The patriots selected Ellis Hobbs in the third round (84th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. The 5-foot-9- inch, 188-pound cornerback was a 2004 All-Big Twelve Conference first team pick after starting every game and finishing his senior season with five interceptions. Hobbs was also named Iowa State's Male Athlete of the Year and was the recipient of the 2004 Pete Taylor MVP award, as voted by his Cyclone teammates. The Texas native has played in every game for the Patriots in 2005 and has returned 15 kickoffs for 361 yards (24.1 avg.) and has two interceptions at cornerback.
Hobbs sat down with us to look at his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite movie? House Party. Every kid wants to have a party like that.
What was your favorite video game as a kid? Double Dragon.
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas because it doesn't matter what is going on, everybody gets together. You get to see the whole family.
What is your favorite type of food? Soul food ... some greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie and stuffing. Mom and grandma make it the best. It doesn't get any better than that. It's a lot of grease.
What is your favorite restaurant? Hickory Park, which is a barbeque restaurant at Iowa State.
What was your favorite class in college? I was an art major so I would say Drawing 301. It was real-life drawing with models. I really liked the class because it really taught me how to look at figures from a different point of view.
OFF THE FIELD
Who is the one player on this football team that can always make you laugh? Willie McGinest. We are always going at it. He is always talking about my nose and I'm always talking about his.
What was your most embarrassing moment in sports? It happened last year. We just beat Kansas State, and I was about to go hug my mom. I still had my cleats on and I didn't know the surface was concrete. I slipped and fell in front of everybody. That was an embarrassing moment.
What is the most difficult thing about being a rookie in the NFL? No matter what, it is going to be blamed on you. If someone is getting yelled at, they are going to yell at you even more. You just have to take it in stride. You have to have a good attitude.
What is one thing that you have always wanted to do? Go on a cruise. I told my mom that I'm going to treat the whole family to a cruise at the end of the year.
What was the worst job you ever had? Taco Bell. I was 14 years old working from six until midnight ... the late shift.
What is something that annoys you? People that talk all the time about what they are going to do. I like people that go out there and do it.
With your speed, did the track coach at Iowa State ever approach you? Yes, my freshman year, but the football coach wouldn't let him. They wanted me to stay in football.
Do you have a nickname? E-Z, because I'm easy-going and laid back.
What scares you the most? What scares me the most is when it is all said and done, I will have a regret. I try to live every day like it is my last.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to play video games. I just got Midnight Club DUB Edition.
ON THE FIELD
Which player or coach have you learned the most from in your career? DeMontie Cross. He is the outside linebackers coach at Iowa State. He played defensive back for Missouri. He taught me how to watch film, how to approach the game and how to practice.
Is there a cornerback that you have tried to model your game after? I like to watch and critique myself. Everybody has their own style. I try not to get into other people's style because most of the time a player's style fits into the specific defense they play in.
Describe the feeling you get as a kickoff returner when the game is about to start? I'm just thinking 'go make the play.' There is a small window of opportunity.When that ball is in the air you have to go make the play.
Who is the best collegiate player you suited up against in the Big Twelve Conference? Terrence Murphy. We became pretty good friends during the draft process because we are both rookies. We played Texas A&M and he is a good receiver.
THIS OR THAT
Which game would you rather attend: Celtics or Red Sox? Red Sox.
Go to the movie theater or watch the DVD?Movie theater. You feel like you are more a part of the movie. With the DVD you can get up and use the bathroom and there are a lot of distractions.
Read the book or see the movie? See the movie.
Sports car or SUV? SUV ... bigger rims.
Take an exam or give an oral presentation? Oral presentation. I have a good speaking voice.
Make an interception or return a kick for a score? Interception because it is a big play for the defense and a big momentum swing, especially if I bring it back for a touchdown.
JUST FOR FUN
If you could only invite three celebrities to a party, who would they be? That's a good one. Eva Mendes, Stacey Dash and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
If you were playing in a basketball tournament and the game was on the line, which teammate would you least like to take the last shot? I haven't seen many of these guys play basketball. I know who I would like to take the last shot. Bam Childress has a shot.
Which one of the rookies would be the best apprentice for Donald Trump? Who has the worst hair? Ray Ventrone's hair goes everywhere like Trump's. My selection is based on hair.
If you could have a cameo on any TV show, which would you choose? BET's 106 and Park.
