135 : NFL Pro Interview : James Lee
James Lee first went to the University of Georgia to play college football, but later transferred to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to play at South Carolina State. While he was at South Carolina State, he started 31 of 33 games. He entered the 2008 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and then signed with the Cleveland Browns. He was waived before the regular season, but was claimed and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a member of the Buccaneers from 2008-2011, playing eighteen games, with nine starts. He recently signed a contract with the Washington Redskins.
133 : NFL Pro Interview : Eddie Whitley
Eddie Whitley played college football at Virginia Tech University. During his time (2008-2011) at VT, he played in 54 games, and started 28 total. He started his career playing Special Teams, and then moved into the starting free safety role. He totaled 189 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions, twelve pass deflections, and forced three fumbles. He has declared entry for the 2012 NFL Draft, and is projected to either be a seventh round or undrafted free agent. He could become a key Special Teamer.
126 : NFL Pro Interview : Lance Lewis
Lance Lewis played football at Concord High School in North Carolina. Afterwards, in 2007, he went to California to play at West Hills CC in California. In 2008, he did not play football. In 2009, he played at East Mississippi CC and led his team to an 11-1 record and to winning the school’s first ever MACJC Championship. He then went to East Carolina and in 22 career games (between two seasons), he served as ECU’s go-to receiver. He is entering the 2012 NFL Draft, and is projected as a sleeper in the wide receiver class. Click ‘Read More’ to check out the interview.
122 : NFL Pro Interview : Jordan Bernstine
Jordan Bernstine played college football at the University of Iowa. He totaled 108 tackles, 1 interception, 3 TFLs in his entire career at Iowa. He had 30 KR for 713 yards and also compiled 83 tackles during his star-studded senior season. He is entering the 2012 NFL Draft, projected as a late-round selection or to go through undrafted. Bernstine is trying to separate himself from the other safeties in this class and and has already worked out for Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and Raiders. Go ahead and click the ‘Read More’.
121 : NFL Pro Interview : Cody Glenn
Cody Glenn played college football at the University of Nebraska. He played running back throughout his first three years there, and then switched to linebacker for his senior season. He then entered the 2009 NFL Draft, and was selected in the 5th round by the Washington Redskins. He was cut in the preseason, but the Colts signed him and he remained with the Colts from 2009 to 2011. He played in Super Bowl XLIV mainly on Special Teams, and very recently he signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
118 : NFL Pro Interview : Adam Carriker
Adam Carriker attended the University of Nebraska and was nominated for numerous awards during his junior and senior seasons like First-Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 DL of the Year. He indirectly served as someone Ndamukong Suh looked up to. He entered the 2007 NFL Draft, and was selected 13th overall by the St. Louis Rams. He then was traded to the Washington Redskins. This most recent season, he totaled 34 tackles, and 5.5 sacks. He is currently an upcoming free agent in 2012.
117 : NFL Pro Interview : John Nalbone
John Nalbone played college football at Monmouth University in New Jersey. While he was there, he totaled 101 receptions, 1080 yards, and 9 touchdowns. He was an all-NEC selection during his sophomore, junior, and senior year. He entered the 2009 NFL Draft, and was drafted in the 5th round, 161st overall by the Miami Dolphins. He has been a member of the Vikings, Broncos, Eagles, Bengals, and is now with the Seahawks. He signed a futures contract at the end of the 2011 season.
115 : NFL Pro Interview : Andre Reed
Andre Reed was a member of the Buffalo Bills from 1985 through 1999. Throughout his time in the NFL, he recorded 951 receptions, 13,198 yards, and 87 touchdowns. He was nominated to the Pro Bowl for seven straight years from 1988-1994. He also made four Super Bowl appearances. He is currently 1 of 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Click ‘Read More’ to check out the interview!
112 : NFL Pro Interview : Reggie Jones
Reggie Jones played college football at Idaho and Portland State. He entered the 2009 NFL Draft, but went undrafted. He signed a free agent contract with the New Orleans Saints. He was placed on IR after getting injured in camp. In 2010, he signed with the Redskins and was on the team for preseason. In 2011, he signed with the Vikings Practice Squad, and recently signed a future/reserve contract.
