized by the lengthy passes Martindale’s secondary was final season — and to which the Ravens stay inclined.
“We at all times had the fellows to play actually good protection,” security Xavier McKinney mentioned. “Wink is bringing in a extra aggressive mentality, which helps us out as a result of that’s what we wished to do within the first place. It’s not that he’s given us an identification. Generally the scheme wasn’t becoming the gamers.”
Martindale carries with him a saying he realized in Baltimore, from late assistant coach Clarence Brooks: The sport at all times has been and at all times can be in regards to the gamers.
“I consider within the scheme that we run and the way versatile it's,” Martindale mentioned. “It’s the gamers that make it go.”
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