LB Brady Poppinga Live Chat Transcript: 11-17-06
posted 11/17/2006
Brady is here so we will begin the chat now! - Posted by Chat Moderator of Packers.com
Hey Brady, just want to compliment you on your wonderful performance so far. Here is a quick question, how has our defense gone from one of the worst in the league to an improving defense every week? Thanks Brady, and I wish you the best remainder of the season. GO PACK GO - Posted by Jeremy D of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOur defense has improved because of the fact that we are understanding the scheme better and understanding how each individual fits into it.
First let me say thank you for representing the green and gold in such a positive way. My questions is, how does it feel to play for the most storied franchise in professional football? - Posted by Eric Elliott of Bowie, MDIt is a great honor to play for one of the most storied professional sports teams in the USA. The fans are what make playing for the Pack the greatest.
Brady, there have been plenty of your teammates and coaches that have made reference to how high-strung of a person you are on and off the field (which if I may add is a wonderful quality to have in a player at your position). Do you ever listen to loud music or gobble down a bunch of candy for a sugar rush before a game? In other words, do you have any pre-game rituals that help you get even more 'wired'? I mean, the crushing hit you put on Brad Johnson appeared almost un-natural!! Either way, thanks for the enthusiasm out on the field. It really makes it fun for the spectator! GO PACKERS!! - Posted by Hans Klein of Hancock, MITo be honest I am pretty wired up all of the time. My problem isn't that I have to get myself going, but I have to work at calming myself down. So, before a game I try to relax as much as possible so I can conserve all of my energy for when it counts. I relax by taking deep breathes and I listen to relaxing but up tempo music ( U2, Coldplay). I will always do a warm-up routine out on the field before the game also.
Hi Brady, You are doing a great job and like I told you over the years of when I coached you and thereafter, of HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU. You had a goal to be where you are now, which I knew you could get there, back in high school. It was fun going the next level in coaching you,Casey and Kelly and many after you, in trying to help you achieve your goals. I remember how you told me you wanted to compete against the very best, well you have. In college and in the pros. I'm watching you from the distance as best as I can. Thanks for the nice signed pictures, that meant alot. Continue to be a great positive role model for all, especially the little kids, though it maybe tough and time consuming, it makes a huge positive impact on them. I just attended a few little kids girls bball game at the rec center, I did it because it meant alot to those girls, that I came to watch them play, after they invited me to attend, it means alot to them. I still catch Kelly's games (he's having a real good year too), . He needs to get his speed down,just I like I use to tell you all the time, boy, you sure did well in improving you speed, nice job. I also try to catch other TE's and LBers (that I coached from LBer University, as I use to call it, maybe while you were there or after, I can't remember). Again, it means alot to those ex-players that I had over the years. I hope my love of the game,mental preparation and focus helped them too. You would never give me your helmet during our warmups before a game, darn, I was ready to "LOCK AND LOAD". Congratulations on your new born son. I"m happy for you. I hope Brooke and your daughter are all doing well too. Say "Hi to Brooke for me,I don't know if she still remembers me or not. Keep up up the good work and enjoy every moment. I need to get to Green Bay and catch a game sometime. Again,Keep it up,Keep getting better and stay hungry to do well.Also keep it up on being the great guy that you are. For all of this, I am very proud of you!!! Very Sincerely, LOCK AND LOAD !!! Coach Roger Schrad, TE/Lber's - Posted by Roger Schrad of Evanston, WyomingWhats up coach? You are the man. Hope all is going well with you. You can truly say that the success that I have had and will have, that you play a part in that.
Brady, how does the defense spend its time on the sideline? Do you watch the game, review pictures from the last drive, talk to coaches, or a combination of it all? - Posted by Kevin of Green BayWe try to make any adjustment or corrections that need to be made in order to perform at the highest level. We do this by looking at pictures that are taken at presnap and postsnap.
What an outstanding role model you have been for our players in Evanston. Brady, what advise would you give young players that have the dream to play at the next level ? - Posted by Don Dinnel of Evanston WyomingI would say to these kids that there are no limits as to what you can accomplish. If your belief in what you can accomplish is reflected in your actions then that belief will someday turn into a reality.
