His time as a football player included an All-American selection playing offensive guard at the University of Missouri plus an impressive NFL career capped by his 1964 All-Pro selection; but, these gridiron feats pale in comparison to what Edward Blaine, Ph.D. achieved in his post-football career. He has tirelessly worked to improve the quality of life for men and women throughout the world as one of our nation’s foremost medical and pharmaceutical researchers. He kindly agreed to speak with Football Review Daily about his collegiate memories, playing under coaching greats Vince Lombardi and Dan Devine, and the importance of maintaining a life-time exercise plan.
Q. Can you elaborate on your favorite moments from your collegiate playing career at Missouri?
Of course, there are many and it is always difficult to pick a single instance that was most important. But if I must, I would say it was our victory over Navy in the Orange Bowl in 1960 (actually New Year’s Day 1961). We had been ranked number one in the nation coming into our last game of the season against our arch rival Kansas. Kansas won that game (one of the low points of my recollections) and we lost the right to call ourselves the nation’s number one team. Joe Bellino was the Heisman Trophy winner that year and our victory over a great Navy team led by the Heisman Trophy winner went a long way to restore honor. Another great memory was our victory over Michigan in 1959, perhaps the beginning of the great Devine era at Missouri. Then, there was the pass I intercepted and ran back almost for a touchdown before I was tackled on the 2 yard line!
Q. In 1991, you were elected to the University of Missouri's Athletic Hall of Fame and you gave the and you spoke to the graduating seniors at their commencement services. Can you elaborate on these experiences?
Actually, the start of this experience which ultimately resulted in my return to MU for the final phase of my career began in 1989 when I was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Missouri. This is the highest award that a university can bestow and I was deeply honored by it. Subsequently, I was asked by then Chancellor Haskell Monroe if I would deliver the commencement address to the graduating class of 1991. That too, was a great honor and probably nothing in my life was so uplifting and gratifying as standing before that audience that day and delivering that address. I still remember the thrill to look out on all those faces and recall that just a few years earlier I had been sitting out there looking back. You have to remember, I’m a kid from a very small town in Missouri, Missouri was always the only school I ever considered attending and I was the first of my family to go to college. In fact, my brother next to me in age was the first to finish high school in our family. None of that is meant to diminish the honor of being inducted into the University of Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame. That, too, was a great honor and I’m ever so proud that I was selected among those great athletes.
Q. What are your thoughts on the Missouri football program's recent success?
Everything good. I really like Gary Pinkel and I think what he’s done to revive the MU football program is nothing short of sensational. We’ve gone through a long dry spell and all I can say Go Mizzou!
Q. After your All-American collegiate career, you were drafted by the Green Bay Packers. What do you remember most about being coached by Vince Lombardi?
Being coached by Vince Lombardi! Without a doubt the greatest coach I was associated with. Mind, I think Dan Devine was also great. I was doubly blessed to have experienced two of the really great coaches of that era. Lombardi was a man who was in control. Even when he was coaching some of the truly best players in the NFL he was the person who called the shots. If you didn’t like it you took a hike. I like that kind of leadership and I think both Lombardi and Devine demonstrated it masterfully. Somehow, I also liked his New York character suppressed in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It didn’t surprise me at all when he took the job in Washington. I just couldn’t ever figure out why they didn’t offer him the Giant’s job. When I was drafted by Green Bay in the second round, it was a great surprise to me and a lot of others. I only spent one year with the Packers, but it was one of the best years of my life and I owe that all to Lombardi. He had confidence in me and I hope I didn’t let him down.
Q. You then moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles. Were the fans as notorious then as they are now?
Yes! The Boo Birds were perched in Franklin Field and that was pretty much all we heard when we were on the field. Franklin Field was a great old venue to play in and only concentrated the sound. To tell the truth, most of us didn’t hear a lot of it because we were too immersed in the game.
Q. Can you speak about the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center?
My career in science has been as rewarding to me personally as my career in sports. They are really two very different worlds, but I can tell you there are a heck of lot more people in science who ask me about sports than there ever were people in sports who asked me about science. Very few get to experience two very satisfying careers in a single lifetime. I feel doubly blessed because of that. Football was hard to leave, but it was the right thing to do and I did it at the right time, despite what a lot of people said at the time and perhaps still feel. My father-in-law suggested I might want to seek the help of a psychiatrist to understand why I walked away just as my football career was peaking. Nevertheless, my career in science has taken me all over the world and to intellectual places I never even dreamed of. Returning to my alma mater as director of the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center culminated a long and satisfying career in science.
