TRENT DILFER

September 23, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The former Fresno State quarterback and ESPN analyst will be inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame November 5th, and will also be given the Distinguished Alumnus Award by Fresno State October 16th with fellow former Bulldog football star Cory Hall. Dilfer talked with George Takata about the good ol’ days, his pending induction, and how much he enjoys being in front of the camera.

GEORGE TAKATA: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame?
TRENT DILFER: George, obviously it’s an incredible honor. I’m flattered by it, I was taken back by it actually. It’s nothing I ever expected to happen. It’s one of those things when you get older and you move on in your different careers I think sometimes you forget about the impact you had in earlier stops. And I was very very fortunate to play under an unbelievable head coach in Jim Sweeney, the best offensive coordinator in the country in Jeff Tedford, and just had incredible players around me. I joke to this day that I was definitely a product of the system and the players around me more than it was my ability.

GT: With the likes of Lorenzo Neal, Anthony Daigle, Charlie Jones and Ron Rivers around you, did you feel like you were spoiled when you played here?
TD: Oh yeah. And let’s not forget Tydus Winans, Malcolm Seabron and Michael Ross. We had a plethora of incredible athletes in my time there at Fresno State. I think we were one of the best offenses in the country my last two years there, my sophomore and junior years. We were really unstoppable offensively because we had great coaching. They knew how to get each one of these athletes involved. And all of them went on to have great collegiate careers and very productive careers in the National Football League.

Trent Dilfer is one of the best football players to ever wear a Bulldog uniform.

Trent Dilfer is one of the best football players to ever wear a Bulldog uniform.

GT: Would you say your offense back then is comparable and maybe even better than the Matt Leinart-Reggie Bush dynasty at USC?
TD: That’s a hard comparison to make because playing in the WAC in the early 90’s opposed to playing inthe Pac-10 is different. I think if you look at the success of the players from both programs that went on to the NFL, our success was probably a little bit better. We were legitimately unstoppable. And it probably had less to do with me and more to do with everyone else. I remember my last game I ever played (for Fresno State) against Colorado in the Aloha Bowl. We threw for over 500 yards against a Big 12 team that had something like 14 to 16 NFL guys on it. We were very very good. The greatest football memories of my life was definitely my time at Fresno State.

GT: Including the Super Bowl (won by Dilfer’s Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV)?
TD: Yeah it really is. The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of your professional career and I cherish the memories from it, but I think the relationships which you go through during your college years, it’s the beginning of your manhood and all the things that happened in your time there, they’re just more vivid memories. And I think they changed and molded my life more than any of my experiences in the NFL.

GT: You’re going to be part of one of the greatest Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame classes ever: Marquez Pope, Tom Goodwin, Laura Berg, Ron Anderson and Stephen Abas to name a few. What does that mean to you?
TD: It’s funny. It’s kind of a theme in my athletic career. It seems like every class or team I’m on, I’m the weak link (laughs). What an incredible class. I admire so much each team and person going in with me. I think especially of Laura Berg. I had the chance after we were both done at Fresno State, she was on the Olympic team and I was living back in Fresno training for my NFL days, we worked out together. I was always taken back by her incredible work ethic, her passion for getting better every day. And when you accomplish such great things like she has, to continue to hammer the nail so to speak and always push the envelope of getting better, I was just taken back by that. And Marquez is one of the fiercest competitors I ever played with.

Dilfer is one of ESPN's top football analysts. (Photo courtesy: ESPN)

Dilfer is one of ESPN's top football analysts. (Photo courtesy: ESPN)

GT: How much do enjoy your job as an NFL analyst on ESPN? You look like you’re having a lot of fun.
TD: I am. What a great opportunity. I can’t believe they put somebody with a face for radio on TV every week. I’m really enjoying it. It keeps me in the mix in the NFL. I think I still study the game as much as I did as a player because I want to be right. I want to be informed. I want to educate the audience. My mission with this TV thing is to kind of change the way people watch football and give them an inside look. Teach them some x’s and o’s. And let them appreciate a game that has meant so much to me in my life and help them better understand what I think is the greatest sport in the world.

