Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy thriving despite not being…
Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy spent his first two-plus years with the Lions after being drafted within the second-round in 2014 and later received two of three Super Bowl appearances with the Patriots. He tackles some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby earlier than Sunday’s divisional spherical battle with the Bills.
Q: What could be the film title about your profession?
A: (Laugh) That’s a good one.
Q: Resilience? Perseverance?
A: No, I might simply call it, “The Football Player.”
Q: Why?
A: Because I’m not your typical — I’m not the quickest, the largest, the strongest. I would not be your first choose, I would not be your final choose, however I’m going to be your best choose, as a result of I’m a soccer participant. When you roll out a soccer, by some means, a way, I’m going to show up with the ball and by some means, a way you’re going to keep seeing me show up on the sphere like, “Oh man!”
Kyle Van Noy warms up previous to the Ravens-Giants recreation on Dec. 15, 2025. Getty Images
Q: What is the distinction between defending Josh Allen and defending Lamar Jackson?
A: On man. Josh Allen, brute drive. Lamar’s velocity kills.
Q: How would you describe Lamar as a teammate?
A: Lamar’s an wonderful teammate, can’t say enough good issues about him. He makes all people really feel important. He makes all people need to be a higher participant. He’s centered, locked in, and he’s bought that aura. The aura which you could’t train — both you’ve got it otherwise you don’t, and he has it.
Q: You’ve personally had success in opposition to Josh Allen over time.
A: I like enjoying in opposition to him, he’s aggressive. He’s one of the higher quarterbacks, and for me, I like enjoying the best. To see his growth, it’s cool to see from afar, however it’s business after we’re enjoying. There’s respect, proper? Just as a lot as they’re attempting to win, I’m attempting to win simply as a lot, if not more.
Q: What makes this Ravens crew a crew no one needs to play proper now?
A: That’s a good query. I’m on it, so I don’t know how to reply that (giggle). But I simply suppose we’re a full crew — offense, protection, particular groups. We play as a unit, we care about all of the blokes on our crew. It’s an honor to take the sphere with the boys that we now have and the group that we now have, and simply attempt to get pleasure from it as a lot as attainable, and I believe people see that on movie that we care about one another.
Q: Describe the on-field persona of your protection.
A: Dawgs. … Just have a lot of people which can be hungry to be actually good at soccer and have chips on their shoulder, and that get pleasure from enjoying with one another, get pleasure from coming to work, crackling jokes. But then, between these white strains we take it very critical, and a approach to categorical ourselves as soccer gamers.
Q: Have you been a sufferer of Derrick Henry’s stiff-arm?
A: (Laugh) No, no, no. I’ve been a sufferer of a dangerous recreation although, so I can admit to that. It’s not enjoyable, and it was within the playoffs too to make it even worse. 2019, they [Titans] got here up to New England, Tom [Brady’s] final recreation, [Henry] rushed for like a buck 80 on us [in a 20-13 Titans victory on Jan. 4, 2020]. Bad day on the workplace.
Kyle Van Noy celebrates during the Ravens-Browns recreation on Jan. 4, 2025. AP
Q: How lethal is that stuff-arm?
A: I imply, you see it on TV, it’s not enjoyable (giggle). I’m simply grateful I haven’t gotten one.
Q: How intimidating is Derrick Henry rolling downhill within the cold?
A: I hope he’s a huge issue. I hope everybody’s intimidated.
Q: What type of environment do you anticipate on Sunday evening?
A: Buffalo followers are some of the best followers within the league. Bills Mafia, they do a great job. I believe it’s going to be electric. They don’t care if it’s cold, sizzling, they’re able to go, they’re fired up. It’s spectacular, and we’re going to benefit from the second. Anytime you get a likelihood to have a reminiscence like that, you simply need to put within the bank, and hopefully put it within the bank for a good reminiscence.
Q: Do you impart your knowledge to your teammates about profitable a Super Bowl?
A: I attempt to be respectful. I simply attempt to do issues right here and there. I don’t ever need to be too loud, you understand? I simply need to not solely do the lead by instance, however I choose my spots after I communicate. I really feel like guys pay attention and respect what I’ve to say typically, however simply attempt to be respectful and choose and select these moments when it’s crucial.
