Diary
A new beginning at linebacker
7/31/06
AWS: What are your individual goals coming into this next season?
TD: To lead the team in at least two of the top 3 defensive categories (tackles, sacks, and turnovers).
AWS: What has your offseason workout regimen consisted of?
TD: I spent a couple of days training with Takeo (Spikes), and a couple of days training at the Forum. I also got some pool exercises in.
AWS: With Panthers linebacker Will Witherspoon gone and you moving to linebacker after your first season as a defensive back, do you feel like a rookie again?
TD: Yeah, that is sort of how I am approaching this season. Like a new beginning. I am going with a new jersey number, a new position, a new season. I am really just trying to start over and just really kick this NFL thing off again.
AWS: You chose the #58 correct?
TD: Yeah
AWS: Is there a reason you chose this number?
TD: It was the best available number, and Mark Fields wore that number, and I really thought he was a great player and I wanted to follow his legacy.
AWS: What position battles on the defensive side of the ball will be the most competitive on the team, and why?
TD: Probably the linebacker position, because nobody is certain who will be the starters.
AWS: Do you feel you will be one of those starters?
TD: Yeah, I am inked in right now as one of the starters, but it is up to me whether or not I stay in that spot. So, you know, I need to go in and work hard in camp and really just maintain that position.
AWS: What was your “Welcome to the NFL” moment last season?
TD: Probably getting my sack on Tom Brady. The feeling I had (was great).
AWS: Would you say that was the highlight moment of your rookie year as well?
TD: No, I had some pretty good games against my home state. I would probably highlight those games we played against Atlanta.
AWS: You have a son named Denim correct?
TD: Yeah
AWS: How old is he?
TD: He is two
AWS: Does he know what his daddy does for a living, and does he enjoy watching you play?
TD: He knows and he enjoys it, but he would much rather watch “Sponge Bob.”
AWS: Do you think he will follow in your footsteps?
TD: Hey, who knows. I am not going to try to force him. If this is something he wants to do then I will be more than willing to back him. But, if this isn’t really something he wants to do then I won’t be one of those fathers that just tries to make him do it because I do it.
AWS: Many publications have the Panthers as the team to beat in the NFC. What do you feel needs to happen for the Panthers to get back to where the team was last season?
TD: I think we just need to really gel together with the new guys that we have added to the team. We have a lot of guys that have been around this team for a long time and are just going to make sure that happens. The guys that we added are veteran guys and the rookies have fallen under the wings of the veteran guys so we have a great nucleus and a great chemistry around here. So, I think we definitely have the potential to get back to where we were last year and go even farther.
AWS: What did you spend your offseason doing?
TD: Not a whole lot. Just really trying to prepare for this season as much as I possibly can so I can be ready.
AWS: What do you enjoy doing off the football field?
TD: What I like to do is just going out, playing with my dogs, or just going in the backyard and trying to teach myself how to swim in my pool.
AWS: What is the most played song or album on your iPod?
TD: Probably right now, something with Jeezy in it.
AWS: If you weren’t playing football, what do you think you would be doing?
TD: I don’t know. Probably driving trucks or something. Or selling houses. Real estate is booming, man.
AWS: What food that you know is bad for you do you enjoy every so often anyway?
TD: McDonalds
AWS: Kind of a guilty pleasure?
TD: Yeah. Everyday.
AWS: What would you say is the worst thing about training camp?
TD: Probably the worst part about training camp is two-a-days. We practice two times a day, everyday. Some teams go two-a-day one day. We practice twice everyday.
AWS: What would you say is the most beneficial part of training camp?
TD: Actually being on the field. Just getting back on the field and competing. That is the most exciting thing for me. I like to get out and compete and we are competing on the highest level right now, so you really get to find out where you are at, and where you need to be.