Fullback Matt Clapp had three carries for six yards and one catch for three yards while laying a few big hits on his defensive teammates Saturday. Here, the senior from Phoenix waxes on running, learning and the "swagger” behind his long hair.
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At what point do you start to feel comfortable having the ball in your hands?
It's not about being comfortable so much as just getting experience. I just wait for them to tell me to go in and then I try my hardest. I had more carries this week than last week. It's not much, but it feels good. I think I did alright today, but I know I can improve on a lot of things — my steps and blocking especially.
Coaches were yelling at guys about keeping their heads down. Does that come easier to you, considering your running style?
At running back, it's all about having good instinct, good vision. For me, it's also about having broad shoulders. That's my advantage. When DeMarco (Murray) and Chris (Brown) lower their shoulders they can run guys over too though.
Do you have a mentor on the team?
It's Mossis Madu. I ask him a lot about certain pass plays. He helps me out on the field, and he and coach (Kevin) Wilson help out a lot in the film room — on which way to go and things like that. I even ask (freshman) Justin Johnson questions sometimes. I have a lot to learn.
What do you think of the proposed NFL rule limiting the length of players' hair?
I don't see how rules can tell people what to do with their own selves — who they are, how they express themselves. I think it's silly myself. Playing my position of fullback, you kind of have to look a certain way. You have to have a certain swagger. That's what (the hair) is about.
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Hair never made a tackle, a pancake block, a reception, an interception or a yard rushing. Swagger? That comes from performance, not hair. Any moron can grow hair (even I used to, before it mostly fell out). Seems like J. D. Runnels was a pretty darn good fullback, but didn't have a whole lot of hair. He did his only swagger with his blocking and catches out of the backfield and an occasional carry. If Mr. Clapp ever serves in the military, he'll learn in a hurry how rules tell people what to do with their own selves.
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