An interview with Jeremy Zuttah The Bucs' 3rd round pick out of Rutgers took part in a conference call with the Tampa media after being drafted. Any initial comments on being drafted by the Bucs? “It feels great. I am ecstatic because this is a perfect fit, and to me, this is a blessing in disguise.” Did you expect to be a Buccaneer? “I knew they were interested, we tried to get a workout set up but because of a few things they had to cancel at the last second. They said they were still very interested and they liked me as a player, so I knew it was a possibility.” What position do you expect to play in Tampa? “I think I will probably be an inside. They have a lot of young linemen, a lot of people playing a lot of different positions. I think one of the things they liked about me was my versatility, so nothing is set in stone. I think right now it is likely I will be inside.” Any preference for which line position you want to play? “I don’t see myself fitting into any particular mode. Whatever will get me on the field fastest I will do, and whatever is best for the team, is what I will play. At Rutgers, there were a couple of years where we just would find the best four other offensive linemen and I would plug myself into the last spot, whichever spot was open. Whatever is best for the team, I am willing to do.” Can you describe your style of play? “I am physical, with offensive linemen you are not going to find too many guys who describe themselves as finesse guys. I am very athletic but I think when it gets down to it, I like to be a very physical, in your face player.” Are you a better run or pass blocker? “We ran the ball a lot but our offense was very balanced. Ray [Rice] had 2,000 yards running but we also had two 1,000-yard receivers, so obviously it was very balanced. We took pride in doing both things. We were second in the nation in [fewest] sacks [allowed] this year and first last year, so I think I am prepared to go to the next level.” What do you know about the current offensive line? “I just got off the phone with Coach Gruden and Coach Muir, the offensive line coach, and they told me about the fact that they have a very young offensive line right now. A lot of guys that are familiar to me from the college football ranks, guys like Arron Sears and Jeff Faine. It is good to have everybody young and everybody on the same page. We will grow up together and mature together in the league, and hopefully come together as a solid unit.” Any timetable for when you think you will get to play? “I hope as soon as possible. From my combine numbers, I am very physically mature, even though I am only 21 years old. I am strong, I am fast, I think I am physically ready, it just a matter of how fast I can learn the system. That is also one of my strengths, is my intelligence, so I think I can learn it relatively quickly. I guess getting used to the speed of the game is going to be different, too.”