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NFL Draft Prospect
Interview: Matt Spanos, C, USC
by Joey Bures, 2/5/08.
Matt
Spanos was on a talented offensive line at the University of Southern
California. During his USC career he played tackle, guard, and
started at center his senior season. And this past season he won
USC's Courage Award and Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year Award.
His versatility will be a sought after commodity come draft day.
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What is your accurate height, weight and
forty time?
Matt
Spanos: 6’5.5, 315, 5.0
Describe
your game in three words or less.
Matt
Spanos: Tough, mental, fun
What
do you feel is your greatest strength as a football player and what
area do you feel you need to improve in?
Matt
Spanos: I need to improve my downhill speed. The
biggest positive aspect of my game is my mental toughness. I have
played every position on the offensive line which I believe has been
very valuable for me.
What NFL player do you do you think you
compare favorably to?
Matt Spanos: I’d have to say
Olin Kruetz of the Chicago Bears. He is a big, mean, and very
smart
player. He has been one of the best for many years now.
Obviously, my
skills are not up to where his are right now, but I believe I compare
well to him.
Who is the best player you have faced
during your college football career?
Matt Spanos: Sedrick Ellis.
He’s the most dominant defensive tackle in NCAA. I think he is
even
better than Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey is a phenomenal player, but
Sedrick
is definitely the best I’ve ever seen.
What is your greatest football moment to
date?
Matt Spanos: Being part of the
National Championship team when we dominated Oklahoma in the Orange
Bowl.
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Did you have a favorite pro team growing
up? Favorite player?
Matt
Spanos: I was born in
Chicago, so my favorite team was the Chicago Bears. My favorite
player
was Walter Payton. Also, being on the West Coast I enjoyed
watching
the Raiders and the 49ers.
How
instrumental was your head coach Pete Carroll in your progression?
Matt
Spanos: He was huge. The
step going from high school to college was heavy mentally and
physically. He helped me adjust and was a great person. He made
you
learn to love the game. He taught me to never give up when I had
a few
minor injuries.
What
have former college teammates now in the NFL told you about preparing
for the league?
Matt
Spanos: Its definitely a
business. People are at the same level of competition and you
have to
compete for a spot. I want to make an impact and get my name out
there. There are a lot of good players in the league and they are
all
competing for paychecks.
When
you get your first professional paycheck what is the first thing you
will buy?
Matt
Spanos: I would want to
buy a house for my parents. Obviously, I won’t be able to do that
on
my first check. Also, I would probably get some nice
clothes. I do
not need a cool car with expensive rims.
How
have you been preparing for the NFL Draft?
Matt
Spanos: I have been
working out at school, and preparing for the Combine that takes place
late Februrary. Strength coaches have a great regimen here.
I will
continue working on my speed.
Where
and what will you be doing on draft day?
Matt
Spanos: I’ll be sweating from nervousness. I hope I
get to hear my name called.
Do
you have any goals in mind when it comes to the NFL Draft?
Matt
Spanos: I’d like to think
that I am guy that should be drafted. I’ve played against really
tough
competition and held up very well. I hope someone will take
notice of
that and take me.
What
is the one thing you will most miss at college?
Matt
Spanos: I’ll miss all of
the friends I’ve made. It will be strange not seeing them
everyday.
Being with the guys I’ve grown with here was amazing.
What
was your favorite college course and why?
Matt
Spanos: I am a History
Major. My favorite course was History 343. It was about the
emergence
of America. It was about the Industrial Revolution and later
events
that really made America the way it is today.
What
is something football fans may not know about you?
Matt
Spanos: People do not know that I am a big lover of music
and I play different instruments. I never go anywhere without my
iPod.
Do
you read mock drafts or listen to what draft experts have to say?
Matt
Spanos: I do not check about myself, but I look into what
people are saying about my teammates.
What
was the last good movie you saw?
Matt
Spanos: Green St.
Hooligans,
a movie about soccer guys who are overly obsessed with soccer teams in
Europe. The main characters are in a gang who support soccer
teams.
What
do you plan to do once your playing career is over?
Matt
Spanos: I’d like to get
into teaching American History, and coaching high school
football. I
want to keep up with my sport and teach kids sportsmanship and how to
play as a team.
Thanks
for taking the time to answer some questions and good luck!
Matt
Spanos: Thank you sir.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2008 NFL
Mock
Draft
Gregory Cox's 2008
NFL Mock Draft
Paul Eide's 2008 NFL
Mock Draft
Jared
Donnelly's 2008 NFL Mock
Draft
Mock
Draft Database
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