Our focus at Dalton is collaborative, interdisciplinary research in the cardiovascular sciences. We seek to join scientists for a variety of disciplines to bring their highly specialized knowledge to bear on important problems of cardiovascular health. We are particularly blessed at MU to have a medical school, a veterinary school, a college of engineering as well as arts and science and agriculture all on one campus. The possibilities are awesome. The new director is bringing new things to the fore and one of the most promising is a collaboration between cancer researchers and vascular biologists. A powerful combination to seek novel treatments for two of the most dreaded maladies of humankind.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement during your medical research career?
This is a much more difficult question to answer than the first one – what were the high points of my sports career. I’m very proud of all the work I’ve done to define the hormonal control of salt and water balance and the role played by the kidney in blood pressure regulation. Much of this is fundamental work that contributes to the advancement of science but may not make the headlines of the newspapers. However, during my career in the pharmaceutical industry I was associated with the development of some of the most important drugs now available for the treatment of hypertension, blockers of the renin-angiotensin system. I’m also very proud of the role my colleagues and I played in the discovery of and development as a drug of a novel hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide. Science has much less visible rewards than sports and you have to be satisfied with what you do on a personal basis and not depend on a lot of lights and signing autographs.
Q. What advice can you give to aspiring professional athletes with regards to maintaining their overall cardiovascular health?
Watch the weight. Football players particularly linemen are prone to be heavy. During their playing days there is a lot more muscle than fat, but as you age, it becomes harder and harder to keep the fat under control. Burning 5-6000 calories may be possible for an active player, but burning 2-3000 afterward is a much more difficult problem. Obesity is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and it is an insidious problem. Life-time exercise is very important and that becomes especially relevant to those of us who have suffered joint damage and are limited in what we can do to keep active. I love to ride my bicycle and I would urge everyone, not just athletes, to keep as fit as you can as long as you can.
Football Review Daily's NFL Alumni Series
Showing posts with label Q/A Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Q/A Interviews. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
University of San Diego Head Coach Ron Caragher Interview
In his first season, head coach Ron Caragher built upon the recent tradition at the University of San Diego football program. The Toreros compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Pioneer Football League. Over the last three years, the team executed a trio of successful campaigns and now are considered one of the perennial powers in the Pioneer Football League. San Diego won the league championship in 2005 and 2006. The Toreros ended 2007 with a record of 9-2 behind the strong play of quarterback Josh Johnson who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
As he prepares for his second season in charge, head coach Ron Caragher recently found time this spring to answer a few questions for Football Review Daily.
Photo Courtesy University of San Diego Athletics
Q. When you reflect on your first season, what have you taken from 2007?
Confirmation that our approach and philosophy of ‘coming out of the gate’ fast and playing hard & smart was key to our success. Further, football is still the ultimate team sport and that all eleven players on the field must carry their weight and execute their assignment. The game comes down to blocking, tackling, turnovers, and scheme execution.
Q. With season one completed, what has been your main focus heading into season two?
Balance and execution. We want to be a well balanced football team that is fundamentally sound. For example, on offense, while we like to throw the football, we know that we must be able to run the football to have sustained success. Defensively, we want to have an attacking, aggressive defense.
Q. What is your overall assessment regarding the incoming class of recruits?
We are very excited about this years incoming recruits. We feel we addressed all of our needs and are looking forward to working with these young men when they report in August. Two already have made an impact as they were here for the spring semester. Nick Kostielney (Gavilan JR. College) came out of spring as our starting center and Chris Danser (San Jose State transfer) will be a contributor if not starter on the offensive line.
Q. Were you pleased with your team's performance at spring practice?
Yes, for the most part. While it is hard to replace key contributing seniors such as Josh Johnson, Eric Bakhtiari, Wes Doyle, Ronnie Pentz, etc., I felt other individuals stepped forward and showed they can play at a high level. Further, some of these individuals stepped into the leadership role that we need them to.
Q. Have you decided on a QB for 2008 or are you still evaluating?
Unfortunately, Andrew Rolin, our most experienced returning QB, missed most of spring practice with a stress fracture in his lower back. With the additional repetitions and practice opportunities, Ben Hannula emerged at the QB position and had a terrific spring. He has a good grasp of our passing game concepts and uses his athleticism to make plays when the pocket collapses. The keys for the fall will be to see Ben continue the high level of execution at the position and to see how Andrew bounces back.
