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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Akin Ayodele
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
10/1/2007
Cowboys’ middle linebacker Akin Ayodele laughs heartily when it’s suggested the Giants might upset his team at the weekend after all they’ve beaten them twice this year. I think we might be in their heads a little bit! he says.
While Akin is a ferocious presence at middle linebacker for the NFC’s number one seed, in conversation he is as effusive and eloquent as they come. He’s no stranger, either, to British shores, saying of himself in typically self deprecating fashion I’m a little cultured! having visited relatives in Dulwich, London as a child. He’s even thinking about a UK vacation this Summer, a chance to get away from the Texas spotlight: I like just a little bit of the limelight, I wouldn’t want to be in Tony Romo’s shoes! he quips. If Akin Ayodele wanted a post-retirement gig in broadcasting, he’d get it in a second.
With just days to go before a crucial divisional matchup with NFC East rivals Dallas, we jumped at the chance to find out how the Cowboys were preparing, and just how Akin thought the post-season might play out
 FD
Akin, how are preparations for this weekend’s divisional round going?
Akin
Good we’ve had the bye week so we had some extra days to look at the Giants to see what they do differently, but at the same time we’re lucky because we’ve played them twice this year already, so we know what they’re about. Tuesday is always a day off for us, so Wednesday will be back into the grind of work.
FD
So you’ve been relaxing?
Akin
Actually I just flew back from New Orleans. I was at the LSU-Ohio State championship game. I’ve got a couple of teammates who used to play at LSU, and they were talking it up so I wanted to see it.
FD
Very nice! So are the Cowboys feeling confident right now?
Akin
Yes. Very. And that’s been our key all year no matter how we start a game, we have so much confidence as a team that we’ll come good. Look at the Buffalo game, it was our worst offensive performance of the year, and overall there’s just no way we should have won, even Romo threw five picks! But we kept pushing, and we ended up winning. And that was an exciting game to win in all the statistical categories we got beat, and it just shows how prideful this team is when its back is against the wall.
FD
What does it feel like to be the NFC’s number one seed is it a help or a hindrance?
Akin
It’s a positive thing. We had some injuries late on in December, so it lets guys recover and be fresh for the playoffs. We can re-group, and really focus on the things we do well, and work on those some more. It also gives you time to scout your opponent thoroughly.
FD
But would you rather have been playing than resting during the bye?
Akin
No, it was good, we earned that rest and we got what we deserved. We took care of business, and we got that number one seed. And the bye week wasn’t about sitting around, it was work! It wasn’t as intense as a typical week, but we worked on ourselves, we healed up. We know how people like to attack us and we worked on that too.
FD
You beat the Giants a couple of times, but people are suggesting the Cowboys aren’t in top form what do you say to those predicting an upset in Texas?
Akin
(Laughs) You laugh about it! As motivated as the Giants are, so are we. We’re just as confident as them, even moreso. Let’s face it, we beat ’em fair and square the two times we played them: they scored a lot in game one, and we won, and the second time, really, wasn’t even a contest. I think we might be in their heads a little bit
FD
And what do you personally need to do against New York?
Akin
We always want to be physical they’re our arch nemesis, we don’t like them and they don’t like us! One of my jobs will be to be solid in the run game. Eli (Manning) plays well when their running backs play well, so it gives them a double edge, because they can use the play action and open up the passing game too. So if we can stop the run first and slow down his checkdowns and he’s been passing to his tight ends a lot recently we’ll be good.
FD
Are there any Giants players in particular you need to account for?
Akin
Yeah, both the running backs. Brandon Jacobs is a big back who runs hard, and the rookie Ahmad Bradshaw is running exceptionally well too. Above all we have to be aware who’s in the backfield, we’ve got to be very cognizant of their making a change in personnel.
 FD
And how important is it that T.O. plays?
Akin
It’s important. Very important. Against Carolina towards the end of the season you saw their defense started to press down on the receivers when he was out, and they blitzed more. T.O. puts pressure on the defense and stretches the field, he’s our playmaker. Him and Romo have been clicking all year, and we need that.
FD
And who would you envision meeting in the NFC Championship game Green Bay or Seattle?
Akin
Honestly, I think Seattle has a great chance to beat Green Bay, but I think Green Bay wins that one, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to have to play them again. Yeah, I believe Green Bay wins that game.
FD
And could the Cowboys topple the Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch?
Akin
Oh yeah, definitely. After we played them the first time we watched the tapes, and we saw that it was the small errors on our part that Brady took advantage of. If we minimize them, we’ll be in great shape to beat ’em. Honestly, we can beat anybody!
FD
You’ve been a Dallas Cowboys fan your whole life what would it mean to win a Super Bowl as a Cowboy?
Akin
It’d be everything. I grew up here in Irving, Texas rooting for this team, so for me it would be such a blessing. To win a world championship, that would be incredible, words couldn’t describe it. But to win a world championship with the team I watched growing up? How many people could say they did that?!
FD
Your name Akin means ‘warrior’ in Yoruba does it sum up your style of play?
Akin
Yeah, I approach the game in a warrior manner. It’s such a violent, physical game, but I refuse to get hurt, to let anybody take me down. I definitely try to use that warrior mindset to my advantage.
FD
And on occasion you’ve been able to play alongside your brother Remi, who has played defensive tackle for the Cowboys. What has that been like?
Akin
He’s played for the Cowboys in ’06 and ’07, and it was incredible he’s four years younger than me and we’d never played on the same team in any sport. I remember the moment it was somewhat surreal! when I first saw him in front of me on the field and I’m saying to myself ‘is that my little brother in front of me?’ And not only that but ‘and he’s taking on blockers for me so I can make plays?’ I’m very focused on the job at hand when I’m playing but later on watching on tape it was ‘wow! I can’t believe it!’
FD
You were brought over to Dallas by Bill Parcells two season ago what did he see in Akin Ayodele, and how did he help your game?
Akin
 He saw I was a physical player, that I had knowledge of the game, that I’m a smart player, I’m durable, and can play all the linebacker positions. He definitely gave me the tools to play this game, to play the 3-4 in particular. He really showed me different techniques and ways to beat blocking schemes. I ate up every word! But Jack Del Rio too, he was my coach when I was in Jacksonville, we spent a lot of time watching film, really getting the fundamentals down.
FD
Does Wade Phillips have a softer approach than Bill Parcells?
Akin
His is not a softer approach, but it’s different, a different mentality. Wade’s all about making plays, he wants you to be a playmaker. If you get that interception, force that fumble, make a play somehow, that’s all that matters.
FD
We always ask this any messages for the UK Cowboys fans?
Akin
Absolutely we as Cowboys players appreciate all the fan support, all the love, so much, and we’ll make you proud! I’d like to see football American Football! really take off over there to be honest.
FD
Well maybe the Cowboys could come over to Wembley next year and play a regular season game?
Akin
I tell you what, if you’re paying, Jerry (Jones) will bring us over!
FD
Alright! We’ll get the ball rolling!
Akin
Sounds good!
FD
Akin, thanks for dropping by, and good luck on the weekend and for the rest of the playoffs
Akin
No problem, thanks a lot!
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