Wink Martindale may have split from the Baltimore Ravens back in January after 10 long years, but don’t assume he has any disdain for the organization.
He doesn’t.
“I have a lot of friends on that other sideline. A lot of people that have meant a lot to me in my life,” Martindale told reporters on Thursday. “But whenever someone asks me about the Ravens, I always think about (defensive line coach) Clarence Brooks, my dear friend. He’s the one, and I’ve used it ever since, who said this game always has been and always will be about the players. That’s the truth.
“I have a deep love for a lot of people over there. (Owner) Steve Bisciotti took care of my family for 10 years. Obviously, (head coach) John (Harbaugh) and I have coached together. I’ve coached with his dad, and I’ve known the family forever, he’s like a brother. (General manager) Ozzie Newsome was a mentor for me for 10 years over there and we helped build something that they’re on their fifteenth year of doing right now.”
So, why the parting of ways?
“I think that it’s just one of those things. I always believe that wherever you’re at is where you’re supposed to be,” Martindale said.
And now Martindale believes he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. He feels “reenergized” with the New York Giants and feels at home in his role as their defensive coordinator.
“It has reenergized me to go someplace new and try to build it again,” he said.
Despite that newfound energy, Martindale continues to promise his players composure. Not just against his former team, but every Sunday. In his mind, he owes that to them.
“As far as circling the game and everything else, this is just the next game. We’ve had success approaching it that way. We empty the tank on Sunday and we fill it up the rest of the week. I just think that’s how you have to approach it,” he said. “What I tell the players all the time is, ‘what I owe you during the game is my composure. That’s where I show you my athleticism is keeping my composure, so you’re always thinking about the next play.’
“There’s some people telling me that I need to be more animated on the sidelines and you’re not going to be animated if you’re thinking about the next play, what you’re going to call next. It’s like when you watch two people playing chess, if a guy makes a great move, he doesn’t stand up out of the chair and chest bump somebody because he did it.”
The Giants and Martindale face their toughest test of the season this Sunday when they host the aforementioned Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
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