Kyle Van Noy sacks Russell Wilson during the Ravens-Steelers recreation on Jan. 11, 2025. Getty Images
Q: Describe the fun of profitable a Super Bowl — you received the LI additional time basic in opposition to the Falcons and LIII over the Rams — and the agony of dropping one — the LII shootout in opposition to the Eagles
A: I’ll let you know this: I take into consideration the loss more than my wins. That’s how a lot I like profitable.
Q: How painful was that loss to the Nick Foles-led Eagles following the 2017 season?
A: Yeah, the loss is without end ingrained, it’s brutal. It’s nearly like a member of the family died for you.
Q: Were you on the sphere for that Philly Special?
A: I used to be. Thanks for reminding me.
Q: Have you prevented watching it?
A: No, I don’t keep away from it. It occurred, it’s prior to now. You transfer on, however you don’t overlook it, proper?
Q: You’re down 28-3 in opposition to the Falcons within the Super Bowl following the 2016 season. What are you pondering at that time?
A: We’re simply attempting to get a play began, and as soon as we bought one play, stacked it on one other after which one other and one other, and simply saved swinging and saved swinging and by no means gave up, and ultimately the tide turned, and it turned in our favor and we ended up profitable the sport.
Kyle Van Noy speaks to the media after the Ravens-Browns recreation on Jan. 4, 2025. AP
Q: Which one was sweeter, that one or the 13-3 win over the Rams following the 2018 season?
A: They’re all totally different, proper? You get pleasure from each of ’em, however that 28-3, type of the place I began off in my profession, what I went by in Detroit to get traded mid-year after which win a Super Bowl, it was fairly magical.
Q: How huge was, or is, the chip in your shoulder?
A: It nonetheless is fairly huge. I didn’t get Pro Bowl or All-Pro this 12 months, so I felt fairly dissatisfied about that. But it wasn’t within the playing cards [but] I hope each week I can proceed to show that I’m one of the best gamers within the league.
Q: How proud of you that at age 33 you had a 12.5-sack season?
A: Yeah, I’m tremendous proud, as a result of all people’s type of written me off or they’ve referred to as it a resurgence, however it’s more like I’ve all the time been a good soccer participant, now I’m simply getting sacks and more people are paying consideration.
Q: Why is or why was Kyle Van Noy a Bill Belichick man?
A: I believe I’m nonetheless a Bill Belichick man, however I believe I embody all the pieces that he loves about a soccer participant — good, reliable, a winner, prepared all the time, attempting to do the suitable factor on the soccer discipline, be in the suitable spot on the proper time, and simply have a knack for the soccer. And then, no distractions. I’m not going to provide him any distractions — like being late, or off the sphere. You don’t have to fret about me.
Kyle Van Noy (R.) and Bill Belichick rejoice after profitable Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, 2019. Sports Illustrated through Getty Ima
Q: Describe your on-field mentality.
A: I don’t care what people suppose. I consider I’m one of the best gamers on the earth.
Q: What are you most proud of about your profession?
A: Not quitting. … Because I’ve had mainly simply an uncommon profession. I began off in Detroit my first two years, bought traded in my third, then received the Super Bowl, then resigned with the Patriots, so I used to be there for one more three years. Then lastly I performed properly enough to earn a large contract, be a franchise participant, thought I used to be going to be a cornerstone, ended up getting fired by Miami after one 12 months, after which went back to New England, the place I assumed I used to be going to complete my profession, ended up getting fired again, after which went to Los Angeles Chargers, performed there, thought I used to be going to go back there, they didn’t need me back, so then I used to be on the streets, after which Baltimore picked me up, and I’ve had back-to-back profession years in sacks.
Q: When was the closest you got here to quitting, and what saved you from quitting?
A: My spouse (giggle). I don’t know, there’s been two occasions. I might say after my second 12 months, after I was injured and battled a back damage, after which after I bought fired by Miami [after the 2020 season] I used to be prepared to simply be carried out.
Q: What did your spouse Marissa let you know?
