Buckskin86
Moderator
Off to a Hot Start in New Orleans
posted
09/19/13
Malcolm Jenkins
What’s up people? Let’s talk about that lightning strike in Tampa Bay, early winning streaks, hurry-up offenses in college and the NFL and what’s next.
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The 2009 NFC Championship Game is just one of several comeback wins I’ve been involved in since I’ve been here. We have a lot of new guys this year, and we almost had to teach them to never feel like we’re ever out of a game.
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We’re now 2-0 after two tough divisional games, and I have to give it up to our fans for showing up big in Tampa—at one point, they started a Who Dat chant and it was louder than the home fans! We appreciate that they travel and support us on the road. Who Dat!
I’ve been playing football since the fourth grade, and I’ve never had a rain delay like we did in the first quarter. Yes, there was a lightning strike pretty close to the stadium. But it was a little awkward when the officials ordered us back into our locker rooms. Guys were talking all kinds of weird stuff. I just wanted to stay calm, so I went to lie down, put my feet up, closed my eyes and almost fell asleep. Good thing we got a chance to warm up again, ha ha.
What has encouraged me during our first two games is that when the team needed a momentum shift, I was able to contribute. Week 1, the momentum was heavy in Atlanta’s favor when I caused a turnover on a forced fumble. That changed everything, especially after we scored. And even though we didn’t score off my interception against Tampa, we needed that momentum shift. It was one of those classic defensive battles, and that turnover was big.
We’ve given up only 31 points, second-best in the NFC, and our new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is using players’ skill sets to the best of their abilities. It’s allowing us to play fast and aggressive. Our D-line is getting pressure, and we’re getting stops on third down. It’s about really taking control of the defense from a players’ standpoint, running what we like to run, and that makes it fun.
I want to give a shout-out to our kicker Garrett Hartley, who knocked in the game-winning field goal against the Bucs. He’s just clutch. In the 2009 NFC Championship Game against Minnesota, his kick in OT sent us to the Super Bowl. That was just one of several comeback wins I’ve been involved in since I’ve been here. We have a lot of new guys this year, and we almost had to teach them to never feel like we’re ever out of a game.
Hot pick! Our blogger’s big interception helped turn the game…
OK, did you see that no-huddle scoring outburst (52-34) between my undefeated Buckeyes (3-0) and Cal? It was exciting! Ohio State has a lot of young talent on defense, and they’re still trying to find their identity. Once they settle in, that team is going to be really hard to beat.
cont...
Read more: http://www.mademan.com/off-to-a-hot-start-in-new-orleans/#ixzz2fQqiTBGM
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