Denver Broncos Draft 2010 – Round Six Quotes – Eric Olsen

On If he can step in right away at center

“I know that Coach (Josh) McDaniels and the Broncos organization drafted a couple other interior linemen. I think they are trying to create some competition, even with the guys that are already on the team. I think it will create some good, healthy competition.”On what the Broncos have told him about the situation

“That they need help there and that it was a team need. Obviously their moves in the draft pointed toward that. It was something they were focusing on. I think that they need someone to step up and take over the role and if it’s a new guy or somebody that’s already on the team, it’s going to be open, the best man is going to get it.”

On what he considers are his strengths as a player

“I think I’m a tough kid. I’m a physical player. I think that working with Coach (Charlie) Weis at Notre Dame over the past few years, my football IQ has definitely grown a lot and I take pride in that.”

On what Notre Dame Offensive Line Coach Frank Verducci meant for his NFL preparation

“He taught me a ton of technique and other fundamental stuff that was not necessarily new but more refining in that point of my career I had him for my senior year, I had a different coach my first three years. He’s definitely helped my technique. He came in with that NFL type approach. Coming from the NFL himself and being able to tell me things from his own experiences. When he and Coach Weis decided to move me to center, I was all for it. I was all for helping the team and whatever the team needed. Something that I didn’t mind at all, I was actually excited for that role. I got the opportunity to play a new position and be the anchor on the inside of the line.”

On if he expected to be drafted by the Broncos

“I knew that they had a need for interior linemen but I tried my best to not think about where I was going to go and who I’d end up with because I know anything can happen on draft day. That seems to be the trend. I wasn’t trying to get my hopes up for any one team. I was just trying to work out the best I could and interview the best I could, with every team and hope that someone would give me a shot.”

On if he has relationships with other Broncos that played at Notre Dame

“They (T Ryan Harris and QB Brady Quinn) were seniors when I was a freshman. I have a little bit more of a relationship with Ryan being an offensive lineman, being one of the senior guys in our room. But Brady was one of the leaders of the team. I have a good relationship with those guys. I looked up to them as leaders, the older guys. I’m excited to work with them again. I haven’t been in touch with them since the pick. But I have 30-something text messages that are still waiting on my phone. Maybe one will be from those guys.”