Nick
04-28-2008, 01:14 PM
http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/eddieroyalinterview.htm
By: Alex Khvatov 4/2/08
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight, forty time and bench press)?
Eddie Royal: I measured at 5'9' 5/8 and 184 pounds. I ran a 4.39 forty and did 24 reps. I knew that I wanted to get it somewhere in the 20's. 24 reps was a good day. I knew that I could have run faster in the forty. It is all about technique and I just ran as hard as I could.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what schools showed interest in you?
Eddie Royal: Marshall, Tennessee, Maryland, Syracuse, Ohio State, Michigan and Virginia Tech. A lot of schools on the east coast showed interest.
Alex Khvatov: Why was Marshall in the conversation?
Eddie Royal: My older brother went to Marshall. He played defensive back for them. In 2006, he was second in interceptions for them. He played for the Redskins, but it didn't work out. He told me what to expect and how to prepare for the NFL. I watched him go through it and it made easier on me. He is in the Arena League right now playing for Cleveland.
Alex Khvatov: Why did choose Virginia Tech?
Eddie Royal: My sister went to school here. It was close to home. It was close to the family. My mom could come and see me play. Coach Beamer was a big reason for me coming here.
Alex Khvatov: You had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, describe your experience there.
Eddie Royal: It was a great experience. I didn't know any of the guys. I didn't know what to expect. I was anxious and nervous. Everybody felt that way there. Just knowing that everything you do, you are being watched. They watch how you act. I was able to relax when I got on the field. I was having my most fun on the football field.
Alex Khvatov: Did you get a chance to bond with any of the players there?
Eddie Royal: I met a couple of guys. Good guys like LaVelle Hawkins, Adarius Bowman, Dorien Bryant, Jordy Nelson and Marcus Smith. I worked out with Marcus Smith at the same facility. We were all professionals. We pushed each other in practice and wanted to get noticed. We wanted to make a bigger play. We were encouraging one another. We were competitive and we pushed each other.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your overall experience at the Scouting Combine.
Eddie Royal: The thing about it is it helped me out a lot by being at the Senior Bowl. I knew what to expect from the interview process. You are running here and there. I wanted to do my best. I was anxious and I didn't sleep much the night before. You try to show them the type of player and athlete that you are. You want to do well. I tried to have as much fun as I could. I joked around as much as I could. The interviews were great. It was a chance to show off your football knowledge. It is an opportunity to show how much football you know, how you see different coverages and what goes on in your head. They wanted to figure out what type of knowledge I had.
Alex Khvatov: What was the most unique question that you had to answer during the interview process?
Eddie Royal: It was one coaches talking to me and then he threw it out there. Did you ever smoke weed? I told him that I have never done that. He did that on purpose. He wanted me to answer without thinking about it. They wanted you to answer the questions truthfully. They play mind games with you.
Alex Khvatov: How did you perform at the Pro Day?
Eddie Royal: I didn't do anything there. I talked to scouts and Coach Mike Tomlin. I had a good conversation with him. I caught the ball on the side a little bit. But it was mainly an interview process for me again.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths on the football field?
Eddie Royal: My versatility. I do different things. I return kicks and punts. I can run reverses and throw the ball. I threw for a touchdown in college. I can get on the field early as a slot receiver and then become an outside receiver. I will be able to come in and contribute right away. My hands and my route running are good. I have a lot of experience in big games because I played for four seasons in college.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?
Eddie Royal: I feel like everything. At the next level, everyone is good. The opponents study every flaw of your game. I need to improve every part of my game.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your former teammates WR Josh Morgan and WR Justin Harper.
Eddie Royal: Yeah, Josh Morgan is kind of flying under the radar. He will get on the field early. He is too talented to not get on the field. He is a big, physical guy who will make catches. Justin Harper has all of the potential in the world. He is a big guy who has played a lot. He runs fast and he gets the ball at the highest point. He is a threat in the red zone. He can use his speed to get deep. We are all brothers. We are honest about each other. I honestly think that they will be good receivers.
Alex Khvatov: Did you enjoy playing for Frank Beamer?
Eddie Royal: Yeah, you hear all the time that he is a player's coach. He cares about his players. He wants to make sure that you graduate. He cares about your life after football. He is a family man. We are all a family at Virginia Tech. We look out for each other. His son and his daughter are always around. His wife is a great lady who looks out for everyone on the team. I just have a lot of respect for him and his family.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the one NFL player that you would compare your game to?
Eddie Royal: I think Wes Welker. He gets separation and he is dangerous after the catch. He is a great slot receiver and punt returner. Marvin Harrison is another one because he is a technician on the field. He is a good route runner with great hands. Steve Smith is a game breaker who can take it the distance every time. As a returner, it is Devin Hester because he has shown how important it is to be a great return man. He has proven his value as a second round pick.
