Sunday was a big day for Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck. He was able to play against his former team on his mom's birthday. He also had a huge game in the process to help the Jaguars in their victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck had a big day on Sunday. First of all, it was his mother’s birthday. Second, he was playing against his former team, the Arizona Cardinals, whom he played for six seasons. Gardeck did not disappoint.
Gardeck had six tackles, three of them solo, and 1.5 sacks in the Jaguars' 27-24 victory Sunday.
He has been waiting patiently to play this game.
“Yeah, I definitely had them circled as soon as I signed out here. It was kind of strange for it to be a big deal to me before the season and everything. Something that I had kind of looked forward to," Gardeck said. "Yesterday was my mom's birthday, so as soon as we kind of got the schedule and everything, like you're playing the Cardinals and I want to win. So it was a big deal when I first signed and then you just get into the weekly routine.
"It didn't seem like it was going to be that big of a deal until Sunday morning where hopping on the bus, getting ready to go over there and I'm like, ‘Man, like I'm excited for this one.’ So, it was really cool.”
He also talked about how cool it was to get this win in front of his mom on her birthday.
“I had my whole family out there. It was really cool," Gardeck said. “Got to deliver.”
He said his mom and his family were all pleased with the result and psyched to see him play so well.
“She was fired up. Yeah, she was really happy. Honestly, that I don't know 15, 20 minutes was a blur seeing everybody, my son, my nephew, my three brothers and my parents were all there," Gardeck said. "I had some friends, everybody that I've been training with all through my time in Arizona were there, so it was cool to have everybody there.”
He credits his current defensive coordinator, Anthony Campanile creativity with the team’s defensive success.
“Super creative, super smart. Also, just who he is as a man and a leader. I think the locker room and the guys really respond well to Camp, and it's definitely brought new life—the way he coaches brought new life into my career," Gardeck said. "Kind of being a crusty old vet, just having somebody speak that passion and intensity into how you go about your business has been awesome for me."