GT: Do you have a message for everyone here in the valley?
TD: I’ve lived all over the country and to this day I tell people all the time the best people that live in this country live in the San Joaquin valley. The area is so dear to my heart. My best friends still live there. I live and die by how the programs are doing and try to represent the university and the area the best I can. And I’ll forever – and I mean this, forever – be indebted for the opportunity I had at Fresno State. Let’s never forget that nobody else in the country offered me the opportunity to play quarterback. And Rich Olson and Jim Sweeney gave me that opportunity. To this day I feel like I’m always trying to earn that. I’m always trying to justify their decision to have me come play football there and be a part of that great university.

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CAMERON WORRELL

June 20, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The former Fresno State defensive back is still looking for an NFL home this season, but is hard at work getting his third annual Passing Down Skills Camp ready July 11 and 12 at Buchanan High School. VSP Senior Writer George Takata sat down with Worrell to talk about the camp.

GEORGE TAKATA: This is third year of the Passing Down Camp. It seems to get bigger every year.
CAMERON WORRELL: It is. We’ve got scout.com on board this year. They came out to the camp last year and really liked what they saw. We’ve focused on the valley and brought the spotlight to some valley kids that might not otherwise be seen and scout.com is going to create profiles for them. All my former Fresno State teammates who have or are still playing in the NFL come out and it’s just a great experience for kids around here to be a part of something like that, to be around NFL guys for a weekend.

GT: Talk more about some of the NFL guys who are expected to be at the camp.
CW: Ricky Manning (Edison HS, UCLA, NFL cornerback) will be out there. Adam Jennings (Lions), James Sanders (Patriots), Richard Marshall (Panthers) are all going to come out. Paul Pinegar (Fresno State) will work with the quarterbacks. I think Bernard Berrian (Vikings) is going to be back. He was there year one. He signed a big fat contract so he was busy last year spending money, but I think he’s going to be back this year and I think Bear Pascoe (49ers) will be out there too. We always have a strong NFL contingency. Guys like to come back and give back to the Fresno area where we played our college ball and had great experiences winning for the Bulldogs.

Worrell doesn't back down to anyone, not even Giants running back Brandon Jacobs. (Photo courtesy: Kirsty Wigglesworth, Associated Press)

Worrell doesn't back down to anyone, not even Giants running back Brandon Jacobs. (Photo courtesy: Kirsty Wigglesworth, Associated Press)

GT: Is it rare for kids that age to have so many NFL guys, 5 to 10 guys helping kids out at a camp?
CW: I’ve never been around anything like this. It’s really rare to have that many NFL guys who have played in one spot and come back and really do hands-on instruction, teach kids basic fundamentals and techniques and we all really try to get these kids to become better football players. I read a quote from a kid who said his most favorite part of the camp was watching two of the NFL guys chasing each other with water guns. It shows we’re regular people, down to earth. We’re not how some of the guys are portrayed in the media. We care about football. We care about showing kids the right way to do things and I think that’s really special for them.

GT: How much is the camp and what are the age groups?
CW: It’s high school kids grades 9-12 in the fall. It’s $125 dollars for two days. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at Buchanan High School. The first half of the first day is a combine, run 40’s and do the shuttles and agility drills, the ‘L’ test and the vertical and broad jump. The second half of the first day is competitive one-on-ones, receivers against defensive backs, linebackers against tight ends and running backs. We’ll have offensive and defensive linemen there this year too. The second day is full pads. It’s great to see the community start to support this on a larger basis and hopefully we just continue to grow and add something positive to the valley.

