Coach Parcells challenged me a lot in my rookie year, and not just in games. Almost every day in practice, he'd stand right beside me as he called for the field-goal team to take the field.
I first learned about kicking under pressure in 1996, my rookie year with the Patriots. I was signed as a free agent by a team that already had Matt Bahr, one of the best kickers around. To win the job, I had to show coach Bill Parcells that I could make kicks when they counted. That process started in training camp.
I tell all the rookies that come into our series and all the young drivers they can come ask me anything at any time, and we'll give them the straight shoot.
I don't know if there were many pros for me playing early. I feel like I dug myself a pretty deep hole that rookie year.
A lot of rookies hit the wall after 50 or 60 games.
Winning the Rookie of the Year would be nice but making the playoffs would be even nicer for me.
I think because I am a proven rookie that it is going to help me in the long run.
It would have been harder for me to get rookie of the year in Cleveland than it would've been in Minnesota.
I used to lead off when I was a rookie. I've always been able to bunt.
Coming in as an undrafted rookie, I wanted to make sure I competed every day against those talented receivers. Brandon Lloyd, he was a great guy to go against because I did a lot of scout team. Going against him every day along with all those other receivers really helped me polish my game.
