Star on the Rise: Michigan Youth Quarterback Samuel Johnson III Turning Heads at Age 12

At 12 years old, Michigan native Samuel Johnson III has the mechanics and build of a high school football player. The 6th grader at O.W. Best Middle School stands at 5'10" and 130 pounds and has the arm strength and accuracy of a high school quarterback.

Johnson has been training with Quarterback University coach Donovan Dooley since he was 10 years old and he started playing football four years ago.

It isn't often that you come across a 12-year old of his size and talent under center, so we took the time to speak with SJ3 and find out what the secret to his success is. Here's our brief interview:

All-Out Blitz: Okay, first off when did you start playing and what got you into football?

Samuel Johnson III: I started playing four years ago. My dad and I started playing catch in the yard and I pretty much knew that I was a football player soon after that.

AOB: What is a typical workout like for you? Are there certain things you work on more than others?

SJ3: I work out about three hours a day, everyday. I mostly work on my footwork and passing, but also do a little bit of weightlifting.

AOB: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?

SJ3: The strongest part of my game is I think my footwork. Also my arm, I can throw (accurately) about 50 yards down the field.

AOB: Quarterback is the toughest position on the field. What do you find most difficult about playing QB?

SJ3: I think the most difficult part is taking a hit and being able to get back up and getting back to the huddle with your team.

AOB: Do you have a favorite football memory?

SJ3: Yes. Last year in the semifinal playoffs, I threw a 50-yard touchdown with three minutes left to win the game.

Johnson says he works with coach Dooley at QBU, the No. 9 ranked in quarterback training in the nation, around three days a week and his parents are very pro-active in helping him with his training.

SJ3's little league team is the West Seven Rams of the Detroit Police Athletic League, and his goals for the upcoming season include 35 TD passes and being named an All-American. Modeling his game after Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, SJ3's mechanics will only get better each year.

Consistently mistaken for older than he is, Johnson's size and arm strength has gotten him some early exposure among coaches and fellow players. He has already attended high school combines in his past, and thrown to receivers older than him. He will have a busy next couple of months, as he has received invites to Football University on June 7-9 and an Offense-Defense football camp on June 17-19. He received the invites just a week after attending the D-1 Sports Training Army All-American Combine one month ago.

Johnson runs a 5.87 forty yard dash, a 5.42 shuttle run and a 9.0 cone drill. His vertical jump is 9'46 and a 6'6 broad jump, all impressive numbers for a 12-year old sixth grade quarterback with four years under his belt.

Johnson was fortunate enough to spend some time with the New York Giants' second round draft pick, Johnathan Hankins, this past weekend. Hankins, the Ohio State defensive tackle, is a Detroit-native himself and also played his youth football in the Detroit Police Athletic League.

Though he's currently only 12 years old, there's no question that we could be watching a star on the rise if Samuel Johnson can keep up his growth and training, while maturing through middle school and high school. With a 3.86 GPA and a cannon arm, it would be in your best interest to remember the name Samuel Johnson III. He could find his way onto our television sets one day.

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You can follow Samuel Johnson on Twitter: @SJ3_theFuture

Notable NFL football players that played in Detroit's PAL: Hankins, Jerome Bettis, Larry Foote, Brandon Graham and Bart Scott.

Note: We do not own the above images. They were sent to us via email by Sam's parents.

One-on-One: TEST Founder & CEO Brian Martin Talks Off-season Training, Recruiting Clients and JaMarcus Russell

Earlier this afternoon I had the chance to speak with TEST founder and CEO Brian Martin over the phone.

Martin, a former player at Bloomsburg University and the University of Delaware, founded the TEST Football Academy in 1992 and has 20 years of sports performance experience under his belt. Over the years, Martin has formed a very strong TEST staff of trainers, coaches and players, including former players such as Jeff Garcia, Donnie Edwards, Marshall Faulk, Chad Pennington, Cornelius Bennett, Keith Byars, Errict Rhett and Will Shields among others.

TEST, which stands for Total Energy System Training, also has numerous locations across the country, including New Jersey, San Diego and Miami and works with youth football, high school football, draft prospects and current NFL players on off-season training from coast-to-coast.

In addition to keeping players in tip-top shape in terms of physical strength and speed, TEST also provides physical therapy with the help of hired trainers and even media preparation for potential NFL draft picks.

We took the time to speak with Martin to get a better feel for what he has done with the program, what he thinks of this year's draft, and he even gave us an update on JaMarcus Russell's NFL comeback attempt:

All-Out Blitz: How did you get started and what gave you the idea for the academy?

Brian Martin, TEST: I started doing sports performance and off-season training, and worked with quarterback Neil O'Donnell. A couple years later I got into combine training when it started becoming a bigger deal. There wasn't really a lot of options for year-round training and there was a definite need for it.

