Spring Break
Catching up with Cobbs
Richard White
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: SPORTS
Patrick Cobbs, who played football for the Mean Green from 2001-2005, is in his second season as a special teams player and third-string running back for the Miami Dolphins.
During his time at NT, Cobbs became the 2003 national rushing leader. He left as the school record holder in career rushing yards (4,050) and touchdowns (36). Johnny Quinn, the school record holder for career receiving yards and receptions, was Cobbs' teammate for three seasons.
"He's a hard-nosed, physical football player," said Quinn. "He pounded it in there when we needed the short yardage but he was also capable of taking it the distance. It was really a blessing to play with him. When you talk about the greatest players who played [at NT] his name definitely comes up."
Cobbs spoke with the NT Daily over the phone in between his rigorous NFL schedule on topics ranging from his first two years in the NFL to the 2007 Mean Green football team.
NT Daily: Now that you're in the NFL, where do you see yourself in two or three seasons?
Cobbs: "I have goals. I'd like to be a starter in a year or two. I'm preparing every day at running back as if I'm going to be the starter tomorrow. I spend all my extra time working on special teams, because anything I do I want to be the best at it, so right now I want to be the best special teams player until I get that opportunity to be the running back."
NT Daily: How have you handled the adjustment from being a running back to playing on special teams?
Cobbs: "I've made some mistakes, but I try and do it a hundred miles an hour and it's paying off. I'm learning because I've never really played special teams before."
NT Daily: Overall, how difficult was that transition from college to the NFL?
Cobbs: "It was a big jump, but it was a jump I felt like I made pretty well. It's interesting, because in the NFL you practice so much more before you actually play a game. At first I didn't know what to expect."
NT Daily: How different is the level of competition among NFL players compared to college?
During his time at NT, Cobbs became the 2003 national rushing leader. He left as the school record holder in career rushing yards (4,050) and touchdowns (36). Johnny Quinn, the school record holder for career receiving yards and receptions, was Cobbs' teammate for three seasons.
"He's a hard-nosed, physical football player," said Quinn. "He pounded it in there when we needed the short yardage but he was also capable of taking it the distance. It was really a blessing to play with him. When you talk about the greatest players who played [at NT] his name definitely comes up."
Cobbs spoke with the NT Daily over the phone in between his rigorous NFL schedule on topics ranging from his first two years in the NFL to the 2007 Mean Green football team.
NT Daily: Now that you're in the NFL, where do you see yourself in two or three seasons?
Cobbs: "I have goals. I'd like to be a starter in a year or two. I'm preparing every day at running back as if I'm going to be the starter tomorrow. I spend all my extra time working on special teams, because anything I do I want to be the best at it, so right now I want to be the best special teams player until I get that opportunity to be the running back."
NT Daily: How have you handled the adjustment from being a running back to playing on special teams?
Cobbs: "I've made some mistakes, but I try and do it a hundred miles an hour and it's paying off. I'm learning because I've never really played special teams before."
NT Daily: Overall, how difficult was that transition from college to the NFL?
Cobbs: "It was a big jump, but it was a jump I felt like I made pretty well. It's interesting, because in the NFL you practice so much more before you actually play a game. At first I didn't know what to expect."
NT Daily: How different is the level of competition among NFL players compared to college?
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