Former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien showed his optimistic side this week as he sat down with SWX's Sam Adams to talk about a variety of topics – from Cougar football to Robert Griffin III.
Decked out in a Washington State hoodie with red Under Armour beanie, the former Coug spoke highly of Mike Leach and the direction he appears to be taking the program.
Where you as critical as other people were, or did you figure it would take some time to get a new system in place?
"It‘s always the case when a new coach comes in, and unfortunately for coach Paul Wulff and his staff and their two, three or four years, we need to win yesterday at Washington State… You're under more of a microscope, more scrutiny. I think there's going to be a little bit of a grace period for Coach Leach and an opportunity just to get acclimated to the system. But he's proven over the years that his system has been very successful."
Rypien said the young players who helped the Cougars to an Apple Cup win can glean motivation from that going into the future.
Mobile users can watch the interview with Mark Rypien here: http://bit.ly/Svodvi
Brett Rypien. We might have another Cougar play in a couple of years.
"Coach Leach reached out to me… and asked me if I was able to give Brett his number, to give him a call, that's how the NCAA works these days…. To have that opportunity to work under coach [Alan] Stanfield, I think he's got the same principles and uses a lot of the philosophies that Mike Leach has. To incorporate that and watch Brett grow each and every week into a pretty doggone football player."
On RGIII and the Washington Redskins
"To be a world class high hurdler, he and I have a lot in common… he runs a 40-yard dash in 4.3, 4.4, and so do I! I start April 3 and finish April 4. That's the only difference. But he's definitely electrified the area there. There's a resurgence of Redskins football, and an opportunity for that franchise to get back on its feet. I see great things."
Twenty years removed from your Super Bowl season. I want to get your feeling on who is going to be in the Super Bowl this year.
"Houston is playing great, and you can never count out Tom Brady and the Patriots. Look at Andrew Luck and what he's doing in Indianapolis…. Still, the Giants and what Tom Coughlin has…When you have a defensive line like that, they have four, literally, studs…. It's their's to repeat."
Spokane native and former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien believes Mike Leach will eventually succeed at Washington State if given some time (Photo: SWX)
