On whether he was surprised that the Eagles drafted him: "I was very surprised because I just saw the Eagles at the combine. We met for 15 minutes, I talked with a couple of different scouts, but never in a million years did I think Philadelphia was coming for me"
On how it makes him feel to know how much the Eagles gave up to get him: "It makes me feel real good. I know that I have a lot of responsibility, because if they're going to trade up for me, they're expecting a lot from me. I'm going to give them what they're looking for. I just appreciate the opportunity to be a Philadelphia Eagle."
On whether he has heard comparisons of himself to Hugh Douglas and Trent Cole: "No, I have never (heard that before). I don't know too much, I've just heard the names. I've looked at the guys like the (Elvis) Dumervils—the guys that are my size—and see what I can take from their games and help my game. For Philadelphia to see that in me, I'm glad it made them make a move to get me, and I appreciate that."
On whether he can contribute right away: "I haven't sat on the bench for so many years, and I'm not trying to start now. I'm trying to come in and get as much done as I can. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, and I'm just going to show it—I don't like to talk about it too much. I know coach wants me out there as much as possible and I'm going try to do that. I want to be a starter."
On the concern about his height as a pass rushing defensive end: "I think after the Senior Bowl, I really didn't hear that too much after that. I had a good Senior Bowl, and I wanted to let them know that it's not about my height. I'm going to play hard until the whistle. I'm a strong guy and I believe I know how to play football, and I'm going to get to the ball. And after they saw me at the Senior Bowl, I don't think that's too much of a question anymore."
On whether he knew the Eagles had interest in him: "No, I didn't know at all. I didn't take a visit there, I just met with them at the combine. I'm just happy they see a lot in me. I see a lot in myself, too, and I'm going to give them what they want."
On describing himself as a player: "Great pass rusher, disruptive run stopper, a high motor guy—a humble guy. A coachable kid. Somebody who is going to come in and try to learn. I'm just somebody who loves the game of football."
On his Senior Bowl week: "The Senior Bowl week I just wanted to answer any questions that they had of me. If they wanted me to play linebacker or anything, you know I was ready to go in and play. That was the question, if I can come in and play linebacker or defensive end. I wanted to show them (I could play) both. I just ended up going with what I know—and that's defensive end. That's what I've played the last four years, so I just ended up playing that (position) and did it to the fullest."
On whether he knew if a 3-4 team or a 4-3 team would draft him: "Yeah, I knew it was going to be one of them. But, I wasn't really banking on either one. I was just saying, 'whichever one, I know I'm going to be good at whatever position I'm going to play.'"
On whether he feels he is going to be a standout player rather than a role player: "I'm going to do whatever the team wants me to do. At the same time I'm going in there with the mentality to try to learn anything I can to get out there on the field the best way I can. If it's starting off special teams, anything, if I got to get out there, I got to get out there. I'm just not used to getting cold on the bench or sitting on the bench. I like to be out there helping my team win."