GT: Talk about how scout.com could help these kids get recognized.
CW: Coming out of Chowchilla, had I had the opportunity to be seen by scout.com which I never was, I might have had one offer out of high school. Instead, I had none. So hopefully, kids from smaller schools and even the big schools who come out and otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to be seen get put on the map. It betters their careers and gives them a better chance to be seen by some universities.

GT: It sounds like having the NFL guys there is an added bonus.
CW: The basis of the camp is always to get great individual instruction from NFL players. That’s going to be there day one and day two and that will never change. We hope to expand every year. We hope more kids come in and that it becomes a recruiting tool for everybody in the valley where they won’t have to go to L.A. or San Francisco to get that exposure. They also get to compete against the best kids in the valley one-on-one with pads and without pads and kind of see who the best player around is.

THIS AND THAT: For more camp information, log on to www.passingdown.com.

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STEVE CLEVELAND

June 3, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The Bulldogs’ head men’s basketball coach talks about new point guard Steve Shepp and the bright future of his program. Cleveland will be entering his fifth season at Fresno State in 2009-2010.

ON STEVE SHEPP:
He’s a young man that is truly a real point guard. He’s a pass first guy. We saw him in the national tournament and just did a lot of good things that I liked. He’s a young man that was a little bit under the radar because he’s a freshman but he made a decision late in the year to test the waters and made some visits to different campuses and had a great visit here. I think he’s a young man that’s going to make everybody better. He understands the game; he’s got a good feel. The ball’s not in his hands long. He does a great job of reversing and early upping the ball and he can shoot it too. He didn’t do a lot of shooting in junior college or high school but he’s got a good stroke. In the national tournament he hit four or five deep threes. Physically, he can continue to get stronger and be a little more physical. When I see a guy dive into the stands, take a charge and blocks out every possession, he’s got the detail issues that coaches look for and they want. I think he’ll be a good leader. It’ll be a little bit of a transition coming from Virginia and Maryland now out to California and meeting the guys, but we’re excited about having him in our program.

Cleveland loves new point guard Steve Shepp's basketball IQ.

Cleveland loves new point guard Steve Shepp's basketball IQ.

CAN HE START RIGHT AWAY?
He’s going to compete for a starting position. We have some depth at the point guard position. Certainly Bryce (Cartwright). I really liked how Brandon Sperling kind of played a combo guard, played the one and the two, and I think he can continue to do that. I think we have depth at every guard position with Mychal Ladd and Paul George and certainly with Garrett Johnson who we’re bringing in, it gives us depth at almost every position where you can look down at the bench and know if someone’s in foul trouble or not playing well you can make a change. And we haven’t had that luxury since I’ve been here, so the idea of having 12 or 13 scholarships in a given year is something we’re all excited about. I think Steven and all the young men are really working hard. We’ve really been impressed with the work ethic. They understand the challenges ahead, but I think with the young men we have coming in and with the young men who’ve already had the experiences that they’ve had, I’m looking for a good year.

WERE YOU SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR A POINT GUARD?
We went to the national tournament looking for point guards. We had been evaluating and tracking some, but when you go to the national tournament you always look to see about those who play against the best competition. In the first game he (Shepp) had 19 points and seven assists and that’s a young man that only averaged about ten points a game. His teammates were struggling, he stepped up and hit three or four deep threes and that kind of got everyone’s attention and he did it again in the second game… To see him play like that, especially when we were evaluating six or seven point guards, I thought, here is an intelligent player who can knock shots down when he’s left open. I thought that was something we didn’t consistently have last year.

WHAT KIND OF A LEADER DO YOU THINK HE CAN BE?
He shares that same passion for the game that the guys we have in the program do now. He’s not afraid to tell people what he thinks. I think he’ll be a good leader because he has a good understanding of the game.

DO YOU SEE MYCHAL LADD STEPPING UP FROM THE 6TH MAN TO THE STARTING ROLE?
I think Mychal Ladd certainly has an opportunity to be a starter. I think they’re all competing for those positions now. All those young men are going to compete for significant playing time. That’s what I expect, whether they start or don’t start.

