Todd McClure: Q&A w/ with Falcons center

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons center Todd McClure just completed 11th training camp and exhausting two-a-day practices Monday.

With the offseason departure of Keith Brooking, he’s set to enter the season as the longest-tenured member of the team and the anchor of the team’s offensive line.

McClure, 32, has come a long way since making the team as a seventh round draft pick in 1999.

In a conversation with the AJC, McClure discussed several topics including his time in the trenches, cooking and his bucking bull ranch back in Louisiana.

Q: What do you think about your streak of starting 134 out of 136 games?

A: Yeah, I think about it, but it’s a number. I’ve been blessed to be healthy for the most part of my career. Once we get into the season I don’t really think about it. I get prepared week by week. If I’m blessed to be healthy for another week, then it goes on.

Q: Do you remember the two games you missed?

A: Yeah, I got hurt. I don’t remember the years because they are all running together, but I got hurt in the New Orleans game. It was the 15th game of the season. So I missed the 16th game, which I think was Kansas City. Then one other year, I got hurt the 15th game of the season again. Two years in a row I missed the last game of the season.

Q: Last year, was it an honor make USA Today’s All-Joe team?

A: I take a lot of pride in what I do. This whole offensive line does. We work really hard and put in the time. It definitely was an honor.

Q: You’ve blocked for four 1,000-yard backs in Jamal Anderson, Warrick Dunn, Michael Vick and Michael Turner. How were they different?

A: Each one of those guys were different. Each scheme was totally different. When we were running the zone scheme the quarterback [Vick] was a major factor. Warrick was just an unbelievable back. He hit the holes quick, and he didn’t take too many hits. Now with Turner, he’s just got a smash-mouth style. We are coming at you. You know it’s coming, but you’ve got to try to stop it. That’s a lot of fun. Jamal was in Coach [Dan] Reeves’ system. That was a good system also. Jamal was a great back. I think the same style as Turner. He’d bring it down hill, and guys were afraid to tackle him.

Q: How did you get your nickname, Mud Duck?

A: It came from Al Miller, the old strength coach. He was from Louisiana. I’m from Louisiana. I don’t know where he came up with it from, but it has stuck. He was on Coach Reeves staff.

Q: Did you really like to bake, sew and cook growing up?

A: I did. I still like to cook. That’s a relaxing time for me. I learned a lot from my grandmother, my dad’s mom. So I look forward to Monday nights because we have Tuesday’s off. I like to cook it up and relax. The kids enjoy it, and the wife likes the night off in the kitchen. I really do like to cook.

Q: You a big Food Network guy?

A: Yeah, I like Emeril. All of that stuff. I enjoy cooking and eating a good meal.

Q: What’s your best dish?

A: I make a good roast, rice and gravy. I do a good Gumbo.

Q: You’re usually pretty clean after the games. Who picks out your suits?

A: I don’t like to wear ties. But when you wear those walking suits, they are real comfortable. I don’t like getting dressed up, but when I have to, you like to look nice.

Q: How did you get into raising bucking bulls, and how big is the ranch that you own?

A: My uncle was a bull rider. He was a rodeo clown for a while. I like going to the rodeos. It is something that I have a passion for. Then one of my uncle’s good friends also wanted to do it. He raised a bunch of roping steers. He’d haul those to rodeos, too.

Two years ago, we brought 24 mommy cows that were bucking stock, and they were breed that way. Now, we’ve probably got around 60. We went out and brought a herd sire. I don’t know how much you know about rodeo, but there’s a bull called Blueberry Wine, one of the best bucking bulls ever. We brought a son of his to breed all of our cows ... it’s hobby of mine. I really enjoy it. That’s kind of what I’ll do when I get done playing.

I’ve got 60 acres back in Louisiana. I’m trying to get a little more around the property that I’ve got now. I enjoy it. The kids enjoy it. The wife enjoys it. My son took his first bull ride. It was a little small bull that we are raising. He’d been begging me to get on. I let him name it. It’s Maverick’s Missile.