University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's all-time leading tackler Clint Kriewaldt recently completed his rookie season in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions. Kriewaldt made the team and spent the first four games on the inactive list after the Lions chose him in the sixth round (177th overall) of last April's NFL draft.
Kriewaldt, from Shiocton, made his professional debut at home against Minnesota, playing on the special teams unit. The four-time All-American also contributed in spot duty as a linebacker, practicing at the strongside and weakside positions. After and injury to starting lineback Allen Aldridge in the final regular season game, Kriewaldt played more than 20 plays and made his first interception of his career.
The Lions advanced to the playoffs as a wild card team after finishing with an 8-8 record. Detroit traveled to face the Washington Redskins in the first round and the Redskins ended their season, 27-13.
Kriewaldt is back at UW-SP for the spring semester to finish his degree in interior architecture. He sat down with The Gazette's Sports Editor Mike Kemmeter to discuss his first season in the NFL.
Q: The coaches activated you for the team's fifth game of the season, at home against Minnesota. Did you know before game day that you would be playing?
"The weeks I wasn't active, you can tell right away. With special teams, they put up a depth chart. The first day we'll do punt team, Wednesday and Thursday we'll do punt return. And as soon as they put up that first punt team, usually they're three or four deep at each position. You can tell right away if you're down at three and four you know you're not going to be playing that week.
"But that week I was activated, they told me I would be (playing). When it came out I was number one on the punt team and the rest of the week I was playing the starting role. The weeks that I was inactive, I knew all along that I'd be inactive."
Q: Did you prepare any differently for that game?
"Yeah. When you know you're inactive, you're not getting the reps. You're paying attention, but you're not studying films as hard. When you're playing you make sure you're studying twice as much as you were before."
Q: In the final regular season game against Minnesota, you got your first interception as a pro. Describe what happened on the play.
"We were out there for I don't know how many plays - they were driving down the field on us. I had the nerves going and stuff but I felt relaxed at the time and the tight end came out. Actually, it seemed like he was trying to block me at first so I stopped with him - I had him man-to-man. We had a lot of pressure up front, and then I saw (Minnesota quarterback Jeff) George start to scramble. It was a bad pass on his part, of course, but he tried to make something happen. He had a receiver behind me actually, so I was just hanging out with my guy. I just saw the ball come out of his hand and I just wanted to make sure I got my hands on it, that's for sure. And then once I got it, I didn't want to cough it back up, so I just tucked it in and tried to run a little bit, but I got hit right away and I was down on the ground. But that was exciting, getting my first pick as a rookie."
Q: Your team finished 8-8 and advanced to the playoffs to face the Washington Redskins on the road. Many players say there is a big difference between the regular season and the playoffs. What differences did you notice the most?
"There was a big difference. Everybody said that and they said everybody's going to be playing hard and I'm like, 'Well you guys should be playing hard like that all year.' But I don't know if it's even the players as much as it is the crowd, the fans. You can tell just driving in there. We always get there so early, I mean, usually there's people out there tailgating but we pulled in and the stadium was packed with tailgaters already. You could just see the excitement in the fans and even the players. Our players and their players, you could see that there was a lot more intensity out there than there usually is. You could tell - just the feeling in the stadium was totally different. It was pretty neat."
Q: The Lions played the Packers at Lambeau Field, which is about 30 miles from your hometown of Shiocton. Did you have family and friends at the game? Did playing close to home make the game any more meaningful?
"It was neat to go back there. I've been watching games there, but I was never really a Packer fan to begin with. It was neat just to go into that stadium and I got to see my parents in the stands beforehand and my buddies up there. So it was fun.
"You knew that you had a lot of people watching you. But once the game started, it was just like playing anywhere else. You forgot about your family and friends until after the game. I mean you didn't really forget about them, but you're going down the field and you want to make a play. I can't see going extra hard because you go hard every play, but you kind of knew that they were there so you wanted to make some plays for them at least."
Q: Is playing pro football what you thought it would be like?
"It is and it isn't. Like I said before, everybody thinks it's something where you're always out partying and stuff. It's like a job - it's a business. I told you about our days, how long they are. I don't know if it's what I always imagined it to be, and I think a lot of people think it's something different, but it's a blast. It is a great time and it's a great experience and hopefully my body stays together and hopefully I can do it for a few more years yet."
Q: What will you remember most about your rookie season? Is there one moment or event that sticks out in your head?
"There's a few, like that interception, and the very first game when I was active. I was running down and I had my first tackle, a solo tackle on (Minnesota returner David) Palmer. I'll remember that because all week we heard about how good of a returner he is and how tough he is. And to get a solo tackle on him - and that was my first, legit tackle - and I some of my buddies and my mom and dad were there, so that was a pretty neat experience for me. I'll always remember that."
Q: Was there ever a time where you were in awe of your surroundings? Did you ever think "Wow, that's …"?
"A lot of times you didn't really realize it. But some days you'd be at practice, you'd just look around and see the Lions helmets on people and you'd just think to yourself, 'Holy man, I've got one of these on too.'
"And then you just see (defensive tackle) Luther Ellis or (wide receiver) Herman Moore or (defensive end Robert) Porcher or somebody like that walking around. I mean you never really thought (about it), but sometimes you'd be sitting around and reality would hit you, like 'Man, I'm right next to these guys.' But they're all super nice. They're down-to-earth guys too. You grew up watching these guys on TV and now you're out there playing with them."
Q: Your defensive coordinator Larry Peccatiello was interviewed by Ron Wolf for the Green Bay Packers head coaching job. What qualities did you see in him that would make him a good head coach?
"I never pictured him as being a head coach. He's really smart, he's always been a defensive guy. I never thought of him having anything to do with offense. But I really like him as a defensive coordinator. He really knows what he's talking about, but I was just surprised. I never really thought of him as being a head coach and dealing with the offense too.
"When (UW-SP coach John Miech) first told me I thought he meant Gary Moeller because I know, he's my linebackers coach, he was in line for the (Cincinnati) Bengals job if (Bruce) Coslet would've been fired, they thought he would get the head job there.
"But Peccatiello, I didn't know if he's even trying to be a head coach. But it was neat to hear that at least."
Q: What are you doing to stay in shape during the offseason? What kind of things did the Lions tell you to do?
"Because of the playoffs it was so hectic there and the strength guy didn't have time to get it all together. So when I left, they said they're going to send me a big packet in the mail with what to do. But right now, I'm getting in the weight room, doing what I have been doing in the years past until I get their program and then I'll start up on their program."
Q: Did the coaching staff talk to you about expectations for next season?
"I just met with the linebackers coach and he asked me how I thought I played. He said 'You've got a good chance to get a lot playing time next year.' And he really likes me as a linebacker, how I play and the way I run. He said 'Just keep working hard,' and 'Now you know the system,' and more or less 'See how you come into camp next year,' and 'See what things you can do next year.'
"It seems like they have a lot of respect for me and they're pretty confident that in another year, maybe next year, or the year after that I can really give a good contribution to the team. That made me feel good. It seems like they've got a little faith in me. I mean, like, they know I should be a good player in another year or so."