Defensive End Olivier Vernon
December 7, 2017
Q: What was your reaction to the team parting ways with Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese?
A: It was surprising. You never know. Coming in last year, to this day, I never would’ve thought that was going to happen. But, at the end of the day, those are great guys, I appreciate them. When the time was here, if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be here, so at the end of the day, it’s unfortunate, but it’s a business. So, with the guys that we have right now, we’re just going to keep moving forward and win a game.
Q: What does interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo bring to the team as a head coach?
A: Well, I mean, being in the defensive meeting rooms – taking nothing away from McAdoo, McAdoo was a great head coach. He did what he had to do, he had a set plan. Coach Spagnuolo, right now, he’s just trying to rally up everybody, making sure that we just stay focused. Don’t even worry about what’s going on outside, or what’s going on in the building. We’re just trying to focus on winning this game.
Q: After going through something similar in Miami, what kind of affect does having a coaching change in-season have on the locker room?
A: Well, it was a little earlier when that happened, when I was with the Dolphins, a little earlier in the season. Right now, this time, towards the end of the season, the guys’ mentality is playing for pride right now. Playing for pride, try to get these wins, still going out there and fighting. And that’s really the mentality right now that we’ve got in this locker room.
Q: Is there any extra incentive right now to play well, in order to help get Spagnuolo the permanent head coaching job?
A: I mean, it wasn’t like we weren’t playing well for McAdoo, you know what I mean? So, we were all out there fighting and it was just unfortunate what happened. So, like I said, guys right here are just going out, trying to fight, play for pride right now, trying to get some wins before the season’s over and whatever else happens, happens.
Q: Do the players feel like they let down McAdoo?
A: Of course. Looking back at last year, you couldn’t tell me that we’d be in this position. So, as players, we put it on us. We’re the ones out there on the field, executing the plays and at the end of the day, it’s on us. It’s just unfortunate what happened.
Q: Do you sense a greater sense of urgency this week to win?
A: I mean, obviously yeah. It’s a division game at the end of the day and it happens to be Dallas. They got us the first week of the season, a lot of guys have just been anticipating getting back and getting these wins. It feels good to get W’s, you know? We kind of lost that feeling for a little while, so guys are going to get back in this groove and try to finish out strong.
Q: How different is Dallas without running back Ezekiel Elliott?
A: They still have a lot of weapons on that team. They still have a good offensive line, a good quarterback as well, great receivers. He brings a different factor when he’s in the game, when he’s playing, obviously. But they also have a good back right there too and he’s able to make plays. He just ran over 100 yards last time they played, so you can’t take any of those guys lightly just because they’re missing one guy. They’re still a great football team.
Q: Would it mean a little bit extra to get a win and end a division rival’s playoff chances?
A: We just want to go in there and win. That would be icing on the cake too, but at the end of the day, it’s Dallas. It is a rival game, a division game and it would be much better to get this win too.
Q: Is the vibe in the locker room or on the field any different without McAdoo here?
A: I can’t say that the vibe, in a bad way, that it’s different. The guys are still trying to rally around, trying to get things situated. There’s a lot of things that just happened that just didn’t fall in place this year and it’s unfortunate. Some things we could’ve controlled, some things we couldn’t. So, right now Spags is just trying to keep everything all together right now and revamp everything.
Q: Do you think it makes a difference for the team if the fans on Sunday are extra fired up in support of quarterback Eli Manning?
A: I mean, we always appreciate the support when it comes to the fans and everything like that. The one thing I just had a problem with was, it wasn’t the same support when we had Geno Smith as the quarterback. I understand Eli, a great quarterback, but at the end of the day, we’re all teammates and we all support each other and that’s one thing that, one of our guys wasn’t getting support like that like he needed to. And as a teammate, he took it in stride. Eli Manning’s back as the quarterback and we happen to have another quarterback as well. We’re all teammates at the end of the day, we all support each other regardless of what it is, so we’re just ready to get this win.
Q: You don’t think Smith had the support of teammates?
A: No, (support) of the fans.
huh?
No difference to you or me, and that's what makes it an interesting comment.
What's even more interesting is that they asked Collins about it and he agreed, clearly felt like the fans didn't have Geno's back.