AOB: When did you add youth and high school football into your program?

BM: Well I coached youth football in the early '90s, but I would say it started around 2000 when we opened a facility in Martinsville, NJ. Youth coaches and teams started coming to us for 40-yard dash and position drills.

AOB: What is your biggest priority when it comes to training and preparing your players?

BM: Our biggest priority is to work on keeping players healthy and working on flexibility. Making sure the guys are stable and healthy. Next I think is speed training, getting players as fast as they can be. Also strength training and working on position drills.

AOB: Who are some of your biggest clients and how do you recruit players?

BM: Our biggest client is this past season's Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Also top five pick and 2-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson, Ryan Clady and current free agent linebacker Bart Scott. We work with a lot of high-level guys and are currently working with over 200 players.

In terms of recruiting, we have great relationships with agents, meet with families and universities and also word of mouth. Word gets out and coaches and players come to us.

AOB: Speaking of Flacco, what did you find most impressive about his 2012 Super Bowl run?

BM: His efficiency and intellect. He made great decisions and was able to lead his team. I think his 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions during the postseason speaks for itself. He was very smart with the ball and was able to overcome the adversity he faced in the postseason game against the Broncos.

AOB: You also provide media training for clients. How do you prepare players for dealing with the media?

BM: Well we bring in Dr. Robert Price who works with the players. He works on preparation and the interview process with players. Not everything these players face during their careers is going to be positive, so we prepare them for everything. We try to zero in on high character guys, but everyone makes mistakes so we make sure they are ready for anything when it comes to dealing with the media.

Some players are camera shy, so we stick them in front of the camera and help them with facing the media so that they are prepared for it.

AOB: You and your staff have been training former No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell (pictured above, left, training with former NFL QB Jeff Garcia) as he attempts to make a comeback to the NFL. What do you think of his progress thus far, and do you think he will get a shot with an NFL team this season?

BM: Yes, his progress has been tremendous. He's lost 30 pounds over the last eight weeks and he's certainly matured a lot over the past few years. He's been out of the league for a couple years and he hadn't really worked out much during that time, so we're just trying to get him flexible and back in great physical shape.

He's older and wiser, and I think he's learned from his mistakes. He's on a mission to get back on the field and he's close to start working out for teams in the next 15-30 days. Since this year's QB draft class isn't that strong, I think teams should give him a long, hard look and he should be on a roster pretty soon here.

AOB: Like you just said, scouts have claimed that this year's QB draft class isn't very strong. They even claim it could be the weakest in over a decade. Would you agree or disagree with that statement?

BM: Yes, I would agree with it. There are a lot of question marks surrounding these quarterbacks, especially with Matt Barkley getting hurt last season. There isn't really a bonafide, blue chip quarterback out there. They do have potential though, and we're actually training a couple of quarterbacks that could go in the late rounds of the draft that I think are right up there with the other guys in terms of potential. So we'll see what happens.

AOB: Who do you think the Chiefs should select with the No. 1 overall pick?

BM: I think Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M offensive tackle) is the most game-ready, and the Chiefs could use some help up front. It'll probably be between him and Eric Fisher (Central Michigan offensive tackle), but they could also use a top pass rusher. Dion Jordan (Oregon defensive end) is another option for the Chiefs to go with.

AOB: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Martin, and good luck this off-season.

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For more information on the TEST Football Academy and the clients/coaches of the academy, you may visit their website at testfootballacademy.com.

Note: We do not own the above images. No copyright infringement intended.
*Top photo belongs to TEST Football Academy's website
*Bottom photo (JaMarcus Russell w/ Jeff Garcia) belongs to usatoday.com

Two-Way Star: Q&A Session with 10-year old Youth Football Player Samantha Gordon

We recently had the chance to talk with Samantha Gordon, a 10-year old youth football player who received national attention this past fall after tearing up football fields in the Salt Lake City area.

Samantha, 9 years old at the time, ran for 1,911 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and 35 touchdowns on 232 carries in her first season of playing football. Playing against all boy teams, Gordon played on both sides of the ball and, in addition to her impressive rushing stats, recorded 65 tackles. So when not running past opposing players, she was driving them into the ground.

Perhaps the most impressive part about Gordon's extraordinary season is that her true passion lies with the sport of soccer.

Due to her busy school and practice schedule, the interview below was conducted via e-mail:

All-Out Blitz: How long have you been playing football, and what was it that drew your interest in playing?

SG: I've been playing football since I was six.  At first I would play touch football during school recesses.  Then last year I decided to play tackle football.  I wanted to play tackle football after watching my brother, who is three years older than me.  After one of his practices, his coach said I should try playing.

AOB: You play both sides of the ball, but do you enjoy one more than the other? What do you like most about that position?

