Category: Interviews (Page 15 of 17)

      Leon Hall chats with The Scores Report

      December 15, 2009 /

      The Bengals have been one of the best surprises of 2009, partly because quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy again and Cedric Benson has rejuvenated the team’s running game. But some would argue that the key reason the Bengals are on the verge of winning the AFC North has been the outstanding play of their young defense. Cornerback Leon Hall has emerged as the team’s most consistent defensive back over the years and is turning in a solid 2009 season. Through 13 games, Hall has racked up 53 total tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He recently sat down with The Scores Report to talk about the key to the Bengals’ defensive success, what it’s like being in the same locker room as Chad Ochocinco and more.

      The Scores Report: Your defense has been maturing as a group for the past couple of seasons now. What has been the biggest difference in the Bengals’ defense going from an improving unit to one of the best in the league?

      Leon Hall: Mike Zimmer. He really came to Cincinnati with an attitude that if a team gets any yards on us, they’re going to have to earn it. Every week we work hard to do that on Sundays.

      TSR: You have become Cincinnati’s most reliable defensive back the past two seasons. How vital is it for players to gain playing experience in their rookie season like you did?

      LH: It’s real important. I think it helps you get used to the speed that things come at you, real early in your career.

      TSR: Besides winning of course, what’s the one thing the Bengals have to do in order to reach the Super Bowl?

      LH: Prepare well each week, playing great defense and giving the ball back to our offense so they can score.

      TSR: Do you feel as though you’re playing at a Pro Bowl level at this point in your career or do you feel as though you’re still growing as a player?

      LH: I think I am always going to grow as a player. With every year of experience you gain more knowledge and ultimately keep getting better with hard work. As far as Pro Bowl, I’m not really concerned. I just try to perform great week in and week out.

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      Interviews, NFL

      LaMarr Woodley chats with The Scores Report

      December 15, 2009 /

      While the Steelers aren’t having the season they envisioned after winning the Super Bowl last year, linebacker LaMarr Woodley is turning in a solid 2009 campaign. The third-year linebacker has racked up nine sacks and 45 tackles through 13 games this season and has helped steady a defense that has been hit by a rash of injuries. Woodley was kind enough to chat with The Scores Report about a variety of topics, including his fondest memory of winning the Super Bowl last season, what his secret was to becoming the first player in NFL history to record three consecutive multi-sack games in the postseason, and which running back is the toughest to bring down.

      The Scores Report: Besides winning, what is the one moment that you’ll always remember from your Super Bowl victory last season?

      LaMarr Woodley: The sack and forced fumble I caused against Kurt Warner that sealed the win.

      TSR: What’s the toughest challenge that you and your teammates face in trying to repeat as champions?

      LW: The toughest challenge is trying to repeat as champion, period.

      TSR: In the playoffs last year, you became the first player in NFL history to record three consecutive multi-sack games and then you sacked Warner twice in the Super Bowl. What’s the key to getting to the quarterback in a timely manner?

      LW: Getting off the ball fast, which means moving before the offensive line moves. Getting a good edge on the rush makes all the difference.

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      Interviews, NFL

      Shawn Marion (a.k.a. “The Matrix”) chats with The Scores Report

      October 15, 2009 /

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      Shawn Marion is a four-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA performer. He is one of the league’s most athletic and versatile players, which is why TNT’s Kenny Smith nicknamed him “The Matrix” early in his rookie season. As a testament to his versatility, he has led the league in steals twice and has finished in the top 10 in rebounding six times.

      The peak of Marion’s career came in Phoenix, as he thrived in Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. But Marion was an All-Star before D’Antoni took over in Phoenix. The guy can flat out play.

      After spending last season in Miami and Toronto, Marion is now with the Dallas Mavericks, joining Jason Kidd, Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki for what owner Mark Cuban hopes will be a title run. Marion sat down with The Scores Report to talk about his new team, his prowess on the offensive glass, and why the Suns traded him away.

      TSR: Thanks for chatting with The Scores Report, Shawn. We just spoke with your former teammate, Dwyane Wade, a couple of weeks ago. He seems like a really nice guy.

      SM: Yeah, he’s my man.

      TSR: I’d first like to ask you about joining the Dallas Mavericks. How do you think you’ll fit in?

      SM: I think I’ll fit in very well.

