Rahim Moore & Nate Irving – Denver Broncos draft quotes

Rahim Moore (left) & Nate Irving at Dove Valley (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski).

Yesterday the Denver Broncos two newest rookies addressed the media via conference call (here & here) today, they did it in person.

S RAHIM MOORE & LB NATE IRVING

On the labor situation

Irving: “I can speak for myself and he (Moore) can answer but I am not too worried about what is going on. I know there will be football and all I can handle is how I come into camp as far as shape and conditioning goes so I am going to work at it as hard as I can. When the time comes, I will report to the facilities, look into work, and get together with my teammates and form relationships and bring back the Orange Crush defense.”

Moore: “Yeah, same with me. I haven’t been focusing on much of that. I have just been focusing on making sure I can be a more of an overall NFL player, making sure I have been more conditioned. My eyes and ears are always open so I know the NFL and the NFLPA will come to an agreement to work things out to make things equal and also to give America the great football they deserve.”

On anticipation of meeting Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey

Moore: “I can’t wait. I called Brian Dawkins last night as a matter of fact. I got the chance to talk to him and he told me to embrace the time. It is a blessing for me to be here and it’s funny how I have these guys’ pictures in my phone because they are my favorite athletes. I knew this was the right place for me because I want to be in the situation that they are in. I have to learn the ropes from players who have already paid their dues. They are future Hall of Famers, so I look forward to working with them and learning as much as I can. It is a blessing to be able to learn, and that is what the game is all about. I am in a great situation right now and I can’t wait to get to work, actually see these guys in practice and learn.”

On Irving’s favorite defensive players growing up

Irving: My linebackers are Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis because of the way that Taylor came off the edge and changed the whole game of pass rushing for outside linebackers. Ray Lewis, today I feel like he is one of the best, if not the best, middle linebacker in the game right now. With how smart he is and how he studies the game and takes care of his body is something that I pay attention to because that is what helped him last a long time in the league. That is what I am trying to do.”

On how much weight he thinks he needs to put on to be a middle linebacker

Irving: “I don’t think you need to be a certain weight to be a middle linebacker. I don’t want to be too heavy where that will hurt you when you need to run and move in pass coverage, but you don’t want to be too light to where you will get bumped around by some of the big lineman. I feel like I will be able to talk to the coaches and play at the weight that they want me to play at. My senior year, I played at 235 pounds.”

On the medical evaluations during the draft process

Irving: “That was kind of strenuous and stressful because of my car accident. I felt like the first two or three nights that I was in Indy, I was doing X-rays and MRIs, I felt like that is where I spent the most of my time at. I understand the coaches and owners want to look at what they are investing in but the poking and pulling and all those MRIs were just sort of long and stressful for me.”

On his car accident

Irving: “June 28th, I was leaving my house going back to school early in the morning, like 3:00. I fell asleep behind the wheel and I ran my car—I overcorrected and drove my truck off the road. I flipped over and hit a couple of trees and I laid there until somebody called the ambulance to come and pick me up.”

On his journey from the accident to the NFL Draft

Irving: “I know I had nothing to do with it. It was just a blessing, I felt like God had better plans for me than to sit in that ditch and die. I am embracing every chance I can get to live life and enjoy this opportunity the best that I can.”

On if the accident gave him a better perspective on football

Irving: “I feel like it did, I know it did. I noticed that within a snap of a finger it can all be taken away and I want to go out and play every play as hard as I can, every practice as hard as I can, be at every meeting and do every work out. Just to be out there and take full advantage of it and appreciate the game for what it is really worth.”

On what his post-accident tattoo means (with the date of the accident)

Irving: “It is not a reminder to me. It is a day I will never forget. It is just part of my story. When someone asks what it is about then I can share what I went through and maybe they are going through something and realize that if I could make it through that, then they can make it through whatever they are going through.”

On where he was when he was drafted

Irving: “I was actually right around the hot tub area. I was laying down in my bed, and then I got the call. I didn’t know it was really the coaches. I thought it might be a joke—my father had been joking about it, so I said, ‘Okay.’ I was excited actually seeing my name across the TV. That’s when me and my parents and my little brother, we just went crazy in the hotel.”

On whether he and S Quinton Carter are the safeties of the future

Moore: “Yes, most definitely. It’s also a good way for me and (S) Quinton (Carter) to come in and learn from these (veteran) guys. Like I’ve said, they’ve been through the ropes. They have tons of experience, so we know it’s a great time for us to compete and learn, and also to just get better. Nothing’s going to be given to us. My ears and eyes are going to be open when I meet (S) Brian Dawkins and (S Renaldo) Hill, and I’m going to learn as much as I can from those guys.”

On his NFL dream coming true

Moore: “For me, it’s a blessing. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for 21 years. Just to be able to spend all that time with my family…When I was six or seven years old, I used to pray to God that I wanted to be a difference maker for my family, and I wanted to put on one of these jerseys. It’s finally come, and it shows me that when you sacrifice yourself, and when you put in hard work and dedication, it’s going to pay off no matter what. I know that if I can do it, others can do it. It’s a blessing; I’m just glad to be a part of this organization, and I’m going to give it 105 percent every day.”

On where he will work out until team activities resume

Moore: “I will be heading back to Florida. I was training out there for the combine, so I’m going to back out there and train with other NFL players and guys that are coming in as rookies. I’m going to just stay in shape and get better. There are a lot of things that I have to work on personally, and that’s a great time to get at it. Also, now that I’m situated with a team, all that burden is off me now. I’m going to get back to work and get better.”

On Broncos fourth-round draft pick Quinton Carter

Moore: “(He is a) big-time player. He is a physical safety that can come in and help also. He can also (contribute to) the competitive nature around here. I am a big fan of his and have watched him play many times. I am looking forward to picking his brain and him picking mine. I am blessed and fortunate to be here. First of all, I want to thank (Broncos owner) Mr. Bowlen, (Head) Coach John Fox, (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) John Elway and (General Manager) Mr. Xanders for making my dream come true. I am excited and it is a blessing to be here.”

On whether he heard that Bill Parcells graded him as a first-round pick

Irving: “I did not hear about that. I tried not to get caught up in where I was projected to go. I felt like that would just add on to the stress that I already felt from the whole process. I just kind of relaxed and watched it with my family. I got the call and I was happy and excited when I did.”

On expectations for the NFL

Moore: “I think personally, it is like what Ray Lewis says, it is a man’s game. It is the highest level of football and it brings the most competitive natures out. I think it is the best of the best and the greatest. It is time where you can put all of your guts and everything—sweat, blood and tears into it and it is also a reality check to see how much you want it.”

Irving: “For me, I believe that the NFL is a fraternity of guys that have been through a lot and sacrificed a lot growing up in high school and college. Having made sacrifices and to all be here and sharing this one common goal and doing something that they love to do. It is about fun, but it is about sacrifice too for a lot of people.”