dolfan87
The Human Bullet
Well folks, it took FOREVER for him to get with me on this, but he did call, and I finally have our interview. Here we go...
87- Hey Oronde, hows the shoulder?
O.G. It's getting there, just rehabbing it.
87- Still only lifting 8lbs?
O.G.- Not even that really. (Laughs)
87- I have some questions that the fans wrote in, so let's just get to those. These are almost a month old, so I will try and make some of them relevant.
O.G.- O.k.
87- What do you think of Chris Chambers, and is anyone concerned that his ankle is taking so long to heal?
O.G.- Chris is going to be one of the best receivers in the NFL, and I am very proud to be working with him. His ankle, I don't think anyone is overly concerned with it. I mean obviously there is concern over any injury, but he will be fine.
87- Is he running or doing anything yet?
O.G- No not yet.
87- How do you feel the offense will improve with the acquisition of Ricky Williams, Norv Turner, possibly Chris Carter, and others? Do you feel it will take some pressure off of you as a receiver and are you looking forward to blocking for Ricky?
O.G- Well, umm, yea, Ricky is a great back, and it is going to make things easier out there on us. The defense won't be able to double team the wide receivers as much, and we should catch more balls. Norv Turner wants to score, I mean, that is what he is out there for, and things are going to be good.
87- How are your toes? Do they get any better over the off-season, or do they stay pretty much the same?
O.G.- They stay the same. it's arthritis, so really some days I wake up and they feel fine, other days it's hard to walk. The bad thing is, some of those days are Sundays, and it's tough to get through sometimes.
87- In your opinion, who are the toughest corners to face off against?
O.G.- um...Sam Madison, and Charles Woodson.
87- Fin fans around the country are very excited about this up and coming season, how do the players feel about the lack of attendance in the past?
O.G.- Geez, we feel horrible about it. I mean there is nothing we can do, but it kind of...I mean it's tough cause we live in Miami. There is just so much to do around here. If we lived in Buffalo, or New England where it's cold, and there is not much else to do but watch football, then things might be different. I think once we win the Super Bowl, then you might see things change.
87- Great, so next year should be good then (laughs)
O.G.- Yea (laughs)
87- Do you still feel you have something to prove? Or do you feel you have accomplished most goals
O.G.- Oh no, I always have something to prove. I still don't get the respect I think I deserve, or maybe I don't want to think I do. You always have to have your critics to push you.
87- How is the health status of our O-lineman (M. Dixon, M. Spriggs and B. Smith)?
O.G.- Well Brent (Smith) has been cleared (to practice) so he is back out there doing everything. I think he just needs some reps, but he is fine. The other two, um, Dixon is still rehabbing, and Spriggs too. they haven't been cleared yet I don't think. It's almost been a year for Spriggs, and I think they will both be ready by Training Camp I am sure.
87- What type of pass defense do you prefer to play against, man or zone? Whichever you choose can you tell us why?
O.G.- Man. If I was faster then I guess I would like zone more.
87- Do you feel that you've been unfairly pigeonholed as a possession receiver when your career YPC is a very healthy 14.4 in what is not a pass-oriented offense?
O.G- Naw, you know being a deep threat is nice, but you are who you are. Besides, everyone wants to be the possesion receiver. (laughs)
87- At draft time you see the teams all focusing on the larger football programs. Is coming from a smaller school as much of a hindrance as it appears to be from a fans perspective?
O.G.- Yes, coming out of a small school, you really get shafted.
87- Do the players hate the Bills and Jets as much as the fans do?
O.G.- (laughs) Yea. Not really, I mean we don't hate the individules, but we sure don't like being beaten by the same team 8 straight times.
87-I bet Zach actually does hate the Jets.(laughs)
O.G.- Yea, well Zach might...(laughs)
87-Ok Oronde, I appreciate your time, and that's all I have for you bro.
O.G- No problem.
87- Hey Oronde, hows the shoulder?
O.G. It's getting there, just rehabbing it.
87- Still only lifting 8lbs?
O.G.- Not even that really. (Laughs)
87- I have some questions that the fans wrote in, so let's just get to those. These are almost a month old, so I will try and make some of them relevant.
O.G.- O.k.
87- What do you think of Chris Chambers, and is anyone concerned that his ankle is taking so long to heal?
O.G.- Chris is going to be one of the best receivers in the NFL, and I am very proud to be working with him. His ankle, I don't think anyone is overly concerned with it. I mean obviously there is concern over any injury, but he will be fine.
87- Is he running or doing anything yet?
O.G- No not yet.
87- How do you feel the offense will improve with the acquisition of Ricky Williams, Norv Turner, possibly Chris Carter, and others? Do you feel it will take some pressure off of you as a receiver and are you looking forward to blocking for Ricky?
O.G- Well, umm, yea, Ricky is a great back, and it is going to make things easier out there on us. The defense won't be able to double team the wide receivers as much, and we should catch more balls. Norv Turner wants to score, I mean, that is what he is out there for, and things are going to be good.
87- How are your toes? Do they get any better over the off-season, or do they stay pretty much the same?
O.G.- They stay the same. it's arthritis, so really some days I wake up and they feel fine, other days it's hard to walk. The bad thing is, some of those days are Sundays, and it's tough to get through sometimes.
87- In your opinion, who are the toughest corners to face off against?
O.G.- um...Sam Madison, and Charles Woodson.
87- Fin fans around the country are very excited about this up and coming season, how do the players feel about the lack of attendance in the past?
O.G.- Geez, we feel horrible about it. I mean there is nothing we can do, but it kind of...I mean it's tough cause we live in Miami. There is just so much to do around here. If we lived in Buffalo, or New England where it's cold, and there is not much else to do but watch football, then things might be different. I think once we win the Super Bowl, then you might see things change.
87- Great, so next year should be good then (laughs)
O.G.- Yea (laughs)
87- Do you still feel you have something to prove? Or do you feel you have accomplished most goals
O.G.- Oh no, I always have something to prove. I still don't get the respect I think I deserve, or maybe I don't want to think I do. You always have to have your critics to push you.
87- How is the health status of our O-lineman (M. Dixon, M. Spriggs and B. Smith)?
O.G.- Well Brent (Smith) has been cleared (to practice) so he is back out there doing everything. I think he just needs some reps, but he is fine. The other two, um, Dixon is still rehabbing, and Spriggs too. they haven't been cleared yet I don't think. It's almost been a year for Spriggs, and I think they will both be ready by Training Camp I am sure.
87- What type of pass defense do you prefer to play against, man or zone? Whichever you choose can you tell us why?
O.G.- Man. If I was faster then I guess I would like zone more.
87- Do you feel that you've been unfairly pigeonholed as a possession receiver when your career YPC is a very healthy 14.4 in what is not a pass-oriented offense?
O.G- Naw, you know being a deep threat is nice, but you are who you are. Besides, everyone wants to be the possesion receiver. (laughs)
87- At draft time you see the teams all focusing on the larger football programs. Is coming from a smaller school as much of a hindrance as it appears to be from a fans perspective?
O.G.- Yes, coming out of a small school, you really get shafted.
87- Do the players hate the Bills and Jets as much as the fans do?
O.G.- (laughs) Yea. Not really, I mean we don't hate the individules, but we sure don't like being beaten by the same team 8 straight times.
87-I bet Zach actually does hate the Jets.(laughs)
O.G.- Yea, well Zach might...(laughs)
87-Ok Oronde, I appreciate your time, and that's all I have for you bro.
O.G- No problem.