Q: How close to ready are you? How do you feel?
A: I feel real good. Right now I'm just waiting on the trainers to give me the go ahead.
Q: You said you wanted to be back day one. They said no.
A: I did. I still do, but they know what's right, they know what's best for me. I'm pretty sure they'll get me out there sooner than later.
Q: How disappointed were you?
A: It was kind of tough. That was my goal, the start of training camp. But I don't think I'm going to miss too much time so I'm not too disappointed.
Q: Do you have any idea at this point what the constant pounding on your knee is going to feel like?
A: Honestly, I feel real good about it. It's tested. It's certainly not football tested, but as far as cutting, doing drills, and running. I've been doing this almost the whole offseason. So I'm not worried about that. I'm not worried about being in any pain once I do start. I'm just going to have to get used to playing football again.
Q: What do you think you need to show the trainers before they give you the green light?
A: I pretty much showed them everything. I came up there maybe two weeks to work out for the team and they liked what they saw. I think they're really comfortable and they feel good about where I am right now so it's just a waiting game right now.
Q: Obviously they're not comfortable enough because they didn't clear you.
A: I wouldn't say that. They just don't want to rush it.
Q: How did you push yourself this off-month? Did you amp yourself up any further than usual?
A: Like I said, I hadn't played football in a long time. I was really looking forward to the start of training camp and I'm still looking forward to getting out there.
Q: Timetable?
A: No.
Q: Did the doctors give you a sense of one?
A: I kind of have an idea but I'm tired of making predictions so I'm just going to leave it alone.
Q: Are you worried that as long as you're out, it's going to be harder for you to get back to the job you want as a starter?
A: Not at all. The guys who are in there right now, they're doing a pretty good job. They're veterans, they know the game, but I'm really confident in my abilities and my performance. It's going to be very competitive and I'm not worried about it.
Q: Do you still consider yourself young enough that you need as many reps as possible?
A: I like practice, to tell you the truth, I really do. I actually feel like a veteran, but also a rookie. I only played one year. I missed the whole last season, so it's kind of weird, but it won't take me long to pick it up, so reps, I'm not really worried about it.
Q: Is there any doubt in your mind that you're going to play?
A: No doubt at all. I feel good. I worked so hard to get to where I'm at now. Just watching myself on film, doing the drills and everything, I feel real good. I'm not even worried about it.
Q: No setbacks so far?
A: No. No pain. No swelling. No anything. Everything's good.
Q: Antrel Rolle said he told you to wait until you're 150 percent. Can you be that patient?
Q: Yeah, I'm trying. That's what all of the guys are telling me. Not only Antrel, all the other veterans on the team are just telling me make sure when I come back I'm ready. Don't rush it. They don't want any setbacks and I don't want any either.
Q: Do you have to keep the big picture in perspective, like your career as opposed to the season?
A: Yeah. That's true, but I just want to play football. It's been so long since I've played, I just want to get back out there.
