1st Round Pick Press Conference

**DaKCMan AP** · 04-29-2006, 04:06 PM

You can watch it here:
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/04...ss_conference/

Peterson: “We are very, very pleased to pick this young man at the 20th pick. We think a lot of insight to him specific to him not only as a player, but also as a person. It begins with the fact that Larry Johnson, Sr. has coached this young man and has coached him for four years. He is a traffic athlete. He was the Big 10 Defensive Lineman of the Year this past season. He has played both defensive tackle and defensive end. For me and I have looked at a lot of players over the years, this guy is a relentless football player. He does not know the word quit. He will bring an attitude to the defensive line, to our defensive team and to our team.

“He is a marvelous human being. I think you all know about his background and what he has gone through to get here. This is a very, very talented young man. He is a wonderful human being and an outstanding player for the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I want to congratulate Bill Kuharich and his scouting staff for the all the time and effort put into this very first selection. And to Herm and his coaching staff because they to have done so much. Both Herm and I were at his workout at Penn State. It does not take much to look at the video and see what he does. When it is all said and done that is what you really evaluate those guys on. Height, weight, speed is all important and all of the test. But how does he play the game of football. I think our fans are going to find out he plays it in a very exciting, fun way.

Edwards: “When you watch him you will appreciate the type of player we drafted. We drafted a guy in my estimation who will come in and set the tempo for our defensive line. Even though he is a rookie, I just think the way he plays, his effort, his passion for the game. You cannot coach that. He plays with a heavy heart and he plays with great passion. He is guy who is relentless. He plays hard in the first quarter and if you watch him in the fourth quarter he plays just as hard. He has the ability to rush from the outside. He has the ability to rush from the inside. I think if you are going to build a defense it always starts up front. He will give us the ability to put pressure on the quarterback. He will make guys better around him on our defensive line.

“You cannot say enough about his character. I think what he is going to bring for all of us at times if we feel like having a pity party for ourselves and feel like you have it tough, all you got to do is look at this guy and understand what he was gone through as a young, as a person and what he was persevered in his life. When you surround yourself with a guy like that it makes you understand the little ups and downs is nothing to what this guy has gone through so far in his life. I think he is a guy with a great upside for us. We expect this guy to be a very, very player for us.”

Kuharich: “the thing that impressed me the most about Tamba was his initial quickness off the line of scrimmage, his first step into the blocker and he is just relentless. If he gets driven upfield by the blocker he is going to come underneath and he is going to chase the ball. We saw times where he made plays down the field coming off his block on screens. He is just a guy that is going to hustle and play hard the entire play. If you put fourth quarter tape on, you would not know the difference if it was the beginning of the game or the end of the game. He just has one way to play and that is just full-throttle out.”

Q: Why did you choose this guy over somebody else from another position?

Peterson: “Overall production. Three-year starter and played a lot even as a freshman. He has played both defensive tackle and defensive end. He is a big guy. He is 275 and he has weighed as much as 285. As we have all said, he’s got a very quick first three steps. He plays the game as Herm or any of us would want to coach the game. His intensity cannot be denied. The other people on the board are talented. We discussed that. We looked at two or three guys, but there was an unanimous decision on this and it was frankly before today if Tamba Hali was available before the 20th pick he was the guy.”

Q: What position are you going to look at him to play?

Edwards: “He will play end. But he has the ability to go inside on third down and rush the guard. That is what is so unique about this guy. He is going to play every down. He is first down player, a second down player, a third down player. I think when you get a player with that ability. He can rush from the left side, the right side. And the uniquness of the guy is that he can go inside and rush on the guard. I think that is very important.”

Q: “Do you project him to help you right away?

Edwards: “I project anybody we draft from here until it is over that is going to help us play. I am not afraid to play young players. Carl knows that. Bill knows that. I think if you are a productive player, you play hard, you are going to play. Especially with the defensive line you are going to have a rotation system.”

Part II

EDWARDS: He’s going to play, especially along the defensive line where you have a rotation system. I just think if you’re a productive player and play hard you’re going to play. I’m not afraid to play young players. Carl knows that. Bill knows that.“

Q: Do you project that he’ll be able to help you right away?

EDWARDS: “I project anybody we draft from here until it’s over that’s going to help us will play. I’m not afraid to play young players. If you’re a productive player and play hard you’re going to play. You’re going to have a rotation system on the defensive line and that’s really going to help us because of his ability to play inside and outside.“

Q: Was that the position you felt you needed the most over cornerback?

