Weber getting set for April's NFL Draft

By Chris Monter
FOXSportsNorth.com
March 9, 2011

Adam Weber, a 6-foot-3 record-setting quarterback for the Golden Gophers, is hoping to make a name for himself with NFL scouts. He appeared to make a good impression at the Gopher Pro Day Tuesday. FoxSportsNorth.com caught up with Weber after his the Pro Day to learn more on his workout and hopes of playing in the NFL.

Weber made 50 straight starts for the Golden Gophers, setting a new Big Ten record for consecutive starts by a quarterback and tying the all-time record for all positions. He ranked third all-time in Big Ten in attempts (1,594) and fourth all-time in the conference with completions (909). Weber is No. 1 all-time at Minnesota in career pass completions, career passing attempts, career passing yards and touchdowns.

He finished with 10,917 yards passing, becoming just the fifth Big Ten quarterback to eclipse the 10,000 yard mark and finishing third all-time in the Big Ten Weber finished 10th all-time on the Big Ten career touchdowns list with 72.

FOXSportsNorth.com caught up with Weber after his the Pro Day to learn more on his workout and hopes of playing in the NFL.


How pleased were you with your performance today?

"Overall. I was happy. Obviously you always want to run a little faster, do things a little quicker, and not miss a couple throws, but it's all part of the game and I don't dwell on that. I'm happy with the performance. I've worked my butt off for five years, but really focusing on two months for this day and overall I'm happy. I think I got done what needed to get done."


How does it feel to be back at Minnesota for Pro Day?

"It's great to come back here and see everyone and see that they have gotten much better with everything and they are taking it seriously. It is a great time to come back and see old teammates and see coaches and all that."


How do you feel the mood is with the new coaching staff? Is it a completely different vibe?

"Tough to say. I would definitely say that there is a change. Definitely, a change. Talking with the player, I know that they are excited, but they have also said that it has been tough and that is what I anticipated. . It was tough when Coach Brew came in. Transitions and changes are tough, but everyone is really happy. I think that they have a great thing going and obviously they have proven that with the other colleges that they have been at and they just picked up where they left off. That is going to be huge for us. We've got a good train in motion and all they have to do is get guys on board."


How hard have you worked? You look like a different player out there. You take your shirt off and look like you are really cut and it also looks like you have been working on your diet as well.

"I wish that I had focused a little more on this in college. It just goes to show you focus really hard for two months. I was lucky. The other guys that are down training with myself in Florida, we are very serious about what we are doing and that really helps. Diet was huge. I cut out a lot of things out of my diet. I'm really focused on a very strict diet, which helped and also the workout and the cardio we were doing down there. I feel very, very good and I feel very confident about these next couple of months."


Did you get a chance to see what Jon (Hoese) and Kyle (Theret) were doing. Were you impressed with them?

"Oh yes, definitely. Kyle has always been very, very serious about the game of football and he is a heck of a player. When he first came in, everyone kind of counted him out. They always said that he was too small and too slow and stuff like that, but he has always consistently gone out there and played. He has always been a guy to reckon with. Just when people call him out, he makes plays. That is the type of player that he is and I hope teams take him seriously, because he is a heck of a football player and Jon as well."

"Everything that he (Jon) has gone through. Obviously, this past year (his father, Terry, died) has been tough, but it has been great seeing him come out here and put together a great Pro Day. Jon has always been a talented athlete. I remember when he first came in. He was smaller when he came in around 205. He is the type of guy who can just put on weight and lift out of the gym. He has always been very explosive. So, it is good to see him be healthy and be able to come out here and produce and perform."


What were you and (Minnesota Vikings Vice President of Player Personnel) Rick Spielman talking about?

"Just that we will be in contact in the future and that he was happy with the workout and that he thought that I did a fairly good job. Now, it is just a matter of keeping those avenues open and let them know that I am willing to do whatever it takes. If they need to see me more or whatever. I'm all about making a team and trying to be the best quarterback I can be."


Do you think that you did a good job?

"Yes. I feel very confident with what I did. I believe that I have the abilities to play at the next level and to play at the best of that level. I know that I have a long way to go, but I just want an opportunity and that is what I am working on right here."


Have you turned to any former players or coaches for advice?

"I've talked to Erick (Decker) quite a bit. I've talked to former players, Dom Barber, Matt Speath. All those guys who have been in the league. Talking to (Detroit Lion quarterback) Drew Stanton down in Florida and just being able to bounce off ideas off him, what is all about. You realize that the quarterback position is an ongoing process. You're never satisfied, so you continue to train and continue to work on your skills, so you can be as consistent as possible." 


Is there one piece of advice that you thought was the best that you got from somebody?

"It is tough to say. I'd say some of the coaching points that Drew Stanton had when it came to footwork. Some things that maybe a quarterback coach can't teach because Drew is out there every Sunday doing this. There are little pointers here and there. Having a guy like Marc Trestman that I have been able to work with for the past couple of days. Bouncing ideas off him, going on the board, just talking ball. You pick up all sorts of things that maybe you have heard about or know, but having someone else perspective is always huge."


What are you hearing from the guys about new head coach Jerry Kill?

"They like him a lot. Talking to alumni and everyone around here is excited for what is happening and they feel it is a good thing. It has been a good pick, a good choice for Minnesota." 


Drew Stanton was a third string quarterback with the Detroit Lions who gets to start this season, due to injuries. What was he telling you about that process of waiting in the wings for you opportunity?

"That is the game of football, is always being ready and you never know when you are going to get thrown in there, especially as a backup quarterback. That is one thing that I am going to have to learn is sitting and watching. If I am lucky enough to get into a camp, I don't know how many reps I'll get. You have to learn to take mental reps and to be prepared. You have to be very focused and very confident with your abilities and that's what I'm working on and learning how to do."


Seeing former Gopher Marcus Sherels, who started the season on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad and wound up signing a three-year deal, getting picked up, what does that do for you?

"It is huge. I was not surprised by that and I was not surprised by the numbers that he put up. He is a heck of a player who was always kind of hurt through college. I was happy that he was on the Vikings. I thought that he could even be on the active roster with another team out there. He is definitely talented enough, but that is great. It shows that guys are moving on. It gives you that light at the end of the tunnel."


What types of things are you going to continue working on leading up to the draft?

"Throwing. I am going to try to throw three, four times a week and just continue to focus on your footwork, skills and being very open to suggestions when it comes to what scouts are looking at or what other coaches want and try and get yourself playing at the highest level."


Who is your agent?

"Marc Lillibridge from NSA, based out of St. Louis. It has been a neat experience. No one can prepare you for working with an agent and training. It is one of those things that you just have to go out there and live it and you learn as you go."


Are you happy? This is something that you have dreamed about.

"I've very happy. You dream about this moment. I've been going to Pro Day the last five years, watching guys and waiting for your opportunity. I am happy with how thing went. You can't be satisfied. You've got to keep on pushing and never sit on your heels. Always be pushing forward."


What is the biggest difference between watching the Pro Day and participating?

"Your nerves. You get the excitement and the adrenaline going. It is definitely different. It is like playing a game rather than being a spectator. You are involved. You are focused. It is different because football is a team sport, where out here, you are focused get on yourself and what you have to do. It's been an experience, but I am very happy with it."