D. Jones; Charlotte, N.C.
Great awareness intercepting the pass deflection against Jacksonville. How did you stay focused on the ball in the air while making sure you're where you're supposed to be?
It’s something you work on every day warming up. When plays present themselves, you have to make that play. Usually that’s what separates good from great, and that’s what separates professionals from novice.
M. Lee Denton; Phoenix, Ariz.
How do you prepare for a bad weather game?
You soak the ground. You do wet ball drills before practice. You put yourself in uncomfortable positions during the week so that it’s familiar to you.
Hector Rodas; West Hills, Calif.
Coming from Dallas, how you like it here in San Diego, and do you prefer gas or electric, buggy or truck r/c?
The weather is great. I’m from Southern California. It’s a big difference. The heat and weather, but the biggest thing is being close to home.
I like gas truggies the most, buggies second.
David Hopkins; Rio Rancho, N.M.
How do you rate yourself as a football player on a scale from 1 to 10?
Define football player (laughter). I would say an eight because I can do a lot of things on the football field. I just haven’t had the opportunity to them over and over again. Again, that’s what separates professionals from novice. I can do a lot things. It’s (just) about having the opportunity to do them.
Michael Foster; Doylestown, Pa.
What was your favorite team when you were a kid?
The San Francisco 49ers.
Jonathan Alvarez; Azusa, Calif.
Why did you choose No. 99?
It’s very rare that you see a smaller linebacker wearing No. 99. Ninety-nine is the last number before you step into a dimension change and that’s what I am looking for. The next number is one hundred. So you are making a move from two digits to three digits. It’s a small thing but has several different meanings to me.
Robert McDermott; Spring Valley Lake, Calif.
Before the snap what keys do you use to determine run or pass?
Linemen. You can look at the running backs a lot of times, and you can pick out one or two guys that will tell you the play every time you step on the field.
Antonio Zamora; Winnetka
How do you hit so hard?
It’s hit or be hit, and I’d rather hit guys before they get a chance on me. Being one of the lighter linebackers at 222 pounds on the team, I have to go deliver the blow first. If not those big guys will swallow you up.
Juan Corona; Burbank, Calif.
What inspirations do you have outside of football?
I am a very spiritual man. I believe in a higher being. I believe in God. My inspiration is also my kids, my mother, and my wife to some degree. She gives good insight.
Harley Facio; Los Angeles, Calif.
How much did gangs and violence affect you growing up in Compton, and how did you manage to stay focused in school and football?
It’s the same thing. Hit or be hit. If you want to make it then you have to stay away from those things. If you want to be a good football player then you have to rate what’s more important to you.
Tupu Malele; Carson, Calif.
What kind of advice can you share with him as being a student first, athlete second?
First, make sure you have balance in your life. Mine are faith, family and football. Make sure they balance each other out. Secondly, you have to work at what you do albeit your life outside of football or classroom. You have to work out it. Small gains make the biggest difference.
Dominic Martinez; Denver, Colo.
How does a win or loss impact the productivity for the defense in practice?
That’s one of those things that separates good from great. Great teams do it all the time. Good teams do it on-and-off. What we have to do is be consistent. With that said, good practices carry over, but good practices don’t mean you’re going to win the game.
