|
 |
Charlie Anderson
CHARLIE ANDERSOM
Outside linebacker Charlie Anderson was initially brought in by the new Dolphins' regime to replace Jason Taylor in the 3-4 when Taylor' status was still up in the air before he was traded to the Washington Redskins. Even though he had been primarily a special teams maven for the Houston Texans his first three seasons in the league, the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder emerged last season as a viable defensive threat, recording two sacks and 24 tackles in five starts for Houston.
The Dolphins signed Anderson as an unrestricted free agent on March 1 of this year and after minicamps and OTAs, it looked like it was going to be a battle between him and second-year converted defensive end Quentin Moses for the spot opposite Joey Porter at outside linebacker. But a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a couple of weeks, plus the decision by Coach Tony Sparano and defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni to move Matt Roth from defensive end to strongside linebacker changed the big picture. Now Anderson is a regular on special teams again and rotates in at linebacker during some passing situations.
Anderson, 26, was a four-year letterman at Ole Miss from 2000-03 and started 31 of 48 games. He finished his college career with 127 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and five passes defensed from his defensive end position and as a senior compiled 54 tackles and 5.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles. He majored in sociology with a minor in criminal justice and the Mississippi native graduated with a degree in sociology during the 2007 offseason.
Away from the field, Anderson enjoys bowling, which he didn't take up until his rookie year in Houston, and he currently carries a 190 average with a personal best of 225. Anderson discussed his impressions of this year's Dolphins team, what Sparano is like, how long it takes for him to recover from a physical game, and what area of his game he is most pleased about, among other things, during an exclusive one-on-one interview with Andy Kent for this installment of First-and-10.
1. What impresses you most about this year's Dolphins team?
I'd have to say the chemistry that we are developing. We feel like we have a good team and we're capable of winning more games. We feel like we can be a playoff team this year, so I feel real good about where the team is going.
2. Tell us a little bit about Coach Tony Sparano and the interaction you have with him?
I think he's a cool coach. I'd say he's a player-friendly coach. He'll shoot the jive with you every now and then. He always says that he hasn't lost many fights -- that's verbally and physically, I guess. He hasn't lost a lot of fights and he lives, dreams, sleeps and eats football.
3. When you are on the field, what gives you the most satisfaction?
I'd just have to say playing hard for my teammates; just playing good team ball. For me it's not an individual goal or individual type things. I'm just trying to help the team and if that's having a key block on special teams or taking on the wedge or something like that just so another guy can make the tackle, that's what I'm all about.
4. If you weren't playing football right, what would you like to be doing and why?
I would like to be doing something involving young people just making sure that young people don't go through the same thing I went through growing up. Just helping young people not go down the same kind of path or path I've seen other people go down. Just helping young people.
5. What would be a successful season for the 2008 Dolphins?
That's a tough question because if Coach reads this he might say, "Man, that's all you think we can do?" Honestly, making it to the AFC Championship.
6. What area of your game are you most pleased about?
I feel like I'm doing a lot better than what I was earlier in the year but, I have to be honest with you, I'm not pleased with where I'm at right now. I want to continue to keep working hard. I feel like I can run. I'm pretty athletic, but as far as my game I feel like I have a lot more to accomplish. (The hamstring injury in training camp) might have hurt me a little bit as far as missing out o some reps, but other than that I feel like I'm getting back to where I was.
7. If you were commissioner of the NFL for one day, what would you make sure happens?
For the teams that make their players wear full pads, I'd make sure that those players didn't have to wear pads for that week.
8. How long does it takes you to physically recover after an especially brutal game, and what do you do to help that process?
It takes about two days and normally I get in the cold tub, the ice tub, for about 15-20 minutes and I get a massage.
9. How would you describe yourself as a person in a couple of sentences?
I would say I'm a down-to-earth, humble guy who likes to have fun and I'm just real laid-back.
10. If you could give a message to Dolphins fans everywhere, what would that be?
The Dolphins are back. We're back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
