Paladin
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
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- 2,584
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- Age
- 56
- Location
- Anderson, SC
- Website
- www.upstatehomeless.com
http://www.panthers.com/news/newsroomNewsDetail.jsp?id=8083
Catching up with Wesley Walls
August 19, 2003
Panthers.com
How is Green Bay treating you?
Green Bay has been nice. We've had a couple of preseason games, and I got a little action last week. I knocked some rust and dust off of this old body. I'm feeling pretty good and learning the system. It's a system I've been in before, but I'm actually learning the "U" tight end, the tiger tight end, and it's a lot of different formations and plays. It's a whole different position for me, but it's coming along and I feel like I'm making some strides and I'm going to be able to contribute.
Why did you sign with Green Bay?
It was a tough decision. I think the first decision I had to make was back when Coach Fox, Marty Hurney and I sat down and discussed whether I was going to continue to play. They wanted me to retire, and I felt like I still had some skill left and could still play and contribute. Injuries have been an issue with me the last two or three years. I fought back from those and kind of went through last year decent as far as knees go. The second decision was finding a place to play, and it took a little longer than I thought it would take. I had a little wish list, and Green Bay and Tampa Bay were at the top of that list. Then Washington came in and really made a good effort to sign me and almost did. The opportunity at Washington included starting and I feel like that's what I can do and what I wanted to do. But at the same time, two great franchises like Tampa Bay and Green Bay gave me an opportunity to come in and not necessarily start, but play and do what I do best, which is run routes and catch passes. It came down to Green Bay and Brett Favre.
What has the personal adjustment been like moving to Wisconsin?
That's one thing that's tough about the NFL. I've been very fortunate and didn't really realize how nice it was to have my family in a nice town like Charlotte. Just the routine and comfort of home and being around friends in a town that you really like. That's a big plus. It makes you a better football player. It's going to be an adjustment and something I'm going to have to deal with. My family is coming up here. My kids are 12 and 10. They're at an age where they need to be around their father. I don't need to be playing football six months and then moving back. We need to be together. We kind of look at it as an adventure. This is an opportunity for them to experience a different culture. It's still America, but it's Wisconsin. It's not Charlotte. It's going to be fun, and I think they're excited and my wife is and so am I. Everyone knows the history of the Green Bay Packers fans here and the community and how they own the team and support the team.
Do you plan on living in Charlotte when you retire?
That's what our plan is. We have really grown to love Charlotte and the people of Charlotte. We love our home, and I hope that when I finish playing I can find something to do to keep me in Charlotte. I hope that's what happens.
What's it like playing with Brett Favre?
Over the years, we ended up watching a lot of film on Green Bay because when Coach (George) Seifert was there we ran a similar type offense. We always watched their offense and watched Brett Favre go out and make plays every Sunday and loved the way he played with passion. It was so fun to watch. And now to be here, I'm excited. I'm excited about running routes and knowing that this guy, no matter how small the window is, he's got the confidence in his abilities to take a shot. He's going to give you an opportunity to make a play. That's what it's all about. If you can make plays, you're going to have a place to play in this game. He can do it, and I'm hoping that I can give him another option and that I can make some plays for him.
Talk about being released by Carolina.
I'm not angry at all with anyone. After I signed with Green Bay, two of the first phone calls I got were from Jerry Richardson and John Fox, congratulating me. I thought that showed a lot of class on their end. It's no secret that they're going in a different direction, but that's just part of the game and the NFL. I understand that. It's business. It's nothing personal. I think if I'd have felt like it was personal, I would have been angry. But it never was personal. I think it was a business decision that they made. I could have retired. They gave me a chance to retire. I just felt like I wanted to play some more. As long as I can play, I'm going to keep playing. Coach Fox, Marty Hurney and Mr. Richardson are class people. They really are. I believe that now more than I did before when I was playing for them.
Talk about your own history as a Panther at Lambeau Field.
We talk about it. I've talked to Brett (Favre) about that NFC Championship game and that year they had (1996). This is a young football team and a lot of these guys think I'm older than I really am. We talk about what a special year that was of coming together and doing something no one expected us to do in getting one step away from the Super Bowl. About how close we were and how we thought the next year we would get there. We never got close again, so you realize how fleeting the moment is. That's what they're talking about here in Green Bay, getting back to the Super Bowl. It's definitely on my mind. We practiced at the stadium the other day and I kept flashing back not only to that game but the one where (Steve) Beuerlein ran in on the last play of the game, and even last year's game when we missed the field goal. I've got history up here already. It's a little strange being on the other sideline.
Talk about retired tight ends coach Don Breaux.
Every one of the coaches in this League knows Don Breaux. And every one of them has a Don Breaux story. One of my favorite stories ever is of Coach Breaux here at Green Bay. He loves to watch the game. He's over there rubbing his hands on the heater when his gloves and his game plan catch on fire. He tried to put it out with water but the water is frozen. They had to pat it out.
