University of Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul had the chance to talk about the Las Vegas Raiders from the 2024 NFL Combine.
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00:00 >> Hey, morning.
00:02 >> Morning.
00:02 >> Hey, how you doing?
00:04 >> How you doing?
00:06 >> So how does it feel to be able to call Trent Williams a mentor,
00:10 someone that you can rely on or reach out to for advice, information,
00:15 anything like that?
00:17 >> It's a blessing.
00:18 That's one of the greatest of all time.
00:19 So being able to have him as an output, to be able to talk to about the game,
00:23 and any questions you have in that process in the transition is great.
00:26 >> The San Francisco 49ers run like a combination of outside zone, but
00:30 they also do a ton of gap scheme.
00:32 Do you feel like you have scheme versatility where you can fit into multiple
00:35 spots and multiple schemes?
00:37 >> Yeah, definitely, I can fit in anywhere that drafts me, so.
00:41 >> Have you met with the 49ers by chance?
00:43 >> I did. >> Formal?
00:44 >> Yeah, it was a formal interview.
00:45 >> Let's go, thanks man.
00:46 >> Good morning, Patrick.
00:47 >> Morning. >> How are you?
00:48 >> I'm good, how are you?
00:49 >> I'm good, good.
00:50 So when you look at the NFL and in here, what's it been like for
00:54 you to talk to these teams, and what have you been trying to impress them with?
00:58 >> Just my knowledge for the game, knowledge on the game, and
01:01 that I love the game of football.
01:03 So just getting with them and letting them get to know me at a more personal level.
01:06 >> So formal meetings, just as many as you can remember besides the Niners?
01:12 >> I had the Bills, the Bengals, the Dolphins,
01:17 Ravens, Browns, Titans,
01:22 Panthers, 49ers, yeah.
01:29 >> So pretty informal with Houston, and anytime at the Senior Bowl?
01:34 >> I did have two with them at the Senior Bowl, and then I had an informal one.
01:38 >> Nice.
01:39 When you think about what the team's feedback, what do you hear from the teams?
01:44 >> As far as what?
01:45 >> What do they say about you?
01:45 >> Most of the time, it's not really feedback that you get,
01:51 but trying to understand your strengths, your weaknesses, and getting to know you,
01:55 and getting to know the game of football, and just watching tape all the time, and
01:59 learning more about you.
02:00 >> So being a kid from Jersey Village, you kind of pinch yourself, like I'm here.
02:04 >> It's surreal, so it's a dream come true, and I'm happy to be here.
02:09 It's a blessing.
02:10 >> Patrick, just a couple questions.
02:12 Just one, if you had to put on one film and say this is my best tape,
02:17 which film, which game would you pick?
02:19 >> I would say Texas Tech or Rice.
02:20 >> Gotcha, and in terms of scheme, do you feel most comfortable in a scheme,
02:25 gap scheme, is there anything that you feel like you're better at than that?
02:30 >> Well, traditionally, I'm part of an air raid offense, so
02:33 that's what I'm used to, but I can fit it anywhere.
02:35 >> Gotcha, and just in terms of what is something that you'd like to get better at,
02:41 work on with your team?
02:42 >> Ultimately everything, but in the run game, I'd like to emphasize that one.
02:46 >> And you didn't mention the Patriots in that long list, so
02:48 I'm assuming that's not happening now, right?
02:51 >> I did actually meet with them.
02:52 >> Formally?
02:52 >> It was informal, but I met with them twice, so.
02:55 >> At that moment, I know that's gonna be, thank you so much.
02:58 >> You have that fighting background.
02:59 I know you're used to mostly playing on the left side, but
03:03 do you feel like that fighting background could help, just since you have
03:07 a little extra experience using your hands and stuff,
03:10 if a team were to move you to the right side?
03:12 >> Yeah, I played right tap in high school.
03:13 I can fit it anywhere, I can play both sides.
03:15 But I'm traditionally a left tap, that's what I played my whole career.
03:19 >> And the Pittsburgh Steelers,
03:20 I know you've talked with them a little bit at the Senior Bowl.
03:23 Was there anything informal here, since you didn't list them as a formal?
03:26 >> They weren't a formal interview, but I did meet with them at the Senior Bowl.
03:29 >> What advice has your brother given you, being an NFL player?
03:32 >> He's given me the advice to just come out here during this process and
03:35 be myself.
03:36 Have fun with it, show teams my character, my personality, and
03:40 just enjoy it, live in the moment.
03:42 >> How did the fighting experience translate to help you in football at all?
03:47 >> I'd say it helps with your feet, hand-eye coordination, hand speed.
03:51 Just being, it's also fun, you know?
03:54 So it helps with just your timing of punches and
03:59 foot speed, hand speed, and being able to recover.
04:02 >> Is that a regular part of training there?
04:04 >> Currently not at the moment, but in college, yes it was.
04:07 >> Actually, if you're summing yourself to a team and
04:09 say, this is why you should draft, what would you say?
04:12 >> I would say you're gonna get a baller,
04:14 you're gonna get a player that's gonna improve every single year.
04:16 I'm gonna be the first one in the building, possibly, but
04:20 someone who's dedicated to that craft.
04:22 Someone who's gonna constantly work to get better and improve.
04:25 I'm gonna be a great leader in the offensive line room.
04:27 I'm gonna be someone who gels with everybody, and
04:29 I'm gonna be a hard-working player for y'all.
04:32 >> What did you take from your Nigerian experience?
04:35 >> It was something different.
04:36 It's a different world over there, but
04:38 traditionally my whole family's from Nigeria, so
04:40 it's more of a homecoming for me.
04:42 Just being able to experience different worlds and
04:45 different places, it's helped me, it's shaped me into who I am.
04:48 >> What did you learn about yourself over there?
04:50 What did you learn about the culture over there, and
04:52 how does it differ from where you're from?
04:53 >> All the people are different, and that's not a good or bad thing.
04:56 It's just you have to understand that there's different cultures and
04:59 different ways that people treat each other.
05:02 But it makes you appreciate that Texas Southern hospitality.
05:06 >> When did you originally get into football, and how did that come about?
05:09 >> When I came back from Nigeria, I started playing.
05:11 I really played any sports that my two older brothers played, so
05:14 I played anything they played.
05:16 They started playing football, and I just tagged along.
05:18 >> Patrick, have you met with the Las Vegas Raiders, and
05:20 what are your thoughts on the organization and Antonio Pierce?
05:23 >> That's a great organization.
05:25 I think that the head coach they have, Coach Pierce, he's a great coach.
05:28 And I haven't met with them yet, but it's a great team.
05:31 >> Do you plan on meeting with them?
05:32 >> We'll see.
05:33 >> How did you meet with the counselors?
05:36 I did twice at the Senior Bowl.
05:37 I haven't met with them.