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New Jersey – A lot of people have speculated that the Jets could grab DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, of LSU, with the ninth pick of the 2013 draft. Let’s get to know him a little better . . .
Q)Can you talk about your bets with (LSU) teammate Sam Montgomery?
Mingo: We’ve had quite a few bets in our career. I think our first one was the first sack for the season. He was supposed to wash my car because I won, and he hasn’t done that. Then, we have most sacks in the season and on down the line.
Q)Do you have a bet on who gets drafted first?
Mingo: That’s the latest one (for $5,000). I’m pretty confident in myself. He’s gonna have to come with that one, and I get a car wash.
Q)Do you think you can play 3-4 outside linebacker?
Mingo: I think so. A lot of coaches have been talking to me about both positions (4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB). I feel comfortable playing either.
Q)One the reasons you didn’t have that many sacks this year (4.5) was your job of containing mobile quarterbacks . . .
Mingo: I had more sacks last year (8). Like I said, we kind of contain rushed a lot of teams to not let them get outside the pocket. It kind of took away from what we wanted to do, but it helped the team and helped us win.
We play a lot more quarterbacks that can use their feet as well as their arms. We’re asked to keep them in the pocket and not let them loose and lose contain and let them have big runs. Numerous times, a guy won the Heisman (Johnny Manzell) because people would lose contain. Our focus when we played those guys was to keep them in the pocket and collapse it and just put a little pressure on them that way instead of taking shots at them.
Q)How much will that college experience of containing mobile quarterbacks help you on the next level?
Mingo: Having played against guys like Johnny Manzell and Keith Price, they’re unpredictable and playing against that in a game is valuable. You can’t practice playing with a mobile quarterback, and it’s gonna translate to the next level.
Q)Did you play more up or down in college?.
Mingo: Down (and) dropped several times a game, covered backs, covered tight ends. We did it all.
Q)What separates you from other outside linebacker/defensive ends in this draft?
Mingo: I think my speed separates me from every other guy in this draft. I’m a fast guy and I’ve got a quick first step and I like getting to the quarterback.
Q)What is the story behind you first name?
Mingo: My mom just kind of threw it together and wrote it on the birth certificate.
Q)Is it true you have a brother named Hughtavius?
Mingo: Yes, sir.
Q)Some people think you are too light (6-4, 241). What is your take on that?
Mingo: That’s been brought up. My main focus in the off-season is to put on weight. I put on 15 pounds and I’m still as quick as I ever was. Still the same first step, and I think I can add more, so it’s not an issue.
I don’t think it will be a problem.
Maintaining my speed and gaining weight are the goals that I have.
Q)What is it about LSU that you guys produce so many NFL players? There were 13 LSU players at the combine . . .
Mingo: Not only does (Les Miles) do a great job recruiting, he also does a good job developing his players and also bringing in coaches that help us grow as athletes. The staff at LSU was second to none and they all got us ready to play.
April 4, 2013
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