2008 NFL Draft - Broncos WR Eddie Royal Conference Call
On knowing the Broncos were interested in him
“I had an idea. I spoke with them at the Senior Bowl, but I was totally shocked when I was picked. I got the call from [Head] Coach [Mike] Shanahan, and I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
On his ability to return kicks
“I definitely feel like I can come in and be that guy. I can come in and make plays on special teams and be a guy that teams are scared to kick the ball to. I definitely look forward to doing that and making an impact right away.”
On if he prefers returning punts or kickoffs
“It doesn’t matter. I feel comfortable doing both. I have had more success on punt returns, but I love doing them both. If it involves catching the ball and making plays for my team, I’ll do it.”
On making an immediate impact with the Broncos
“I’m hoping they need me a lot because I want to come in right away and play. At the opening game, I look to be the starter back there returning kicks and punts. Hopefully I can do that. Mostly, I want to show the coaches that I am mature enough to come in right away and play.”
On why he believes he is a better punt returner than kickoff returner
“I don’t believe I am a better punt returner than kick returner. It is just that I have had more success returning punts. I think that I will be able to come in and be effective at both.”
On how long it will take to see time on offense
“Hopefully not too long. I think the coaches will see me out there making plays on special teams and say, ‘Hey we gotta get this guy the ball on the offense.’ Hopefully not long at all.”
On learning how to play the slot position from Broncos WR Brandon Stokley
“It is great to have someone like him to learn from. He really studies the game and he knows the business. He is one of those guys that may not have the big name but is always productive. He is like the Ed McCaffrey type, the silent killer.”
On being drafted ahead of other big-name receivers
“I really was surprised. I didn’t know what to expect out of the receivers in the first round, and that kind of made me nervous but the great thing is that [Head] Coach [Mike] Shanahan has a lot of respect and he gave me this chance, so I am going to get out there and give him all I got.”
On being drafted before California’s DeSean Jackson
“A lot of coaches have told me different thing comparing some of the things that he does to what I do. We are similar players, but at the same time we do some things differently. I think it really depended on what the team was looking for. I think my personality and me being more mature definitely helped with the selection.”
0 recs |
8
comments
Read Related
Comments
I like this kid...
he’s going to be good for us. ALL HEART!
by Zappa on Apr 26, 2008 7:22 PM MDT 0 recs
smooth
First Bronco press conference and he drops in an Ed McCaffrey reference—love it!
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King
by batgirl on
Apr 27, 2008 9:26 AM MDT
up
0 recs
well, here's the shocker
does dan conners stink or something all of a sudden? 2nd best saf(take your pick) still was available. dt? dt!? robertson, thomas, mckinley, and…oh, that’s it. that’s our rotation. plus a 4th round or worse rookie. my god. this seems like a reach at best. who is going to sit out at wr now? d. jackson, kolbert, stokely? listen i am the one clamoring for special teams help louder than anyone, but ignoring the d and drafting at a pretty deep position right now seems senseless. this gut better be a keeper, and lord help the d.
by davecheffy on Apr 26, 2008 7:32 PM MDT 0 recs
almost our entire draft last year was defense,
but you are right. I hope we trade up first thing tomorrow morning and nab Connor. We also need a DT in the 4th. Perhaps Shanny sees tremendous value in the later rounds.
I still want him to pick up Xavier Omon!
by Zappa on
Apr 26, 2008 7:36 PM MDT
up
0 recs
Ooo bitch slap
“I think my personality and me being more mature definitely helped with the selection.”
by WABronco on Apr 26, 2008 7:40 PM MDT 0 recs
I think he was drafted
primarily for his immediate value as a returner, because The Sporting News ranked him only 20th in blocking ability, which we know the Broncos value. But look at his other rankings: hands, 4th; patterns, 1st; release, 1st; run after catch, 2nd. So in the pure pass-catching categories, he’s right at the top of the list. SN also lauds him for “making big plays and consistently delivering at crucial moments,” which suggests that he plays well under pressure and comes up big in the clutch. No team can have too many of those kinds of players.
"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen
by spock on Apr 26, 2008 7:53 PM MDT 0 recs




















