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Interviews - KYLE BOLLER ON MCNAIR COMING TO B'MORE

Posted On: 6/7/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi
KYLE BOLLER ON MCNAIR COMING TO B'MORE
Kyle Boller addressed the media yesterday after practice and did so with the style and gracefulness of a savvy veteran.  A cynic might suggest that he’s had plenty of time to prepare for the predictable questions lobbed his way and while that might be true, the sincerity in which he delivered his answers and his obvious team first approach to the game is a character trait that should be admired.
 
When asked if he intends to approach camp with the mindset that he is the No. 1 QB despite all of the discussion about Steve McNair, Boller replied:
 
“It is definitely.  The whole situation that’s going on right now – I’m out here with my guys and I’m doing everything that I can to help this team win and get to where we need to be when camp starts.  If Steve gets here or when he gets here we’ll handle it then.  But until then I’m out here competing and trying to get this offense where it needs to be.”
 
Has it been a rough offseason knowing that the team is trying to obtain McNair?
 
“I’m a very competitive person and I’m going about my business like I am the starter.  That’s the only way I can think of it.  If I’m going to lose sleep over Steve coming or is this going to happen or is that going to happen, it’s just a waste of time.  If Steve was here, I’m going to approach it the same way.  I’m going to give it 100%.  I’m still going to lift the same amount of weights, try and take as many reps as I can and be the leader that I am.  But until Steve comes [when] things are probably going to change, I’ll handle it then.”
 
Do you see the organization’s  conversations with McNair as a lack of faith in you?
 
“No I don’t think so.  The organization is going to make moves that they think they need to make.  Was it my first choice?  No.  Is it my second choice?  Yes.  He’s a proven veteran.  He’s a guy that could come in here and I could learn from which I have never been able to do.  Since I was a rookie I had to start and learn how to do things on my own.  So if it’s the first choice, no.  If it’s the second choice, heck yeah!”
 
Would you have preferred this situation with McNair when you were a rookie and could have learned early on in your career?
 
“That might have been nice but by the same token I’ve gained valuable experience just being out on the field.  I was forced into but you can look at it from the aspect of Carson Palmer [where] he was able to sit back and learn from Kitna and take that approach and it worked out for him.  But things happen for a reason and I’ll go about it and whatever happens, happens.
 
Do you think your teammates still think that you are “the guy?”
 
“I hope so.  I think that they have trust in me and I have good chemistry with them.  If something were to happen if Steve came in here, they still know that I’m going to be the leader that I am and I’m going to do anything that I can to help this team win because that’s all we want to do – we want to win.”
 
Do you think that you still have a shot to be the starter even if McNair does become a Raven?
 
“I hope so.  All I can ask for is [the chance] to compete.  If they name him the starter then they name him the starter.  Then I’ll take that backup role.  I’ll try to help guys and I’ll try to help Steve and when he’s in there I will try to support him all that I can.  When I’m in there hopefully he’ll do the same.  It’s one of those things where I’m not going to worry about it until it happens.  I’ve been hearing a lot about it for a couple of months now and it hasn’t happened so until then, I’m going about my business the way that I do.”
 
Is it difficult to go about your business when everyone keeps asking you about Steve McNair?
 
“You know for some guys it might be but for me it’s not.  I’m so focused on what I do so I’ll go out there and do the same thing.  I’ve said it over and over that right now I feel like I’m the starter and if Steve was here I’d still be doing the same stuff.  I’d still be watching just as much tape, I’d be lifting just as many weights, I’d be hanging out with my players just as much…So nothing will really change unless they name him the starter and he gets all the reps.  Then I’ll deal with all that stuff later.”
 
Would you look at that as a step back in your career or might you look at it optimistically as a way to learn?
 
“I would definitely look at it optimistically.  I would use Steve as much as I can to take things from him.  He’s experienced a lot.  He’s been in the league for 11 years.  It would be silly for me not to use him to my advantage.  If I was selfish and just said, ‘Oh they’re bringing him in and they have no confidence in me’, then that’s my fault.  I’m going to use it as a stepping stone to try and get to where I need to be in this league.  [That’s] something that I haven’t been able to do.  I haven’t been able to learn from a veteran.  So if he were to come in, hopefully I would be trying to pick his brain and get after it and hopefully win a lot of games together.”
 
You’ve worked hard to develop a relationship with Derrick Mason yet Derrick and McNair have a very good rapport as well.  That’s a competitive situation.  How might that play out?
 
“Steve and Derrick have been together for a long time and they probably wouldn’t miss a beat.  But I feel like that right now I think I have a pretty good relationship with Derrick and we’re on the same page.  I think that we’ve taken that next step.  I’ve had a full year to throw with him so I’m not sure how that’s going to affect me and Derrick and Steve and Derrick.  I don’t think that it will be that big of an issue.”
 
With Drew Olson not being here, does that place an added burden on your arm?
 
“This rule is something that they really need to think about.  For a guy like Drew, this is a valuable time when he could be here getting some reps and meet the guys.  But my arm is fine.  That’s what the offseason is for.  [To give it] some rest and get it ready for these three weeks.  It’s not a problem at all.
 
Did you put on some weight?
 
“I did.  I’ve been working hard.  I feel like in this league you take so many hits that you have to be strong.  I’ve tried to take it to the next level and I’ve probably put on about 15 or 20 pounds.  The main thing is going to be during the season.  You know keeping [the weight] up, eating healthy and continuing to lift.  If I can stay at 225 or 230 I think that would be a good weight.”
 
Did you put on that weight because you are expecting to take hits?
 
“Anybody can take hits and anything can happen.  You just want to protect yourself and make your body as healthy as it can be so that if that happens you don’t go out for the season.”
 
How do you think Jamal looks?
 
“Jamal looked great.  He looks like he’s at ease.  He’s catching the ball great.  I threw a couple balls to him today out in the flats and he had smooth hands and got up field.  I think Jamal is really excited to be out here and has a lot to go out there for this year.  It’s going to be fun.

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Posted On: 6/7/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi

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