Former Edison High star Greg Smith is part of an impressive recruiting class for the Bulldogs. (Photo courtesy: scout.com)

Former Edison High star Greg Smith is part of an impressive recruiting class for the Bulldogs. (Photo courtesy: scout.com)

ON THE RECRUITING CLASS:
It’s a good class. It’s a good group of men that are good basketball players. They’re good students working hard in the classroom. They know what we’re about here right now. They know what the opportunities are, to take the program to another level. We can put a lot of things in the past in terms of scholarship deficits and all the issues that came with the program and know that you’re going to have 13 scholarships and 15 players in practice, not worrying about throwing coach Moon or somebody in there and going five-on-five full court. Guys are going to have to compete. They have all spring and summer and the fall to decide who’s going to be able to start and who’s going to make contributions. With as many freshmen as we have coming in too, there will be a transition for those young men. But they all have an opportunity to make an impact on this program early.

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KELSI BOND

April 12, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The now former assistant coach for the Fresno State women’s basketball team is the new head coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State, a Division II program also called the Bulldogs. It’s Bond’s first head coaching job at the collegiate level. Her Lady Bulldogs finished 8-19 last year, and have 10 of its 12 players returning next season. Kelsi spoke with VSP’s George Takata about her new job, moving back to her home state, and how much she’ll miss being a Fresno State Bulldog.

GEORGE TAKATA: What does this opportunity mean to you?

KELSI BOND: It’s a huge opportunity, especially to go back really close to my hometown (Canton, Ok.). It’s 45 minutes from my family. It’s a great university. It’s the conference that I actually played in (for Cameron), that Coach Wiggins and the rest of the staff pretty much came from, so it’s a great opportunity and a huge experience.

GT: Do you go in there feeling pretty comfortable with it because you’re going to be closer to your parents and you’ve played in that league?

KB: Slightly. Obviously I’ve got to get my feet wet and figure out what the team looks like and what I need to recruit and bring in but it’s slightly comfortable for the simple fact that my family’s right there. I know so many people in Oklahoma. It’s like a homecoming.

GT: Is it kind of like a dream job at this stage of your career?

KB: Oh definitely at this stage. It’s a huge opportunity. It’s kind of a shock in a sense. But I’m thrilled. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity. I’m very saddened to leave here. This is a great place and I’m really going to miss my girls. I call them my girls. They’re like my kids. I’m going to miss them.

GT: What has this experience at Fresno State helped you with in regards to getting your coaching career going?

KB: You know, especially with the new administration, they’ve really helped. They’ve put in a lot of policies and procedures and it really helped me be organized. It helped me out a lot when I was the Director of Basketball Operations. This year, being the assistant, I learned different roles, so Coach Wiggins has given me different duties each year which I think has helped me to be well-rounded. When I went in for this job I feel like I’m very ready, very prepared, thanks to Fresno State.

GT: It’s fitting that you’re still going to be a Bulldog so that’s always nice right?

KB: Yeah. I can’t complain!

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RYAN COLBURN

March 30, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The Bulldogs’ junior lefty quarterback has thrown only five passes in his collegiate career, but that could change dramatically if he wins the starting signal caller job over Ebahn Feathers, Matt Faulkner and Derek Carr. Ryan talked with George Takata about what it’s going to take to be the person who will succeed Tom Brandstater, his high school days at Visalia’s Central Valley Christian (where he went 31-5 as a starter), and the media hype surrounding the quarterback position this spring.

GEORGE TAKATA: What are your goals entering the spring season?

RYAN COLBURN: My goals really are to become consistent. Develop chemistry with the ones (first teamers), get that timing and rhythm with all of our wide receivers. We have a couple new additions to the coaching staff that have been great. We’re really trying to develop our passing game, our deeper passing game to be a threat. My job is to continue to see personal growth in the weight room, in the classroom, on the field- in every aspect.

