Hey Yardbarker, I was finally able to sit down with Coach Mangini. I've been hearing all the media attention that he was getting about being a hard-nosed disciplinarian... The meeting went well, we sat down for about half an hour. We pretty much spoke about last season, what my thoughts were. He wanted me to understand how he would come across as being a coach. One of the things that caught my attention was that he's not on a power trip. Our common goal is winning.
He seems to be a nice guy. I didn't know what to expect from him, but he seems to be a players' coach. One thing he told me, we have to have a great relationship and we have to be able to communicate with each other. We're in the business of winning games. I left that meeting feeling good about the situation.
I was also able to sit down with Rob Ryan, the defensive coordinator, and we talked briefly about his scheme as a DC. We spoke about me taking ownership of this defense and making guys accountable -- not just by saying it but by doing it. I'm going into this year with a different mindset. This is my defense, and I'm gonna hold guys accountable. This is my fourth year in the league and I know what it takes to win. I know what it takes as an individual and as a team, and I'm gonna hold guys accountable. I want guys to play to their ability and hold me accountable also.
Overall the meeting I had with Eric Mangini and Rob Ryan was a good one, I'm glad I was finally able to sit down with them. March 19th, that's when guys report to off season workouts. We're trying to get the right players in, draft the right guys, and look forward to the 09 season.
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Been asked who I want or expect to win the Super Bowl. As long as Cleveland Browns aren't in it I really don't care who wins, but I have been paying attention, watching NFL Network and it seems Ben has something to prove. Obviously I know all about the Steelers. I know that team well and they'll be tough. I haven't seen much of the Cardinals, just these playoff games, but they're here for a reason. They have Kurt Warner and a lot of weapons. Really I just want to see a good game, but I am an underdog guy and I'll be rooting for guys. I'm an Edgerrin James fan. He was with the Colts for 6 or 7 years and hasn't played in the Super Bowl yet. I don't know him, but I'm rooting for him. I want to see him get a ring.
It seems the only thing the media is focused on these days is what's going to happen with Coach Crennel. It's the hot topic because we're not winning, but if we can get a win we can change the story a little bit. We want to win for the guy. He's a good coach. But as players we can't let all these questions become a distraction to us. We're all grown men in the locker room and it's about being a professional. When the whistle blows it's gotta be all about football. We need to set aside any kind of distractions and prepare and perform at the highest level. And these last two games are important. We may not be going to the playoffs, but we're playing against our rivals Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and we want to end the season on a good note. Cincinnati is going through some of the same things we are. The last time we played them it was a physical game and we expect the same this time. It's a big game for us and I'm really looking forward to it.
