NFP Rookie Journal: Phil Loadholt

Offensive tackle Phil Loadholt, a second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, is writing an occasional blog for the National Football Post about his experience as an NFL rookie.

Everything I’m doing right now is new – from competing for a job on the offensive line to looking for a house in Minnesota. But it’s all fun.

I’m playing a lot of ball, not working with any group more than the other. I know a lot of people are talking about me starting at right tackle, but I’ve just been rotating in and out, and I really don’t want to project about whether I’m going to start. I’m just competing, trying to have fun every day I’m here and not worrying about where I’m going to be playing.

We have a veteran group on the offensive line, and I feel like a lot of the guys have taken me under their wing – guys like Bryant McKinnie, Anthony Herrera, Artis Hicks and Steve Hutchinson. They’re teaching me things to help me be successful, some tricks of the trade that will help me help this team out.

 It’s a real solid group that’s been playing a lot of years in this league, so it’s exciting to learn from them. I feel like I learn something new all the time.

On Tuesday, I spent the day looking for a house, although I’m still not sure whether to buy or lease. I have zero experience doing something like this. I never did anything more than walk into a leasing office in Norman and sign papers to rent an apartment. So it’s a whole new experience, but I’m really enjoying it.

I have to think about a lot of things, like all the taxes involved in buying a house and putting money down, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can about it. Jon Cooper, my teammate from Oklahoma, was signed by the Vikings as a free agent, and we plan on rooming together.

I haven’t signed a contract yet, so I’m not really spending much money. I still drive my car from college, a 2005 Impala (I push the seat way back). I’ve been looking a little bit at new cars, but I haven’t gone into any dealerships. It’s too soon.  

Like I’ve said before, I’m still just getting acclimated to being on the team and trying to win a job. That’s really all that matters right now. None of that other stuff, like buying a house or a car, will mean anything if I don’t do what I have to do on the field.

I’m concentrating on all the things that are happening on the field, which is playing ball and making the team. And having fun.

Comments

Add a Comment