Q: How good did that feel to be back on the field?
A: It felt great. It felt real good. I was really looking forward to it. It's been almost eleven, twelve months since I've played football and it felt real good to be back out there with my teammates.
Q: Did you know, ahead of time, what their expectations of you were for this particular practice? How well did you think you met them?
A: I knew they were going to bring me along slowly – I got maybe two plays a series. They were just trying to let me get my feet wet. I think I showed that I'm ready, I was ready to come back.
Q: You hit the ground once – Any pain, awkward feeling, anything like that?
A: None at all. I wasn't thinking about my knee when I hit the ground, I was just trying to make a play.
Q: Could you talk about that pass defense? It looked like you made a good read.
A: I was trying to get it. I was really trying to get it. I read his hips, saw who was missing out, and I went for it – came real close. Maybe next time I'll get it.
Q: There were a lot of running plays when you were in…
A: I know. I know. I know I only got two [series] in and most of them were runs. I was hoping I would get a deep ball or something – something to really test my knee out, maybe next practice.
Q: I saw you slip a couple of times. Do you worry at all, is that in the back of your mind still?
A: I'm just going to blame it on the cleats. I'm going to blame it on the cleats. I'm not going to wear those cleats anymore, that's all it is.
Q: Do you think you're going to bring a form of excitement after being out for eleven months?
A: I hope so – just some kind of new energy. We're going into our second week of camp. I'm just going to say I'm going to bring some energy to the guys. I'm just trying to have fun out there, put a smile on their face, and when they see me out there I'm pretty sure they know I'm having fun and they're going to follow my lead.
Q: What is your goal or expectation for the rest of the summer? Are you going to make a move on the starting job?
A: I'm just going to continue to work my way back into the starting lineup. I'm not sure how long that's going to take and to tell the truth right now, I'm not worried about it.
Q: Twelve plays. Did it feel like you broke a sweat?
A: It did. I was begging for more, but I knew they were going to bring me along slowly – maybe next time I'll get three [plays per series].
Q: Are Deon Grant and Antrel Rolle going to make you better in the long run?
A: Even though we're all competing for the same job, we still help each other out. Especially me, with those guys being veterans, I learn a lot from them. They teach me how to practice. They help me out in the film room. I learn a lot from those guys – just watching them.
Q: What are you guarding against most? Is it pain, swelling, stiffness? What do you have to watch for as you proceed forward?
A: Honestly, I don't know. The doctors didn't say anything about watching for anything. I have no swelling. I have no pain so I'm just playing football right now.
Q: You've been running and cutting on the sidelines, was there any difference today?
A: It actually felt weird. It was a little weird. I was kind of locked in to what I had to do. I think it's going to take a while for me to open my vision back up and start making plays like I used to, but I have time.
Q: Is that the biggest difference?
A: That's it.
Q: Is it mental or physical?
A: I would have to say the mental – the vision. On the sideline I've been cutting, I've been breaking on balls, catching the balls, so it's pretty much the same.
Q: Were you hesitant at all?
A: I don't want to say hesitant. I was trying to get everything. Most of the time I was in, they ran the ball. I was hoping they'd throw it and when they did, I was just running all over the field trying to get that.
Q: Best line you heard from the team?
A: Superman's back. That's what they call me. It put a smile on my face.
Q: Who calls you Superman?
A: They guys in the secondary and coach come with that sometime. I tell them I feel like Clark Kent right now – I'm working on putting back on that cape.
Q: You had a couple of plays where you slipped, back to back plays.
A: It's those cleats. I'm just going to blame it on the cleats.
Q: But after that you're thinking 'Okay, I'm okay.' Do you have those moments?
A: When I slipped a few times, I knew it was going to happen. Like I said, it's been so long since I played football and I wasn't worried about my knee at all – jump right back up and try to get back to the ball.
Q: Did you feel like a kid out there?
A: I did and I still am a kid. I'm only twenty-three.
Q: What about doubts that went through your mind over the last eleven months?
A: Honestly, I had no doubts. No doubts at all because of the trainers and the doctors. They reassured me I could make a full recovery, so I had no doubts at all.
