Rocky Boiman played nine seasons in the NFL with Tennessee, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Now, 12 years ago after being drafted by the Titans, he reflects on the excitement that many prospects will enjoy beginning Thursday through Saturday. 

Before joining the Titans, Boiman had to put in a lot of hard work on and off the football field in training. He talks about his pre-draft experience leading up to the big day.

"It was a combination of combine and football skills. Their was a lot of preparation. The combine is a lot of track stuff, along with football drills. I loved it. The (combine) helped me get drafted in the fourth round."

Boiman was sitting in his parents house when finally got the call in the fourth round on draft day from the Titans general manager, head coach Jeff Fischer, and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. He tells how his parents reacted to hearing his big news.

"To see mom and dad fall on the floor with happiness and elation, and have them by my side to see me succeed was a great experience."

Even though Boiman anticipated to get drafted in the fourth round, and he still says that it was hard to wait for his phone to ring, and name to be called.

"I started seeing other guys being drafted, and it was definitely the longest couple of days of my life. It was back when the draft was only two days, on Saturday and Sunday. I was picked on Sunday, and watched every pick with nerves, but when that phone rang, it was a flood of emotions because of all the highs and lows to get a chance to get drafted from playing in college and realizing to finally being apart of the NFL 'shield' is an amazing experience."

In his rookie season, Boiman played a lot on third down packages and set a Titans-franchise record for special teams tackles. He went on to win a Super Bowl in 2006 with the Colts and had 256 career tackles 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and five interceptions nine seasons in the NFL. As an retired NFL veteran, he offers some advice for all of the college prospects that will be drafted this weekend.

"Know the playbook, and get it as soon as you can. Being talented, fast, big, and strong are all common attributes, but be smart and study the playbook, and know what the defense and offense are doing."

*Stay tuned for tomorrow as Sam will share what Boiman think about this year's NFL Draft along with what the Houston Texans should do with the No. 1 pick, and his take on Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney.

For comments, or story ideas, email Sam at tastadsam@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samtastad.

Photo by Joe Murphy/NFLPhotoLibrary/Getty Images
Photo by Joe Murphy/NFLPhotoLibrary/Getty Images
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