GT: This is the opportunity you’ve been longing for since you came here from Central Valley Christian. Talk about the challenges and excitement you have to try and get this job.

RC: I think you used a good word and that’s excitement. Like you said, I’ve been waiting a long time. I’m very excited about the chance to possibly be the guy this coming season. I’ve done everything I feel that I can in the last four years to become prepared and now it’s time to go play and relax and enjoy my time.

GT: Do you feel you have a leg up on the competition because you’ve been here longer than everyone else?

RC: Yeah. I mean I don’t know how four years of experience couldn’t be an advantage (laughs) but at the end of the day you still have to come out, you have to prepare and perform consistently. And the guy who does that the best is going to be the starter.

Colburn is excited about his chances of becoming Fresno Sate's next starting quarterback.

Colburn is excited about his chances of becoming Fresno State's next starting quarterback.

GT: Would you say it’s a friendly competition?

RC: No question. We’re all friends and we all want to see each other improve but we all want the job. It’s hard because I want to see them improve, I want to coach them up and help them, but at the same time I’m competing against them. So it’s a tightrope you try to walk. But definitely friendly.

GT: Talk about having Jeff Grady as your coach and play-caller this year.

RC: Very excited about it. I’ve known Jeff since I’ve been here, one of the few consistencies for me since I’ve been here. Jeff actually coached me quite a bit in 2006 when coach (Steve) Hagen was really focused on Sean (Norton) and Tommy (Brandstater). I know him really well. I know the system that he likes. I know the teaching points that he’s coaching us and he’s very good with quarterback fundamentals. He knows the game of football very well and I think he’s going to do a great job.

GT: You have that winning background from your CVC days. Have you kept that mentality since you’ve been here and have continued to build on that here?

RC: I’d like to think so. I consider myself a pretty fierce competitor. The past is something you try not to dwell on but you definitely pull from it. And you say I’ve done this. I do know how to play. Since I haven’t played for so long you pull back and you really use that and say I know how to compete and I know how to win. Just go out and play and have confidence in yourself.

GT: Does the media overhype the quarterback story at Fresno State or is it justified?

RC: It’s one of the two guys on the field that touch the ball every single play. So it’s in the spotlight. There’s a lot of competition out here at a lot of positions that won’t get talked about as much. But at the end of the day the quarterback is the leader of the offense. And the success you have on offense is going to be pulled from how well your quarterback position is performing. So no, I don’t think it’s overhyped, but at the same time you can say we get too much credit and too much blame But it’s part of the position.

GT: Let’s say you had to interview for the job. If you were to sit in Coach Hill’s office and he says, ‘why should I make you my starting quarterback?’ What would you tell him?

RC: I’m going to do everything in my power to prepare and to help us win.

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Bailey Amundsen

March 22, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

The senior from Hoover High School and Reedley College walked-on to the Fresno State women’s basketball team and eventually earned a scholarship while becoming one of the most prolific three-point shooters in program history. Amundsen talked to VSP President George Takata after Fresno State’s 70-47 loss to Cal in the NCAA Tournament about her future, favorite memories as a Bulldog, and making her dream of playing Division I basketball come true.

GEORGE TAKATA: Talk about your final game. You guys had plenty of opportunites, but couldn’t convert.
BAILEY AMUNDSEN: We were in there in the beginning and we came out in the second half knowing that we needed to pick it up a little bit. We couldn’t trade baskets and we had too many defensive breakdowns. We just couldn’t hang anymore.

GT:Tough way to go out?
BA: Very tough. I just got done crying and everyone’s shedding their tears, but we knew it was coming eventually. But it’s still very surreal, very sad.

Bailey Amundsen's three-point shooting will be missed next season.

Bailey Amundsen's three-point shooting will be missed next season.


GT: What’s in store for you in the future?
BA: I don’t know I want to become a coach, so another semester of school after this and then we’ll see.

