He was not comfortable in leaving camp to play. He wanted to make sure that he would be fresh for an entire year.

I think it has to be that way every week, no matter who you play. Obviously you have to prepare for different things that different teams bring to the table, but if you can't handle your own assignments on each play, then you're going to have problems.

We hear a lot of it. But all I say is, I'm going to do my best and play my best. That's not up to me after the season. That's up to the administration. I think people make a bigger deal out of it than they should be making.

I didn't come up here expecting to play. I am not really surprised. It's just whenever they need me. I am hanging out and learning a bunch of stuff.

There were some tempers that flared and got out of whack for about two days and then festered some over the winter, which did concern me. It's been taken care of now.

He's been in a couple of these situations recently, and there's nobody that feels more grateful for getting this assignment than he. He's been close a couple times, and I'm sure he was wondering if it was ever going to be reality. But it was a matter of time. It was just inevitable. All he needed was the right mix.