Falcons rookie Robert Alford will provide a weekly diary for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this season.
The Hammond, La., native, who played at Southeastern Louisiana, intercepted Saints quarterback Drew Brees in his NFL debut. This week, he’s getting ready to face Tampa Bay and will serve as the team’s primary punter returner for the first time this season.
Here’s his latest installment, as told to D. Orlando Ledbetter.
I went home back to Hammond, Louisiana, and chilled for a couple of days over the bye week. I went over to my college (Southeastern Louisiana) and did a little running and a little lifting with the weight coach. I watched some film on my iPad and stuff like that.
It felt real good to go back home and visit some family members that I haven’t seen in a little minute. My Momma threw down (in the kitchen) for the couple of days that I was home. She cooked a lot for me.
After playing nine games, which is almost a college season, my body, right now, is feeling very good. I’ve been taking care of it each and every day after practice. I’ve been sitting in the cold tub and just doing whatever (strength coach) A.J. (Neibel) and his staff tells me to do to keep my body right.
I think we are about to turn this thing around. We are about to get some wins up under our belt and just start this streak.
I’m looking forward to returning punts. Every since training camp, I’ve been preparing myself to be the No. 1 punt returner. I’m just glad that they are giving me the chance and the opportunity.
I’m looking forward to playing Tampa Bay. Every team is good in the NFL. I just need to do whatever I can to help the team win.
After five games, I haven’t done too bad, but there are some things that I feel like I could have done better. I could have made a play here or made a tackle, or I could have been there to help out another guy. I just want to improve.
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