QUARTERBACK TRENT EDWARDS
Thursday, May 29, 2008
On his relationship with WR James Hardy
He came to me. And as a young guy you want to get better. I know I'm not a veteran but I've been in this league for a year now and there's not any reservation because he wants to get better. He puts in time and obviously has the work ethic.
On if he thinks Hardy will be an immediate contributor in the red zone
I think so, but the biggest adjustment… I was listening to Cris Carter on TV last night say this and it's a great point too, that young receivers need to be able to find the zones and be able to recognize zone and man coverage in the field and out in the open field too. Obviously he's going to be a valuable asset down in the red zone, but like Cris Carter said you've got to be able to find the zone. It might be a deep dig route and if it's zone or man [coverage] a lot of young receivers aren't able to do that. Watching the play unfold and for them to run a route and try to recognize the defense too is even harder especially for the young guys.
On if he is more eager and anxious for training camp than last year
I was here last year. I don't think it's any different than last year. It's obviously a different position, taking more reps, there's a little more responsibility and focus on you and the way you perform. The way I approach it, I'm still even nervous and thinking each night before these OTAs too and that's the way I approach the position. When I go home at night I'm still thinking about what I did wrong during practice and plays being put in for tomorrow's practice. And that's kind of my outlook on what the OTAs and training camp are like. The pressure might be on me year round.
On his off-season workout program
Last year during the season I was losing a lot of weight, just putting in a lot of hours, having not been through a professional year before and not knowing how to manage my time, eating and lifestyle while keeping my weight up. It was a little bit difficult and by the end season I lost a lot of weight. I tried to go back to eating the right foods, working out the right way. I don't know if I can give away my workout secrets. It's been a good off-season. I was probably down below 210 and right now I'll say I'm above 220.
On if he is concerned without having Jason Peters at the OTAs
I don't think so at all. The funny thing is I tell the offensive and defensive lineman is there's only so much you really can do. It's not like we're putting in a brand new concept they haven't learned yet or it might be a new name but I'm asking the offensive linemen every time I see them is 'what you are guys doing out here besides building chemistry with the guys.' You're getting paid to perform in the fall and training camp and that's when they make the biggest stride. That's not a concern to me. I think that some other guys are getting a benefit out of taking his reps.
On if he feels different going into a new season as a starter
I feel more comfortable just with my role amongst this team and knowing people's names now and knowing personalities and knowing myself a little bit better too. it all comes down to relationships in this sport too and a lot of it is based on trust and we have to trust that Jason Peters is going to make that block, that Lee Evans is going 10 yards and that's last year at this time I was barely just trying to stay around here. I was a third round pick from California who was just trying to get used to Buffalo. Now it's a much different role.
On if last year's work can translate to a better season
I'd like to think so and help. I know it can't hurt is the way I look at it. I've been playing this sport since my freshman year in high school and I'm going to go about my business the way I've always gone about my business. And I've had success to a certain extent, but I have a lot of areas to improve in and I'm always trying to find ways to do that and hopefully can continue to do that.
On being one of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL
It's motivational, honestly. I want to be the best that I can be. I want to take this team to the playoffs and I want to win some football games. That's regardless of whoever those other 31 guys are. I want to be the best I can amongst that group and I'm going to try to do that everyday while I'm out here practicing, this off-season, training camp and this season.
