St. Louis Rams OL Orlando Pace  

CBS SportsLine

Chat Transcript

November 12, 1999

Pace was selected with the first overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft.

No one expected the St. Louis Rams to get off to such a hot start, except for, well, the Rams. Much of that success can be attributed to the Rams' offensive line, anchored by one of the premier, young tackles in the game. Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace stopped by to talk about his team's early success in a live chat Friday, November 12.

Pace was drafted by the Rams with the first overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft. In just his third, season, he has started 27 straight games for the Rams, and was named an alternate for the '98 Pro Bowl last season. He started nine of 13 games he played as a rookie.

Pace ended his college career known as one of the most dominant lineman in college football , becoming the first offensive lineman in 30 years to be selected first overall in the NFL draft. He won consensus All-America honors his final two years and made history in 1996 when he became the first player to win two consecutive Lombardi Awards, given to the outstanding collegiate lineman. He also won the Outland Trophy given to the nation's top interior lineman and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Find out what Orlando had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Orlando Pace: Hi everyone, glad to be here to chat with you tonight. Ready for your questions.

Question: Hello Orlando, what do you attribute to the Rams' overall success this NFL season to? Orlando Pace: I'd say the acquisition of the free agents that were brought in mixed with the addition of the guys we already have.

Question: What do you say to people who think the Rams are overrated this season?

Orlando Pace: All we can do is believe in ourselves and we can't think of what others are saying about us.

Question: Orlando, your current coach Dick Vermeil did many of your college games as a broadcaster. Did you get to know him then and how do you like playing for him now?

Orlando Pace: I met Vermeil once when I was at Ohio State and he seemed like a pretty good guy. He has changed his style of coaching this year and I like that.

Question: Hello Orlando, what do you want to accomplish as an individual player on the Rams?

Orlando Pace: As an individual, I want to give the best in my position and be an All-Pro.

Question: When you have an off week, or something like that, or even Monday Night Football, do you become one of us or what? Do you watch the games as we do?

Orlando Pace: We sure do watch the games! We like to see what the other teams are doing. :-)

Question: Describe what it's like to block for Marshall Faulk?

Orlando Pace: It is great to block for Marshall Faulk. He is a smart guy and knows where the play is going to break and where to run.

Question: Are there any teams you feel the Rams might have trouble with come the playoffs, in terms of matchups?

Orlando Pace: Not really, we just have to battle against ourselves and not make silly mistakes and play well.

Question: Orlando, even though you have great size your strengths seem to be quick feet and great balance. How did you develop those attributes?

Orlando Pace: As a child, doing things like playing basketball and running around. Think that basketball really helped.

Question: Will anything besides home field advantage in the NFC playoffs be accepted by the Rams?

Orlando Pace: It is our ultimate goal to have the home field advantage. We know how tough it is to play in the other team's stadium.

Question: Is Marshall Faulk an outspoken individual?

Orlando Pace: Marshall is not really an outspoken guy. Everyone does their part and that is what makes us an outstanding team.

Question: Who do you see as the most challenging defensive player in the NFL? Out of all-time NFL players, who would you loved to have blocked against?

Orlando Pace: Hard to say, but I think Deacon Jones was outstanding. Currently, it is tough to say as everyone is good and I can't really pinpoint one defensive player.

Question: How surprised are you with the way Kurt Warner has played this season?

Orlando Pace: I think we all knew what Kurt could do and we had to block for him to give him time to use his offensive weapons.

Question: Orlando, at Ohio State, you were sometimes used as a defensive tackle in the Buckeyes' goal line packages. Any chance you'll do that for the Rams?

Orlando Pace: I don't think at this level that I will. I'll just be an offensive tackle.

Question: Were you disappointed when Trent Green went down? Did you fear it may be a long season without a known quarterback?

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