GT: How much fun has this been for you?
BA: It’s been a great two years here. I love my teammates. I couldn’t ask for better teammates or coaching staff. I’m glad I went here (to Fresno State).

GT: Despite not winning an NCAA Tournament game, you definitely have a lot to be proud of.
BA: So much to be proud of. We tied (the program record) for most wins. It’s great to be part of that team and to be considered a leader of that team. I’m just really proud of all of us. I’m very very happy to end my career this way, as back-to-back WAC champions, back-to-back tournament champions, into the (NCAA) tournament for the first two times in school history. Very happy.

Amundsen would like to pass down her shooting and defensive skills as a coach. (Photo courtesy: Shawn Raecke, Idaho Statesman)

Amundsen would like to pass down her shooting and defensive skills as a coach. (Photo courtesy: Shawn Raecke, Idaho Statesman)


GT: What’s your favorite memory of being a Bulldog?
BA: I don’t know. First making it on to the team last year was big. Playing division one ball has always been a dream, so I’m really happy with it all. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

GT: Can this program continue to grow and win an NCAA Tournament game with the nucleus of players they have returning?
BA: Definitely. This team is full of talent and they’re just recruiting more talent. I think they’ll get back here every year. They’ll have a great team again.

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Jason Donald

March 15, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

All Buchanan High alum Jason Donald has done in less than a year is played in Major League Baseball’s futures game at Yankee Stadium and won a bronze medal with team USA at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Now, Donald is trying to earn a roster spot with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies in spring training. As of Sunday March 15, Donald is batting .326 this spring and has played in every game but one. Donald spoke to VSP.com President George Takata about his strong spring start, his busy schedule and high school teammate Justin Wilson.

GEORGE TAKATA: How has spring training gone so far?
JASON DONALD: It’s going well. I’ve learned a lot and that’s the biggest thing about it and being in the position I’m in right now; being around vets, guys that have been in the big leagues for a long time, trying to be a sponge and soak up as much as I can and I think I’ve done that. It’s been good thus far. I’m getting into game shape and getting a feel for my swing and the things I want to do.

GT: Is this the year you’re going to make the big league club?
JD: (laughs) I don’t know. I’ve tried for the longest time to tell the future and I’ve never been able to do that. I dont have that crystal ball. I don’t know if I’ll have that opportunity. I don’t have any control over it.

GT: You do to some extent…
JD: I was just going to say that. To some extent I do have control over it. The only thing I can do is prepare each day and get my work in.

Photo courtesy: Getty images

Photo courtesy: Getty images


GT: What positions have you played this spring?
JD: I’ve been playing second, short and third base. I’ve done a lot of different things and picked up on a lot of things. Just observing and getting to watch guys has been a big key for me.

GT: Does playing multiple positions help your chances of cracking the big league roster?
JD: It’s something that they had me do when I went to the Arizona Fall League. They talked to me about it when I left for Beijing. It’s a way for me to break in a little sooner. (Jimmy) Rollins and Chase Utley aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so if someone goes down I feel and they feel like I could be that guy to fill in those spots. Whatever helps me get to the big leagues that’s what I’ll do, but I’m a shortstop by trade.

GT: Is there a different vibe around camp with the fans since the Phillies won it all last year?
JD: There always seems to be kind of a buzz in the air. When we’re at home, people are so excited to see the team. To be a part of it is a special privilege. They aren’t resting on their laurels at all. They’re looking to repeat.

GT: Would you welcome a trade if it gave you a better chance to play in the majors?
JD: I don’t think about it. Trades, that’s the business side of the game. Those things are going to happen. I never thought about getting traded. I like the Phillies. I like the people in the organization. They’re kind of old school in how they handle their business. It fits me well.

