Andre Caldwell Interview: Part II
by Dave Gardner
New Bengals wide receiver Andre Caldwell talks about his new role in Cincinnati, which he says is to be their third receiver.
DG: What did it feel like to have to wait until day two to get drafted.
AC: It was a long wait because I really wanted to get drafted on the first day, but I just stayed patient and waited for my time to come.
DG: Did anyone call you on the first day to express interest in you?
AC: No, I didn’t receive calls from any teams.
DG: Were you surprises when you picked up your phone and it was the Bengals calling?
AC: Yeah, I definitely was surprise. I hadn’t heard much from them throughout the whole process, so it was a shock to know that this was the team I would be going to.
DG: Talk about the call that they made: who talked to you and what did they have to say?
AC: I talked to Marvin Lewis, the head coach, and then I talked with their receivers coach and the offensive coordinator. They just told me that they were going to draft me, that they were happy to me, and that they hoped for big things out of me.
DG: Did you say anything to them to assure them that they made the right pick?
AC: Well, first I just said “thank you.” I told them that I really appreciated the opportunity, that I would give them everything I’ve got, and that they won’t regret this pick.
DG: How do you feel about going to a team with such good wide receivers already in place in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh?
AC: I think that’s really great, I can learn a lot from those guys. I really believe that they can help me to be a better player. Now I just want to come in and contribute in any way I can and help make this team a better team.
DG: Where do you see yourself fitting into this offense?
AC: I think I could fit into Chris Henry’s position as the third wide receiver, making plays, and making a big impact on the team.
DG: What do you know about the Chad Johnson situation?
AC: I know just what everyone else knows from watching on TV. I know he doesn’t want to be there, but that they don’t want to trade him.
DG: Do you think that you would be able to replace him in the starting lineup if they do trade him?
AC: I have a lot of confidence in myself. I think I can do all the things he does on the field. I’m just going to try to get on the field, make plays, and make the offense better.
DG: Do you think that because they went with two wide receivers in this draft that they are looking to trade Chad Johnson now?
AC: Yeah, I think that they are planning on moving him, but I don’t know for sure. They took two receivers, so I think that they are trying to prepare for the future. I know I am.
DG: How do you feel about coming into this draft class with another wide receiver, and one who was selected before you were?
AC: That’s no problem for me, I’m going to compete every day.. I think it will be fun to play the same position as we both try to learn how to play it at the next level. Everything we have to learn, we’ll be doing it together.
DG: Talk about what it will be like to play with Carson Palmer.
AC: Yeah, I watched him in college, and I’ve followed him in Cincinatti. He’s a great quarterback.
DG: I know you spent a lot of time before the draft working on catching NFL passes, Carson Palmer has one of the quickest releases in football. Are you ready for it?
AC: Yeah, he’s got a really fast release. I think I’ve prepared enough, and I am ready to do it.
DG: How do you feel about going to a team like the Bengals that has struggled for the last few seasons?
AC: I see that as I positive thing, because I don’t plan on doing a lot of losing. I am going to go in with an attitude to make this team better. They have a lot of talent and skill already on this team, and this draft class may put them over the top.