It’s a huge year for me.
I lost about 15 pounds from what I came in last year. Last year I came in a little heavy from celebrating my new professional life, I guess.
All I heard when he was hired (1) was how big the volume of the offense was. I just knew there was a huge challenge in front of me. I tried not to look at the whole playbook itself because it was so massive. One page at a time.
Shoop’s was more designed for a West Coast offense–control the ball, shorter passes–and there’s definitely a place for that in the NFL. Actually, when he played me, we opened it up a little bit more.
I got a chance to observe the life of the NFL. I got comfortable with everything from where do you drive to get onto the plane and how early do you go to warm up and how long actually is the season and how to prepare from Chris Chandler.
I didn’t realize I was really hurt until after the game. (2) It felt like I broke my finger. I felt like I could get back into the game.
You need to think you can throw a touchdown on every play.
I’d like to think of myself like Brett Favre. I feel like I definitely have a long way to go to get into that category.
The most important thing is to have the respect of your teammates and self-confidence. Maybe self-confidence a little more.
I was very aware of his reputation (3) and I was aware not to become another one of those. I didn’t think I was, but I tried hard to be the Anti-Cade.
They say in one practice with the Rams I threw about 75 yards, but I don’t know.
The best thing I do . . . that’s a tough question. I’d like to become a complete player, have as little limitations as possible. But what I do best is probably accuracy and arm strength. I feel like I make good decisions as well. Those are the three things you have to have to play good quarterback.
My dad was intense.
As much as I was excited, I knew my dad would be 10,000 times more excited. It was funny, I called him at work and all I said was, “I’m starting.” He was like, “Really? What?” I could totally visualize his face and when he told my mom. My mom was screaming too. I was almost more excited for him than me.
I was a pitcher, a catcher. I could gun people out trying to steal.
I think he did it in mysterious ways. (4) Sometimes he would yell at you, sometimes he would make fun of you, sometimes he would bench you, sit you down for even a quarter. He was a great motivator to make me do everything he wanted me to do.
I haven’t seen him since he got on “The Bachelor”, (5) but he was perfect for that role. He’s kind of a GQ guy. Always got the gel in the hair, always dressed up. He’s a ladies’ man.
A lot of stories were overblown, (6) but at the same time, Saturday game in Gainesville, big victory, what do you feel like doing Saturday night? You want to go out. I went out and partied just like every other college student and I didn’t really care who saw me partying.
This is fun. This is a lot of fun. And it’s worth putting in every bit of hard work I could put into it.
I don’t really have any predictions, but I guarantee you that the city of Chicago, this organization, when it’s all said and done, will feel good about the year.
(1): New offensive coordinator Terry Shea.
(2): When he was injured in his third start, against Kansas City.
(3): Former Bears quarterback Cade McNown.
(4): Steve Spurrier, his coach at Florida.
(5): Jesse Palmer, the quarterback Grossman replaced as the starter at Florida.
(6): About his party-boy reputation at Florida.
