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APRIL 17, 2006

QB looking forward to helping loved ones

It's very important for me to take care of my family.

Ever since I was little, I always told my mom I would buy her a house when I was older. Now that I have a chance to actually do it, it means a lot to my parents and me. They got me to this point. My parents had to work their butts off to take care of my brother and I. It's not like I got here on my own.
My job has always been a sport. I've been successful at that. Now for me to be able to take care of my family is awesome.

As the draft gets closer, reporters will periodically ask me if I wonder what would have happened if I entered the draft last year. I'm so much better prepared this year. I feel I'm ready mentally.
Two years ago, I didn't feel that way. I just wanted to be in college and enjoy the experience one more year. It was mainly for the enjoyment of college, being a kid, and not having to worry about the business side of it.

This is a tough business and it's a tough process to go through. You have to be ready when you decide to head to the NFL, whether it's your junior or senior year.

After I get drafted, my brother Ryan is going to move with me. He is going to live with me for the first year. It will be a big relief for me to have someone around I know. Whether I decide to get a condo, apartment, or house, Ryan will have a room there for as long as he wants to stay. It will be fun.
I'm not a material guy. I like knowing I can spend money and I no longer have to worry about how much I spend, but there is nothing I really want. I don't need to spend big on myself.

Watches and shoes are my two fetishes. They are my two favorite things. I had a pretty nice watch for a while and I just had a chance to get two more. They're called Icelink watches. I'll be wearing one at the draft. They're great watches. Look for them.

I've also always had a big sweet tooth. I have a lot of cavities. I had to go to the dentist again this week because of it.

I bought this gumball machine at Toys R Us last year. It's my favorite thing in my apartment. It's always filled. It's just bad because it rots my teeth. I felt like I had four or five cavities, but I actually had zero cavities this time. The dentist did fix part of a bottom tooth. My mouth was numb. It hurt a little bit, but it was OK. I got the laughing gas so it made me feel good.

I haven't been doing anything except working out and traveling, but when I have time I want to work on my golf game because it is terrible. I guess the first step is getting clubs and measurements. I finally did that last week. I'm getting a set of golf clubs.

I like golf, but I get frustrated because I'm not very good. I'm one of those guys who competes in everything and hates to lose. I've been known to throw a club every once in awhile. I've got to tone it down a little bit. Everyone I've talked to says I've got to get good in golf. It's good for business opportunities. It's also a good leisure activity to play with your buddies and just have a good time.
I'm going to practice. I want to play so I can get good at it. We'll see. I definitely won't have time in the near future.

I am working out on Saturday and Easter Sunday this weekend. I'm taking Monday off because I'll be with the Jets and will be working out for them on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning I leave for New Orleans. Thursday morning I go from New Orleans to Oakland. The Raiders want to meet with me now. They called on Friday to schedule the workout. I leave Oakland on Friday morning to come back to L.A, then have three days before I go to New York for the draft.

Since I haven't been getting a lot of sleep because of my schedule, I'm still fighting whatever head cold I have. My sinuses are all messed up right now. It's kind of a drag, but I'm just trying to fight through it.

It's going to be a whirlwind next week, but it's going to be fun. This is just going to be a really long last week.