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Conference call: C Antoine Caldwell

By Nick Scurfield
April 26, 2009 Comments (0) | Avg. Rating
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Caldwell adds interior depth Embedded Video

After he was selected with the 77th overall pick in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, former Alabama center Antoine Caldwell spoke to the Houston media via conference call.

C Antoine Caldwell

(on if he sees challenges adjusting from Alabama's man blocking schemes to Texans' zone blocking) "No, not at all. When I was at Alabama, for the five years I was there, we did it both ways. We did a lot of man schemes my first years, but we did zone schemes for my last two years that I was there. I don't think it will be a problem at all. I'm accustomed to doing both. I'm just really excited to be out there."

(on his versatility and playing multiple OL positions) "At Alabama, I was privileged enough to do it. My coaches had faith in me and depended on me to do a lot of that. While I was at Alabama, I played everything but left tackle. I was able to do that for five years while I was there. Now I'm hoping that in Houston, they'll need me to do that and if they do, then I'll be able to do that."

(on if he prefers one OL position) "No not at all. Beggars can't be choosers.  I'm just trying to get in wherever I can."

"Being able to have a good knowledge of the game allows you to play fast and play any position. That's what I did at Alabama, and I'll be sure to get on top of things as soon as I get to Houston."

- Antoine Caldwell
(on his transition from starter to backup) "I'm just going to be a sponge to everything. Even if I have to sit back, I'll sit back and learn from the guys ahead of me. I just want to go in there and compete. I've learned at Alabama that competition raises the play of everybody, and I want to go ahead and do that."

(on what he hopes to bring to the Texans) "I hope to bring a sense of leadership – even if it's playing a backup role, being a guy that's going to be dependable, a guy that's going to be consistent, a guy that's going to be a leader day in and day out and a guy that does the right things on and off the field. Hopefully, that's what I'll bring to the Texans."

(on if he's comfortable playing both guard positions) "I think I'll be really comfortable playing center or guard. I think the key to that is knowing all of the positions. At Alabama, I knew what everybody had to do. At center, at guard, at tackle, I knew everybody's assignments. I knew my own. Being able to have a good knowledge of the game allows you to play fast and play any position. That's what I did at Alabama, and I'll be sure to get on top of things as soon as I get to Houston."

(on playing with former teammate at Alabama LB DeMeco Ryans in the NFL) "I definitely am excited. DeMeco was a mentor to me when I was at Alabama. He kind of put me under his wing. I've always admired the way he worked. I admire his leadership. To actually be a part of his team now, and I know he's done a great job out there [in Houston], I'm just excited and it's truly a blessing. I'm looking forward to it."

 

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