(On his first day with the Rams)

"I think it was a pretty positive day.  I had a lot of fun working with those guys on the defensive line and trying to pick up as much as I can so I don’t slow things down.  But we’re all working on our new stuff as rookies so I had a good time."

(On what DE Leonard Little shared with him during practice)

"Leonard’s just helpful.  What a guy to have working with you on the defensive line.  I think it’s his 11 th season.  He’s been in this game and he knows what he’s doing so anything he says to me, which is mainly just critiquing technique and game experience and stuff like that, is really helpful."

(On how well he feels he is learning the defensive system)

"I feel like I’m picking it up well.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself.  It’s day one.  I’m probably on page one of 100 in the (play) book so I’m not going to get too high on how quick I picked it up, but I think I’ve moved along pretty nicely."

(On his level of anxiety as he walked out to practice)

"I’m always anxious to get out here on the first day, whether it’s college, high school and now in the pros.  It’s the same game you just have to get out there to realize it."

(On selecting No. 72 as his jersey number)

"I never picked anything else.  I saw the available number and I was like ‘Oh that would be cool.  72 sounds good, something different.  You know (New York Giants DE) Osi (Umenyiora) wears it so maybe I’ll get a little faster."

(On how it feels to be in the NFL)

"To be honest, no different.  Just obviously, the game picks up.  These guys are enthusiastic, they love their job – it doesn’t feel like a job which is cool.  That was my biggest anxiety, I was worried it was going to feel like a job and not a game.  But these guys are out here having fun, working hard just like a college team would.  Just guys are better."

(On if he went up against T Orlando Pace)

"No, I didn’t get to."

(On if the coaches have talked to him a lot)

"Yeah, I’ve heard some things from different coaches, but there’s a lot of chatter going on.  I’m a rookie."

 

(On if anyone has talked any ‘trash’ to him yet)

"No, it’s been cool.  This is a team and at the end of the day we all want to have the same goal. Besides ‘carry my helmet,’ it’s all good with me."

(On the coaching staff having early expectations for him)

"Whether I was the second (pick) or a seventh-round pick I’m going to try to be as ready as quick as I can.  I don’t put anybody else’s timetable on myself, I just work as hard as I possibly can and if I maximize what I can do at the end of the day then that’s kind of what you get.  If that’s being ready by the first game to contribute that would be great."

(On if his dad, Hall of Fame DE Howie Long, had any advice for him)

"Oh yeah, he’s a dad, plenty of advice."

(On if he had a chance today to physically test himself against some of the other players)

"You just have to get out there and see.  You see guys in college that are as good as the guys at this level, just more rarely.  It’s just now you see these guys frequently, every play.  Every play you see the best guy that you go against during the season.  So you just have to be ready, never let your guard down, and if that’s the way you play football then you’ll be fine."