Q: How much contact did you have with the Giants before the draft?
A: Speaking with a lot of guys who went through the process before that I’m close with from (Virginia Tech), (they said) that the team that drafts me will be shocking because it will be a team that hasn’t contacted you as much or hasn’t interviewed you as much. I had a meeting with the Giants at the combine, but after that I didn’t hear much from them—I didn’t have a visit or I didn’t work out for them. At the same time my agent kept me informed and said it was a good chance that I could go there.
Q: What was your reaction when the Giants selected you?
A: I was sitting on the bed and the Giants had the last pick in the first round… And then Tampa Bay traded (up), and I thought, ‘Maybe they’ll get a running back. I know they need a running back.’ At that point, I was hoping for anything. The Giants are Super Bowl champions, and I’m like ‘They probably won’t pick me…’ I was just hoping that something would happen, and I get the New Jersey call and I start screaming. I answered the phone and it was the New York Giants. It was the best call that I got in a long time.
Q: Do you think you could contribute right away?
A: Yes, and they have a good running back in (Ahmad) Bradshaw and another guy on the team. Those guys are veterans in the league and I’m entering the league. I’m going to learn as much as I can from them.