Andrew Van Ginkel – October 14, 2020
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Wednesday, October 14, 2020
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(With LB Kyle Van Noy not at practice today and no indication of when he’s going to play again, did your role change at practice today?) – “I’m just going to leave that up to coach to figure out what the plan is going forward. I’ll leave it at that.”
(I’m looking at a video of a play in the second quarter where you drilled QB Jimmy Garoppolo from behind. I’m wondering if you can take me back to that moment. When you’re about to do that and you know what’s about to happen, what does it feel like?) – “Obviously it’s a great moment. You just try to get there as fast as you can because the quarterback’s got a quick release, so you want to be able to get there and get the sack. Anything on top of that is just bonus; so whenever you can get the ball out and get an opportunity for a turnover, it’s a great play in the game and you thrive for those. It’s a great feeling and it’s something that you always push for.”
(You come across as a quiet, timid kind of guy, and that hit definitely showed a little different aspect of you. Did you have any saved up energy or anything you kind of wanted to lash out with that hit that you delivered there?) – “No. I was just trying to get the ball out. I knew it was in the front of him, so I couldn’t really punch at it or reach for it. I knew getting a big hit on him would give me the best opportunity to get the ball out.”
(I wanted to ask you, you’ve done a better job of setting the edge as the season has progressed. What has gone into improving in that area?) – “I think just building my strength in the weight room and trusting my technique. I think (Outside Linebackers Coach) Austin Clark has done a great job with teaching me his technique and how to do a better job of setting the edge. Whether it be hand placement or my feet, not giving up ground but more attacking, I think that’s really helped improve me this year.”
(I think you were hurt at the beginning of last year. Is that right? You missed the first part of the season?) – “Yes, correct.”
(So you weren’t on the field during that hard start that you guys had. I think 0-7 was the beginning but since you’ve been back, the defense has played better and the team has played better. What has it been like, the turnaround, this team has had in the last 12 months from wondering when that first win will come to talking about being in the hunt?) – “I just think it’s our preparation and our willingness to practice and get better. I think that’s a huge part of it. We all know that we’re not good enough and that there’s a lot to improve on. So being a young team, we just need to trust what the coaches are teaching us, be able to practice it and then go execute it on game day. I think that would be the biggest thing.”
(For some reason, when I watch you play I have this like 1980s heavy metal soundtrack in the back of my head. I don’t know if you’re too young to know like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer. Do you like that kind of heavy metal music or not at all?) – “I listen to it but it’s not my favorite. If it’s on, I’ll listen to it and go with it; but it’s probably something that I wouldn’t prefer.”
(I was going to ask you what you did specifically in March, April, May and June to become a better player, because you’ve clearly become one. Was it simply working out to add strength? Had you looked at tape of other edge players in the league?) – “I would say the biggest thing is just adding strength, during quarantine, being able to spend time in the weight room. Back home, I was working out with (Washington G) Brandon Scherff a little bit. He’s from my hometown – or not from my hometown but he lives in my hometown now. So just being able to pick his brain a little bit and understand kind of what he does on a regular basis has really helped me, I would say.”
(I wanted to ask you about a couple of games this year where you really produced and the defense got a bunch of pass rush. I’m just curious, what is it about this scheme that benefits your skillset as a pass rusher?) – “I would say they put us in a position to succeed. The coaches know our strengths and weaknesses as well, so they’re not going to put me down the middle of a guy or make me do something I’m uncomfortable with, which I think has really helped me. Whether it be movements or edge rushing, I think they just align guys where they can succeed, which has benefitted me.”
(So now we have to get into what music do you like? Are you easy listening? What music goes with this hairstyle?) – “(laughter) Oh, man. Honestly, I kind of listen to everything from country to rap to a little bit of rock and roll. I’d say country is at the roots. Classic country is kind of my thing.”
(I couldn’t help that you have some resemblance to Sunshine from Remember the Titans. Have you gotten that reference before? Is that something that guys talk to you and mention to you about on the field?) – “Yeah, I’ve definitely heard that before. Everywhere I go I seem to pick up a new nickname here and there. I’ve got probably about 20 nicknames, but I’ve definitely heard ‘Sunshine’ quite a bit. I’ve been a lot of places in my career; so yeah, there’s tons of guys that have thrown that at me.”
(I think the play before you nailed QB Jimmy Garoppolo, if I have it right you shed TE George Kittle and tackled RB Raheem Mostert. I’ve noticed – I think I have the sequence right – that your ability to shed blockers seems to have improved. What is the key to that, to disengage whatever you guys call it?) – “Once again, I’ve just got to give credit to (Outside Linebackers Coach) Austin Clark. I think the key that he has taught me is getting inside hands on their chest plate. That way you can get a grip on them and it’s easier to disengage. I would say that’s the biggest thing is to get inside hands and being able to grab them has made a huge difference.”
(I just wanted to follow up on something you mentioned a minute ago. Since you brought up the nicknames, what is the best nickname you’ve gotten? And I’ve got to pin you down and ask what’s the worst nickname you’ve gotten?) – “I get anything and everything that rhymes with ‘Gink.’ I would say ‘Gink’ is my favorite. It’s just short for my last name. Man, I don’t know. People call me ‘stink’ just because it rhymes with ‘Gink,’ and something like that. I don’t know. I’d probably say that, honestly.”
