On how relieved he is that his contract situation is settled and that he's headed to camp: "This is a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders, that's for sure. Ever since I got here a few weeks ago, I've been chomping at the bit to get in here. I understand there's a business aspect to football. It's something I've never cared for and don't know much about. I'm just glad this is over with and we can get rolling."
On whether he's concerned about how much time he's missed: "I've been concerned throughout the whole lockout process. This definitely adds into that as well. I've had the playbook. I've been going through that as much as I could. That was definitely something I was taking into consideration. The guys have tomorrow off, and I'm driving to Lehigh right now to meet with (Offensive Line) Coach (Howard) Mudd and try to get as much in as I can in the next 48 hours."
On whether he believes he will be ready to play opening day at right guard against the St. Louis Rams: "I have to come in and compete. Nothing is guaranteed that I'm going to be a starter, by any means. That's the coach's decision, not mine. Like I said, I've been here for, you know, two weeks, and I've been chomping at the bit to get in. I'm eager to learn. It'd be an honor and privilege to get in front of (QB Michael) Vick and let him work his magic. Like I said, I'm hoping and I want to come in and compete right away."
On whether not getting the fourth year guaranteed in his contract was an issue: "Like I said, I don't know much about the business aspect of football. So I trusted (my agent) and I left it in his hands and, you know, he asked me if I was okay with it, and I said, 'Yeah, I would like to get in there'."
On whether there was anything that changed his mind and prompted him to sign the contract today: "I mean, like I said, I kind of was looking out for this. It was a new CBA, this was the first year for all the rookies. I know that there are still a handful of rookies that are still in the same spot I was. My agent knew that I was eager and wanted to get in and I left it in his hands."
On whether anyone around Philadelphia had been asking about him getting into camp: Actually, I didn't, and I wasn't sure what to think of that. I tried to make the best of my time off and study and work out. And I did meet some fans and they were all very sympathetic and excited that I was here. And you never want to hold out, it's something I definitely didn't enjoy but I had support from the fans, that's for sure."
On whether he is a quick learner: "I hope so. I've only played for four years and I felt I picked up the sport very good. I don't think I'd be where I am now if I wasn't a quick learner. I'm determined and dedicated to learn this as quick as I can and put all the hard work I can into it. I don't know what to tell you on that. Like I said, I want to work as hard as I can and try to be prepared."
On who came forward to give him advice in this process besides his agent: "This was a unique situation. I didn't know who to talk to. I trusted my agent that he was going to do the right thing, and I didn't know who else to talk to in a process like this."
On whether he had any family members or former players give him advice: "(Jokingly) If you ever met my Dad, you'd understand that he'd be the last person to call in a situation like this. No disrespect to my Dad. If it was doing hard manual labor like grading a road or percents of grades or something like that, I'd probably call him but not when it comes to this."