SG: I like defense more because I like to hit and tackle.  I also like it better because I don't feel like all the pressure is on me to stop the runner.  On offense, I felt a lot of pressure that if I didn't score, our team wouldn't win.

AOB: Do you ever get nervous going up against the boys that are much bigger than you, or do you simply approach it as a challenge?

SG: I don't get nervous going up against boy that are bigger than me because I'm faster than them.  The only thing that made me nervous is catching the snap.  We did a shot gun formation and sometimes the snaps would be high or low so I was always worried about catching the snap.

AOB: I know soccer is your first love, but do you have any plans to continue playing football too?

SG: I just looked at my highlight video again today and I really miss playing.  I'd like to play today!  But I was told by my soccer coaches that they have tryouts for ODP this fall, which is for the youth national soccer teams, and if I want to make the roster I should probably start focusing on soccer.  I've thought about playing flag football instead.

AOB: You got to experience what it's like hanging out in New Orleans for the Super Bowl, and were even seen on television sitting next to commissioner Roger Goodell during the game. What was that experience like?

SG: During the Super Bowl I was watching the game because I'm a big niners fan.  I was getting upset because they were losing.  I really wasn't too interested in all the famous people in our suite, I was interested in the game.

But before the game I got to go to a VIP tailgate with live alligators, fortune tellers, lots of food, and lots of famous football players. We even got to go to a concert.  That was a lot of fun.  The night before the Super Bowl I got to do a skit on the NFL Honors Award Show with Alec Baldwin and the commissioner.  I got to wear a dress from Oscar de la Renta.  That was awesome too.

And then the day before that I went to the media center and met a lot of famous people, like Jim Rome, Clay Matthews, Miss America and a bunch of others.  I also went to the NFL Experience which had a lot of events like a 40 yard dash, football throw, and tons of memorabilia.

AOB: Better experience and why: Super Bowl or spending a day with Team USA's women's soccer team?

SG: It's a tie. The USA soccer team was awesome because I got to practice with the team, got my own jersey with my name on it, and met the entire team.  I really dream of playing for Team USA when I grow up.

I also liked going to the NY Giants vs. Saints game and touring the NFL Headquarters.  At the game, we sat in the commissioner's box and ate at the commissioner's club and it had a giant candy buffet, fancy food, and football food like hot dogs and popcorn.  The NFL Headquarters would be a really cool place to work.  Instead of carpet, it had turf.  The tables looked like football fields with lines on them and they had all the Super Bowl rings and memorabilia everywhere.

Going to the niners practice and game was also very fun.  I got to meet the team, throw the ball with the players, got my own jersey and an autographed ball. I got to lead the team in a cheer at the end of practice. At the Monday Night game, I got to go on ESPN with Steve Young, Stuart Scott, and Trent Dilfer.  Then at halftime they showed my highlights to the entire crowd and introduced me out at mid-field.

AOB: What do you friends at school think of all your recent publicity and success?

SG: A lot of my friends don't know most of the things I've done because they don't watch a lot of the programs I'm on.  I get a lot more attention actually from older boys who are my brother's age because they are a more into football by that age than some of the kids my age.

AOB: Do you have any advice for other girls your age that have interest in playing organized football?

SG: My advice is simple: play!  I know that a lot of girls I play soccer and run track with are just as strong, aggressive, and fast as me.  I think a lot of girls could do just as well if not better than me.  I'd love to see some highlights next year of other girls who tried playing football.

AOB: Thank you for your time!

We may not be fortunate enough to witness too much more of Samantha's presence on a football field, but maybe one day we'll see her win some games with the U.S Women's National Team at the World Cup or Olympics.

So don't forget the name Samantha Gordon.

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For those that missed it, here's her 2012 highlight video:

You may follow Samantha and her publicist Ariane Sloan on Twitter:

@Sam_Gordon6

@Sloan_AM

Note: We do not own the above images. No copyright infringement intended.

Remember the Name: Meet 10-year old Quarterback Daron Bryden

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with a young aspring quarterback, 10-year old Daron Bryden of Connecticut. Daron and his father Craig Bryden work hard to improve and perfect his craft year-round and he's shown vast improvement since he began playing the sport at the age of six.

Daron conducted this interview via phone while on his way to work out with his father and his receivers:

All-Out Blitz: Your team, the Manchester Sentinals, finished with an 8-2 record and fell just short of the Junior PeeWee championship.  How did this season compare to previous seasons?

Daron Bryden: I think I took this season more seriously. I think it was good compared to other seasons, because I get better each year.

AOB: You train pretty much year-round. How often do you train, and what is a typical training day for you?

DB: I train five times a week during the summer and as much as I can during the winter. Me and my dad do drills and work on my footwork. I like training because I can get better every day.

AOB: What do you find most difficult when it comes to playing the position?

DB: I find it really hard to lose. I don't really like losing.

