Official Chargers Blog

On being a Charger:
“I’m really excited. I have big opportunities there. Everybody is saying you (Chargers) are the best team that didn’t make the playoffs, so we’re trying to make the playoffs this year and go all the way.”

On the current situation along the Chargers’ offensive line:
“I don’t really get into it. I know you have a wonderful left tackle already, but it doesn’t make any sense for me to just sit back and not want to compete. I’m coming in to compete for a starting job. I know Roman (Oben) is a great left tackle, and he’s going to compete just as well as I am. Hopefully I’ll be able to earn a starting position.”

On expecting to go in the first-round:
“Definitely. I expected to go in the first-round.”

On why he thinks he did not get selected in the first-round:
“There were just a lot more stipulations with me. Honestly, because of the history everybody has been claiming with my back. San Diego grabbed (Antonio) Cromartie, which was a great move. I’m not bitter at all. It wasn’t about where I went. I just wanted to go somewhere. My sister is crying …my father and mother…they’re loving everything. It’s just a blessing to go, period.”

On his back:
“My back is fine. I plan on showing everybody that when I get into camp. I’ll be down there showing off my back.”

On how his back injury has limited him:
“It hasn’t limited me at all. Everybody will see that when I get down there. I’ll run with the team, workout with the team, hit with the team … all the BS and everything else is aside. You drafted me now. I’m going to show everybody what I was telling them (the Chargers) is the truth. Me and San Diego are going to make a lot of people feel real bad about not picking me up early.”

On left tackle being his position:
“Is the quarterback right-handed? Well, there it is. I’m a left tackle.”

On his knowledge of the Chargers:
“I know you have … how many Pro Bowlers…three? I was thinking about the offensive side of the ball. You have a wonderful staff, and to block for L.T. I blocked for Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown—those were great backs in college—and L.T. is one of the best backs in the league. If anything, I know L.T. is going to get all the glamour and glitz, but when they sit down and look at it and they pick their Pro Bowl teams, they’re going to say, ‘why did L.T. rush for all these yards?’ Maybe this tackle isn’t that bad … maybe we’ll take him to the Pro Bowl. I got big expectations in the league. I don’t plan on just settling. Maybe it’s good that I went in the second round because I kind of do have a chip on my shoulder. I have to prove myself again.”

On his confidence:
“I’m not arrogant at all. I’m the humblest guy you’ll ever meet in your life. I’m very confident in myself, but don’t mistake my confidence for arrogance. I’m not arrogant at all. God blessed me with a lot of talent and I plan on just using all of my ability. Not even for myself; it’s for the team. I really plan on doing big things in San Diego … team-wise.”

On learning behind Roman Oben:
“Yes, definitely. He’s already an established, seasoned left tackle in the league. Even if I don’t win a starting position, I’m going to be able to learn a lot of things. Whereas if I might have gone to some other team I would have automatically been put at the left tackle position.”