By: Alex Khvatov 4/2/08
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight, forty time and bench press)?
Eddie Royal: I measured at 5'9' 5/8 and 184 pounds. I ran a 4.39 forty and did 24 reps. I knew that I wanted to get it somewhere in the 20's. 24 reps was a good day. I knew that I could have run faster in the forty. It is all about technique and I just ran as hard as I could.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what schools showed interest in you?
Eddie Royal: Marshall, Tennessee, Maryland, Syracuse, Ohio State, Michigan and Virginia Tech. A lot of schools on the east coast showed interest.
Alex Khvatov: Why was Marshall in the conversation?
Eddie Royal: My older brother went to Marshall. He played defensive back for them. In 2006, he was second in interceptions for them. He played for the Redskins, but it didn't work out. He told me what to expect and how to prepare for the NFL. I watched him go through it and it made easier on me. He is in the Arena League right now playing for Cleveland.
Alex Khvatov: Why did choose Virginia Tech?
Eddie Royal: My sister went to school here. It was close to home. It was close to the family. My mom could come and see me play. Coach Beamer was a big reason for me coming here.
Alex Khvatov: You had a strong week at the Senior Bowl, describe your experience there.
Eddie Royal: It was a great experience. I didn't know any of the guys. I didn't know what to expect. I was anxious and nervous. Everybody felt that way there. Just knowing that everything you do, you are being watched. They watch how you act. I was able to relax when I got on the field. I was having my most fun on the football field.
Alex Khvatov: Did you get a chance to bond with any of the players there?
Eddie Royal: I met a couple of guys. Good guys like LaVelle Hawkins, Adarius Bowman, Dorien Bryant, Jordy Nelson and Marcus Smith. I worked out with Marcus Smith at the same facility. We were all professionals. We pushed each other in practice and wanted to get noticed. We wanted to make a bigger play. We were encouraging one another. We were competitive and we pushed each other.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your overall experience at the Scouting Combine.
Eddie Royal: The thing about it is it helped me out a lot by being at the Senior Bowl. I knew what to expect from the interview process. You are running here and there. I wanted to do my best. I was anxious and I didn't sleep much the night before. You try to show them the type of player and athlete that you are. You want to do well. I tried to have as much fun as I could. I joked around as much as I could. The interviews were great. It was a chance to show off your football knowledge. It is an opportunity to show how much football you know, how you see different coverages and what goes on in your head. They wanted to figure out what type of knowledge I had.
Alex Khvatov: What was the most unique question that you had to answer during the interview process?
Eddie Royal: It was one coaches talking to me and then he threw it out there. Did you ever smoke weed? I told him that I have never done that. He did that on purpose. He wanted me to answer without thinking about it. They wanted you to answer the questions truthfully. They play mind games with you.
Alex Khvatov: How did you perform at the Pro Day?
Eddie Royal: I didn't do anything there. I talked to scouts and Coach Mike Tomlin. I had a good conversation with him. I caught the ball on the side a little bit. But it was mainly an interview process for me again.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths on the football field?
Eddie Royal: My versatility. I do different things. I return kicks and punts. I can run reverses and throw the ball. I threw for a touchdown in college. I can get on the field early as a slot receiver and then become an outside receiver. I will be able to come in and contribute right away. My hands and my route running are good. I have a lot of experience in big games because I played for four seasons in college.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?
Eddie Royal: I feel like everything. At the next level, everyone is good. The opponents study every flaw of your game. I need to improve every part of my game.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your former teammates WR Josh Morgan and WR Justin Harper.
Eddie Royal: Yeah, Josh Morgan is kind of flying under the radar. He will get on the field early. He is too talented to not get on the field. He is a big, physical guy who will make catches. Justin Harper has all of the potential in the world. He is a big guy who has played a lot. He runs fast and he gets the ball at the highest point. He is a threat in the red zone. He can use his speed to get deep. We are all brothers. We are honest about each other. I honestly think that they will be good receivers.
Alex Khvatov: Did you enjoy playing for Frank Beamer?
Eddie Royal: Yeah, you hear all the time that he is a player's coach. He cares about his players. He wants to make sure that you graduate. He cares about your life after football. He is a family man. We are all a family at Virginia Tech. We look out for each other. His son and his daughter are always around. His wife is a great lady who looks out for everyone on the team. I just have a lot of respect for him and his family.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the one NFL player that you would compare your game to?
Eddie Royal: I think Wes Welker. He gets separation and he is dangerous after the catch. He is a great slot receiver and punt returner. Marvin Harrison is another one because he is a technician on the field. He is a good route runner with great hands. Steve Smith is a game breaker who can take it the distance every time. As a returner, it is Devin Hester because he has shown how important it is to be a great return man. He has proven his value as a second round pick.