Jan. 20, 2004
Fightingillini.com had the chance to sit down with graduated senior offensive tackle Sean Bubin to get an idea of his week at the 55th Annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Annually, the Senior Bowl is the premiere college all-star event of the year with ninety-five of America's top senior NFL draft prospects taking part in this year's game week festivities, which will also be attended by over 700 National Football League general managers, head coaches, scouts and other front office personnel. The nation's most unique football game, the Senior Bowl is the only contest in the nation which features the top NFL draft prospects on teams coached by the entire coaching staffs of two National Football League teams. Bubin and his North squad will be coached by Marvin Lewis and his Cincinnati Bengals staff. Here are some of Bubin's thoughts ...
Q: Describe your first day in Mobile.
A: It was very exciting to arrive in Mobile. You arrive at the hotel and the first thing you do is begin to meet with all 32 NFL teams and take the psychological tests. It is a long day.
Q: This week you have taken many personality profile tests, which one was the most memorable?
A: Definitely the Giants test. It is 300 questions and takes forever and they ask crazy questions like "What are the two reasons you cook food?"
Q: What are you expecting to get out of this week?
A: I want to show the scouts my skills and learn from the Bengals staff. I want them to see that I am a physical player.
Q: Are the practices similar to the ones at Illinois?
A: They are extremely similar. We start out with individual work and move to group and team work toward the end just like at Illinois and the pace is pretty much the same. With Coach Turner coming from the NFL, I assumed that we would do things exactly like the pros.
Q: How much did Ron Turner's offense prepare you for a week like this?
A: A great deal. The plays we are running are right out of our Illinois playbook, but with different names. It was an easy adjustment learning the plays this week.
Q: Who is the toughest linemen you have gone up against this week?
A: Isaac Sopoaga from Hawaii.
Q: What has been your favorite part about the week so far?
A: Probably just meeting new people and talking to all the guys that you watched on TV and seeing what their personalities are really like.
Q: Talk about the atmosphere out at Senior Bowl practices.
A: It is crazy. There are hundreds of scouts, coaches, general managers of NFL teams out there and they are all watching your every move. They want to make sure that you are the guy they want. The first day it was a little overwhelming, but by the second you get used to all the people and can concentrate on doing your job out on the field.
Q: Through two practices, evaluate your performance. Have you given up any sacks?
A: I feel I have had two very good practices. I think I am blocking well and getting a lot of pancake blocks ... and no I haven't let anyone get to the quarterback.