As he prepares for his second season in charge, head coach Ron Caragher recently found time this spring to answer a few questions for Football Review Daily.
Q. When you reflect on your first season, what have you taken from 2007?
Confirmation that our approach and philosophy of ‘coming out of the gate’ fast and playing hard & smart was key to our success. Further, football is still the ultimate team sport and that all eleven players on the field must carry their weight and execute their assignment. The game comes down to blocking, tackling, turnovers, and scheme execution.
Q. With season one completed, what has been your main focus heading into season two?
Balance and execution. We want to be a well balanced football team that is fundamentally sound. For example, on offense, while we like to throw the football, we know that we must be able to run the football to have sustained success. Defensively, we want to have an attacking, aggressive defense.
Q. What is your overall assessment regarding the incoming class of recruits?
We are very excited about this years incoming recruits. We feel we addressed all of our needs and are looking forward to working with these young men when they report in August. Two already have made an impact as they were here for the spring semester. Nick Kostielney (Gavilan JR. College) came out of spring as our starting center and Chris Danser (San Jose State transfer) will be a contributor if not starter on the offensive line.
Q. Were you pleased with your team's performance at spring practice?
Yes, for the most part. While it is hard to replace key contributing seniors such as Josh Johnson, Eric Bakhtiari, Wes Doyle, Ronnie Pentz, etc., I felt other individuals stepped forward and showed they can play at a high level. Further, some of these individuals stepped into the leadership role that we need them to.
Q. Have you decided on a QB for 2008 or are you still evaluating?
Unfortunately, Andrew Rolin, our most experienced returning QB, missed most of spring practice with a stress fracture in his lower back. With the additional repetitions and practice opportunities, Ben Hannula emerged at the QB position and had a terrific spring. He has a good grasp of our passing game concepts and uses his athleticism to make plays when the pocket collapses. The keys for the fall will be to see Ben continue the high level of execution at the position and to see how Andrew bounces back.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Ogemdi Nwagbuo Interview
In 2007, Michigan State’s Ogemdi Nwagbuo (oh-GIM-dee new-WOW-bo) enjoyed a solid senior campaign. At season’s end, the Spartans nose tackle was named to 2008 Hula Bowl's East team. Several pundits have Ogemdi listed as a second-day selection or priority free agent. The San Diego native kindly spoke with Football Review Daily on the eve of the NFL Draft about the his final collegiate season, the emergence of Oren Wilson, and Barry Sanders’ touchdown celebrations.
Q. How has your time at Michigan State prepared you for playing at the next level?
Playing at Michigan State prepared me because it has allowed me to play against some of the top competition in the country. That’s what you get in the Big Ten.
Q. Favorite game from 2007?
Penn State because we came from behind and finally closed out a game. It enabled us to go to a bowl.
Q. Favorite play from 2007?
When defensive tackle Oren Wilson knocked down the pass against Michigan, it showed his emergence as a future star in the Big Ten Conference.
Q. Toughest away game last season?
Definitely Ohio State but every road game in the Big Ten is tough.
Q. Oddest thing an offensive player has said to you on the field?
One player asked me, “How do you pronounce your name?” That was kind of funny.
Q. How have you prepared for the draft?
I trained mostly at school because I was taking classes.
Q. Will you be watching the draft with friends and family?
I still have finals so I will just be watching the draft up at school in Cherry Lane with DE Colin Neely and DT Oren Wilson.
Q. You scored a TD in junior college. How did your celebration go?
I just tossed the ball to the referee, kind of like Barry Sanders.
Q. Have you gotten used to the cold weather up in Michigan?
You can’t really get used to the cold weather. I just try to stay out the cold in the winter. I remember me and Dave Stanton who was also from junior college in California used to put stuff outside to see what happened when it would freeze.
Q. Favorite NFL player growing up?
My favorite team was the Patriots so I always liked Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest.
Q. How has your time at Michigan State prepared you for playing at the next level?
Playing at Michigan State prepared me because it has allowed me to play against some of the top competition in the country. That’s what you get in the Big Ten.
Q. Favorite game from 2007?
Penn State because we came from behind and finally closed out a game. It enabled us to go to a bowl.
Q. Favorite play from 2007?
When defensive tackle Oren Wilson knocked down the pass against Michigan, it showed his emergence as a future star in the Big Ten Conference.