EDWARDS: “Yeah, I just feel that you have to have great defensive linemen. I just believe any defense that’s going to be a good defense starts up front. When a guy is sitting there that you know what he’s going to bring to the table as far as his work ethic, how he’s going to practice, how he plays, his passion for the game, you take him. Coaches try to coach that, but he has that built inside. That’s a great way since we can show the defense that’s how we want to play: watch this guy. We have to play with that passion, and that ability to run to the ball.

“I said when I took this job that if you’re going to play defense you have to get dirty. This guy gets dirty; he tackles people.“

Q: Does he remind you of anybody?

EDWARDS: “With his relentlessness to the ball he’s like Warren (Sapp). He just kept coming and coming. He kind of plays like the (defensive end from Syracuse) in Indianapolis. He gets blocked and keeps coming. This guy keeps playing until the whistle blows because you’re going to get blocked. Who are we kidding? Then what you do? Do you stand there and watch the play or do you continue to run after the play. When you watch this guy he doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. When you get a defensive lineman who can do that, that’s special. He does that automatically.“

Q: You say he plays with a heavy heart. Is that a reference to his background?

EDWARDS: “All he’s gone through…he has a reason why he’s playing this game. Not only because he loves the game but because of his life. If you look back at his life and what this guy has accomplished so far in the short time he’s been here it’s a heck of a story. It’s a story we can all look at and when we’re feeling a little bit bad about whatever, we can look at this guy and say he’s never made excuses for what has happened to him. All he’s done is come to work everyday and what he’s achieved he’s done on his own.“

Q: Were there any conversations about trading the pick?

PETERSON: “Yes, there was. We had a couple of teams call and there was an offer, but our concern was that if we did step back we would not have this guy five, six or ten picks away. This was not a difficult decision to say this is the guy that we focused on, looked at, been admiring for some time.

“The first time Bill (Kuharich) put us through the drill on the defensive linemen on the video and listened to the scouts it was clear that this was a very special guy.“

Q: What about his 40 time not being as good?

PETERSON: “We actually looked and went through it one more time last night. When you turn the video on he doesn’t look like he’s 4.8 or whatever the time was. His 10 (meters) time is as good as any defensive lineman and that’s what we tried to focus on. He’s chasing down people from behind and knocking the ball loose from running backs and quarterbacks, receivers. We play football. He plays with his heart, his head and his hands and he’s got very large hands.“

Q: You’ve formed a relationship with Larry Johnson, Sr., his college coach. Did that influence your decision any?

PETERSON: “It certainly was a positive and Larry Johnson, Sr. is an outstanding defensive line coach. He’s had three number ones and a number two drafted. What I felt very comfortable with knowing Larry, Sr. very well was that his recommendation really carried some water. He said the things that Herman said and told Bill, too, about the character of the young man. He said, ‘I don’t need to motivate this guy because he is self-motivated. He makes a difference every day to everyone around him on the practice field.’ Those types of things from someone you know and trust they do certainly add.“

Q: 15 of the first 23 picks are defensive players. Why so many defensive players?

KUHARICH: “The offenses in the league have so many skilled players at wide receiver, quarterback, running back they’re able to spread you out and make yardage and score points. You’ve got to find people who can counter all those things that offenses are trying to do to you and when you look through the league everybody is putting a premium on defense, whether it be defensive line, linebacker or corner. If you go through the first 20 or 21 picks there are corners taken, linebackers taken, safeties taken, defensive ends taken. There is a premium on defensive players early.“

Q: Is it cyclical?

KUHARICH: “The NFL is a copycat league. Everybody tries to find out a way to build a better mousetrap. But every draft is different and this draft just happens that the quality in the top half of this draft is defensive.”

TEX · 04-29-2006, 04:42 PM

“He is a marvelous human being. I think you all know about his background and what he has gone through to get here. This is a very, very talented young man. He is a wonderful human being and an outstanding player for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now I wonder if this fact will play into contract negotiations? When things get tough, Carl should remember that this kid is a "marvelous human being" and this kid should remember that Carl called him a "marvelous human being." I mean "marvelous human beings" should get paid and get into camp on time. And GM's shouldn't low ball "marvelous human beings."

Thig Lyfe · 04-29-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Peterson: ... He is a traffic athlete.

Wow, impressive.

chiefqueen · 04-29-2006, 04:47 PM

I wonder if the real reason CP picked him is because he could be an easier sign since he wants to use the $$$$ to get his mother & sister out of Liberia.

JBucc · 04-29-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefqueen

I wonder if the real reason CP picked him is because he could be an easier sign since he wants to use the $$$$ to get his mother & sister out of Liberia.

I don't think Carl's even that low.

