@DPo8*.
It's the third week of camp, and we're getting into game preparation. That's fun, just to get ready to go up against somebody besides our defense. I feel the season getting closer and closer. In preseason, I just want to make sure all my assignments are right and continue to get better every single week and every single day and just become a pro.
My first time traveling as a pro last week was fun. Traveling with teams is the same just about everywhere. The police escort to the airplane, that's how it was at Ohio State – get there fast, get on the plane. The food was great on the plane. We got off the plane, had a police escort to the hotel, had some down time and then some sharp focus at the end for meetings. The next day, we got some time to relax with it being a night game. I was really excited for my first NFL game. I couldn't believe it was happening. It opened my eyes, and now I feel like when I go on the road, I know what to expect.
I had a lot of family come out for the game. It was good to see them. I've been in such a camp grind, I haven't even been able to get a haircut. So it was an opportunity to see them and talk to them after the game for like 30 minutes. That meant the world to me. My mom came, and a lot of my younger cousins. They come up to the hotel before the game. Just to be able to sit down and talk to them and let them know that I'm alright, that I'm just grinding, I miss them and everything like that, that was great.
As far as the game itself, when you get out there, it's just football. I felt comfortable on the field. Coach (Gary) Kubiak told me after the game not to worry about not getting a lot of passes thrown my way and just to keep grinding, because in this league, one small play can be the difference between a lot of wins. Coach Kubiak always talks about that, 'Just pay attention to detail,' and that's why I try to make sure I stay sharp and catch as many balls as I can during the week. When the game comes, you might not be getting any, but when that one comes, I've caught it a thousand times already, so that's just why I try to stay up.
If we're running the ball and they can't stop the run, I don't mind blocking if we get the win. I really don't. I don't have that kind of attitude ever. Never had it at Ohio State, never had it in high school. When you run the ball and the other team can't stop you, it just demoralizes that team. I want to be a part of that. I want to get in the run game, and when we've got a pass and my number's called, I'll be ready.
This first home game coming up tomorrow is like an away game for me, because I don't know what it's like here. I don't know what the fans are going to be like. I've never been inside the stadium with the grass. I'll be looking around when I go out for warm-ups, just checking it out and just getting used to it, getting comfortable, like, 'This is my new home.' I'm excited. I can't wait to see what it looks like just for gameday. I've been around Reliant and the Reliant Park area so many times, I'm just ready to see it filled up with cars and everybody wearing Texans gear. It's going to be exciting, because I know Texas loves their football, and I can't wait.
I've heard about the Bull Pen. If I get an opportunity at all this season, I'm going to come say what's up to them up there. I've always wanted to do that in my life. I always wanted to kind of Lambeau Leap, but I really think jumping into the Bull Pen will be better.
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