AOB: You seem to roll out and throw on the run a lot. Is that something you've been working on, or does that come natural to you?

DB: I've been working on my roll out during training. I have QB coaches that have taught me footwork and how to roll out, so I've been getting better at it.

AOB: Do you model your game after any professional or college quarterbacks?

DB: Yes, I model it after Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady. I do after Ben because I think he's really good, and my QB coach (Todd Krueger) says my throwing mechanics are very similar to Tom Brady's.

AOB: How do you approach each game? Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?

DB: Me and my dad always warm-up before every game, and I also warm up with my receivers. Sometimes, if it's a big game, I'll go on the field before right the game to warm-up my arm.

AOB: Do you play any other sports?

DB: Yes. I also play basketball. I used to play baseball but then it started messing up my throwing mechanics for football, so now it's just football and basketball.

AOB: What's your favorite football memory?

DB: Probably this year. We went to the championship and, even though we lost, it was really exciting. I came really close to 1,000 passing yards, I was only a couple away. I think I've been getting better every year.

AOB: What are your thoughts on the Super Bowl match-up? Are you cheering for a certain team?

DB: None of them (Ravens or 49ers) are my favorite team, but I don't know I kinda want the 49ers to win.

After the 10-minute interview one thing was clear: Daron is a typical 10-year old with a huge passion for football and the work ethic needed to succeed. Driven behind a supporting family, including his father Craig who is very avid in keeping track of Daron's accomplishments and taking note of his career, Daron has a special talent.

With about four years of experience under his belt, Daron stated that he feels he's been improving each season. After being able to throw a football about 25 yards last year, Daron says he can now throw an accurate 30-yard pass.

He's been accumulating quite a following as well. Daron has come across many current and former professional players and coaches, as well as college. Among the guys Daron mentioned during the interview are Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and even famous rapper/entrepreneur/actor LL Cool J. Daron said both guys had seen his Youtube videos and complimented his skill.

Former quarterback Kordell Stewart (Steelers, Bears, Ravens) is also a huge fan of Daron's, and they have been in contact via Twitter. Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" during his early days because he also played a little wide receiver, may even be one of Daron's biggest fans (aside from his family, of course).

It's not often you come across a 10-year old with the kind of character, drive and passion that Daron has expressed. So be sure to takes notes, ladies and gentleman.

Daron has set personal goals for himself:

*Throw for over 1,400 yards and 20 TDs in the fall
*Play in the Junior Rank 6th grade All-American Game in January 2014.

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If you wish to follow Daron and his career to find out if he accomplishes his goals next fall and winter, I have included information for both his Twitter and Youtube pages as well as his father's Twitter and Blogspot pages below:

Daron Bryden:

@DaronQB

http://www.youtube.com/user/DaronQB/videos?view=0

Mr. Craig Bryden:

@QuarterbackDad7

http://www.daronqb.blogspot.com/

Note: We do not own the above photos/videos. Images courtesy of the Bryden family and found via Google. No copyright infringement intended.

One-on-One with Hall of Fame Finalist Dermontti Dawson

Recently I was able to speak with former Pittsburgh Steelers' center Dermontti Dawson, who played in the league for 13 seasons.

Dawson, one of the 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH for 2012, played his entire career in Pittsburgh and was named to seven Pro Bowls and six All Pro teams and was one of the most reliable pieces in Pitt's offensive line–started all 16 games in 10 consecutive seasons from 1989-98.

Below are the questions I asked him, and his answers, from our phone conversation...

All-Out Blitz: I'll start by talking about the site, Schoolofthelegends.com. It's a great way for fans and players (past and present) to keep in touch with one another. What has been the biggest upside in joining the site, and where do you see it going in the future? Do you have any ideas of how they can improve the site and add to the experience?

Dermontti Dawson: The School of the Legends website is a great tool for current and former players to connect with one another and also interact with the fans.  The upside of the site is staying in touch with former players and helping the fans connect with there favorite player's.  The fans are who make the NFL what it is today. I see the SOTL website growing just like Facebook in the near future. I'm not sure how they can improve the site at this time.

AB: You were the anchor of Pittsburgh's offensive line throughout the '90s, starting every game for 10 straight seasons. What was your secret for staying healthy and consistent at such a high level of play for so long?

DD: I think the secret to a long and productive career is attitude.  No matter what you accomplish each year, whether it be a team goal or a personal goal, you still have to have that internal drive to get better each and every year.  That also means taking care of your body and making sure you keep it in prime condition through out the entire season and off-season.

AB: You were a Hall of Fame semi-finalist in 2008 and 2009, a finalist this year, and are expected to eventually get a call from the hall. Do you think your playing career would be complete if you were inducted, even though you weren't able to get a ring?

