| At 6-4, 313 pounds, it is hard to imagine Ryan Sims could hide in any
man’s shadow. But during his time at North Carolina, Sims has been playing second
fiddle to DE Julius Peppers, a sure-fire top five draft pick. However, Sims is hardly
being ignored by NFL clubs. In fact, many NFL teams rate Sims as one of the top three
defensive tackles in the draft. His workout Tuesday in Chapel Hill was impressive and did
nothing to detract from his rising status. Sims ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds,
recorded 27 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press and had a 30-inch vertical leap. Q:
You had a very impressive Senior Bowl. How did that set you up for this whole draft
process?
A: Things have been going well. I’ve talked to a lot of different teams and things
are really on the up and up.
Q: Would you say you benefited from that supporting cast at North Carolina?
A: Oh, definitely. We had great linebackers and with Julius beside me, we wreaked a
whole lot of havoc up front.
Q: Do you think that makes teams want to take a closer look at you, individually, to
see if you can play well on your own?
A: I think so. We figured coming in that every NFL team was going to look at Julius. At
the same time, while they are in the building, you want to make sure that you do something
so they don’t leave without noticing you.
Q: Any preference as far as a type of defense you’d like to play in?
A: Not really. I have never played anything but a 4-3 and it is nice to stay with
things you are familiar with, but I wouldn’t object to a three-man front or those
other things.
Q: Are the Colts one of the teams you are interested in?
A: Yeah. I talked to their whole staff a couple of different times. But I have talked
to a lot of teams and they have talked to a lot of players.
Q: Who is the best lineman you have ever played?
A: Andre Gurode from Colorado. We went at it during Senior Bowl week and he was very
solid — not a weakness.
Q: Six of the first 19 picks in last year’s draft were defensive tackles. Does
that get you excited?
A: Yes it does. NFL teams know about us, the (media) might not. The last two or three
Super Bowls were won by defense. Defenses win by dominating up front. If you have some
great inside rushers that aren’t going to let that quarterback step inside and make a
pass, you are going to cause a lot of problems.
Q: Are you that kind of defensive tackle?
A: I spent three years concentrating on stopping the run. Right now, I’m more of a
complete player. Last year, I learned a lot about pass rush and techniques.
Q: Is there a defensive tackle you pattern your game after?
A: Kind of a combination of Dana Stubblefield, Warren Sapp and John Randle.
Q: Why did your pass rush improve?
A: I use my hands a lot better. My coach this past year taught us a lot of different
techniques with the hands. The NFL is all about hand-to-hand combat. If the offensive line
gets hands on you, they block you. You have to try to get away from them.
Q: Did you ever feel like you were operating in Julius Peppers’ shadow?
A: Who wouldn’t? It was always Julius Peppers’ defense. He’s a great
player. That was deserved. I knew if I kept playing hard, I’d get noticed and my time
would come.
Q: What do you like to do when you are just hanging out?
A: I read, read a whole lot. My girlfriend got me into Jerome Dickey. I’m contrary
to what most people think. Right now I’m reading a Dickey novel, Friends and
Lovers.
Q: Was there ever a moment when UNC head coach John Bunting was laid back?
A: Never. I remember the one time I expected it, we were over at his house for a
cookout. We were watching golf. Tiger missed a shot, Coach Bunting stood up and was
screaming and hollering. I was like, ‘C’mon coach. This is golf!’
Q: What is the most impressive thing you’ve seen Julius Peppers do?
A: You’d think getting to the quarterback and those things (on the football
field). But it is really the way he dunks (a basketball). He does 360s, dips and this and
that. He can leap.
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