Playing at Yankee Stadium in the Futures game was one of the highlights of Donald's career. (Photo courtesy: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images North America)

Playing at Yankee Stadium in the Futures game was one of the highlights of Donald's career. (Photo courtesy: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images North America)


GT: Talk about the last few months. What’s been the best moment?
JD: It’s gone by so fast I just cant pick one and say this was the best part about it. I believe all these things have been stepping stones. I obviously feel very fortunate to participate in all those things. They were all special events in their own way.
Donald and his United States teammates won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. (Photo courtesy: Danny Moloshok, Reuters)

Donald and his United States teammates won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. (Photo courtesy: Danny Moloshok, Reuters)


GT: What was it like to put on that USA jersey for the first time?
JD: Kind of crazy. I never thought I’d put one of these on. To represent your country in the Olympics, to wear the jersey and the hat was kind of surreal.

GT: Since your dad is the head baseball coach at Buchanan, do you still keep track of the program?
JD: All the time. Every day I still root for my high school. I take a lot of pride in Buchanan athletics. I’m proud of the school. I try to support and go to games when I go home. It crushes me when they lose in any sport, especially in baseball since my dad (Tom) is the head coach.

GT: How proud were you of Justin Wilson when he clinched the national championship for Fresno State?
JD: He was my teammate at Buchanan when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. I was fired up for him just because I knew how hard he worked to get to that point and to have the great career he had there. I was very thrilled for Justin because our families are close. I was happy for him, his parents and his sister.

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Q & A with Clifton Smith

March 5, 2009 by admin  
Filed under One on One

Former Bulldog Clifton Smith went from undrafted rookie free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to return specialist for the NFC in this year’s Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Clifton took time out from his busy schedule to talk to valleysportspulse.com president George Takata about his rookie season, what it means to be a Bulldog, and the baseball career that never was.

VALLEYSPORTSPULSE.COM: Describe in one word what this past season has meant to you.
CLIFTON SMITH: Blessed.

VSP: What was your “welcome to the NFL” moment?
CS: Laying on my back in Texas Stadium knowing I got laid out by the punter (Sam Paulescu)

Smith still stays true to his Edison High roots.

Smith still stays true to his Edison High roots.

VSP: How long did you hear about that one from your teammates?
CS: It hasn’t stopped yet!

VSP: First touchdown against the Chiefs: describe the feeling you had right before you scored.
CS: Man, I can’t let this dude run me down! And I’d better not fumble!

VSP: Did you know your former Fresno State teammate Adam Jennings was chasing you on your punt return for a touchdown against the Lions?
CS: Yeah. I knew he’d try to get me. Adam and I had fun talking smack back and forth to each other. And I scored, so I talked a little more then he did.

VSP: The Bucs released Warrick Dunn. Does that mean you’ll get more chances on offense in 2009?
CS: I don’t know what that means. I just have to keep working hard. He was a great role model and I’m going to miss him.

Smith capped a huge rookie season by playing in the Pro Bowl. (Photo courtesy: Reuters)

Smith capped a huge rookie season by playing in the Pro Bowl. (Photo courtesy: Reuters)

VSP: What was the Pro Bowl like?
CS: Incredible. A humbling experience. So many great players and I’m already there? I’m just scratching the surface of my career. I’ll never forget that week.

VSP: Describe your new head coach in Tampa, Raheem Morris.
CS: New energy. Everybody loves him. Can’t wait to play for him.

VSP: How did Fresno State prepare you for the NFL?
CS: Learning how to be a special teams player, which is what got me to the Pro Bowl. The best thing was coach Hill’s “anyone, anywhere, anytime” mentality. I loved that.

VSP: You were a great baseball player at Edison, and you got to play in the Fresno State baseball team’s alumni game this year (five stolen bases and scored both alumni runs). Did you ever give serious thought to playing baseball professionally?
CS: I definitely did. I said I wanted to play two sports in college, but I didn’t get the opportunity. Everything happens for a reason. The alumni game was a blast, though.

VSP: Will you always be Batman?
CS: That will never change. As long as Gotham needs me, I will always protect my city!

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