DD: My career has been more than fulfilling without winning a ring.  I have accomplished more than I could ever imagined. Being selected into the HOF would be the ultimate accomplishment because it immortalizes you as one of the greatest players to play in the NFL.  My career is validation to me and those who know the game of football.

AB: You were selected to seven Pro Bowls throughout your career...did the trip to Hawaii get better and better each time, or did they all feel the same?

DD: The trips to the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii got better and better each year.  The NFL tried to have different events and excursions each year to keep it fresh for the players and there families.  Hawaii and the Pro-Bowl never got old!

AB: What was the hardest thing, for you personally, in adjusting from college ball (at Kentucky) to the pro level?

DD: The biggest adjustment I had to make form college to the pros, was the mental part of the game.  The physical part is the easy part, but knowing that it was a privilege to play and you don't take it for granted. Knowing that you were evaluated each and everyday and if you were not playing well you could lose your job. Mental toughness was key to my success and longevity in the NFL.

AB: Do you have any favorite teams or players in the league today?

DD: The Steelers are always going to be my favorite team!  I'm Black and Gold for life.  I really don't follow a certain player on any team.

AB: Who do you have in the Super Bowl?

DD: Before Sunday's loss I had Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. But I can see the Packers in the Super Bowl!

AB: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Dawson.

Photo found on Google, no copyright infringement intended

*Note: This was the fourth player/coach interview I've been fortunate enough to conduct via phone or email. The others–Todd Washington, Steve Atwater and Larry Allen–can be found in the blog archives. There will likely be more coming in the future, so keep on the lookout. Thanks.

Q&A Session with 11-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to have about a 10 minute conversation with former Dallas and San Francisco's All Pro guard Larry Allen about his NFL career, what he did to keep up with the younger guys and about his Super Bowl pick this year.

Here's how the conversation went:

All-out Blitz: Hey Larry, how are you?

Larry Allen: I'm doing good, Ben.

AB: Good to hear, let me just get right into it. Schoolofthelegends.com (new interactive website) is a great way for fans and players (past and present) to keep in touch with one another. What has been the biggest upside in you joining the site, and where do you see it going in the future? Do you have any ideas of how they can improve the site and add to the experience?

LA: I actually just signed up for it a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know too much about it right now, I’m just trying to get the hang of it. But so far I think it’s a great site for players and fans to keep in touch.

AB: You played 14 pro seasons (197 starts) at one of the more physically demanding positions. What was the key to staying healthy and having such a long career?

LA: The weight room and eating healthy are the two key things. I think they were the main things I did to stay around for so long.

AB: You will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2013. When voted in, which do you think would be a bigger deal to you: winning a Super Bowl, being inducted in to the Hall or being voted as the 95th best player in NFL history by NFL Network?

LA: They’re obviously all great accomplishments, but I think I will say Hall of Fame would be most important to me.

AB: Which players did you enjoy watching play growing up, and do you have any favorites in the game today?

LA: I grew up watching Tony Dorsett Roger Staubach and Jackie Slater...I grew up in LA as a Cowboys fan. I really like how Jason Witten, Tyron Smith, Dez Bryant and Demarcus Ware have been playing this season. They’ve done a great job.

AB: Did you ever pride yourself in being one of the strongest players in NFL history?

LA: Oh yeah, definitely. That was one of my greater individual accomplishments I think.

AB: What was the toughest part about the transition from college to the pros?

LA: I think the speed of the game and the crowd. I came from a small school so there was only a couple thousand at my games. Then I came to the NFL and there were much bigger crowds.

AB: Do you still closely follow the NFL? If so, who do you think will be playing in the Super Bowl?

LA: Yes, I do. As long as the Cowboys get there I will be happy. If they make it to the Super Bowl I will hopefully be in attendance.

AB: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Allen.

This is now the third interview I have been fortunate enough to conduct with a former NFL player. For the other two–former Super Bowl champion safety Steve Atwater and current BAL assistant offensive line coach Todd Washington–can be found in the archives.

There will likely be more to come in the near future, so be sure to check back for additional interviews with current or former players/coaches.

Also, as of Thursday December 22nd I will be co-hosting an NFL podcast with former fullback Fred McCrary (played 10 NFL seasons w/  PHI, NO, SD, NE, ATL and SEA). It can be heard on blogtalkradio.com, or I will likely be posting it here on the blog as well. More details to come in the next few weeks, hopefully. Thanks!

Note: I do not own the above photo, no copyright infringement intended

A Conversation with former Bronco Steve Atwater

I recently got the chance to talk with former Denver Broncos and New York Jets safety Steve Atwater about his playing career, personal accomplishments, the new NFL website schoolofthelegends.com, etc.


Atwater, known as one of the hardest-hitting defenders in league history, was selected to eight career Pro Bowls, two first-team All Pros and won two Super Bowls with the Broncos in the '90s.