How much longer do you intend to play?
This is it.
Catching up with Wesley Walls
August 19, 2003
Panthers.com
How is Green Bay treating you?
Green Bay has been nice. We've had a couple of preseason games, and I got a little action last week. I knocked some rust and dust off of this old body. I'm feeling pretty good and learning the system. It's a system I've been in before, but I'm actually learning the "U" tight end, the tiger tight end, and it's a lot of different formations and plays. It's a whole different position for me, but it's coming along and I feel like I'm making some strides and I'm going to be able to contribute.
Why did you sign with Green Bay?
It was a tough decision. I think the first decision I had to make was back when Coach Fox, Marty Hurney and I sat down and discussed whether I was going to continue to play. They wanted me to retire, and I felt like I still had some skill left and could still play and contribute. Injuries have been an issue with me the last two or three years. I fought back from those and kind of went through last year decent as far as knees go. The second decision was finding a place to play, and it took a little longer than I thought it would take. I had a little wish list, and Green Bay and Tampa Bay were at the top of that list. Then Washington came in and really made a good effort to sign me and almost did. The opportunity at Washington included starting and I feel like that's what I can do and what I wanted to do. But at the same time, two great franchises like Tampa Bay and Green Bay gave me an opportunity to come in and not necessarily start, but play and do what I do best, which is run routes and catch passes. It came down to Green Bay and Brett Favre.
What has the personal adjustment been like moving to Wisconsin?
That's one thing that's tough about the NFL. I've been very fortunate and didn't really realize how nice it was to have my family in a nice town like Charlotte. Just the routine and comfort of home and being around friends in a town that you really like. That's a big plus. It makes you a better football player. It's going to be an adjustment and something I'm going to have to deal with. My family is coming up here. My kids are 12 and 10. They're at an age where they need to be around their father. I don't need to be playing football six months and then moving back. We need to be together. We kind of look at it as an adventure. This is an opportunity for them to experience a different culture. It's still America, but it's Wisconsin. It's not Charlotte. It's going to be fun, and I think they're excited and my wife is and so am I. Everyone knows the history of the Green Bay Packers fans here and the community and how they own the team and support the team.
Do you plan on living in Charlotte when you retire?
That's what our plan is. We have really grown to love Charlotte and the people of Charlotte. We love our home, and I hope that when I finish playing I can find something to do to keep me in Charlotte. I hope that's what happens.
What's it like playing with Brett Favre?
Over the years, we ended up watching a lot of film on Green Bay because when Coach (George) Seifert was there we ran a similar type offense. We always watched their offense and watched Brett Favre go out and make plays every Sunday and loved the way he played with passion. It was so fun to watch. And now to be here, I'm excited. I'm excited about running routes and knowing that this guy, no matter how small the window is, he's got the confidence in his abilities to take a shot. He's going to give you an opportunity to make a play. That's what it's all about. If you can make plays, you're going to have a place to play in this game. He can do it, and I'm hoping that I can give him another option and that I can make some plays for him.
Talk about being released by Carolina.
I'm not angry at all with anyone. After I signed with Green Bay, two of the first phone calls I got were from Jerry Richardson and John Fox, congratulating me. I thought that showed a lot of class on their end. It's no secret that they're going in a different direction, but that's just part of the game and the NFL. I understand that. It's business. It's nothing personal. I think if I'd have felt like it was personal, I would have been angry. But it never was personal. I think it was a business decision that they made. I could have retired. They gave me a chance to retire. I just felt like I wanted to play some more. As long as I can play, I'm going to keep playing. Coach Fox, Marty Hurney and Mr. Richardson are class people. They really are. I believe that now more than I did before when I was playing for them.
Talk about your own history as a Panther at Lambeau Field.
We talk about it. I've talked to Brett (Favre) about that NFC Championship game and that year they had (1996). This is a young football team and a lot of these guys think I'm older than I really am. We talk about what a special year that was of coming together and doing something no one expected us to do in getting one step away from the Super Bowl. About how close we were and how we thought the next year we would get there. We never got close again, so you realize how fleeting the moment is. That's what they're talking about here in Green Bay, getting back to the Super Bowl. It's definitely on my mind. We practiced at the stadium the other day and I kept flashing back not only to that game but the one where (Steve) Beuerlein ran in on the last play of the game, and even last year's game when we missed the field goal. I've got history up here already. It's a little strange being on the other sideline.
Talk about retired tight ends coach Don Breaux.
Every one of the coaches in this League knows Don Breaux. And every one of them has a Don Breaux story. One of my favorite stories ever is of Coach Breaux here at Green Bay. He loves to watch the game. He's over there rubbing his hands on the heater when his gloves and his game plan catch on fire. He tried to put it out with water but the water is frozen. They had to pat it out.
How much longer do you intend to play?
This is it.
