Barry Richardson One on One

Going into your senior season at Clemson, you were expected to be a first-round draft pick. What were your expectations going into the draft?

"Obviously, I wanted to be the top offensive tackle taken. I wanted to be drafted as high as possible, but not everyone can be a first-round draft pick."

When you finally went in the sixth round, how disappointed were you?

"I wasn't all that disappointed because there were a lot of guys that were not drafted at all. I was surprised I lasted until the second day. Some of the guys that went ahead of me surprised me, but there's nothing you can do about it. You try not to worry about it. You hope you can prove some people wrong."

Was Kansas City one of the teams that talked to you before the draft?

"A lot of teams talked with me. Kansas City was one of them. When you go in the later rounds, teams draft you for a reason. There's a need there, so I was glad that they decided to take me because I knew they were looking for a tackle."

What's been the biggest adjustment to the NFL?

"It's the tempo of the game more than the speed of the game. The players are a little faster than they were in college, but that has not really been that bad. It's the tempo of everything that happens on the field. It takes a while to get used to it, and it's something I'm working on every day in practice."

You were a starter throughout high school and college, so how hard is it to stand on the sidelines now?

"You're not going to start every game at every level. I was able to do it in high school and college, and that was great. I don't like sitting on the bench; I'm working to get out on the field. I understand that you've got to learn the NFL game before you can get on the field."

You were criticized in college for your intensity level on the field. Is that improving?

"I think so. I know that's one reason I wasn't drafted as high as I would have liked. It's something that I've been working on every day since training camp opened. I think I'm getting better."

Is Tommy Bowden going to get it done at Clemson?

"I don't know. I hope so."

Will Clemson win the ACC this season?

"Yes. They should. They've got the most talent in the league."

Orlando Pace or Jonathan Ogden?

"Orlando Pace."

Rihanna or Beyonce?

"Beyonce."

Will Smith or Denzel Washington?

"Will Smith."

Three people you'd like to have dinner with?

"Oprah. Barack Obama. Martin Luther King."

Your house in on fire, but everyone in your family is safe. What's the one thing you go back into the house to get?

"My cell phone."

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