Possibly most-known for his leveling of the 253 pound Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian "The Nigerian Nightmare" Okoye in a game against KC, Atwater also totaled over 1,100 tackles and 24 interceptions throughout his 11-year pro career.


It has been a huge debate over the last several years as to whether or not Atwater deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If I had a vote, I would say yes. But apparently the voters have thought differently. Here is my interview with the member of Denver's Ring of Fame...


All-out Blitz: The creation of the interactive website Schoolofthelegends.com has added a whole new way of players interacting with current and former teammates, opponents and even fans of the National Football League. Has it had a huge impact on your personal life and how you go about your daily life? And if so, how much?

Steve Atwater: It really has had a huge impact on my personal life because I'm much more engaged with the sport that I love. I keep up with all of the news, rumors, etc. and love hearing all of the differing opinions regarding player talent, coaching decisions & on the field fundamentals.

AB: What is one thing you miss about the game, and one thing you don't miss about it?

SA: I really miss hanging out with my friends in the locker room and after games. I don't miss running 100 yard dashes after practice.

AB: Your take on the changes Roger Goodell has made since taking over as commish in 2006? (i.e. crackdown on illegal hits, moving kick-offs up 5 yards, etc.)

SA: I think Roger has done a good job given the situation. His job isn't easy and he has to answer to the NFL owners and represent their best interests along with dealing with the players and their representatives. I dislike the fact that defensive players can only be fined (offensive players can't or most often aren't) in regards to tackling offenders. I agree with what he and his team are trying to do in terms of making the game safer (for offensive & defensive players), but I don't think our current solution is the final one. I don't like the kick-offs moved up - hardly anyone returns kickoffs unless it's poor weather. We may as well eliminate the kickoffs if this is the resolution.

AB: I'm sure your most memorable moment(s) throughout your playing career was winning two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, but aside from the two championships what would you say your biggest personal accomplishment was?

SW: Biggest personal accomplishment is raising my children and staying married to my wife for 21 years (and counting). On the field, my biggest accomplishment was simply making it to the NFL.

AB: Anything you regret about your days as a player?

SA: I regret not spending more time getting to really know all of my teammates and other players around the league.

Just one more thing about your 11-year career, I promise...

AB: What was it like facing off with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway every day in practice for 10 years?

SA: It was a lot of fun going against John. He made me a better safety because I knew if I could give him false reads, that many of the other quarterbacks would easily fall for them.

AB: Do you still avidly follow the NFL, and if so do you have any Super Bowl picks for this season?

SA: Yes, I do still avidly follow the NFL and the Denver Broncos in particular. Unfortunately I don't think my team will win it this year. If I had to bet (which I don't do), I would have to put my money on Green Bay. They are still playing at a very high level and getting consistent play from their QB, Aaron Rodgers.

AB: I'd love to hear your take on the Tim Tebow situation in Denver. Personally, I'm a supporter of Tebow's and am glad he's getting his shot to sink or swim as the starter, but despite his two comeback-for-the-ages against Miami and New York (Jets) I'm already questioning his inability to pass the ball. Inconsistency has been the name of Tebow's game in his five starts. Do you think he will turn in to an elite starting quarterback in this league?

SA: First off, let me tell you that I am a Tim Tebow fan. I believe he has what it takes to make it in the NFL. I definitely think he needs some work and he needs to get with a good QB coach, someone who can help him develop into the great player that I know he can be. I agree, the Detroit game was atrocious. Over the years, we've seen lots of QBs have terrible games. Do you write them off after a couple bad games? I think not. I do believe he will turn into an elite starting QB in the league.

AB: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Atwater.

Look out for more player interviews. Soon I will be posting interviews with 11-time Pro Bowler Larry Allen and former linebacker Dwayne Rudd.

(Note: I do not own the image above, and the video was found on youtube)

Q&A Session with Baltimore's Assistant O-Line Coach Todd Washington

Earlier today I got the chance to talk with former professional lineman Todd Washington. Washington was a four-year starter at Virginia Tech before being selected in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The First Team All-Big East standout played eight NFL seasons with the Bucs (98-02) and Houston Texans (03-05) before he was forced to retire early due to injury.

The 35-year old is now the Assistant Offensive Line coach with the Baltimore Ravens after OL and Offensive coordinator stints with the University of San Diego and the UFL's Hartford Colonials.

Washington was nice of enough to answer a few of my questions on SOTL (a new interactive website featuring current and former NFL players and fans), his playing career, coaching career and even former teammates.

 

 

Ben Heck, A-OB: First off, the creation of schoolofthelegends.com has added a whole new way of players interacting with current and former teammates, opponents and even fans of the National Football League. Has it had a huge impact on your personal life and how you go about your daily life? And if so, how much?

