Bamiro is on the practice squad, but has a very good chance of being on the 53 man roster next year (CSN Philly)
INTERVIEW WITH EAGLES OFFENSIVE TACKLE MICHAEL BAMIRO
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I got the opportunity to interview Michael Bamiro, a promising offensive lineman on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.
1/2/14 |
Joshua Chapman: First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to conduct this interview.
Michael Bamiro: Thanks for asking me. Anything to help a young journalist.
JC: So first off, how did you get into football?
MB: When I was younger, I used to watch my older brothers all the time play football so I grew to love the game.
JC: Why did you decide to transfer to Stony Brook instead of stay at Pitt?
MB: Well, I wasn’t at Pitt; I was at University of Pitt at Titusville. It’s a 2 year school, 2 hours away from Pitt.
JC: What was your experience like at Stony Book?
MB: It was fun man. It was great. Both of my older brothers attended that school so I already knew my way around campus. Plus it’s college, so that time of life is always fun.
JC: Can you explain the mix-up that caused you to be ineligible for the 2013 NFL Draft?
MB: Sure. When I got accepted into the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, I signed up for 13 credits, which is considered a full-time student. At this time, I wasn’t thinking about playing football. But once I decided to pursue football again, I transferred to Stony Brook . I had no idea that by NCAA rules since I already began as a full-time student, that my eligibility began at Titusville.
JC: Where would you have drafted yourself coming out of college?
MB: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I guess where I was needed. Some people were saying the 4th, some the 6th. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.
JC: Why did you choose the Eagles out of all the teams that tried to sign you once you were available?
MB: The Eagles showed the most interest to me. They wanted me and they wanted me to develop and get better.
JC: What has your experience been like with the Eagles?
MB: It’s been great man. It’s been a family like atmosphere. I feel at home here.
JC: Can you describe what working with Tra Thomas was like?
MB: It was tough working out with Tra. He’ll work you until you’re tired and then some. But he knows exactly what it takes to play at this level. There’s a reason he was one of the best offensive lineman in the game when he played.
JC: What is a typical day like for you?
MB: Wake up, get some cardio in, meetings, practice and then repeat.
JC: Can the practice squad and backups beat the 1st team in a simulated game? (laughs)
MB: (Laughs) I mean, we practice each other almost every day, so everyone is going to win and lose reps
JC: Why do you feel like you deserve to be on the 53 man roster come next season?
MB: There's nothing I can say for why I deserve it, all I can do is prove it during OTAs and the preseason. That’s the only tape I have, since I’m on the practice squad, you know? I just have to want it bad enough. And I do.
JC: What are some of the things that you’ve learned from guys like Evan Mathis, Todd Herremans and Jason Peters?
MB: Learn to be a naturally better offensive lineman. Those guys are so technically sound man.
JC: Now I’m a big fan of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Did you have to participate in the rookie showcase? If so, what did you do?
MB: We didn’t have a rookie showcase. They didn’t really do that here.
JC: Who is the funniest guy or the biggest character in that locker room?
MB: Uh, the funniest guy has to be LeSean McCoy. He’s something else.
JC: Michael Vick is one of my favorite players in the NFL. What can you tell me about him?
MB: He’s a natural leader man. He’s a good guy. He genuinely cares about every person he talks to.
JC: What can you tell me about Chip Kelly?
MB: He’s real personal man. He’s really smart guy and can talk to you about every position on the field. He understands everything.
JC: What’s the weirdest thing he’s done or implemented?
MB: I don’t really know, the whole situation is pretty new to me.
JC: Do you think that having meetings on Tuesday’s gives you guys an edge?
MB: I think so. A lot of the players think so. Some of the defensive players definitely do, because they’re looking at film of the offense and game-planning while those guys are off.
JC: Have you checked out the website? If so, what are your thoughts?
MB: I have. I checked out the interview with the Bleacher Report writer, Bryn Swartz. I like the interview style. It’s really done well.
JC: Is there any chance you could bring this up in a team meeting? (Laughs)
MB: Probably not (laughs).
JC: Is there a better chance that you could hook me up with interviews with other players? (Laughs)
MB: I’ll refer it to other offensive linemen. I’ll see what I can do. Those guys are pretty approachable on Twitter though.
JC: I don’t know how into local food you are, but I have to imagine you’ve had a Philly cheesesteak. Do you have a favorite place you like to go?
MB: Pat’s. Although I haven’t had many sandwiches since OTA’s because I’m trying to eat healthier
JC: If there was one word or phrase to describe this team, what would you go with?
MB: Fast.
JC: Fast. Good choice. Last question. What do you see your potential ceiling or best being?
MB: I want it all, more importantly, I’m hoping that I can get on man. That’s all I want, is a chance to show what I can do and eventually start.
JC: Is there anything else you would like to say?
MB: Fly Eagles Fly baby.
