A Little Q and A With Former MSU Big Man, Roland Martin

At 6'5'', 330 lbs., Roland Martin (USA Today All American, Illinois All State, 2nd Team All Big Ten) embodies his nickname of "Big Ro".

  Roland was one of the major contributing factors to the success of the 9-3 (the school's best season since 1999) Michigan State Spartan offense in 2008.

Javon Ringer rushed for over 1,600 yards last year while earning 22 trips to the promised land (endzone). Javon finished as one of the All-Time leading rushers in school history (4,398 career yards, 34 touchdowns), and has went on to play for the NFL's Tennessee Titans. Brian Hoyer threw for over 2,000 yards in 2008 for the Spartans, leaving as one of the school's all time leaders with 6,159 yards and 35 touchdown tosses.

  What do these stats have to do with Roland Martin, you may ask ? They have EVERYTHING to do with the former Guard on the Michigan State O-Line. Without the aid of pass blocking beasts like Roland, Hoyer would have found it incredibly difficult to sit comfortably in the pocket while slinging passes downfield to his receivers. Without Martin's superb run blocking abilities, Javon Ringer would have been in a world of hurt trying to evade those opposing defenses. Simply put, Roland was one of the keys to the dominant Spartan offense from a year ago.

  The Chicago native, and former Illinois All Stater, was highly recruited on a national level coming out of Harper High School.  He received high interest from Big Twelve powerhouse Oklahoma, the SEC's Tennesse Volunteers, and the Wolfpack of North Carolina State, just to name a few. After weighing his options on where to play his college ball, Roland ultimately chose Michigan State on National Signing Day. I know I can speak for Spartan fans everywhere when I say, "We're glad you did, Big Ro."

  Q: What led you to choose Michigan State over the likes of Tennessee, Oklahoma, and North Carolina State ?

A: " I went to each school, trying to find a place to call home, a place to grow as a man, a person and a football player. I wanted to find a place where I'd fit in, a place that felt like home. There was just something about Michigan State."

  Q: After a promising but disappointing 2007 season, what were your thoughts going into 2008 ?

A: " The team comes first. I had some personal issues that I wanted to get better. I felt like I needed to do more. We had to win. Winning comes along with a bowl game. I wanted to lay it on the line for my teammates."

  Q: Did the spectacular season of 2008 meet or exceed you and your team's expectations ?

A: " Of course it didn't. It didn't meet them. We lost some key big games that I really wanted to win. After you sit down at the end of the year, overall it was a good season. Winning those key games would've changed the perspective (people had) of Michigan State, no one would have looked at us the same." 

  Q: How much credit do you give to your Offensive Line counterparts on the impact all of you had last year on the offense ?

A: " I think we played the main role. We were a lot of the key plays. I just think we were one of the main roles. The Offensive Line was put down over and over, we always pulled through. We were always in a good position. I think 90% of the time we did our job. The rest of the offense let us know they appreciated it. It wasn't just me, the offensive line accomplished a lot. We came a long way from switch ups and injuries."

  Q: You helped to plow over defensive linemen, creating holes the size of parking lots for Javon for four years. Did his success in 2008 affirm the Offensive Line's confidence ?

A: " Yeah. He was great. Javon hardly ever messed up. You look back at film, he hit it (the gap) tight. Javon and Jehuu used to say you give him a little, I'll give you a little. Javon usually broke the first tackle 95% of the time. He's almost a better person than a football player. He's hands down one of the best people I've ever been around."

  Q: In your opinion, where does Ringer rank amongst Runningbacks that you've played with ?

A: " He's number one. It goes so deep with Ringer when it comes to football. I probably know more than most people do about him. He's number one in my book by far, as a player and friend. Cool dude. He's somebody you can talk to, he can run the ball for you, he can beat up on the defensive line for you. He's all around a good guy. And all around a good player."

  Q: How would you describe your career at Michigan State, was it everything you hoped it would be ?

A: " No, it wasn't. It's so many more things I wish I've done, there's so many good things that I've done  for my career. There's a list of things that I wanted to accomplish. It was fun, I learned a lot, I became a man here."

  Q: How does it feel knowing that the 2008 team will go down in history as one of the most explosive editions of Spartan Football ever ?

A: " It feels good just to be a part of it. It feels so good to be a part of something that's bigger than yourself. It's one of the best feelings, I can't explain. Just to look back, right now, what we did in a couple years, it's something to smile about. Something to tell my kids about. It always makes me smile. It's something that no one can ever take from me."

  Q: You went undrafted, but did workout with the Saints. What's the main difference from the college game to the professional level ?

A: " The talent. The talent goes up another 80%. More consistent, faster, smarter, bigger guys. People have a different hunger there. You have to realize that you're playing with people feeding families, paying mortgages. It's their job. It's a business, there's a business aspect of it. Everything is different, the only thing that's the same is you gotta play football."

  Q: Do you still have ambitions to play football professionally ?

A: " Yeah, yeah I do. I still really want to do it. Going with some stuff right now with that on my mind. That's all I think about, the number one thing I think about.. football."

  Q: Where do you see your career in five years ?

A: " I don't know. I really don't know. Where I see it ? I can tell you where I see myself being successful. My dream is to be in the NFL. My number one goal is to be a successful human, a former Spartan, I'm striving to be a part of something bigger than myself. I benefitted from football, it's a brotherhood."

  Q: You're back at State finishing your degree, do you still have steady contact with the football team ?

A: " Yeah. I still have contact with them. I try to come around and give some of the guys advice. Even sit down with them, I talk to Glenn (Winston). I don't hang out, I pass through, I bring my presence with me. My older presence, more knowledge, I try to help them, even with the small stuff."

  Q: What would you say is your fondest memory of playing at Michigan State, how'd it feel to be a Spartan ?

A: " I would say overall, just coming here, all the fans all the people I came in contact with. The state of Michigan, people in general. Getting love and support from all the people through thick and thin. It means a lot to be a Spartan. I'll talk about Michigan State forever. Tell them how I feel and about my memories."

  Q: How would you grade the progress of the football program under Coach Mark Dantonio ?

A: " The proof is in the pudding. He came here, he said what he was gonna do, and he did it. Coach Dantonio is a smart man, intelligent, his program is dong what he said he was gonna do. What Coach D says goes. He says something it happens that way. His word is solid. Coach Mark "Solid" Dantonio."

  Q: Do you feel the critcism of Coach Dantonio is unjust ?

A: " I don't know what all they say. I really don't care. Either way it goes, no matter what everybody says, Coach Dantonio does things his way. His system, he's gonna stick with it. Everybody gets criticised. Football and sports in general, it's criticising. It comes along with the territory. Criticism has to be there."

  Q: There's no doubt the 2009 Spartan offense is a potent unit, how do you see them finishing the year ?

A: " There's a lot of young guys out there, they've played enough games, they're kind of a young team. There's a lot of them that haven't played in big games, tight games, or any games.  This team has showed you to have faith for what's to come. I think they'll end up okay. Michigan State kind of does what you don't expect them to do. They'll end up surprising, a little different. Our record always ends up outside of the box a little bit. You never know what you're gonna get with Michigan State."

  Not only was Roland an absolute pleasure to interview, but he lends insight to all when it comes to the world of Michigan State Football.