Todd Washington, BAL Asst. OL Coach: In my world, the schoolofthelegends.com has definitely impacted both my personal and professional life in a great way. This actually gives fans a way to communicate with their favorite players, active or retired. They get to have an understanding of what we actually go through just to get to game day. They can ask us questions and they will get answers from the ACTUAL person. Not their assistant. This platform is the beginning of something wonderful and I'm glad that I am a part of it.


BH: You had great success in college as a four-year starter at center and guard for the Virginia Tech Hokies. What would you say your most memorable moment/accomplishment was at the college level?

TW: There has been a great deal of memorable moments for me at Virginia Tech. I came from a very small high school. (Nandua High School. Onley, VA) Being recruited by Virginia Tech and other big schools was a big deal for my hometown. One moment I think about the most is my sophomore year, we started the season 0 and 2. We ran the table and went 9 and 2. We met Texas in the 1995 Sugar Bowl and won 28 to 10. The ultimate moment was when I walked across the podium and was handed my degree in education. That is something no one can take away from me.


BH: It had to of been tough waiting four rounds in the NFL draft for your name to be called. What was that feeling like once you did hear your name announced in the 1998 draft?

TW: I pretty much knew that I was going to be a second day draft choice. A lot of offensive linemen before me were drafted earlier than projected so I knew it was a matter of time. I was watching the draft and saw that Carolina was on the clock. At that time, the phone rang and it was Tony Dungy (then the coach of the Buccaneers). We talked for some time, and he told me that they traded up and drafted me. I was overcome with so much emotion, that time stood still for a minute. You think about all the work you put in just to get to this point. A franchise saw enough me in to bring me in and play for them. Its a honor and a privilege that I'm very blessed and thankful to have had.


BH: Do you still keep in touch with some of your old teammates from Tampa Bay or Houston?

TW: I do. I am really great friends with Ronde Barber and his family. He's like a brother to me. We knew each other before we played against each other in college. My father taught his mom. I went to Randall McDaniel's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. We email from time to time. Me and Raheem Morris will exchange texts as well. I stay in touch with Mark Bruener. He is now a scout for the Steelers. As for coaches, I stay in touch with Mike Tomlin, Kirby Wilson (Steelers), Joe Marciano (Texans) , and many others. I try to keep my network big and very active.


BH: You've worked a couple of different gigs in college (Univ. of SD offensive line/OC) and the UFL (Hartford Colonials OL coach) before landing your current professional coaching job. What's the biggest difference between working in the NFL and working at a lower level such as college or the UFL?

TW: Yes, I've worked different gigs and been all over. I realized that no matter where you are, coaching is coaching. Football is football. The players you work with all love this game. The caliber of they player may change but that's the joy of it for me. Working at USD was great for me. The players were very eager to learn and worked very hard. Working there made me a better teacher of the game. I firmly believe that coaching is one thing, be being able to teach football to players, you will see them grow and mature faster in front of your eyes.

The UFL was a lot of fun. I coached players that have played in the NFL that wanted to get back in, or players that didn't get drafted and need playing experience. Again, being able to teach the game is important. At that time, we had the #1 Offense and Rushing attack. The UFL has been ridiculed, but the level of play is better that what people my believe. They get after it. Its a very competitive league. I hope that it finds a way to keep going.


BH: As Baltimore's offensive line coach this season, what would you say your No. 1 priority is: protecting Joe Flacco and giving him time in the pocket, or opening up running lanes for running back Ray Rice?

TW: Wow, putting me on the spot (haha). Well, me being a former offensive lineman, my philosophy is pretty straight forward. You throw the ball to score. You run the ball to win. You have to have balance in these two areas to be successful. The teams that win in this league does both really well.

BH: Guard Ben Grubbs has been out of action since Week 1, do you have any idea when he will be back to full health?

TW: Unfortunately, I am not allowed to discuss any injuries that our players have. Ben has been working his tail off. He wants to get back out there, he's a true competitor.

BH: Who is the current offensive lineman in the league that you most admire, whether it be for his on-field ability or his work ethic, or something else about the way he approaches the game (doesn't have to be a Raven)?

TW: There are a couple of linemen that I admire and really enjoy watching them play. And yes, they happen to be Ravens. The first one is Bryant McKinnie, our left tackle. "B Mac" came to us late into training camp after the Vikings released him. SInce he's been here, he has lost a ton of weight and is playing with great confidence. He wants to be the best and he is starting to show the level of play that got him into the Pro Bowl.

The next one is Michael Oher. Mike has been the left tackle for the Ravens. We all know about the movie so I don't need to talk about it. However, Mike was just getting comfortable with the position when we signed McKinnie. Without hesitation, Mike made the switch to right tackle. You really don't see that anymore. It is very rare. When you have players like Mike that makes decisions like that, the sky's the limit for the team.

