C BRIAN SCHWENKE
(on playing with a mean streak)
That is absolutely accurate. It is what I bring to the table as an offensive lineman. I couldn't be more excited to be playing for Tennessee.
(on how the mean streak came about)
It is very natural when it comes to football. Off the field, I'm real calm and a real nice guy, but when it comes to on the field and playing football it happens very easily and very naturally.
(on if he gets flagged a lot for roughness)
No, I usually don't cross that line. It has happened once or twice, but I usually don't.
(on if it is necessary to have a mean streak on the field)
Absolutely. I think the best offensive linemen have a little bit of nastiness in them. I don't think you are going to find the best offensive linemen who are nice guys on the field. It is not going to happen.
(on switching from guard to center this year)
There is a learning curve at first. I moved in the spring before the season, so I had plenty of time to get acclimated and get used to snapping the ball. By the time the season rolled around I felt pretty darn comfortable at it. I have enjoyed it more than anything this past season playing center.
(on visiting the Titans during the pre-draft process)
To be honest, if it was me picking a team I could go to, I would have picked Tennessee. It was my absolute favorite place to see, the coaches and the environment were fantastic. Everyone here while we were watching the draft we were all rooting for Tennessee to pick me. I couldn't be any happier.
(on how he thinks the team plans to use him)
I can play any of the inside three positions, so whatever they want me to do I'm happy to do it.
(on if he is aware of the offensive line overhaul this offseason)
Absolutely, there is great talent and even better competition. I think it is going to be really fun and I enjoy it.
(on playing for two Hall of Fame offensive linemen)
I think that is one of the biggest reasons why I enjoyed my visit so much. I have never been able to sit down with a head coach of a football team and he talks about offensive line technique the way Coach Munchak did. I loved that and I think it is necessary for a team to have a really strong offensive line. Obviously, I'm a little biased being an offensive lineman, but it is great and it is wonderful and I'm very excited.
(on adjusting to play center this year)
You have to get used to number one snapping the ball and getting that hand out from underneath you. Besides that the guys are just a little bit closer to you than you would be at guard. Besides that there is not much else. There is a little bit of footwork changes here and there, but it is not too far from guard, but in another way it is kind of the furthest thing away from guard.
(on if he knows Chance Warmack)
Yeah, me and Chance are real close. We train together and he is my boy. I'm very excited to be going with him.
(on how excited he is to work with Warmack)
Yeah, absolutely. I'm very excited.
(on where they were training together)
We were training out in L.A. at Athletic Gains for the Combine.
(on how excited he is to play with Jake Locker)
Yeah. I definitely remember him giving us a hard time when we played against him. He is a great guy and a great quarterback and I'm very excited to play with him. He is another Pac-12 guy.
(on what he thinks about Chance Warmack as a player)
He is just an absolute monster on the field. He is a great player. I watched his film and I'm very excited. I never thought I would get to play next to him. We talked about it a little bit, but it is just going to be wonderful. He is a great player and so strong and explosive and a great athlete too. It is going to be really good.
(on if he will be convinced to start 'Warmacking' by pulling his shirt up)
You know what, I might be able to do that. The long hair has kind of been my thing, but I think I have the belly to be able to roll up my jersey if that is required of me.
(on opening holes for Chris Johnson)
He is a great talent. When I play Madden, I like to use the Titans because he is such a good running back. It is going to be exciting. Honestly, I couldn't be more excited to be in Tennessee.
(on the last time he cut his hair)
Like a month ago. I cut off four inches.
(on if anyone ever pulled his hair on the field)
It has happened once in eight years or so. It is really not a big deal. It is not like I have the ball and I'm running around and they could tackle me.
(on what he considers his strengths)
Absolutely, my athleticism and my quickness off the ball, and the ability to use that quickness and power to really get into blockers and drive them before they can do anything. I use that same athleticism in pass protection and I can take my hips and really do well there.
(on if he knows Craig Stevens and Lavelle Hawkins)
I've met Craig in passing. Me and his brother are really close – Eric Stevens. He was a fullback for Cal the past couple of years. Me and him are really close. He just texted me. I hear Craig is a great guy. I only hear great things about him. I'm ecstatic right now. I couldn't be more excited.
(on what the Titans told me during the call)
Coach (Bruce) Matthews said he likes the way I play. When I went out and visited we watched film and he likes what I can bring to the table and definitely that mean streak. I have always been able to fuel an offensive line with that kind of nastiness. It kind of brings an attitude to the O-line. I'm going to be playing next to some of the best guys in the NFL, especially with (Andy) Levitre and (Chance) Warmack. Levitre has some years under his belt, but I'm looking to get everyone going with my nastiness.
(on if he has met Andy Levitre)
No, I have actually never met him, but I look forward to it.
