2011 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos Linebacker Von Miller Potent Quotables

Shortly after being selected by the Denver Broncos with the 2nd Overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, linebacker Von Miller talked with the media about the selection, his potential in a 4-3 defense and what he thinks of new teammate Elvis Dumervil:

On getting emotional when getting a call from the Broncos

"I talked to (General Manager Brian) Xanders. I was watching my phone, and my phone wasn't ringing. I looked over to my dad's phone, and they had called my dad. I saw a 303 (area code) number, and I knew immediately who it was. I just had flashbacks to all the hard work that I've been putting in ever since little league football, all the people who told me, ‘No,' and every time that everybody said I couldn't do it. I just had that flashback. I was just extremely anxious for my opportunity to go up to the league and prove myself."

On hearing news he would go to Denver

"I had not really been paying attention to any of that. It was always a surprise to me. You hear stuff. I got all the stuff from my agent, and he told me a lot of stuff. He told me the night before that Denver was going to pick me, but in the draft you know everybody lies. I was just extremely excited to get this opportunity."

On DE Elvis Dumervil

"I know a lot about Elvis Dumervil. When I was in high school, it was people saying that it was Elvis Dumervil who opened it up for smaller guys to come off the edge. I know a lot about Elvis Dumervil. I'm excited that he's back, injury free, and I'm just glad to be a teammate."

On playing in a 4-3 instead of a 3-4

"I think I'm going to adjust pretty well. At the end of the day, when the ball is snapped, it's all about shedding blocks and making tackles. When I get there I'm going to be extremely excited, extremely anxious to go play football."

On meeting with the Broncos multiple times

"I had a workout with the Broncos. I had lunch and dinner. They had a meeting out there at the facility, Dove (Valley). I'm just extremely excited to get there."

On covering running backs and tight ends

"I've always covered running backs and tight ends, and I've always dropped back into coverage. It was just my role on the Texas A&M team to get after the quarterback, where they needed me most, so on third downs I was always in a rush. If you put on the film, I think I was playing quite a bit, and I can drop back in coverage and cover a slot receiver, cover the No. 1 receiver and get on those running backs."

On playing as a down lineman

"I'm extremely comfortable. I'm just anxious to prove myself. I can show you better than I can tell you."

On being in New York with Commissioner Roger Goodell

"It was great to be here (in New York). I've never had anything against Roger Goodell. I just want to make sure football continues to get played. When I walked across the stage, I was meeting the commissioner, and that was it. The whole reason why I got into this whole thing was not because of notoriety or for publicity. I got into this thing to represent the guys who came before me and broke their backs. I just wanted to make sure football continues to get played."

On playing for Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman

"It was an extreme blessing. My teammates and everybody at Texas A&M, we all had the upper hand having a guy with his expertise and his point of view about how to make it to the NFL and how to be a pro. We ran our team like a pro team, and it was great."

On playing against Colorado OL Nate Solder at the Senior Bowl

"Nate Solder, he's an extremely talented guy. Whenever I go up against any guy, I'm going to try my best to get to the quarterback, and I'm going to try my best to get from point A to point B so I'm not really worried about the tackle. I can't even look (laughs)."