Q. Toughest away game last season?
Definitely Ohio State but every road game in the Big Ten is tough.
Q. Oddest thing an offensive player has said to you on the field?
One player asked me, “How do you pronounce your name?” That was kind of funny.
Q. How have you prepared for the draft?
I trained mostly at school because I was taking classes.
Q. Will you be watching the draft with friends and family?
I still have finals so I will just be watching the draft up at school in Cherry Lane with DE Colin Neely and DT Oren Wilson.
Q. You scored a TD in junior college. How did your celebration go?
I just tossed the ball to the referee, kind of like Barry Sanders.
Q. Have you gotten used to the cold weather up in Michigan?
You can’t really get used to the cold weather. I just try to stay out the cold in the winter. I remember me and Dave Stanton who was also from junior college in California used to put stuff outside to see what happened when it would freeze.
Q. Favorite NFL player growing up?
My favorite team was the Patriots so I always liked Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Kory Lichtensteiger Interview
Photo Courtesy of Doug SampsonKory Lichtensteiger is your typical blue-collared center. He gets the job done each and every day on the field, and is one of the nicest guys you can meet off the field. Kory’s play on the field speaks for itself. He had an amazing career at Bowling Green starting in 44 consecutive games at both the guard and center positions and if there was a Falcons rushing touchdown in 2007, Kory Lichtensteiger was sure to be leading the way. Kory also wrapped up the 2007 season with 76 knockdowns (we advise not getting in Kory’s way). Obviously Lichtensteiger finished off his college career as one of the best centers of the 2007 college football season.
Kory took some time to give Football Review Daily the scoop on the Combine, Senior Bowl, and even those crazy game day rituals athletes have.
Q. You had a stellar career at Center, how would you feel about moving back to Guard in the NFL?
I feel like it is something I could do. I had the chance to get some guard action in at the Senior Bowl and I thought I improved as the week went on. But, I know I am going to be drafted as a center and that is where I feel I am the best.
Q. With all the poking and prodding at the Combine, what was that experience like?
There were definitely times where we were poked and prodded by the NFL doctors, but that was the easy part. My real dreadful experience was spending half the day at the hospital getting three different MRI's. For a guy who is claustrophobic, sitting through three straight hours in a cramped space is about as bad as it gets.
Q. Playing in the Senior Bowl is a great experience, what did you take away from this experience?
I think it was an extremely valuable experience because it put in a pro-style offense where I had to identify either the Mike or the Will linebacker to determine blocking assignments. This is not something I had done often at Bowling Green and I know it is a key element of being a successful NFL center. Plus, meeting all the other players from around the country was cool too.
Q. Who's style would you say you relate to in the NFL and why?
I’m not really sure, but I hope to go to a team where both the pass and the run are used efficiently. I want to be able to help a runner and a passer make it to the pro bowl.
And now for the lighter side of Kory….
Q. What was the strangest question you got asked at the combine?
“When was the last time you smoked crack?”
To which I replied, “I have never smoked crack.” The part that really got me was not that he asked if I ever smoked crack, but that he asked the last time I had done it. And when I said I had never done any kind of drugs, he looked at me with an unbelievable look. I guess to him I looked like a drug user!
Q. On game day, do you have any rituals/superstitions?
Lots of them. I’m a very superstitious guy. I always have to get taped by the same trainer. I wear the same boxers for every game (washed of course). They have made it three straight years and they’re still going strong. I have to go to game day chapel or I feel like something terrible will happen. There are some others too, but I think that is enough for now.
Q. Who was your favorite NFL team and Player growing up?
I didn’t really have one. I was much more of a basketball fan. But, it kind of worked out because now I don’t have to switch my loyalties.
Q. If you could date any celebrity who would it be?
I think this question might get me in trouble with my wife, Mandi. However, if I was forced to pick I would probably go with Rachel McAdams.
(Football Review Daily would like to report Kory is a HAPPILY MARRIED man with a son Ayden, he was kind enough to humor us with this answer…..we got your back Kory.)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Rodney Kinlaw Interview
Photo Courtesy of Penn State University AthleticsIt took some time for Penn State running back Rodney Kinlaw to burst into the spot light, but when he did he didn’t leave many doubters. Rushing for over 1,300 yards in 2007, Rodney proved he has the skills to succeed at the next level. Not only does Rodney have the skills, he also has the number one pick in 2000, Courtney Brown (Rodney is the nephew of Courtney), to lean on for some advice on playing at the next level. Football Review Daily recently had the opportunity to speak with Rodney about his college career and thoughts on moving on to the NFL and also find out who’s the Jessica Simpson in Rodney’s eyes.