      TSR: What made you pick the Mavs?

      SM: J-Kidd and Dirk tried to get me down there for like over a year now. But I wasn’t able to go directly to them, so they had to make some maneuvers and work out a sign and trade. That’s what it was.

      TSR: How do you think the team will change now that you’re a Mav? Dallas was in the middle of the pack in terms of pace last season – do you see the team pushing the ball more to best utilize your skills?

      SM: I think we’ll do a little bit of everything. I’m just going to come in and try to help the team in every aspect of the game, and that’s it really. That sums it up.

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      Interviews, NBA

      Bernard Berrian chats with The Scores Report

      October 8, 2009 /

      Thanks to Brett Favre and their 4-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings are one of the most talked about teams in the NFL right now. One of the players off to a solid start is receiver Bernard Berrian, who has 16 receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown on the year. Bernard was gracious enough to chat with us about the Vikings’ big win over the Packers on Monday night, a game in which he hauled in six passes for 75 yards and a 31-yard touchdown. Among some of the topics we asked Bernard were what it’s like being in the same huddle with a legend, whether there was any truth to the rumor that there was a divide in the Vikings’ locker room following the signing of Favre, and who is the toughest cornerback he’s ever faced.

      The Scores Report: Hey Bernard, how are you man?

      Bernard Barrian: I’m fine, how you doing?

      TSR: Good. Congratulations on the win Monday night.

      BB: Thanks, appreciate it.

      TSR: I felt that your touchdown in the third quarter gave you guys the momentum the rest of the way.

      BB: Oh yeah I think it definitely did, or put us in position at least.

      TSR: No knock on any of the other quarterbacks you’ve played with throughout your career, but you’re playing with a legend now. What’s it like being in the same huddle with Brett Favre?

      BB: It’s fun really. He brings a lot of fun to the game. When you see highlights, you see emotion pouring out through different players on the field.

      TSR: Who put the rocking chair in front of his locker after the win?

      BB: I still haven’t found out who did that – I have no idea. But it was hilarious when I saw it sitting there. (Laughs)

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      Interviews, NFL

      Phil Simms chats with The Scores Report

      October 7, 2009 /

      Here’s what many sports fans know about Phil Simms: He’s a Super Bowl winner, a Super Bowl MVP and now is a lead analyst for CBS’ sports team.

      But what sports fans might not know about Phil is that he’s also one hell of an interview.

      We were fortunate enough to chat with Phil recently about a host of topics, which included his work with the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week program, which starts every Tuesday morning throughout the NFL season and allows fans to vote for one player in each category through NFL.com/FedEX. FedEx will donate $1,000 to a local Safe Kids coalition in the name of each FedEx Air and FedEx Ground Player of the Week voted on by fans, so it’s definitely a worthy cause.

      We also couldn’t let Phil get off the phone without talking some football, which he was more than happy to do. He gave us his opinion on Brett Favre’s comeback, whether or not he would have played for a rival team (a la Favre) and what young quarterback (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford) he would choose to start for him if he were a GM and head coach. His answer may surprise you.

      The Scores Report: Hi, this is Anthony.

      Phil Simms: Hey Anthony, this is Phil Simms.

      TSR: Hey Phil, how are you?

      PS: Good, bud.

      TSR: Good, I appreciate your sitting down and talking with me today.

      PS: Don’t be silly – thank you.

      TSR: Talk to me about the FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week program that you guys are doing.

      PS: Well, I’ve been doing it for three years myself – six years for FedEx – and it’s about the fans voting for their favorite air and ground players each week. The nominees for this week are pretty easy: Brett Favre, David Garrard and Peyton Manning through the air, and Ronnie Brown, Matt Forte and Rashard Mendenhall on the ground. And what fans do is they go to NFL.com/FedEx, they vote, and those votes determine the winners. The two winners get $1,000 donated by FedEx to local Safe Kid coalition in their name and it goes for pedestrian safety, so it’s a great program and I’m really happy to be a part of it.

      TSR: How did you get involved in something like this, Phil?

      PS: Well, the people from FedEx came to me and asked me if I’d do it. And I had done a few things around schools with bike safety and pedestrian safety and it worked out well. So like I said, I’m real happy to be a part of it and it’s for a very good cause.

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      Interviews, NFL

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