You're in pro football, it's kind of interesting, because when you win, you draft last. In college football, you recruit. You gotta go after guys.
The draft is one of my favorite events because it is about football. People are focused on how their teams improve. It's a celebration of football. And most importantly, it represents a very important time in the lives of these men who are entering the NFL, and their families.
My first goal was to play in the NFL.
I don't think the NFL had the slightest intention of taking me, except as maybe a water boy.
First of all, I want to thank the Buccaneers for giving me the opportunity and for picking me in the draft. This is the nature of the beast, though, and this is a new start for me. I wish them the best of luck, and I am just glad to be a Bear.
I sat in the green room at Radio City Music Hall for the 2006 NFL Draft. At my table, I was encircled by my parents, brother, agent, former coaches and close friends.
I didn't know if I was going to be drafted, period. I remember sitting there and just praying that whatever God has for me to happen, and I didn't get any calls from anybody else the whole round. And then I got a call from New England five hours after the draft started.
Coach Pederson is the one who drafted me. He was the only coach who flew down to Texas and worked me out. I was only worked out by one team, and that was by Coach Pederson... the Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on me.
Matt Millen, you draft a wide receiver every year. HOW DARE YOU SIR, HOW DARE YOU!
My family grew up Pittsburgh Steelers fans, and it's crazy I even got drafted there.
I remember players talking to Willie Brown in my presence. Receivers asking, 'Is this who you drafted? I can't believe this is who you drafted.' I was hearing it from my defensive backs: 'Man, you got a long way to go.'
I don't think the day that I was drafted that I expected to be the starting quarterback for the Rams as a seventh-round pick.
