Getting drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles a few months ago was a dream come true and I have to say thank you again to the Eagles organization and all of the great fans for embracing me. It's looking good as far as the new CBA and I think I'll be on a plane to Philadelphia sometime between this Wednesday and Friday if everything continues to progress the way it has in the last week.
It's been unfortunate that as rookies we haven't been able to have any contact with our organizations since draft day, but that hasn't changed my mindset in preperation for the season. I've spent most of my time at Utah State University using my college facilities to work out and prepare for whenever the lockout would possibly end. I've flown back home to California a few times for a week or so during this lockout too. When I did so, I trained with Athletes' Performance at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA which is near my home.
The main elements of my training have been position drills and footwork, as well as catching a lot of balls. It's been better for me to train at Utah State because it's a great place to focus and I had a chance to train with my fellow CB and teammate Chris Randle who will be signing with an NFL team as soon as the lockout officially ends. I also was able to train with my former teammate James Brindley who plays DB and who is preparing for his second training camp with the Seattle Seahawks this fall.
Shortly after the draft our workout regiments were pretty heavy even with weight lifting because the season was still a few months away so I feel like I was able to gain some strength. I lifted 3 times a week, but the first thing I did everyday was position drills. This would be a combination of drills we knew and some new drills. During the predraft process I was fortunate enough to have had an individual workout with Hall of Famer and Raiders DB Coach Rod Woodson. He showed Chris and I some drills that he used to do everyday for press work, hips, breaks, etc. We took his advice and have been doing those drills in addition to some extra work everyday since March.
Now my workouts are more focused with a new CBA looking near and training camp coming up. I cut squating out of my workouts last week and have been running hills twice a week for leg strength and explosion. Still lifting, but very short and concentrated lifts. I've been lifting upper body the same, but as far as lower body, its just hang cleans, shrug pulls, and some one-legged split squats to stay tight and explosive.
I've been back home in California for the last few days and plan on staying here until the lockout ends hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm still working hard though, I'll be up early tomorrow getting my drills in and I'm going to cut out all lower body lifting and add the ladder and hills twice this week so I can be fresh for whatever types of workouts the Eagles might have planned before camp once this lockout ends. I feel stronger and faster than ever and really confident in my technique and releases.
Camp is near and the season is right around the corner. I couldn't be more excited that this lockout is said to be ending soon. Being in the NFL and being in Philadelphia of all places is a dream come true. Thanks again to all of my family, friends, teachers, coaches, and everybody else that has done anything to help me get here. I wouldn't have this opportunity if it wasn't for the people who raised me, and the way that they did.
I plan on eventually being one of the best in the world at what I do and I will do whatever it takes to help my team win and for me to be the best. I'll be posting again soon on my first impressions in Philly hopefully later this week and throughout training camp and season.
