| | Thursday, August 23, 2001
Q&A with Dolphins linebacker Larry Izzo
MondayNightFootball.com
When Miami special teams star/reserve linebacker Larry Izzo went undrafted out of Rice University in 1996, more than one so-called scouting "expert" told him that at 5-foot-10, 225 pounds, he probably wouldn't make it in the NFL. Izzo has been defying his doubters ever since, making a name for himself as one of the game's best special teamers, known particularly for his controlled recklessness on kickoff and punt coverage. He'll make his Pro Bowl debut on Sunday (ABC, 5:30 p.m. ET), and took a minute to talk to ABC Sports from Honolulu about what the Pro Bowl means to him and much more.
|  | | Larry Izzo had 18 special teams tackles in 2000. |
ABC Sports: How does it feel to make the Pro Bowl for the first time in only your fifth year in the league, especially after going undrafted out of Rice?
Larry Izzo: It's an incredible honor. I feel really fortunate to have been selected by my peers, the coaches I play against and also the fans. It's very exciting, especially because just five years ago coming out of Rice, I was just trying to make an NFL roster. The last thing on my mind was eventually making it to the Pro Bowl. It makes this even sweeter knowing that coming into the league there were a lot of people that didn't even think that I could play in the NFL. To go to the Pro Bowl only five years into my career is something that I can't describe.
ABC Sports: What's your first Pro Bowl experience been like so far?
Izzo: My girlfriend and I came down here a few days early just because you never know when you're going to be back here and I wanted to take advantage of it. We've just been hangin' loose. We went up to the North Shore to try and see some big waves the other day, but it was kind of flat that day. Other than that, we've just been hanging around the pool with the other players. Everybody's got their families and friends down here, so it's a great atmosphere with a lot of great people.
I went into Waikiki for dinner on Tuesday. That was nice. I might play a little golf later in the week, but for the most part, we're just relaxing and enjoying being here.
ABC Sports: How do you compare the Hawaiian nightlife to that of South Beach?
Izzo: We haven't really gone clubbing, but I've heard that some clubs down here are pretty nice. Maybe one night I'll roll into one and compare. South Beach is pretty intense. I think Hawaii is a little more laid back.
ABC Sports: Is there any one player that you're particularly looking forward to playing with this weekend?
Izzo: It's hard to single one guy out. There are so many great players here, and it's awesome being here with the best of the best. There are future Hall of Famers like Junior Seau and Peyton Manning ... You play against these guys for years and you really don't get to know them on a personal level, and when you do, you realize what great guys they are.
It's also cool to have so many guys from the Dolphins down here -- Zach (Thomas), Trace (Armstrong), Jason (Taylor), Brock (Marion), Sam (Madison), Tim Ruddy -- it's just a great group of guys.
ABC Sports: What is the intensity level of the players and coaches on the practice field?
Izzo: It's pretty laid back, but there is some coaching going on. They've implemented a few basic defenses, coverages and offensive plays, and within those individual plays, there's some coaching going on. During the week, everyone just wants to get through practice and then get back on the beach or the golf course. But I'm sure once the game starts, we're going to want to win.
ABC Sports: Are you going to be able to get any plays at linebacker or just special teams?
Izzo: I think just special teams. I took a few snaps at linebacker the other day, but then Ray (Lewis) got here, and now there are six linebackers that got voted in. I'm not here to play linebacker, but if someone gets tired, I'd love to go in there. It'd be a great experience playing linebacker in the Pro Bowl -- but I don't want to step on anyone's toes. This is their show. I'm here for special teams, to run down the field and cover kicks.
ABC Sports: You're known for flying downfield and just killing people on kick coverage. Is that going to fly at the Pro Bowl?
Izzo: I have heard that the pace on special teams at the Pro Bowl is a little more laid back than on offense and defense, but that's what I'm here for. I feel like I have to make some plays. I can't afford to loaf around on special teams and not make any plays, so I'll be going 100 percent. I heard that in last year's Pro Bowl, the leading tackler in kick coverage was our kicker, Olindo Mare. I know outsiders will be looking for me to make all the special teams tackles, which is impossible, but I hope to make a few.
ABC Sports: Finally, your Dolphins had a pretty successful season this year but finished with a disappointing loss to the Raiders in the second round of the playoffs. How do you think things are looking for next season?
Izzo: I'm not sure exactly what Dave (Wannstedt) and the front office has planned personnel-wise, but I know we've got a great nucleus to build from. I think we had a really good shot to go in and steal one in Oakland, but we just didn't do the things we needed to in order to win. So we know that we're a team who's capable of beating anybody. We have a great defense that we can build on, solid special teams and our offense was starting to click a little bit before Jay (Fiedler) injured his arm. He was pretty hampered the last few games, but with him healthy and with the addition of a few more players, we can get where we want to go.
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