Taylor Lewan Hates Richie Incognito Comparison At NFL Draft Interview

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Taylor Lewan Hates Richie Incognito Comparison At NFL Draft Interview Taylor Lewan Hates Richie Incognito Comparison At NFL Draft Interview

When Taylor Lewan made the statement in this video that he wanted to drive defensive linemen into the ground, and make them “not want to play the game anymore,” and given that Taylor has a rep in college for being a, well, player with a nasty streak, it did invite an obvious comparison to Richie Incognito from me.

At the time, it was just my knee-jerk response based on how Taylor answered my question regarding his offensive style.

Richie Incognito is the now-former Miami Dolphins player who was known for the bullying controversy with Jonathan Martin. Taylor has been compared to him, and by ESPN’s Jason Whitlock, who wrote this about Lewan’s play, and which I found after our conversation: “he’s resorted to cheap shots and bullying because he failed to adequately prepare to have a dominant senior season.”

The official transcript has the conversation in the video removed, and not by me. Have a look:

Q. What did they say to you when you answered the phone?
TAYLOR LEWAN: Honestly, I could barely hear anything. As soon as it rang, I kind of blacked out for a second and stared at it and then picked it up. They were like, “This is the Tennessee Titans.” I was like, well, I don’t know who else has this number, so it’s good.
It’s kind of a blur honestly. I hear my name getting called while I’m in the middle of the conversation. My mom is crying to the left of me. It was just a completely surreal feeling just to be a part of it and to even be sitting in front of you all right now, this is absolutely a dream come true.

Q. Talk about working under Ken Whisenhunt, who has a great acumen for offense. Talk about the blocking schemes and what you can learn.
LEWAN: There’s so much I can learn, not just from him, but also just the veterans that are. Coming in, learning how they’ve been there so long, what they’ve done to be successful and take those things and turn them into my own tools as well.
Being a rookie, and not even a rookie yet, just this guy still in limbo, there’s so much opportunity to be successful being around those kinds of people.

Q. When you think of the Tennessee Titans, what comes to mind?
LEWAN: A great organization that’s this close to being successful. Just this close to getting what they really want. Also, you think about the talent. I’m a cowboy boots and jeans kind of guy. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Q. Do you follow country music?
LEWAN: Oh, absolutely. Eric Church is my guy. I don’t necessarily know him, but I know of him, and I love him.

Q. What do you think about Nashville?
LEWAN: I think it’s a great city. I’ve only been there twice. I drove through once, and I flew in there to have a meeting with them.
The whole place is awesome. Like I said, I’m ecstatic.

Q. What do you think of the pass rushers in your new division?
LEWAN: That’s what I want to go up against. I want to go against the best of the best. Being in the NFL, everyone is the best of the best.
I’m excited. I can’t wait for the opportunity to get around those guys and learn the culture of being a Titan. Like I said, it’s literally a dream come true. Sundays, it’s going to be such a crazy feeling running out for the first time.

Q. What do you think of the long lineage of great offensive linemen that have been in the league?
LEWAN: That’s one of the reasons I went to Michigan — the Jake Longs, Steve Hutchinsons. Those guys have done more for Michigan than I could ever do. Being even mentioned as a great offensive lineman at Michigan is really humbling. You haven’t really done much, and everyone is looking at you as if you did. Those guys are not only great players and legends at Michigan, but also great guys.
Steve Hutchinson played at Nashville, and I’m going to eventually get on the phone and talk to him, talk to him about that tradition and everything and learn from him.
I’m not here to be this arrogant guy that wants to kick the door down and say, hey, Taylor’s here. I want to learn from these people that have been successful that have been doing it right the first time, so I can learn and also do things the right the first time.

Here’s the full interview:

Interesting development.

Stay tuned. http://ift.tt/1uSL8mr

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