Thig Lyfe · 04-29-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefqueen

I wonder if the real reason CP picked him is because he could be an easier sign since he wants to use the $$$$ to get his mother & sister out of Liberia.

Oh my. That's incredibly cynical.

And probably true.

TEX · 04-29-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBucc

I don't think Carl's even that low.

I wouldn't bet against it.

04-29-2006, 04:06 PM
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6754952	1st Round Pick Press Conference You can watch it here: http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/04...ss_conference/ Peterson: “We are very, very pleased to pick this young man at the 20th pick. We think a lot of insight to him specific to him not only as a player, but also as a person. It begins with the fact that Larry Johnson, Sr. has coached this young man and has coached him for four years. He is a traffic athlete. He was the Big 10 Defensive Lineman of the Year this past season. He has played both defensive tackle and defensive end. For me and I have looked at a lot of players over the years, this guy is a relentless football player. He does not know the word quit. He will bring an attitude to the defensive line, to our defensive team and to our team. “He is a marvelous human being. I think you all know about his background and what he has gone through to get here. This is a very, very talented young man. He is a wonderful human being and an outstanding player for the Kansas City Chiefs. “I want to congratulate Bill Kuharich and his scouting staff for the all the time and effort put into this very first selection. And to Herm and his coaching staff because they to have done so much. Both Herm and I were at his workout at Penn State. It does not take much to look at the video and see what he does. When it is all said and done that is what you really evaluate those guys on. Height, weight, speed is all important and all of the test. But how does he play the game of football. I think our fans are going to find out he plays it in a very exciting, fun way. Edwards: “When you watch him you will appreciate the type of player we drafted. We drafted a guy in my estimation who will come in and set the tempo for our defensive line. Even though he is a rookie, I just think the way he plays, his effort, his passion for the game. You cannot coach that. He plays with a heavy heart and he plays with great passion. He is guy who is relentless. He plays hard in the first quarter and if you watch him in the fourth quarter he plays just as hard. He has the ability to rush from the outside. He has the ability to rush from the inside. I think if you are going to build a defense it always starts up front. He will give us the ability to put pressure on the quarterback. He will make guys better around him on our defensive line. “You cannot say enough about his character. I think what he is going to bring for all of us at times if we feel like having a pity party for ourselves and feel like you have it tough, all you got to do is look at this guy and understand what he was gone through as a young, as a person and what he was persevered in his life. When you surround yourself with a guy like that it makes you understand the little ups and downs is nothing to what this guy has gone through so far in his life. I think he is a guy with a great upside for us. We expect this guy to be a very, very player for us.” Kuharich: “the thing that impressed me the most about Tamba was his initial quickness off the line of scrimmage, his first step into the blocker and he is just relentless. If he gets driven upfield by the blocker he is going to come underneath and he is going to chase the ball. We saw times where he made plays down the field coming off his block on screens. He is just a guy that is going to hustle and play hard the entire play. If you put fourth quarter tape on, you would not know the difference if it was the beginning of the game or the end of the game. He just has one way to play and that is just full-throttle out.” Q: Why did you choose this guy over somebody else from another position? Peterson: “Overall production. Three-year starter and played a lot even as a freshman. He has played both defensive tackle and defensive end. He is a big guy. He is 275 and he has weighed as much as 285. As we have all said, he’s got a very quick first three steps. He plays the game as Herm or any of us would want to coach the game. His intensity cannot be denied. The other people on the board are talented. We discussed that. We looked at two or three guys, but there was an unanimous decision on this and it was frankly before today if Tamba Hali was available before the 20th pick he was the guy.” Q: What position are you going to look at him to play? Edwards: “He will play end. But he has the ability to go inside on third down and rush the guard. That is what is so unique about this guy. He is going to play every down. He is first down player, a second down player, a third down player. I think when you get a player with that ability. He can rush from the left side, the right side. And the uniquness of the guy is that he can go inside and rush on the guard. I think that is very important.” Q: “Do you project him to help you right away? Edwards: “I project anybody we draft from here until it is over that is going to help us play. I am not afraid to play young players. Carl knows that. Bill knows that. I think if you are a productive player, you play hard, you are going to play. Especially with the defensive line you are going to have a rotation system.” Part II EDWARDS: He’s going to play, especially along the defensive line where you have a rotation system. I just think if you’re a productive player and play hard you’re going to play. I’m not afraid to play young players. Carl knows that. Bill knows that.