Safety Reed Doughty was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He spoke with Redskins.com shortly after the team selected him with the 173rd overall pick in the draft:
Q: Let's start by introducing yourself to Redskins fans. What can fans look forward to in watching you play?
A: "Obviously, coming from a small school, I'm really happy for the opportunity to play in the NFL. I've played free safety and strong safety at Northern Colorado and I started all four years. I had a lot of interceptions. So I'm really excited about the opportunity just to play for the Redskins. I know they are a high quality and character club with Joe Gibbs. Hopefully I'll fit in well."
Q: Did you come here for a visit before the draft?
A: "I didn't, actually. I didn't have any visits. I had a lot of people come to my Pro Day and the NFL Scouting Combine. After that, I think teams saw what I was."
Q: Were you confident that you would be picked in the draft?
A: "I had a good indication just from team interest that it could be anywhere from the late fifth round to free agent. So it depended on a team's views of me and where I fit in. I was anticipating a call pretty soon."
Q: Did you know how much the Redskins were interested in you?
A: "They were a team that I had in the back of my mind just because I talked to them at the combine. They were one of just a few scheduled interviews that I had. Besides that, I hadn't had a call from them, like I had with other teams, in the last few days. So, getting drafted by the Redskins did catch me by surprise. It was a good surprise."
Q: What do you feel are your strengths as a football player?
A: "Whether it's on special teams or defense, you're going to see just an absolute, all-out effort. I know you have to work hard in this league or you're not going to stay for long. But I think I bring a passion and enthusiasm in every play of the game, every play of practice. I hope some people see that and I hope it rubs off. I don't know that I'm going to be a number one starting free safety, but I know that I can contribute."
Q: Conversely, what do you feel you need to improve on to stick at the NFL level?
A: "You know, I think the big thing is this: Not only do I have to move up from college to pro ball, I have to move up from Division 1-AA to pro ball. I need to catch up to the speed of the game and the knowledge of the game. I feel like I'm an intelligent guy but I have a lot to learn as far as pro defenses and offenses. I didn't do a lot of man-to-man coverage in college. We played a lot more zone, so I know I'm going to have to work on my man coverage skills."
Q: How would you describe your style of play?
A: "I'm a player who is tenacious and gives absolutely 100 percent on every play. I need to know where I am supposed to be on every play and I use that to my advantage."
Q: How much do you know about the Redskins' secondary situation?
"I was absolutely ecstatic because I know Coach Gibbs and the type of character guy he is. As far as their defensive situation, I know they have Adam Archuleta, Sean Taylor and some quality backups, so I just know I am going to have to come in and prove myself on special teams and as a backup first."
Q: Your agent is Dave Butz II. How much have you talked to his father, Redskins great Dave Butz, about playing for Joe Gibbs and the Redskins?
A: "I haven't been able to talk to his dad yet. I connected with Dave Butz just by my interest in him being my agent. After a long consideration, I chose him. I know he has great ties through his dad with the Redskins. I'm obviously excited about trying to become a part of that."
Q: During college, did you ever think about transferring from a Division I-AA school to a Division I school?
A: "Not at all. To be honest I wanted to play somewhere where someone wanted me. Coming out of high school, I had the same situation. Coming from a really small high school, I have always been in the backseat as far as having those opportunities. I thought if I played well at I-AA, then people were going to see me and luckily that happened."
Q: How do you feel like your intelligence translates to the football field?
A: "For me, I have played tackle football since I was seven years old. So I feel like I have a good sense of what is going on and how to sniff out a play. But I also know you have to be prepared. Being smart about football is preparation. You take a methodical approach to preparing for the game. You have to know exactly what kind of offensive schemes they run out of different sets. Going in, that is my plan, knowing what I am doing on every play so the team can trust putting me in there."
