Charger Chat Transcript: Marcus McNeill

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007 , Chargers.com

After finishing his workout Tuesday morning, Chargers Pro Bowl left tackle Marcus McNeill stopped by to field questions from Bolts fans. He discussed everything from his favorite foods to the toughest defensive match-ups he faced in his rookie season.

Marcus: Hey guys, thanks for joining us. I'm looking forward to chatting with ya'll.

Make sure and come out to Mini Camp and see us this weekend.

Montana_Thunder: Marcus, it seemed that everybody was surprised that you took the league by force last year. Was there anybody in particular that contributed to your success last year?

Marcus: I'd say my two line coaches, Hal Hunter and JackHenry. Hal previously recruited me at UNC. He put a lot of time in working with me because he knew my potential. Jack said he'd tell my mom if I didn't act right.

MadForPlaid: Marcus, congrats on the Pro Bowl nod; you deserved it big time!! What are your offseason plans to stay in shape?

Marcus: Honestly just pulling away from the plate a little bit. That's tough! I’m making sure I work out on a daily basis. I've been here just about every day for our offseason program.

Thlman: Do you still like crab cakes??

Marcus: I love crab cakes! Tom's Lighthouse has the best ones I've tasted in town. Are there any more competitors out there?

Montana_Thunder: Who is the hardest defensive lineman to match up against in the AFC West?

Marcus Jared Allen was tough. He's big and quick off the ball. He plays run and pass well.

The-Beast: Hello Marcus, one of your aspirations was to become a rookie starter. Did you ever believe that you would become one of the few rookie Pro Bowlers?

Marcus: I didn't imagine it the first half of the season, but as my play picked up it started becoming a reality that I might make the Pro Bowl. The hardest part will be not falling into the sophomore slump. You just have to work hard to make sure that doesn't happen.

MadForPlaid: Have you met any of the draftees yet?

Marcus: I haven't but I will Thursday. They come in for Mini Camp this weekend. I've heard we got some good players and good guys.

coloradoBOLTfan: Hey Marcus, as a fellow lineman I’m glad to see us having a popular lineman. Who are your favorite teammates? Who is the funniest...besides you of course haha.

Marcus: I AM the funniest, but next to me would be Nick Hardwick followed by Jamal Williams, a close third.

DaBone: Hey Marcus, have you used the round trip tickets to anywhere in the world LT gave you yet?

Marcus: I haven't used them yet. I'm going to use them to fly to LA. LOL!

MadForPlaid: Did you end up watching the draft to see what AJ & Co. were going to do? If so, where/with whom did you watch?

Marcus: I watched it. I was interested in where some of my old teammates landed. I didn't get to watch Sunday. I played against Craig and he was always a real hard match up for our DB's because he's so quick.

Montana_Thunder: Is there anything specific you do in the off-season to stay in shape? Do you have a certain lifting workout? What’s the most you've ever benched?

Marcus: The most I've ever benched was five cheeseburgers at one time. No, seriously it's about 400 pounds. I'm trying to catch up with Igor. As for staying in shape, I’m participating in our offseason program. Coach Hurd and Coach Stephens are doing a great job with us.

Thlman: hey Marcus its Dave form your favorite restaurant?

Marcus: Again, Tom's Lighthouse...try the crab cakes!

Montana_Thunder: I think those of us not in the NFL truly underestimate how fast offensive linemen really are. Who is the fastest guy on our line?

Marcus: I'm definitely winning a footrace by five yards. It takes two Shane Olivea strides to equal one of mine.

coloradoBOLTfan: How happy are you glad to have Dielman back next to you on the line for a while?

Marcus: I was real disappointed when I thought there was a chance he might leave. I was equally excited when I found out he was coming back. We're real close friends. He's a great player.

gopacific435: Hey Marcus, What’s the buzz like in the locker room? Are you guys excited or what? Are you getting fitted for them Super Bowl rings?

Marcus: Let's not talk about rings yet. It's May 1, not January 1. But we're real excited. It's going to be great to just get on the field this weekend for Mini Camp. I'm looking forward to doing great for the fans this year.

BoltzFan94: Who is your best friend on the team?