Brady - Love to watch you play! My question is - what advantages or disadvantages do you think you have for being an "older" aged 3rd year player? Thanks and good luck Sunday! - Posted by Charlie of Morgan Hill, CAI think the advantage is that I have more experience in my life and I've learned to be able to handle adversity and challenges and different things that are thrown at me I think in a different way than womeone who has a little less experience. Also having been away from the game for a few years has allowed me to see what it's like to not have football in my life so I think I'm a little more appreciative and understanding of what value the game of football brings into my life.
Hey Brady how about those BYU Cougars!! They can go for the outright MWC Title tomorrow. You must be watching closely with your brother being on the team. How do you think there season has been? - Posted by Jordan of Salt Lake CityYeah, those cougs are doing great! I'm proud of them and i expect that this is how BYU should play. This is the BYU of old that I remember. I enjoy watching my brother play linebacker for them and I just think their season has been going great.
Hey Brady, great job so far, it is a pleasure watching someone with your enthusiasm and energy level play week in and week out. Have you had any setbacks with the knee injury from last year, where do you feel the knee is going into later half of the season? - Posted by Jeff Zerbst of Green Bay, WIFortunately I haven't had any setbacks with the knee injury. It's been 100%. It's been better than ever. I actually forget that I ever had a knee injury at this point.
Which player or coach for the Packers has helped you the most develop into a starting pro linebacker - Posted by Steven of Menomonee FallsThat's a great question. I'm not sure if i could really pinpoint any particular coach but Coach Bates last year had a lot to do with it. He was really patient with me a really worked with me a lot. I think Coach Duffner, Coach Moss, Coach Sanders, obviously all of those guys have had a direct influence in my development because they have worked with me so close. As for players, Aaron Kampman helps me really keep things in perspective. Being able to play with guys like Kabeer, AJ, Nick, Ben, Abdul and Tracy...I think all of us are able to feed off of each other and basically push each other to the next level and accomplish some great things.
How did it feel to get your 1st career INT. in Miami adter dropping an easy chance against NO earlier this season? By the way you have played brilliantly season. Keep it Up! - Posted by Miles Osik of Racine, WIIt was a great feeling. There were a lot of critics that thought that I couldn't really cover people so to be able to go and make an interception and make a play in coverage sort of answered my critics was a fun thing to do. And also to make a big play to help us win was the most fun about it.
I know that players have to "take it one game at a time". But the remainder of the Packers schedule gives you a legimate shot at a wild card berth. Do you look at the schedule and point at one game or another thinking "that should be a win?" Thanks, and stay healthy. GO PACK, GO - Posted by Terry Ell of Saint Peters, MOI think we are right on target to be a playoff team. We just have to keep improving and continue on a weekly basis to put out our best effort and put our best foot forward and that's what is going to put us in the best position to win. Who's to say we can't get ourselves to the playoffs if we can do that? Only time is going to tell.
Hello Brady, My uncle lives in Evanston... Just courious have you ever snowboarded living in such great Mountains? - Posted by Luke of San DIegoI'm an avid skier...well not anymore. I stopped skiing about 10 years ago. but I love to ski. I never got into snowboarding. I can't figure out how to slide or move sideways.
What do you consider your strength - - blitzing the quarterback or dropping back in coverage ? - Posted by Joseph Dombrowski of Hamden, Ct.I think I can do either one, depending on the situation. Blitzing is very fun because it's a very aggressive, very exciting form of football and you get to chase after the quarterback, whereas in coverage you are more passive. You're reading the play a little more so i would definitely say blitzing is the most fun, but they are equally important. On that note guys, I've got to run. I have family coming in for the big game this weekend. Thanks so much for all of your questions. It's been awesome! GO PACK GO!
This concludes our chat. Thanks to Brady for taking time to hang out with us and thanks to all of you for your great questions. - Posted by Chat Moderator of Packers.com
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