A: She simply stated, “You don’t want to regret not chasing your dreams.”
Q: You endured a period of despair in Detroit?
A: I used to be struggling in soccer … like athletics … I’ve by no means skilled that in my whole life, I didn’t know how to deal with it. Worked with an superior therapist who I nonetheless discuss to at the present time, Dana Sinclair, she’s superior. And battled by it.
Q: How typically do you communicate to your therapist now?
A: I type of have a coach now, her title’s Marie Diamond. I nonetheless discuss to Dana so far as like buddies and stuff, however I might say Marie Diamond, she’s type of like my life coach/therapist now.
Kyle Van Noy celebrates during the Ravens-Steelers recreation on Jan. 11, 2025. AP
Q: Do you suppose it’s important for NFL gamers to have that sort of assist?
A: Yeah, I believe all people ought to. I believe people in common life ought to. Obviously good to listen to people who’ve gone by issues themselves and offer you a totally different perspective of pondering.
Q: What drives you?
A: Winning, my household, having my son (Trae) look up to his dad displaying him onerous work and good work equals success.
Q: What makes Ravens coach John Harbaugh particular?
A: Very good at carrying all of the hats that you simply need to.
Q: How have you ever seen Zach Orr evolve as your defensive coordinator?
A: His confidence in all the pieces, confidence that the work he’s doing exhibits up, the time he places in, the relationships he’s constructed, all that.
Q: Describe the evening Jets QB Sam Darnold was seeing ghosts in opposition to your Patriots in 2019.
A: (Laugh) I’ll always remember that one, after which for that to exit and break prefer it did, oh man. … But it was actual, he was on the market seeing ghosts. During that time, the boogeymen had been actual back then.
Q: Three dinner visitors?
A: My spouse, hopefully I’ll get some brownie factors for that; Michael Jordan; Tiger Woods.
Q: Favorite film?
A: “Man on Fire.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Angelina Jolie
Q: Favorite entertainer?
A: I’m a comic man, so I’m going to say Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, Bill Burr, Shane Gillis.
Kyle Van Noy appears on during the Ravens-Steelers recreation on Jan. 11, 2025. Getty Images
Q: Why are you a comic man?
A: I love to do stand-up on the aspect each as soon as in a whereas, like some open mics, and I’ve all the time been a comic man.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: I get pleasure from my mother’s cooking, my spouse’s cooking, simply a actually good meal of any tradition from Asian delicacies to Mexican to Polynesian food.
Q: Would Tom Brady be “The Football Player” additionally?
A: No, he could be “The GOAT.”
Q: Is there one other one who you’ll think about as “The Football Player”?
A: One that involves thoughts is [Eagles linebacker] Zack Baun. He went from enjoying on the ball in faculty at Wisconsin, he was bouncing back and forth in New Orleans, didn’t actually have a place for him, then continued to work, Vic Fangio picks him up and he turns into an All-Pro, Pro Bowl-caliber participant. One of the best inside linebackers within the league, and he performs soccer, like you possibly can see his IQ jumps off the charts. He performs with great depth, and he’s simply a soccer participant. He has a knack to make performs, whether or not it’s in protection or speeding the passer. So he jogs my memory of a soccer participant. Another one which involves thoughts is a man like [Vikings safety] Harrison Smith. Very, very, excellent, been very gifted his complete profession, however simply a soccer participant. Just appears to all the time be in the suitable spot on the proper time and continues to make performs.
Q: How for much longer do you need to play?
A: (Laugh) Good query. I’m simply taking one recreation at a time.
Q: You have one 12 months after this?
A: Yeah, I do have one more 12 months. But I’ve no ensures although so that you by no means know. I’ve realized my lesson on that.
Q: Why do you suppose as “The Football Player” you’ve got not been appreciated the best way you need to have been at totally different stops?
A: That’s a good query, I don’t know. I’ve been attempting to determine that out my complete profession. I’ve been attempting to determine why I’ve been ignored by groups, coaches. … I’ve tried to determine that out my complete profession. When you work that out, come inform me, I’d like to know (giggle).
Q: What message would you need to give to Ravens followers about Sunday evening?
A: Just consider no matter what.
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