Edwards on Morgan: 'He's a Torpedo'

DaJuan Morgan, Head Coach Herm Edwards, and Vice President of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich discuss Morgan's selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Vice President of Player Personnel - Bill Kuharich
"The safety is just too good a value to pass up. Herm spotted him a year ago when we watching N.C. State tape and number seven just kept showing up.

"For the third round we had an awful lot of calls – I’d say eight to 12 calls all after one of our picks at each of our three third round picks. Like we do, we still think it’s a very good board and other teams move up in this round to target guys to go get. All three of these guys fit what we want to do, are very productive guys and are all young and from big schools and programs that win. I couldn’t be happier for the start of the day.”

Kansas City Head Coach Herm Edwards
“He’s a versatile guy. He’s an excellent special teams player. Very good on special teams. Very athletic with great hand-eye coordination. Good interceptor and vicious tackler. You watch him on tape he’s a torpedo. He’s a football player. You can’t get enough good football players.”

DaJuan Morgan

You’re coming to the Chiefs organization where the safety situation has got young guys – it’s not exactly written in stone – but there looks to be an opportunity here.
MORGAN: “I’m just overwhelmed right now. I’m just taking this opportunity that God has made for me and will just make the best out of it.”

There’s been a lot of talk about your special teams’ accolades. How much do you look forward to playing that in the NFL?

MORGAN: “I love special teams – I think it’s the most important aspect of the game because it changes any moment of the game. I’m just fired up and ready to play wherever I need to play.”

Is that how you can get on the field more, your special teams ability? Last season the Chiefs special teams were not very good. What do you specifically contribute to special teams?
MORGAN: “Any aspect of the game, whether it’s running down blocking the punt or going down and tackling someone, I feel like any phase of the game on special teams, I am that man to do the job. So, wherever they put me I know I will make a difference.”

Do you think you’re coming in with a chance to compete for playing time at the safety spot?
MORGAN: “Most definitely. I am going to compete and I’m going to turn some heads when I get there.”

Have you ever played any nickel situations, maybe played corner at all in college?
MORGAN: “I was starting dime for two years at NC State.”

They said you’re a hitter. Is that what you like to do?
MORGAN: “Oh yeah, I love to hit! I was just talking to the coach and they were just saying, ‘We know you love to hit people.’ That’s my thing – I like to hit.”

Herm said he noticed you as a sophomore; you were just popping off the tapes. They weren’t watching the tapes particularly for you but you kept catching their eye. What did he say to you when they called and told you that you were going to be a Chief?
MORGAN: “He told me the same thing. ‘We had our eye on you when you were a sophomore.’ He said they are just glad to have me and want me to come in and make a difference right away, whether it be at safety or on special teams. I’ve got an opportunity and I am going to make the best of it.”