Q&A / BEN HARTSOCK, Falcons tight end

As a manner of introduction, four questions of tight end Ben Hartsock, who signed with the Falcons as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans.

Q. Why did you sign with the Falcons?

A. The visit was amazing. Meeting with the coaches. Meeting with the owner. Meeting with the front office. There seems to be a genuine enthusiasm for this upcoming season. I think this city and this franchise is looking for something exciting to happen. They are hungry for that, and I got hooked on it.

Q. What's in your iPod?

A. I don't even have an iPod. I've got CDs. I have a lot of old-time country. I've got some George Jones and Conway Twitty. I've got John Anderson, a lot of old-time country music.

Q. Tell folks about your hometown, Chillicothe, Ohio.

A. Chillicothe, Ohio, is a very small town full of wonderful people who make an honest living. They understand the goodness that life brings upon them.

Q. Will Ohio State ever win a football game against an SEC school?

A. That's part of the deal being in this part of the country. The people of the SEC prefer bashing Ohio State and the Big Ten over praising their own conference. They'd rather bash the Big Ten than praise their own conference, I've found. (So I guess that's a no?)

— D. Orlando Ledbetter