111 : NFL Pro Interview : Evan Mathis
Evan Mathis played college football at Alabama. He earned First-Team All-SEC Honors in 2004. He entered the 2005 NFL Draft and was drafted by the Panthers in the 3rd round. He played for the Panthers from 2005-2007, then Dolphins in 2008, and the Bengals from 2008-2010. He most recently started 15 games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
109 : NFL Pro Interview : Jason Babin
Jason Babin was a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2010, and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance after a 12.5 sack season. In the 2011 offseason, he signed a 5-year, $28 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. This season he had a career high 18 sacks and earned another Pro Bowl birth. Click ‘Read More’ to check out the interview! Read more 
107 : NFL Pro Interview : Joel Gamble
Joel Gamble played for D2 college called Shippensburg University up until the 2004 season. He entered the 2005 NFL Draft, but went undrafted. He wasn’t offered a chance to play for an NFL team until he was given a chance four years later. He earned his first chance with the Eagles, then the Browns and Titans.
15 : NFL Pro Interview : Darryl Tapp
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Check out Darryl Tapp’s website at www.dtapp.com
[NEW INTERVIEW as of 9/14/2011]
Strauss : How do you grade your preseason performance?
Tapp : I will give my preseason performance a C. I am a hard grader first of all, and its my first year in this new scheme. I thought we were not as consistent as we would like to be on a day in-and-out basis, but that will come the more we practice. The lack of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason hurt us as far as learning the scheme and getting comfortable.
Strauss : What is it like to add Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin to the defensive line?
Tapp : Cullen and Babs are huge additions to the defensive line. They both bring experience, intensity, and most importantly heart.
Strauss : What are your expectations for this season?
Tapp : I personally expect this defensive line to be the best in the league. We are a bunch of guys no one really wanted and we are out to prove we can play at a high level.
Strauss : What’s DL Coach, Jim Washburn like?
Tapp : Coach Wash[burn] is unbelievable. Hall of Fame Dline coach in my eyes. He sees the game like players do and he breaks it down in a way that we can understand it. He is a Hard nosed, Rugged, motivator that always gets the most out of us.
Strauss : What’s Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo like?
Tapp : Coach Juan [Castillo] is awesome. He is a coach to has alot of knowledge about the game. He has tons of energy and passion for coaching and its been pretty cool being lead by him.
[OLD INTERVIEW as of 5/15/2010]
Strauss : Why do you make it important to connect to the fans?
Tapp : I make that an area of importance because the fans are special to me. I had great fans at Virginia Tech, then in Seattle, and now in Philly. I want the fans to know that I don’t take them for granted!
Strauss : Who was your childhood star?
Tapp : My family was my childhood stars. I looked up to my Mom, my Dad, and my two older brothers.
Strauss : If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Tapp : I look forward to meeting my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. No one is more important than him.
Strauss : What is your favorite song to listen to before a game? What pumps you up?
Tapp : I don’t have a favorite song that I listen to before a game, because each game is different. I listen to all types of music from R&B, Rap, to Gospel.
Strauss : What is your favorite movie of all time?
Tapp : Major Payne is my favorite movie
Strauss : What is your favorite snack food?
Tapp : I love cookies!
Strauss : What is your favorite type of pie?
Tapp : Sweet Potato Pie at Thanksgiving is my favorite.
Strauss : What is your favorite TV-Show?
Tapp : My favorite TV show is the Cosby Show, classic tv.
Strauss : What is your favorite meal?
Tapp : My favorite meal is anything my wife or mom makes.
Strauss : What is your favorite video game?
Tapp : There is a tie between my favorite video games, God of War, NBA2k, and Madden.
Strauss : What is the one thing you can’t leave your house without?
Tapp : The Bible.
Strauss : How long have you played football?
Tapp : I have played football for 14 years.
Strauss : Did you play any other sports in high school?
Tapp : I played football, basketball, ran track, in addition to playing soccer.
Strauss : What is your favorite sport to play other than football?
Tapp : Soccer is my favorite sport to play other than football, it was my first love.
Strauss : What was your favorite NFL team growing up?
Tapp : My favorite team was the Washington Redskins and it still is, except when we play them!
