NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jurrell Casey can't lie -- the palm trees are nice, and so is the ocean breeze. In Hawaii, it's hard to beat the scenery.
Yes, the Titans defensive lineman is in paradise at the Pro Bowl.
Casey's favorite thing about the trip so far has nothing to do with the weather, or relaxation, however. Instead, he's been blown away with how he's been received by his fellow NFL stars, and that's meant a lot to him.
"That's the most satisfying part of this whole trip, coming up and not being a stranger to the guys,'' Casey said via phone from the Hawaii. "They might not know exactly what I look like, but they know me. You could come here and people could say, "Who the hell are you and why the hell are you here? But it hasn't been like that.
"When I talk to guys they've said, "Much-deserved, you should have been here before." Those type of comments, from my peers, that has made me feel really good, knowing they respect me. Guys have been giving me props."
Casey earned the praise.
In 2015, Casey started all 16 games at defensive tackle, and tied for the team lead with seven sacks. Casey ranked second on the team with 11 tackles for loss, and a career-high 28 quarterback pressures, while also racking up 86 tackles.
Casey, a five-year pro, turned down a chance to go to the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years as an alternate, but opted to go this year when a spot opened up. He's recorded 28 sacks in 79 career games, and totaled over 70 tackles in all five NFL seasons.
"I finally get to check it off my box, that I finally made it here and get to be in the presence of the best in this league,'' Casey said. "The main thing and the greatest feeling is I get to be a part of it and get to put my name in the history books as being a Pro Bowler.
TitansOnline.com looks back at DT Jurrell Casey's 2015 season. (AP Photos)
"It has been pretty cool, to see guys and put a face with a name. When I see a certain dude, it is totally different to see them in person than with pads. And just being able to relax and enjoy yourself with friends and family, it's nice."
It's not Casey's first trip to Hawaii. While at USC, he played in a game against the University of Hawaii, but he said he came in for the game, and that was about it.
This trip is much different. Casey brought his fiancé, Ryann Gray, with him, along with her mother. Casey's mom is also headed to Hawaii.
Casey said he's had a chance to spend time with Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins and Vikings defensive lineman Everson Griffen, among others. In practices, he plans to watch the habits of some of the other Pro Bowlers.
Casey and Titans teammate Delanie Walker are both on "Team (Michael) Irvin." They were selected by the Hall of Fame receiver from the Cowboys in the Pro Bowl draft on Wednesday night.
"I do plan on watching some of these guys in practice, to see how they move around and the type of things they do,'' Casey said. "I want to try and up my game a little more."
And while he has plans to go scuba diving later in the week, there's one thing that's not on his to-do list.
In the water, Casey doesn't want to see anything as big as he is swimming around him.
"I am definitely staying away from the deep water for sure,'' he said with a laugh. "I am not going to get anywhere near sharks, or near anything moving in that water. I am going to stay as far away as possible, I promise you that."
