The Daily Cardinal recently caught up with former Badgers; defensive end Erasmus James and defensive back Jim Leonhard, fresh off their first NFL mini-camps.
Daily Cardinal: How did the first weekend of mini-camp go?
Erasmus James: Really good. I had a great time. [The Vikings] are definitely treating me well. The organization, the guys on the team, everyone has just brought me in and showed me a great time.
Jim Leonhard: Overall, it went pretty well. It's a huge jump to the next level and it's one that I waited a long time for. You kind of dream about this your whole life and it's finally happening, so it's pretty exciting.
DC: What are your expectations after last weekend?
EJ: I feel that, since I've always been a hard worker, good things always happen when I work hard. I feel like this is going to be a good year for the Vikings because of what they've done in the offseason, [because of] the people they've brought in. I think we're going to be a good team.
JL: I'm just hoping to do whatever I can do to get on that final roster. Whether that's mainly on special teams, or defensively as well, whatever it takes, I'm willing to do it. Once school is done, I'll head back out there, and it's really great because it's really the optimal environment to train and to try to get as good as you could possibly get.
DC: What roles do you expect to fill next year for your respective teams?
EJ: A guy on the edge, being able to come off the edge and get the sacks.
JL: Being [on] as many of the special team [units] as possible, and hopefully making a push and getting out on some defensive stuff as well. I just plan on going in there and working as hard as I can, and see what happens. It's not really up to me, other than how I play and how I continue to improve.
DC: Being rookies and having former UW players on each of your rosters, is there anyone in particular that has taken you under their wing?
EJ: I feel like the whole D-line has. I feel like there have been a lot of other people on the team, too, that have embraced me, brought me in, and, like I said, showed me a great time and taken care of me. We got Michael Bennett, who was also a University of Wisconsin grad, so he definitely always talks to me and tells me that if I ever have a problem or ever need anything, to call him.
JL: One guy that I've really tried to go to, namely because I'm familiar with him and he plays the same position, is Troy Vincent. He came to Wisconsin and played free safety for a couple years now, and he's been around the league; I think it's his 12th year. I'm just trying to pick up everything about the game, you know, how he handles himself on and off the field as far as the way he goes about his business. I'm just trying to learn how to fit in and do what I have to do.
-Interviews conducted
by Sam Pepper