JC: There we go! I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this with me Michael. It’s been really fun and I hope to see you on the sidelines next year. Tell everyone I said good luck on Saturday.
MB: No problem.
Michael Bamiro: Thanks for asking me. Anything to help a young journalist.
JC: So first off, how did you get into football?
MB: When I was younger, I used to watch my older brothers all the time play football so I grew to love the game.
JC: Why did you decide to transfer to Stony Brook instead of stay at Pitt?
MB: Well, I wasn’t at Pitt; I was at University of Pitt at Titusville. It’s a 2 year school, 2 hours away from Pitt.
JC: What was your experience like at Stony Book?
MB: It was fun man. It was great. Both of my older brothers attended that school so I already knew my way around campus. Plus it’s college, so that time of life is always fun.
JC: Can you explain the mix-up that caused you to be ineligible for the 2013 NFL Draft?
MB: Sure. When I got accepted into the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, I signed up for 13 credits, which is considered a full-time student. At this time, I wasn’t thinking about playing football. But once I decided to pursue football again, I transferred to Stony Brook . I had no idea that by NCAA rules since I already began as a full-time student, that my eligibility began at Titusville.
JC: Where would you have drafted yourself coming out of college?
MB: I don’t know. I really don’t know. I guess where I was needed. Some people were saying the 4th, some the 6th. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.
JC: Why did you choose the Eagles out of all the teams that tried to sign you once you were available?
MB: The Eagles showed the most interest to me. They wanted me and they wanted me to develop and get better.
JC: What has your experience been like with the Eagles?
MB: It’s been great man. It’s been a family like atmosphere. I feel at home here.
JC: Can you describe what working with Tra Thomas was like?
MB: It was tough working out with Tra. He’ll work you until you’re tired and then some. But he knows exactly what it takes to play at this level. There’s a reason he was one of the best offensive lineman in the game when he played.
JC: What is a typical day like for you?
MB: Wake up, get some cardio in, meetings, practice and then repeat.
JC: Can the practice squad and backups beat the 1st team in a simulated game? (laughs)
MB: (Laughs) I mean, we practice each other almost every day, so everyone is going to win and lose reps
JC: Why do you feel like you deserve to be on the 53 man roster come next season?
MB: There's nothing I can say for why I deserve it, all I can do is prove it during OTAs and the preseason. That’s the only tape I have, since I’m on the practice squad, you know? I just have to want it bad enough. And I do.
JC: What are some of the things that you’ve learned from guys like Evan Mathis, Todd Herremans and Jason Peters?
MB: Learn to be a naturally better offensive lineman. Those guys are so technically sound man.
JC: Now I’m a big fan of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Did you have to participate in the rookie showcase? If so, what did you do?
MB: We didn’t have a rookie showcase. They didn’t really do that here.
JC: Who is the funniest guy or the biggest character in that locker room?
MB: Uh, the funniest guy has to be LeSean McCoy. He’s something else.
JC: Michael Vick is one of my favorite players in the NFL. What can you tell me about him?
MB: He’s a natural leader man. He’s a good guy. He genuinely cares about every person he talks to.
JC: What can you tell me about Chip Kelly?
MB: He’s real personal man. He’s really smart guy and can talk to you about every position on the field. He understands everything.
JC: What’s the weirdest thing he’s done or implemented?
MB: I don’t really know, the whole situation is pretty new to me.
JC: Do you think that having meetings on Tuesday’s gives you guys an edge?
MB: I think so. A lot of the players think so. Some of the defensive players definitely do, because they’re looking at film of the offense and game-planning while those guys are off.
JC: Have you checked out the website? If so, what are your thoughts?
MB: I have. I checked out the interview with the Bleacher Report writer, Bryn Swartz. I like the interview style. It’s really done well.
JC: Is there any chance you could bring this up in a team meeting? (Laughs)
MB: Probably not (laughs).
JC: Is there a better chance that you could hook me up with interviews with other players? (Laughs)
MB: I’ll refer it to other offensive linemen. I’ll see what I can do. Those guys are pretty approachable on Twitter though.
JC: I don’t know how into local food you are, but I have to imagine you’ve had a Philly cheesesteak. Do you have a favorite place you like to go?
MB: Pat’s. Although I haven’t had many sandwiches since OTA’s because I’m trying to eat healthier
JC: If there was one word or phrase to describe this team, what would you go with?
MB: Fast.
JC: Fast. Good choice. Last question. What do you see your potential ceiling or best being?
MB: I want it all, more importantly, I’m hoping that I can get on man. That’s all I want, is a chance to show what I can do and eventually start.
JC: Is there anything else you would like to say?
MB: Fly Eagles Fly baby.
JC: There we go! I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this with me Michael. It’s been really fun and I hope to see you on the sidelines next year. Tell everyone I said good luck on Saturday.
MB: No problem.