Sergio Kindle Interview

I received an email yesterday with a link to a story about an interview with Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker, Sergio Kindle (Texas). Kindle was the team's first pick in April's NFL Draft in the early part of the second round. Everyone said he had first round talent but teams were scared away by a report on his suspect knee. However, the Ravens jumped all over him when he fell to them in the second round with the pick they got by trading out of the first round with the Denver Broncos.

Ben Rebstock, the Digital Content Manager for FOXSportsSouthwest.com, sent me the email with the link and after my response that I'd post it, he agreed to keep me in the loop for any further interviews that might interest me and Baltimore Beatdown readers.

Click on the 'Jump' to read the interview and the link to the actual interview's website.

Q&A with Ex-Texas and Current Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Sergio Kindle

 

By Steve Hunt/FoxSportsSouthwest.com

 

            During his time in Austin, Sergio Kindle had a big impact for Will Muschamp’s defense first as a linebacker and later as a defensive end. Kindle spent his first few seasons at UT at linebacker before shifting over to defensive end as a senior, where he performed equally well as he earned All-America honors in his final year as a Longhorn. Heading into the 2010 NFL Draft, Kindle was projected as a possible first-round pick. He ended up dropping to the second round, where the Baltimore Ravens took him. That’s just fine with him as he now gets to learn the ins and outs of linebacker from one of the league’s top defensive players in Ray Lewis. It’s a great fit for Kindle, who clearly fits the Ravens’ defensive mentality. Right now, he’s focused on learning the much bigger NFL playbook and on finding a way to contribute any way he can as a rookie.

 

How do you look back on your time at UT?

Kindle: I had a great time. It’s a time you wish you had more of. That time helped me become who I am today.

 

Discuss how Coach Brown impacted you the most?

Kindle: It was really good. He was like a mentor to me. Coach Brown brought the business aspect into it. He knew what types of things we wanted to do after football. He prepared you more so to be a man than an athlete. You had the athlete part of it down otherwise you wouldn’t have been there. He prepared you mentally for what was about to happen on the next level because it becomes a business now.

 

What was your favorite memory from your stay in Austin?

Kindle: There’s a lot to choose from, I’ll tell you that. Probably just getting to the national championship (was my favorite memory). Having camaraderie with the guys on the team and also being named team captain after all the hardship I went through, I earned the respect of my coaches and teammates to become captain. I was honored to be that for my senior year.

 

Do you feel like the Ravens with their focus on defense were the perfect fit for you?

Kindle: That was right up my alley to tell the truth. In my opinion, I would think I would fall into their lap, being projected where I was at. But I feel like I couldn’t be in a better place. The mindset that they have here as far as defense is exactly what my mindset is. I’m a defensive guy and my whole goal is to be on a great defense or help a great defense get better. It just couldn’t be any better right now.

 

Talk about your interactions with Ray Lewis so far.

Kindle: The first mini camp is when he was here. Coming into that mini camp, they were shooting the plays at you rapid fire to learn. He’s a guy who is a maniac on the field because he’s so good. Off the field, he’s a real humble guy and a great teacher if you listen.

 

What do you think will be the biggest adjustment for you?

Kindle: Just the playbook, that’s the hardest part and I’m getting that down. Besides that, being able to handle outside responsibilities that I didn’t have in college and living wise off the field (will also be big adjustments).

 

How much bigger is the NFL playbook compared to what you saw at UT?

Kindle: It’s about four or five times bigger and has about 200 more terminologies. (Will) Muschamp’s defense was far from easy. It was really complex but you have to learn a lot more rather than just your position to be good at the next level.

 

Do you feel like you’re better suited to be a linebacker or defensive end in the NFL?

Kindle: At this level, I’d have to say linebacker because of my size. A true defensive end on this level is 265-270. Right now, I’m sitting at about 246. I’m right where I need to be to keep my speed and my strength. If I can learn this playbook, hopefully I’ll be a great player in the future.

 

Has it hit you that football is now a job?

Kindle: Yeah, I would say so. This is a job opportunity I’ve been looking for my whole life. It’s here now. I’ve got to take full advantage of it.

 

What was the combine like for you?

Kindle: Actually, it was good. The interview process was probably the hardest part and the days being so long on the days we actually had to do drills. As far as the football aspect of it, it was easy because that’s what we do, play football. During the training process, they prepare you for the interviews. So, everything went smoothly and fluid. I didn’t have any bad remarks or comments afterward. The only thing was maybe some issues with my knees.

 

Do you come into your rookie year with a chip on your shoulder for all the teams that passed on you in the draft?

Kindle: That’s how I feel but I wouldn’t say it like that. It happened for a reason. You’ve got to come in with a chip on your shoulder no matter who you’re with as a rookie because you’ve got to make your mark on this team. That’s my goal.

 

Are you going to play special teams this fall?

Kindle: I’m practicing it right now, so I’ll play whatever. Yeah, my first three years (I played a lot of special teams at Texas). You’ve got to help the team win and I’m down to do that.

Click here to go to the actual interview's website.