It was obviously a lot easier for OV and LC to go with Geno as QB than it was for the fans. I'm not sure what that means (could speculate on a number of things) but that's what makes it interesting.
Malcontent? No way. Under performed, yes. I have no idea if he's hurt or what. He should have 10-12 sacks by now and causing havoc every week to justify his contract but malcontent he is not.
Not only is he being paid like a yearly all pro ( he isn’t) it sounds like he’s extremely fucking tone deaf.
Geee, a guy who never missed a start....won two Superbowls with 4th quarter comebacks gets more support than Geno Smith, who got knocked the fuck out by a teammate.
For the people who're really just mad about Vernon kneeling, they probably don't know his father was a 25 year veteran of the Miami Police Department. John Mara actually gave a pretty impassioned defense of Vernon kneeling (with Francesa) even though he said he wished Vernon would stand.
For the people who're really just mad about Vernon kneeling, they probably don't know his father was a 25 year veteran of the Miami Police Department. John Mara actually gave a pretty impassioned defense of Vernon kneeling (with Francesa) even though he said he wished Vernon would stand.
Thanks for letting us know about his father. Now I feel even more passionate about the disrespect he's showing by kneeling. Apparently, the apple did fall quite far from the tree. Disrespecting his country and his own father...nice guy.
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He was 2nd team All-Pro. For the people killing him about his injuries/play this season, maybe it has to do with the fact he played more defensive snaps (and a higher percentage of the team's snaps) last season than any other defensive lineman in the sport. Who knows?
For the people who're really just mad about Vernon kneeling, they probably don't know his father was a 25 year veteran of the Miami Police Department. John Mara actually gave a pretty impassioned defense of Vernon kneeling (with Francesa) even though he said he wished Vernon would stand.
Thanks for letting us know about his father. Now I feel even more passionate about the disrespect he's showing by kneeling. Apparently, the apple did fall quite far from the tree. Disrespecting his country and his own father...nice guy.
When did kneeling during the anthem translate into 'disrespecting his country'?
Thanks for letting us know about his father. Now I feel even more passionate about the disrespect he's showing by kneeling. Apparently, the apple did fall quite far from the tree. Disrespecting his country and his own father...nice guy.
Mara also said in the interview his father supports his stance.
Quote:
Thanks for letting us know about his father. Now I feel even more passionate about the disrespect he's showing by kneeling. Apparently, the apple did fall quite far from the tree. Disrespecting his country and his own father...nice guy.
Mara also said in the interview his father supports his stance.
Ah, the love of a parent for their child.
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In comment 13729689 shockeyisthebest8056 said:
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He was 2nd team All-Pro. For the people killing him about his injuries/play this season, maybe it has to do with the fact he played more defensive snaps (and a higher percentage of the team's snaps) last season than any other defensive lineman in the sport. Who knows?
For the people who're really just mad about Vernon kneeling, they probably don't know his father was a 25 year veteran of the Miami Police Department. John Mara actually gave a pretty impassioned defense of Vernon kneeling (with Francesa) even though he said he wished Vernon would stand.
Thanks for letting us know about his father. Now I feel even more passionate about the disrespect he's showing by kneeling. Apparently, the apple did fall quite far from the tree. Disrespecting his country and his own father...nice guy.
When did kneeling during the anthem translate into 'disrespecting his country'?
Does it hurt to live under a rock?
I also don't mind his kneeling. If you think it has anything to do with not respecting the country or the military, you're the one living under a rock. It pretty clearly has to do with police brutality and systemic racism. Two issues that could use some public discourse.
When I tried to search for "Olivier Vernon social justice projects" and "Olivier Vernon Foundation", the closest direct example was a charity meet/greet in Fort Lauderdale in 2015 in which the proceeds went to benefit poverty, hunger, and childhood obesity.
Perhaps, he prefers to keep his efforts anonymous?
I also don't mind his kneeling. If you think it has anything to do with not respecting the country or the military, you're the one living under a rock. It pretty clearly has to do with police brutality and systemic racism. Two issues that could use some public discourse.
Runaway slave patrol. Those were his words, not mine.
I have a nice roomy rock. Come visit sometime.