“ Q: Do you project that he’ll be able to help you right away? EDWARDS: “I project anybody we draft from here until it’s over that’s going to help us will play. I’m not afraid to play young players. If you’re a productive player and play hard you’re going to play. You’re going to have a rotation system on the defensive line and that’s really going to help us because of his ability to play inside and outside.“ Q: Was that the position you felt you needed the most over cornerback? EDWARDS: “Yeah, I just feel that you have to have great defensive linemen. I just believe any defense that’s going to be a good defense starts up front. When a guy is sitting there that you know what he’s going to bring to the table as far as his work ethic, how he’s going to practice, how he plays, his passion for the game, you take him. Coaches try to coach that, but he has that built inside. That’s a great way since we can show the defense that’s how we want to play: watch this guy. We have to play with that passion, and that ability to run to the ball. “I said when I took this job that if you’re going to play defense you have to get dirty. This guy gets dirty; he tackles people.“ Q: Does he remind you of anybody? EDWARDS: “With his relentlessness to the ball he’s like Warren (Sapp). He just kept coming and coming. He kind of plays like the (defensive end from Syracuse) in Indianapolis. He gets blocked and keeps coming. This guy keeps playing until the whistle blows because you’re going to get blocked. Who are we kidding? Then what you do? Do you stand there and watch the play or do you continue to run after the play. When you watch this guy he doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. When you get a defensive lineman who can do that, that’s special. He does that automatically.“ Q: You say he plays with a heavy heart. Is that a reference to his background? EDWARDS: “All he’s gone through…he has a reason why he’s playing this game. Not only because he loves the game but because of his life. If you look back at his life and what this guy has accomplished so far in the short time he’s been here it’s a heck of a story. It’s a story we can all look at and when we’re feeling a little bit bad about whatever, we can look at this guy and say he’s never made excuses for what has happened to him. All he’s done is come to work everyday and what he’s achieved he’s done on his own.“ Q: Were there any conversations about trading the pick? PETERSON: “Yes, there was. We had a couple of teams call and there was an offer, but our concern was that if we did step back we would not have this guy five, six or ten picks away. This was not a difficult decision to say this is the guy that we focused on, looked at, been admiring for some time. “The first time Bill (Kuharich) put us through the drill on the defensive linemen on the video and listened to the scouts it was clear that this was a very special guy.“ Q: What about his 40 time not being as good? PETERSON: “We actually looked and went through it one more time last night. When you turn the video on he doesn’t look like he’s 4.8 or whatever the time was. His 10 (meters) time is as good as any defensive lineman and that’s what we tried to focus on. He’s chasing down people from behind and knocking the ball loose from running backs and quarterbacks, receivers. We play football. He plays with his heart, his head and his hands and he’s got very large hands.“ Q: You’ve formed a relationship with Larry Johnson, Sr., his college coach. Did that influence your decision any? PETERSON: “It certainly was a positive and Larry Johnson, Sr. is an outstanding defensive line coach. He’s had three number ones and a number two drafted. What I felt very comfortable with knowing Larry, Sr. very well was that his recommendation really carried some water. He said the things that Herman said and told Bill, too, about the character of the young man. He said, ‘I don’t need to motivate this guy because he is self-motivated. He makes a difference every day to everyone around him on the practice field.’ Those types of things from someone you know and trust they do certainly add.“ Q: 15 of the first 23 picks are defensive players. Why so many defensive players? KUHARICH: “The offenses in the league have so many skilled players at wide receiver, quarterback, running back they’re able to spread you out and make yardage and score points. You’ve got to find people who can counter all those things that offenses are trying to do to you and when you look through the league everybody is putting a premium on defense, whether it be defensive line, linebacker or corner. If you go through the first 20 or 21 picks there are corners taken, linebackers taken, safeties taken, defensive ends taken. There is a premium on defensive players early.“ Q: Is it cyclical? KUHARICH: “The NFL is a copycat league. Everybody tries to find out a way to build a better mousetrap. But every draft is different and this draft just happens that the quality in the top half of this draft is defensive.”
Posts: 35,695

04-29-2006, 04:42 PM	#2
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2373127	“He is a marvelous human being. I think you all know about his background and what he has gone through to get here. This is a very, very talented young man. He is a wonderful human being and an outstanding player for the Kansas City Chiefs. Now I wonder if this fact will play into contract negotiations? When things get tough, Carl should remember that this kid is a "marvelous human being" and this kid should remember that Carl called him a "marvelous human being." I mean "marvelous human beings" should get paid and get into camp on time. And GM's shouldn't low ball "marvelous human beings." __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
Posts: 34,676

04-29-2006, 04:47 PM	#4
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8192060	I wonder if the real reason CP picked him is because he could be an easier sign since he wants to use the $$$$ to get his mother & sister out of Liberia.
Posts: 4,179