Also, Andre Gurode. He's a center that was released by the Cowboys. He has come in and played left guard, replacing the injured Ben Grubbs.

I could go on and on, but these three guys have showed what it takes to be a true team player. We wouldn't be where we are right now without them.

BH: Do you have any other last comments for any kids/athletes aspiring to make it to the professional level as either a player and/or coach?

TW: If you have the dream to make it in the NFL as a player or a coach, then do all you can to achieve it. The path to the league is not an easy one. It is designed like that for a reason. Keep working on your craft. Make sure you stay in close contact with people that are in position to help further your career. You will have times of heartbreak and disappointment. You may have to take a step back to go forward. You may even have people that you rely on turn you down. Don't let that stop you. The league needs new faces. New blood that are hungry and are willing to do what it takes to win. It took me a while, but I made it.


I look back at my journey from the internships at East Texas Baptist to being the Offensive Line Asst with the Ravens and I am truly thankful for everyone that has helped me along the way. This is just the beginning for me.


BH: Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Washington.


Look out for more interviews of former or current players coming in the near future..


Note: Image found on/borrowed from the Baltimore Ravens' website. I do not own it, nor am I attempting to take credit for the photo.

Q&A with Super Bowl Champion Kevin Carter

I recently had the chance to talk with former NFL defensive end Kevin Carter after coming in contact with him via schoolofthelegends.com, a new interactive website created so that fans and current/former NFL players may have a commonplace on the web.

Kevin is a busy guy, even while retired, so the interview was done through email. Here's what he had to say...

All-Out Blitz: As creator of the new fan-friendly website Schoolofthelegends.com, what gave you the idea for the site and what went on behind the scenes to set it up?

Kevin Carter: I can’t take credit for creating Schoolothelegends.com. I originally came on as a spokesperson for a concept that I believed in. One of the coolest social media networks made up of Legends and fans of all things football. DeMaurice Smith (Executive Director of NFLPA), gave me a call last summer about the NFL Players (The marketing arm of the NFLPA) possibly partnering with a social media company.  When I thought about what we are experiencing now as a reality as a possibility back then, I jumped at the chance to be a part of something so cool.

AB: Continuing with this topic, is there anything you would like accomplished with the site, do you have any goals (for the site)?

KC: When I first thought of the possibilities of what this could mean for players, I thought of the teams that would be reassembled, relationships rekindled, the expressed respect given, the encouragement taken, etc. As a former NFLPA executive committee member, I think of the benefits of networking. What better place to do that than inside the “locker room.”

AB: Throughout your 14-year NFL career, and still to this day, you are involved in numerous charities. Could you tell your fans a little bit about the charity work you do/have done and who benefits from the hard work?

KC: My wife and I started the Kevin Carter Foundation in 2001. In 14 years of professional football, the thing that I’m most proud of is all the good we have been able to accomplish through our foundation.  I’m proud to have raised and given away nearly 2 million dollars in just 10 years. Primarily to Make A Wish, Boys and Girls Club, Leukemia and Lymphoma society, Cystic Fibrosis, Bridges of Williamson County, just to name a few.

AB: You are one of 25 players in the history of the NFL with over 100 sacks. What tips or advice would you give young (youth, high school, college) defensive lineman trying to improve their pass rushing skills? Or just players in general trying to reach the professional level one day?

KC: Core Strength and extra work on balance are always good. Plus watch all the good pass rushers you can… It’s amazing how many ways there are to get to the Quarterback!

AB: How does winning the Vince Lombardi trophy with St. Louis in 1999 compare to any of your other accomplishments both in football and life in general?

KC: It was a truly magical moment in my life, where so many things were perfect. I’m so blessed to have been a part of something so special. It means more and more as the years go by to see the trail of memories and experiences that can be traced back to pivotal moments of my personal history. Winning a Lombardi Trophy is one of those pivotal moments.

AB: Considering you're a former player and all, did you go to Dallas for the Super Bowl this year? If so, what was the experience like, and what are your thoughts on Aaron Rodgers' postseason success?

KC: Dallas was an absolute treat! It was a lot of work for SOTL, but well worth it.  Because of my job, I got to sit in and consult during  the filming  of  Training Videos by  Pro Bowlers Michael Vick and Larry Fitzgerald.  Got to see so many other legends.

Also, being in that atmosphere always brings back memories of Atlanta. I believe we had an ice storm that year as well... I think that Aaron Rodgers had the kind of year within an obviously great team situation. That let's you know the kind of poise & balance that he maintains as the person who touches the ball on every offensive play. He was playing his best football at the end of the season.

AB: Thank you for your time, Kevin, and good luck to you and the website.

I advise all fans, and current and former players and coaches to check out the site (Schoolofthelegends,com). It is still improving each and every day and is a great way to interact.

Photo: No copyright infringement intended