Q. Coming out of Stratford High School in South Carolina, what drew you to Penn State?
I would say being familiar with the program from going to Courtney’s (Brown) games.
Q. What was it like to play for legendary coach Paterno, and how do you feel playing in his program has prepared you for the NFL?
It had its good times and bad times and I feel that playing there showed me patience and that I can succeed no matter what obstacles are in my way.
Q. How much of an impact has Courtney Brown been on your career and what advice has he given you for your next step?
He has been a very big impact showing me that I could be successful playing football and he just told me to be patient and not to worry because he knows I will make the best out of my opportunity.
Q. You had to over come injury and, as usual at Penn State, much depth at running back. How were you able to keep your drive and compassion for the game?
My love for the game kept me going and my faith. I remember my dad always telling me that just because you’re the best doesn’t mean you will always play but when and if the opportunity comes just make sure you are ready.
Q. Knowing that players like Willie Parker, Ryan Grant, Selvin Young, and Maurice Jones-Drew weren’t drafted in recent years but they still made a major impact on the game, do you feel much more confidence that you will be able to succeed if not drafted?
I would have confidence regardless, I am glad to see them succeed and prove all their doubters wrong. I am going to go out everyday and work hard to get better.
Q. What training have you been doing to prepare for your NFL career?
I have been lifting and running 5 days a week and just waiting patiently.
Q. What is your most memorable college moment?
Winning the Alamo bowl MVP and rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Q. Who was/is your biggest influence on your football career?
My parents and siblings Rodney Kinlaw, Isreal Kinlaw, Tamekia Kinlaw and Caleb Kinlaw
Q. What was it like to see yourself on a video game?
I don’t play many video games but it is a good feeling to know that I am on one.
Q. What is your favorite NFL team to use on Madden?
When I do play we usually pick random teams.
Q. What will you be doing draft day?
Praying and Waiting with my family.
Q. If you could date any celebrity who would it be?
I think I am going to go with Lauren London she played New-New in ATL
Q. What NFL player do you compare yourself to?
I would compare myself to a Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook type.
Q. Coming out of Stratford High School in South Carolina, what drew you to Penn State?
I would say being familiar with the program from going to Courtney’s (Brown) games.
Q. What was it like to play for legendary coach Paterno, and how do you feel playing in his program has prepared you for the NFL?
It had its good times and bad times and I feel that playing there showed me patience and that I can succeed no matter what obstacles are in my way.
Q. How much of an impact has Courtney Brown been on your career and what advice has he given you for your next step?
He has been a very big impact showing me that I could be successful playing football and he just told me to be patient and not to worry because he knows I will make the best out of my opportunity.
Q. You had to over come injury and, as usual at Penn State, much depth at running back. How were you able to keep your drive and compassion for the game?
My love for the game kept me going and my faith. I remember my dad always telling me that just because you’re the best doesn’t mean you will always play but when and if the opportunity comes just make sure you are ready.
Q. Knowing that players like Willie Parker, Ryan Grant, Selvin Young, and Maurice Jones-Drew weren’t drafted in recent years but they still made a major impact on the game, do you feel much more confidence that you will be able to succeed if not drafted?
I would have confidence regardless, I am glad to see them succeed and prove all their doubters wrong. I am going to go out everyday and work hard to get better.
Q. What training have you been doing to prepare for your NFL career?
I have been lifting and running 5 days a week and just waiting patiently.
Q. What is your most memorable college moment?
Winning the Alamo bowl MVP and rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Q. Who was/is your biggest influence on your football career?
My parents and siblings Rodney Kinlaw, Isreal Kinlaw, Tamekia Kinlaw and Caleb Kinlaw
Q. What was it like to see yourself on a video game?
I don’t play many video games but it is a good feeling to know that I am on one.
Q. What is your favorite NFL team to use on Madden?
When I do play we usually pick random teams.
Q. What will you be doing draft day?
Praying and Waiting with my family.
Q. If you could date any celebrity who would it be?
I think I am going to go with Lauren London she played New-New in ATL
Q. What NFL player do you compare yourself to?
I would compare myself to a Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook type.
Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
