Andrew Van Ginkel – December 28, 2020
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Monday, December 28, 2020
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(I wanted to ask you about the sacks but I also wanted to ask you really about your celebration in the backfield and having fun after those two sacks you had in the Raiders game. What did those plays kind of mean to you in the course of the game as they’re happening?) – “I’d say the biggest thing is just bringing energy and getting momentum for our team and just kind of hyping – I try to always celebrate with other guys when they make a big play, so just bringing energy and making the most out of the plays.”
(I wanted to ask, you’ve been one of the young guys that’s really taken off in the second year. I think you’ve started like nine games this season. You’ve contributed to a number of sacks. What do you think has been the biggest contributor to your growth?) – “I would say buying in and just taking what the coaches coach and what they preach on a daily basis, and really developing myself – whether it be film study or out on the practice field – to really refine my techniques and fundamentals. I’d say the coaches have done a good job of putting me in position to be successful and make plays.”
(There were so many things that happened on Saturday night, sometimes it is hard to keep track. When I was watching back the game, I remembered that DT Zach Sieler made a fourth-down tackle, and that was a key play. What is it about Sieler that maybe being around the guy in the locker room, the weight room and meetings, what don’t we know about this guy that puts him in a position to have made such a big jump in his career?) – “I would say he’s physical and tough. He comes to practice willing to work and he’s very hard on himself to get better and to make those plays. That’s not the first time this year. He keeps doing it game in and game out. It’s just who he is and part of his DNA, the way he comes to work and approaches getting better.”
(Obviously a pretty emotional win on Saturday but now you head into a weekend where you guys control your own destiny. Can you talk a bit about what that feeling is like knowing that if you win, you’re in?) – “Yeah, we’re right where we want to be. We control our own destiny and it’s up to us now to go out there and make it happen. It’s on us. We’re not relying on anybody else. We’ve just got to go out there and do our own job.”
(I want to talk about the first sack you had in the game. It looked like you ran through the tackle with a pretty good bull rush. I know you mentioned throughout the course of the season and offseason that adding strength to your game was a big point of emphasis for you. I’m wondering, what is the key to a good bull rush for you?) – “There’s different ways to go about it. You can go straight, right down the middle of him or you can give him a little head nod and get them to stop their feet so that they’re on their heels, so that you have a little bit more momentum. But yeah, I think a lot of guys think of me as a speed rusher so anytime I can throw a little power, it can throw them off and really help my speed rushes. It works hand in hand.”
(You’re a second-year player. You were one of the first players drafted by Head Coach Brian Flores and General Manager Chris Grier. You fill a big need at edge rusher, which this team has needed the last couple of years. What can you say about your success over the last couple of seasons and what the future maybe holds for you as a player here in Miami?) – “That’s just one of those things where I’ve just got to take it day by day and continue to try to improve and really hone in on my skills. These coaches have all done a great job of putting me in the right spot and position to be successful and really help me grow as a player. I can’t thank them all enough, from (Outside Linebackers Coach) Austin Clark to (Defensive Line Coach Marion) Hobby to even (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Robbie Leonard from last year. Just all of them helping me and really taking me under their wing and helping me grow as a player.”
(I’m curious, for guys with long hair like us, what inspired you to start growing it and when was the last time you cut it?) – “(laughter) I started growing it out in college when I first got to South Dakota. It’s just one of those things where I never went and got a hair cut so I just kind of went with the flow on that one. Then my brother got married when I was at my junior college, so I ended up cutting it all off; but then once again, I just went right back to it and just let it grow. I like it so I just stuck with it.”
(I wanted to ask you about DE Emmanuel Ogbah. I know we all see how he impacts the box score from a sack perspective but I’m wondering if there is something he does that the casual observer doesn’t see as far as creating opportunities for other guys in the pass rush, against the run. How does he help the defense with a general ripple effect?) – “Right. He does a lot of things under the scenes that a lot of people don’t see and know. He’s kind of a swing man. The coaches put him at different positions and he always steps up to the plate and takes care of his business. He’s always going to do what the coaches ask. He’s one of those players that he’s always going to make a play and he’s always around the ball. It’s good to see him have that success and get to the quarterback.”
(For some of the hair-challenged people out there like myself, do you have any tips on how to keep a beautiful head of hair like yourself? Do you shampoo and condition? We need the full-on LB Andrew Van Ginkel regiment of how you keep your hair nice and golden and full like that.) – “(laughter) I honestly don’t do a whole lot. Obviously you’ve got to use shampoo and conditioner but other than that, I comb it and slick it back. Just simple. Just shampoo and conditioner.”
(With LB Vince Biegel being on IR, I’m guessing he’s probably not around the players as much as you’d usually be, and especially during a pandemic; but is he a texter? Has he hit you up with any cool texts, especially after you’ve had success?) – “He’s in the building every now and again, so I’ll catch him probably about every other week or so and we’ll talk. But yeah, he’s such a great guy and a great mentor. He’s always been there for me and always helped me, especially this summer and this offseason and in training camp when he was here. He’s one of those guys that is very unselfish and is always helping to see the team and everybody grow as a player.”
