| Beyond the Bryant McKinnies and Mike Williamses of this year’s OL
crop are several intriguing OL prospects, particularly at the OT position. Pearson is one
of those prospects. Though Pearson, a 6-7, 304-pounder, isn’t as immense as the top
two at his position, he may have the smarts to make up for his lack of size. Q: What
does it take to be a great left tackle?
A: You just have to be determined and work hard and be consistent. It just depends on
the place that you play.
Q: Talk about the workouts you’ve been doing leading up to the NFL Scouting
Combine.
A: I’ve been working out every day on my speed, strength and technique. I’m
working hard and I’m prepared for this.
Q: You bulked up a bit, right?
A: I was 304 this morning (at the combine). I was 285 when I weighed in down there in
early January.
Q: Had you talked to Florida grad Kenyatta Walker since he went to the Bucs? What
has he said?
A: A little bit, yeah. It’s a big change. You go from playing a 12- or 13-game
season to 20-plus games like he did this year, so definitely you’ve got to be
prepared for that. But he played great and as the year went on he kept getting better and
better, and that’s what it’s all about.
Q: Here you’ll face an All-American every week, unlike in college.
A: Right. It’s just the best of the best in the NFL, and I’m looking forward
to the challenge of going up week in and week out against the best in the league.
Q: You obviously believe you can make the jump as a junior to the NFL.
A: I think if I keep working hard, I can be on that level.
Q: There have been a lot of recent changes in your life, going from single to
married and going the NFL.
A: Yeah, it’s going to be a fun ride. I’m looking forward to it, going to a
new city to start a new life with a new wife.
Q: What about cold weather?
A: That’s fine with me. Being a big guy, you like it to be a little colder
(because) you have a little more skin on you to keep you warm.
Q: A lot of people have labeled you "Baby Boselli." How hard will it be to
live up to that?
A: It’s an honor; he’s a great player. And if I could just be half the player
he is, I think I’ll be all right. It’s just something that got started when I
first got to school, and hopefully I can just go and do my best.
Q: Have any teams expressed an interest in you moving to right tackle?
A: We’ve talked about it, and that’s something I’d definitely open up
to. I just want to get out there and play — center, guard, tackle, tight end,
whatever they want me to do.
Q: They talk about how thorough the physicals are here, with all the poking and
prodding. Is that the most thorough physical you ever went through?
A: Oh, definitely. I mean, you go from one room to the next room to the next room.
Anything you’ve had from a sprained ankle to a skull fracture like myself are all
kinds of things they’re going to (check) — it’s an investment on their
part, and I would do the same exact thing. The money you’re putting into a guy, you
want to make sure he’s capable of earning the money you pay him.
Q: Did you say a skull fracture? What happened?
A: It was July, right before my sophomore year. I was in the back of a pickup truck in
a parking garage and I didn’t see it coming, so it kind of blindsided me.
Q: Can you explain the skull fracture accident more?
A: I was in the back of a pickup truck on the third floor of a parking garage at
school, and there’s no roof on the third floor. I didn’t really think about the
low overhang. So as we were coming down, I was facing out the back, and it got me on the
back of the head.
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