LT TAYLOR LEWAN

(on being picked by the Titans)

I had no idea where I'd go. I knew when I came to Nashville and I talked to them it was an unbelievable experience—just the feeling of the city, the feeling of the town, being around everybody. I literally could not have gone to a better place, not just because of football, but also everything that surrounds it

(on fitting in with the team's new offensive mentality)

My thing right now is I know they have two established offensive tackles, and obviously, I want to play offensive tackle for that team. My job is really to bring competition. How I would describe myself as a player is honestly a person that plays as hard, as fast and as nasty as he possibly can. I try to play through the whistle. I honestly try to be one of the toughest guys on the field. It gets to the point where I have a guy at the end of the fourth quarter and he's worn down and he doesn't want to play anymore. That's my style of play. I'm really excited and I can't wait to be a Tennessee Titan. I can't wait to get down there and just be a part of the culture. It's going to be amazing.

(on if he's familiar with any of the Titans offensive linemen)

I don't really know any of them. I know Chance Warmack was drafted last year at, I believe, No. 10. My thing is that there are a lot of veterans on this team, there are a lot of guys that have played a lot of ball. My job is not to come in and be disrespectful by any means, just come in and bring competition, and at the same time, learn from these guys. I want to understand how they made it so long, and how I can be one of those guys that can make it a long time as well.

(on playing against the Texans and Jadeveon Clowney twice a year)

I've played him before and I can't wait to play him again. He's a great guy and an even better player. I can't wait.

(on his finger mustache tattoo)

I got that mustache tattoo when I was 18 years old. The story behind it is that everybody always talks about getting a temp(orary) tattoo, but nobody actually does it. I just want to be that guy with a mustache tattoo, I guess. I don't want people to read too much into it. Believe it or not, I'm actually focused on football.

(on returning to Michigan for his senior year)

Being in the position I am now, I knew that if I could do the things that I had to do, that I could be here today. I really wanted to get that extra year and spend time with those guys and be somebody that people could say is one of the better players that has ever played at Michigan and be a part of that culture with Jake Long and Jon Jansen. I'm thrilled, I'm ecstatic, and I'm so happy.

(on the off-the-field accusations)

My off-the-field incident is three assault charges pending right now. I kind of gave them the brief story that I was completely breaking things up. I did push guys to get everything out of the way. I never struck a man closed fist or anything of that nature. The thing is, I explained to them everything and told them the truth, that's what it was. I'm happy that they believed me. I'm happy that they believed in my character, the kind of person I am. My job is to not do reckless things off the field. My job is to make sure my quarterback is safe and my running backs are in good positions to gain yards.

(on having a reputation as a nasty player)

By playing nasty, by playing through the whistle and trying to put guys in the dirt every single time. I don't care if it's (Jadeveon) Clowney or some slappy on third team off some random team. I don't care who I'm going against. I'm going to play at the level I need to play at no matter what. I don't like to play down to people, it's just the kind of person I am. It's easy to see the way I play on the field, and kind of think, 'He'd be a guy that would hit somebody off of it.' That's not how I am at all.

(on learning from and competing against Michael Roos and Michael Oher)

Like I said, those guys are a couple of veterans and they've been through it for a while. Obviously, I'm trying to go in there and earn a job, and at the same time, be respectful and learn from them. These are the things that they've done to be successful and try to mimic those things so I can also be successful.

(on intimidating rushers with his size and speed)

I don't know if it's an intimidating game. It's really playing through the whistle and playing with the best technique that I can possibly play with, that's really what I'm focused on. I don't need to puff my chest out and peacock all the time. It's really just playing the game, and if they aren't intimidated, then they aren't intimidated.

(on proving that he was right choice)

I do believe that some offensive linemen should get more credit. At the same time, I'm not trying to play flashier to stand out. I know it's not a glamorous position, and I'm not trying to bring too much glamour to it. I want to put my quarterback in a position to be successful and give my running back an opportunity to gain yards. That's really what it's about for me. I know I'm not going to do glamour and glitter and all that. At this time, I'm happy to be playing professional football and I'm happy to finally have an opportunity to earn a spot.

(on taking pride in the left tackle position)

I'm ecstatic about it. I truly love playing left tackle. I love being an athlete. I love being in the quarterback's blind side and having that kind of responsibility. Can I play right tackle? Absolutely. Do I love playing left tackle? Yes, I absolutely do. I'll play any position you need me to play. I'm just happy to be part of the team.

(on if he's familiar with Jake Locker)

I know a little bit about him. I'm sure I'll get to know him a lot better.

(on how much of an influence his father was on his playing style)

He actually played defensive end at Minnesota and then his lung collapsed. After his sophomore year, he shut it down. He's a taller man, he's 6-foot-8-inches, he's taller than me. Back in the day, he was 265 and he was pretty rocked up. Our bodies are a little different, but he definitely played mean and with a lot of aggression.