1 on 1 with Carlos Emmons

This interview was conducted by Kyle Phillippi of Bleed Green.

1 On 1 With Carlos Emmons

The season is just around the corner, and training camp has just begun... Besides covering every game and reporting on news, here at Bleed Green, we love to hold interviews. We have held some interviews in the past, but none have ever been with an NFL player. The first interview with an NFL player for Bleed Green has finally surfaced, and we are proud to present our interview with former Eagles' linebacker Carlos Emmons.

In his NFL career, Emmons racked up 429 tackles and 5 interceptions. From 2000 to 2003, Emmons was a part of one of the best defenses in the league (the Eagles' defense). In 2003, Emmons had a great season, totaling 84 tackles and 5 pass deflections. After his days as an Eagle, Emmons was signed by the Giants, where he had 97 tackles in his first season with them. Despite Carlos Emmons finishing his career as a Giant, Philly fans will always respect him and his gameplay, as he was one of the hardest working players on the team. Enough said, it is time to move on to the interview, where you will get to know a little more about Carlos Emmons. Bleed Green proudly presents 1 on 1 with Carlos Emmons:

1. As a kid, what sparked your interest in the game of football, and who were your favorite players growing up?

Carlos Emmons: I enjoyed the physical aspect of the game as well as the competitiveness. My favorite players were Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor and Lynn Swann.

2. In your career with the Philadelphia Eagles, how would you sum up your experiences with the players and the organization?

C.E: My time in Philadelphia was great. The fans were truly appreciative of a blue collar player like me. The team was very close and we truly believed we were going to win the Super Bowl every year.

3. While playing for the Eagles, which players were you the most closest around?

C.E: Being that the team was so close, I was close to a lot of them. To name a few: Bobby Taylor, Donovan [McNabb], Hugh [Douglas], Ike Reese, B.Dawk [Brian Dawkins], Trot [Jeremiah Trotter], Barry Gardner..etc

4. As a fan, we only see the action on the field. What is it like in a typical locker room in the NFL?

C.E: On a typical day, there is not much free time except during lunch. During that time guys are playing video games or joking around. Just simple things that help to bring a team closer.

Before a game its pretty quiet until Hugh Douglas and Brian Dawkins transform into their alter egos. That's usually pretty funny and it loosens guys up.

5. After your tenure with the Eagles, you had a stint with the Giants. What was it like playing against the Birds, and seeing your former teammates on the opposite sideline?

C.E: It was a weird feeling. You program yourself to hate your rivals so much that I was shocked when I got a call from the Giants. I guess I felt like they probably hated me too. When we played in that 1st game against the Eagles, I didn't know how to feel. My emotions were all over the place. During the game, if someone hit me late or in the back they would apologize as if we were still teammates. It was a strange game.

6. With your NFL career behind you, what are your plans for life after football?

C.E: I'm in the process of opening my first franchise restaurant in Atlanta. It's called Wet Willie's. It specializes in frozen drinks. There is one on South Beach in Miami that's very popular. I hope to be open in the next couple months.

7. The biggest question of the interview: What is your view of the 2009 Philadelphia Eagles and how do you think they will do in 2009?

C.E: I think they have all the components in place to make a run at the Super Bowl. The key will be how much Maclin and McCoy are able to contribute to the offense. I think what we saw happen with the Patriots with their SB victories over the years would have been shifted to Philly if McNabb had more help.

I hope you all enjoyed the interview, and got to learn a little more about Carlos Emmons. The Bleed Green staff and readers thank Carlos for taking some time to participate with our interview process, and we all wish the best of luck to his future plans.

**Note** Follow Carlos Emmons all the time by checking out his twitter page, www.twitter.com/CarlosEmmons & check out his Wet Willie's Restaurant page, www.twitter.com/WetWilliesAtl.