Strauss : When did you realize that you were going to play football in college and in the NFL?
Tapp : My junior year I realized I was going to play football at the collegiate level and then, during my senior year in college I realized I was going to play in the NFL.
Strauss : If you weren’t playing in the NFL, what would you want to do?
Tapp : I would be working for an athletic company designing commercials if the NFL was not in my future.
Strauss : When did you see your first live NFL game?
Tapp : I have never seen a live NFL game before. I have only played in them. I always watched them on television though!
Strauss : What is your favorite memory from VT?
Tapp : The best memories from Virginia Tech was scoring a touchdown in a rivalry game against University of Virginia in the snow and it my last home game at VT and I had three sacks, blocked a field goal, four quarterback hits, and caused a fumble.
Strauss : How has choosing a number worked throughout your career?
Tapp : I had 55 since High School, and I am going through withdrawals now because I am not wearing it. It’s the only number I have really know until this year, and one day I will get it back. I am now number 91.
Strauss : What impact did your high school coach have on your football career?
Tapp : My high school coach had a major impact upon my career because high school is where I developed a passion to play football and he taught me the techniques and the skills need to play.
Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from high school to college.
Tapp : The hardest change between high school and college is the speed of the game. It gets a lot faster.
Strauss : What impact did your college coach have on your professional career?
Tapp : My college coach had a tremendous impact because he saw the talent in me and offered me a college scholarship first and then, placed me in situations to be successful in the classroom and on the field.
Strauss : What can you expect from playing D-1 football?
Tapp : You can expect to go to a great academic school and play top college programs and players every week.
Strauss : Who was the hardest player for you to get past in college?
Tapp : D’Brickashaw Ferguson of University of Virginia, and now he’s on the Jets. He was the hardest collegiate player to get past. He is very athletic and very talented!
Strauss : What’s the hardest workout for you to complete?
Tapp : Running Hills at Mt. Trashmore in Virginia during the offseason.
Strauss : Describe the hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL.
Tapp : The hardest change between the jump from college to the NFL is the fact that you are no longer a student athlete, football is now my job and the way I provide for my family.
Strauss : What was it like to train for the combine?
Tapp : Training for the combine was very intense!
Strauss : What was your draft day experience like?
Tapp : My Draft day experience was a great one but felt so long. The draft started at noon and I got drafted finally in the second round at 8PM.
Strauss : How has your game improved beyond your college years?
Tapp : I have gotten a lot smarter these past four years that I have been in the NFL. I have become a student of the game.
Strauss : What is an experience you have had that changed your life?
Tapp : Every experience that I have had up to this point has cultivated my life.
Strauss : How important has film been to your development? What do you look for when you watch film?
Tapp : Film study is what separates good players from the great ones. I look for offensive tendencies on formations and alignments, and I look to see what the individual player I will be up against like to do as far as strengths and weaknesses.
Strauss : Who do you compare your game to? Why?
Tapp : I compare my game to Dwight Freeney, we are the same in weight and stature.
Strauss : Could you have predicted how far football was going to carry you?
Tapp : I never would have expected football would expose me to many different opportunities.
Strauss : What is your favorite quote?
Tapp : Proverbs 3:5 from the Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding.”
Strauss : For someone aspiring to play football in college and in the NFL, do you have any advice for them?
Tapp : Work hard in the classroom and on the field! Good things will come!
Strauss : Thank you for your time.
Tapp : No Problem, Go Eagles!!!!!!!!!
96 : NFL Pro Interview : Nate Ness
Nate Ness played college football at Arizona during 2007 and 2008 after playing JuCo at El Camino College where he recorded 19 interceptions and 8 touchdowns. He totaled 97 tackles and 7 interceptions while at Arizona. He entered the 2009 NFL Draft, but went undrafted. He has been a member of numerous teams. Read more
95 : NFL Pro Interview : Reed Doughty
Redskins Safety, Reed Doughty played college football at University of Northern Colorado with WR, Vincent Jackson. He entered the 2006 NFL Draft and was drafted in the 6th round by the Washington Redskins. He is known as a great tackler. He was a teammate of Sean Taylor and shares a story about him. Read more
Max Strauss