Marcus(A) Probably Brandon McKinney. He lives with me. I'm his landlord. I call him Big Head Washington because he needs to play like Ted Washington.

James_Libby: What do you think of Norv Turner and the new coaching staff?

Marcus(A) I'm really excited about Norv and how he can put together an offense. We've talked a lot and he's got me fired up. We're going to score a lot of points again. We're shooting for 33 TD's for LT!

James_Libby: Is college really all that important or should I focus on playing ball?

Marcus: I'm eight hours from getting my degree and next to a Super Bowl that's my biggest goal right now. You've got to keep your priorities straight. When you get to the next level, that's when your focus becomes football.

MadForPlaid: So tell us what rookie initiation ritual the new rooks can expect to go through once training camp begins? Additionally, did you experience anything out of the ordinary yourself?

Marcus: I plan on throwing a rookie off the roof this year, LOL! No, we don't haze at all. We might make them sing to us and do a dance, but that's it. I got to entertain everyone last year with "Just My Imagination" by the Temptations.

MadForPlaid: Do you think college or NFL O-Line coaches are tougher and more demanding?

Marcus: They definitely are tougher in college only because they feel like they're still molding you into the man. Coaches on the next level can just cut you if you don't want to work.

James_Libby: Does Phil ever take you or the rest of the line out to dinner for the great job blocking you do?

Marcus: He takes care of us. He gave me a Best Buy card for Christmas that I couldn't eat and a picture I tried to barbeque but it didn't taste too good. He can't afford to feed us. He has like 9 kids. Seriously, he does take care of us all the time with little things.

lochoa08: Marcus, what do you feel you need to work on the most this offseason to take you to the next level?

Marcus: First I need to work on not breaking my hands. Also playing more controlled and becoming stronger.

Lights_Out_56: Who are other current or former NFL players that you look up to, and what do you admire about them?

Marcus: Willie Anderson, fellow Tiger that plays for the Bengals. He's kind of been a mentor and someone I like to pattern my game after. Plus I paid him to fake an injury so I could go to the Pro Bowl. Just kidding, LOL! Walter Jones and Jon Ogden are guys I've watched a ton of film on.

The-Beast: You were held out of practices during your time at Auburn due to your spine condition. How did your back hold up during the elongated NFL season compared?

Marcus: It held up really well all last season. I didn't miss a single practice. It was just like I tried to tell everybody before I came to the NFL.

JBird: Hi Marcus. With all that you accomplished in your rookie season, do you feel you still have something to prove?

Marcus: I've got a lot to prove. I don't want last season to seem like a fluke. I plan on continuing to get better every season I'm in the league.

Marcel_Brazil: Hey Marcus, probably I am the only Brazilian fan in the room.

Marcus: I'm an international superstar so I go continent to continent. I have nothing but love for Brazil!

coloradoBOLTfan: What is harder to play with, a loud crowd or altitude like up in denver?

Marcus: A loud crowd. I have to get off the ball on time.

Az_Bolt_Fan: what do you think about Michael turner being back for the Super Bowl run this year???

Marcus: So glad we still have the 1-2 combination.

JB:How are the hands doing?

Marcus: They're fine. I feel better than ever.

Montana_Thunder: Which game on the upcoming schedule are you most looking forward to? Is it the Pats?

Marcus: Yeah, we're all looking forward to that one. We've got to take it one game at a time. Got to worry about the Bears and Packers first.

Ealvarado: Good afternoon Marcus. How did the vets treat you as rookie last year? How much did the bill come out to for the rookie dinner?

Marcus(A) The vets treated me like one of their own. The bill came out to $23K which I split with Cromartie.

Montana_Thunder: After a game how do you feel on Monday? Is it hard to get out of bed the next day?

Marcus: I'm still kind of young so it's not too hard.

Angusdc1: Marcus, I personally feel you got snubbed from the "Rookie of the Year" Award. Do you feel the same???

Marcus: I feel like I got scrubbed too, LOL. But a lot of rookies had astonishing seasons last year and we all know quarterbacks get all the hype and love.

Marcus Alright guys, I've got to roll. Look for my website real soon, www.MarcusMcNeill.com and come see me this weekend at Mini Camp!

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