http://www.azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=1177
On September 3, the San Diego Chargers waived Hanik Milligan, the former University of Houston standout and 2005 Pro Bowler. The following day the Cardinals picked up Milligan and already, the four-year vet is making an impact. In his Cardinals debut Milligan racked up three tackles en route to a 34-27 Cardinals win. Recently azcardinals.com sat down with him to find out exactly what Hank Milligan is all about.
Q: You had a very impressive debut; can you talk about your first few weeks with the Arizona Cardinals?
HM: “I just wanted to go out there and show why they brought me in; to work hard and go out there and just try to get some victories.”
Q: Obviously, there are a lot of guys in the league that play a skill position and participate on special teams, but you seem like the type of guy that takes a lot of pride in his special teams play?
HM: “Oh definitely man, it is really a blessing to be in the NFL and to play this game. There are a lot of people that would love to be in our situation or our position. I am just sitting back waiting for the opportunity to play safety, but for right now my job is to play special teams and help out wherever I can.”
Q: A lot of fans are not aware that you are a pretty intense guy on the field; you’re the type of player that loves to put on the eye black and have fun.
HM: “I did that in college and it carried on to the pros. You have to be a warrior out there. Coach Green always talks about going out there with an attitude and going out there and just playing hard. This is how I have been my whole life and I enjoy doing it.”
Q: Although you have only been here for a couple of weeks, how would you say your transition from San Diego to Arizona has gone?
HM: “It is a great situation for me. I mean it is way beyond what I expected. I thought coming in the players might not accept me, but I got a lot of guys on the team that I know well like Adrian (Wilson), Anquan (Boldin), guys like that that are really encouraging me. Really the guys on this team welcomed me with open arms and it is a great situation for me.”
Q: Right now on the depth chart you are backing up Adrian Wilson, but would you eventually like to see yourself being a larger contributor on defense?
HM: “Oh definitely. I love to play safety and the opportunity wasn’t there in San Diego for whatever reason it was, but there is opportunity here. Just to be behind a great player like that and just wait until I am called upon.”
Q: What were your first impressions when you walked into Cardinals Stadium in the home opener against the 49ers?
HM: “Man, it was an awesome site. Playing in San Diego at Qualcomm (Stadium), it is not even close. So it really is a great opportunity to come to brand new stadium.”
Q: There was a nickname that you got while in San Diego. What is it and why are you called it?
HM: “Birdman, because I like to fly around out there on the field.”
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On September 3, the San Diego Chargers waived Hanik Milligan, the former University of Houston standout and 2005 Pro Bowler. The following day the Cardinals picked up Milligan and already, the four-year vet is making an impact. In his Cardinals debut Milligan racked up three tackles en route to a 34-27 Cardinals win. Recently azcardinals.com sat down with him to find out exactly what Hank Milligan is all about.
Q: You had a very impressive debut; can you talk about your first few weeks with the Arizona Cardinals?
HM: “I just wanted to go out there and show why they brought me in; to work hard and go out there and just try to get some victories.”
Q: Obviously, there are a lot of guys in the league that play a skill position and participate on special teams, but you seem like the type of guy that takes a lot of pride in his special teams play?
HM: “Oh definitely man, it is really a blessing to be in the NFL and to play this game. There are a lot of people that would love to be in our situation or our position. I am just sitting back waiting for the opportunity to play safety, but for right now my job is to play special teams and help out wherever I can.”
Q: A lot of fans are not aware that you are a pretty intense guy on the field; you’re the type of player that loves to put on the eye black and have fun.
HM: “I did that in college and it carried on to the pros. You have to be a warrior out there. Coach Green always talks about going out there with an attitude and going out there and just playing hard. This is how I have been my whole life and I enjoy doing it.”
Q: Although you have only been here for a couple of weeks, how would you say your transition from San Diego to Arizona has gone?
HM: “It is a great situation for me. I mean it is way beyond what I expected. I thought coming in the players might not accept me, but I got a lot of guys on the team that I know well like Adrian (Wilson), Anquan (Boldin), guys like that that are really encouraging me. Really the guys on this team welcomed me with open arms and it is a great situation for me.”
Q: Right now on the depth chart you are backing up Adrian Wilson, but would you eventually like to see yourself being a larger contributor on defense?
HM: “Oh definitely. I love to play safety and the opportunity wasn’t there in San Diego for whatever reason it was, but there is opportunity here. Just to be behind a great player like that and just wait until I am called upon.”
Q: What were your first impressions when you walked into Cardinals Stadium in the home opener against the 49ers?
HM: “Man, it was an awesome site. Playing in San Diego at Qualcomm (Stadium), it is not even close. So it really is a great opportunity to come to brand new stadium.”
Q: There was a nickname that you got while in San Diego. What is it and why are you called it?
HM: “Birdman, because I like to fly around out there on the field.”
