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NFL Player
Interview: Daniel Wilcox, TE, Baltimore Ravens |
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After
seven
years in the NFL with three different teams Baltimore
Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox knows the business from all angles,
which is what made speaking to him this past Saturday significant for a
couple different reasons.
First, because September 1st was the NFL’s mandatory cut down day where
teams are required to limit their rosters to just 53 players, a double
edged sword he has seen both sides of.
“I spent my first 3 years (in the NFL) on the practice squad and got
cut about a million times,” said Wilcox. “You never really know what
teams are thinking so I still feel a little nervous on this day, even
though I have a little more job security now.”
The other reason it was significant is because the former Appalachian
State standout’s alma mater pulled of the arguably the greatest upset
in college football history by beating the Michigan Wolverines, in Ann
Arbor Michigan.
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“I
was absolutely ecstatic, said Wilcox about the Mountaineers
victory. “They went up to ‘The Big House’ and did exactly what
they
were supposed to do. It gave me a lot of motivation heading into the
season.”
With less than a week to go before the Ravens play on Monday Night
Football versus the Bengals, Wilcox is as healthy as he has been since
camp started. After being held out of all the Ravens preseason games
because of a sprained ankle he is finally healthy enough to play.
“My ankle is pretty sore, but they are taking all the proper
precautions to make sure I’m ready to go on Monday,” he said. “I’ve
given it a lot of time off so I think I’ll be ready to go.” |
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According
to Wilcox, playing through pain is that something the average fan
doesn’t understand. The brutality and strength exhibited on every play
is beyond comprehension to everyone except those who have experienced
it first hand.
“There’s no way you could possibly simulate it,” said Wilcox about the
rigors of each and every play. “It’s like having a girlfriend
that’s never been in a football game before. You come home everyday and
you be like ‘Man, I’m hurting, I’m tired’ and all she does is complain
and say ‘You’re tired? What you tired for?’ She doesn’t understand why
you’re tired because she’s never been in that situation before but if
she felt that pain she’d be ready to message your feet every time you
walk in that door.”
As a seven year veteran of the NFL, Wilcox has learned that playing
through injury is a prerequisite of his profession and something that
no player is immune to.
“Once that season starts, I don’t think anybody is 100% anymore, if
they ever were. I don’t think I’ve been 100% for more than one game
during my seven years in the league,” said Wilcox.
“By the time we actually get into training camp, were just starting to
be 100%. If you see the amount of tape used in one season you would
trip out. Guys hands get so beat up they wrap ‘em like boxers hands to
keep them strong.”
In the 2006 season, Wilcox started a career high six games, set a
career high with three touchdown receptions and provided the Ravens
with another threat in the passing game further complimenting a team
that has found success spreading the ball to different receivers all
over the field. Wilcox credits his increased role in the offense to
head coach Brian Billick’s coaching staff and their ability to utilize
all the talent at their disposal.
“The thing working in my favor is that Todd Heap is such a good tight
end. He is probably the best tight end in the league and if not the
best, definitely in the top five. Every year he’ll get his 60-70
catches and he is the focus of the opposing defenses, which really
opens things up for me. When they forget about me, it allows me to be
productive and catch a touchdown here or there. If I get enough work
early in the year, it takes heat off of Todd.”
One facet of the offense that will look a little different compared to
last year is the running game. After losing veteran running back Jamal
Lewis, who signed a one year deal with the Browns, the Ravens went out
and acquired another marquee running back, former Bills standout Willis
McGahee.
“I don’t really know what to expect because I haven’t played in a game
with McGahee yet,” said Wilcox. “I’ve been really impressed with him
but I am a huge fan of Jamal Lewis. He is a good friend of mine and he
is an absolute animal. But at the same time, I think Willis will come
in and do some great things for the organization and give the fans
exactly what they want. He is the kind of back who can help get us to
the next level.”
So does it make it worse he went to the Browns, an inter-conference
rival?
“I think he’s going to give the Browns a heck of a running game. I
don’t think it hurts worse to lose him to them because losing him is
losing him regardless. Jamal is a specimen of a human being. If you
ever had the chance to see him in person and stand beside him you would
see what I’m saying. It’s like standing next to the Incredible Hulk.”
It’s hard to improve on the 13-3 season that the Ravens are coming off
of but Wilcox thinks they will. One main reason is that the team has
had some time to gel with starting quarterback Steve McNair. After a
whirlwind departure from Tennessee, the former NFL MVP has cemented
himself as the team’s inspirational leader.
“He is one of the most mature QB’s ever,” said Wilcox. “What I mean by
that is the way he approaches the game and handles himself; it just
rubs off on everyone else. Physically you can’t tell he’s any older at
all. If anything I think he’s gotten better because he’s been here for
a whole year now.”
Any discussion about the Ravens as a football team would be incomplete
without touching on their smothering defense. And since there
consistent dominance year in and year out is common knowledge, I wanted
to ask something that’s really important a question that a million
football fans have asked themselves during the past week alone; who is
the better fantasy defense, the Baltimore Ravens or Chicago Bears?
“You can’t ask me a question like that, Paul,” said Wilcox. “Were gonna
have a number one defense. If you get a chance to draft that Ravens
defense, I’m telling you, you won’t be sorry. Pick ‘em early!”
And while on the subject of fantasy I tired to squeeze out a little
inside info, but my attempts proved fruitless.
“I do not play fantasy football but I have friends who call me all the
time and what to know who to start. I DO NOT KNOW!” said Wilcox
emphatically.
“It’s amazing how many people watch our games. They told me this year
that more people watched the NFL Draft than the World Series or the
NCAA Tournament, so you can see why people are crazy about fantasy. I
don’t play it because I don’t have the time. People are on the internet
all the time; I’ve got to have my head in the playbook.”
At the conclusion
of the
interview, number 83 had a question for me. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what is it?” I replied.
“Don’t give me bad picture for the article, Paul. I’ve done a lot of
interviews and they never get my good side. I scored three touchdowns
last year. That gives you three good shots to pick from.”
“It’s a deal, Daniel.” I hope he likes it. |
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