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**Q: Richard, how does it feel to be a New England Patriot?**
S: It feels great at this point right now. I am sorry to keep you guys waiting. Actually I had a big program at my house that I had to speak at because I had a lot of people come down. The governor (of Gadsden, S.C.) came down and I had to do a little speech. I'm really glad to be a New England Patriot and I am ready to get the show on the road.
Q: Did you have any inkling that this would be a place for you?
S: Actually I had a very positive meeting with all the coaches and with the rest of the team at the combine. Everything went great and I just felt at home with the coaches and the staff. I did not come there for a personal visit, but I felt like we hit it off in the interview. I am definitely blessed at this point.
Q: Richard, everyone calls you a workaholic. Is that how you would describe your work ethic and can you tell us a little bit about what it is that drives you as a football player?
S: Well, actually I wasn't heavily recruited out of high school. I always knew that I had a lot of talent. But, I think that when I came to Georgia I was playing alongside Marcus Stroud (#13 overall selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars) and he was a first-team All-American in USA Today. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. That kind of drives me within itself. I wanted all those accolades and awards, but I just came in and did what I had to do because my family always taught me if you want something, you have to work for it. You are not supposed to cut corners, so that was always my approach. I always wanted to be a leader by example. It is just second nature to work hard.
Q: Can you explain the style of defense you played in at Georgia?
S: It all depends on the offense we were playing against. Sometimes we were an attack type style defense, sometimes we were a read and react. I played in both, so I am definitely glad to come in with patience so I can contribute.
Q: What did Bill Belichick tell you about the style of defense they play here?
S: Actually, I do not know what goes on in New England. I am just coming in open-minded and ready to learn.
Q: What position do you prefer to play on the defensive line? Do you have a preference?
S: I played defensive tackle in college so a lot of teams like my versatility. I am really not sure where I am going to play yet. I am just going to go in with an open mind and play wherever they put me.
Q: What did you mean you "hit it off" with the Patriots at the combine? How did you know it was going well for you?
S: You could just tell how interested they were in me, and I was getting them the same type of feeling back. You know how sometimes you just get that good feeling? I just had that good feeling about the New England Patriots at the combine. It was something that I did not know where I was going to go, but I just had a good feeling that the Patriots would pull the trigger and they definitely did that.
Q: So it was different from a run-of-the-mill interview that you probably had with a lot of different teams? Was there some different component to it?
S: I met with a lot of teams. Maybe there was another team as well that I just got a good vibe from, but I am really blessed at this point.
Q: Richard, I heard that you had a few uncles or aunts up here in Boston. Could you talk about that a little bit?
S: I have two aunts and some cousins up there in Boston. I am not sure what area they're in, but I talked with them after the draft and they were jumping up and down. They were real excited so I will just have to get a couple home cooked meals as well.
Q: Have you ever been to Boston?
S: No sir, I have not.
Q: What is the farthest north you've ever been?
S: I have been to New Haven, Conn. I went there for the Walter Camp All-American deal probably about two months ago.
Q: How big of a town is it that you are from in South Carolina?
S: Well, there might be four or five thousand people in the actual town, but Columbia is right up the road, the metropolitan area. I am kind of versatile right now, so it is great.
Q: Could you talk about your pass rushing ability? They say you are versatile, but are you a good pass rusher?
S: I definitely think I am still developing at this point. I am only 21 years old. My game is only getting better so I am just trying to go in and learn the system from the coaches and also some of the other players. I want to learn from some of the veterans and just continue to get better.
Q: Did you get double-teamed much?
S: Yeah, I got doubled-teamed a lot at Georgia, me and Marcus (Stroud) both. If I wasn't getting doubled-teamed, they were running the other way. If I was getting double-teamed they were running toward Marcus or something like that.
Q: Do you have an idol or favorite player growing up, a model you try to tailor your game after?
S: Actually I really like Bryant Young from the San Francisco 49ers. He is a real special player, and we have really the same type demeanor and play, hard work and technique.
Q: Give a scouting report on yourself.
S: An active player who is always around the football. A player that wants to get better. A player who is open-minded, that sees the football well. Like I said, no matter what if I am getting blocked or something of that nature I am always running to the football. Tall, athletic pass rusher who can also take on the run and take on double teams and do whatever I am asked to do.
