JOSHUA BEEKMAN INTERVIEW
March 6, 2007
By Rob Tribbett, War Room Report


 

Joshua Beekman was a first team All American in the 2006 season for Boston College. He started 37 straight games for Boston College and is one of the top offensive guard prospects in the 2007 NFL Draft. Beekman is a versatile player who started 3 games for BC at center in the 2006 season. A powerful interior lineman who excels at run blocking, Beekman is expected to be a first day pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The War Room Report's Rob Tribbett recently had a chance to talk to the All American guard about his experience at Boston College and his preparation for the NFL Draft.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: What have you been doing to prepare yourself for the combine and the draft? What did you focus on in preparing for the combine?

Joshua Beekman: I was working at Velocity Sports in Jacksonville prior to the combine. I am back at Boston College now preparing for the pro day, where I will be doing the offensive line drills.

The combine is just the next step after the college season. The most important thing is to stay focused and stay in shape. There is no real downtime after the season. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I figure you might as well enjoy it.
 

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: How did the combine go? What was the interview process like? 

Joshua Beekman: In the combine process, the NFL teams already know 90% about you. The combine is allowing them to learn that other 10% about you. The teams just want to see what type of guy you are. 

In the interviews, the teams want to get to know you better and test your knowledge. The important thing is to be truthful and talk from your heart. 

I had official interviews with the Panthers, Chargers, Browns, and Cardinals.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: Did you notice any difference in the level of competition after the move from the Big East to the ACC?

 
Boston College Offensive Guard Joshua Beekman

Joshua Beekman: Both conferences have big strong guys in the trenches that just want to knock each other around. The ACC has better athletes from top to bottom in the conference. Every week in the ACC, you had to give 110% if you want to win. That was not always true in the Big East.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: You have had the opportunity to play with other offensive lineman, Chris Snee and Jeremy Trueblood, that are now playing in the NFL. What have they been able to tell you about the challenges you will face at the next level?

Joshua Beekman: I get to talk to those guys on occasion and they told me to just focus on the process. The combine was the first thing. They told me to just do what I have to do and worry about each step as it comes.

"Even if you are good, even if you are great, you can always get better"

Joshua Beekman

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: What areas of your game do you feel you might need to work on to better prepare yourself for the NFL?

Joshua Beekman: I have to focus on everything. At Boston College, our coaches, particularly OL coach Don Horton, were never satisfied. They would make sure to point out anything you did right or anything you did wrong…especially if what you did wrong. Even if you are good, even if you are great, you can always get better. There is so much for an offensive lineman to know and there are always areas of your game to improve on. If you are not getting better, you are getting worse. 

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: Is there anyone in the NFL you try to pattern your play after?

Joshua Beekman: Definitely Chris Snee. He really attacks the defenders and is very aggressive. Damien Woody is another guy. He is very versatile, able to play center or guard to help his team out. You want to be that skillful where you can help out your team in any way. 

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report: Do you think your experience at BC will help you as you prepare for the next level?

Joshua Beekman: I think playing the ACC helped, playing against defensive linemen that are NFL caliber. But I will still have a lot to learn at the next level. I think I will pick a lot of it up quickly, but hopefully the other offensive linemen will sit with me and teach me what I need to know. I just need to keep my mouth shut and learn all that I can.