Chargers Training Camp Interview: Kassim Osgood

by John Gennaro on Aug 12, 2009 2:42 AM PDT in BFTB Interviews

A couple of notes before we get started on these. First, the interviews are going to be short. Both times that I was allowed in the locker room were while the players were getting ready to leave to go eat. If I stayed too long with one player, I'd turn around and the locker room would be empty. I tried to get in the questions I had an interest in hearing answers to and then get out, although there were a few questions that I wishes I had asked but didn't.

Second, I was a dick to Kassim. Not his fault, I was just nervous. He was my first face-to-face player interview and I asked the question about him playing Safety in a really rude way (by that I mean I had a mocking tone). Later on in the day I wanted to apologize to him, but he was sitting in the ice tub and seemed busy with whatever he was reading (yeah, you can read that as "I chickened out").

Third, Kassim's hair looks good and his shirts were awesome. Apparently a neighbor of his makes shirts for him. I wish I remembered the name so I could rep the guy's company...and buy a couple of shirts. Okay, on with the interview.

There's been a change in the rules for special teams. Do you think it will effect you at all?
Me? No, not at all. It helps me.

Why?
Less people to go around in the wedge. I can get to the ball-carrier faster.

Do you really think you can play Safety in the NFL?
Yeah, I can play Safety! I played in college a little bit. I like contact.

You want to be a Wide Receiver though, right?
Definitely.

You've been having a pretty good camp so far.
I've been trying to. With every ball that's thrown my way, I gotta make every opportunity count. I'm trying to let them know that if they need me at receiver, I'm a viable option.

If the team tells you that you're going to be a special teamer again this year and they'll look at you for WR again next year, are you going to be OK with that?
Oh, well I'm up next year. So right now I'm just focused on trying to get that Super Bowl ring.

Do you have any thoughts about Bolts From The Blue? Any tips you want to send our way? Whenever you have something to say, don't hesitate to e-mail me directly.

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Safety in College?

If he played Safety in college must have been at Cal Poly. The guy was a great receiver at SDSU. I don’t remember SDSU ever using him on defense.

In his 8th year when he goes for free agency in 2010, Kassim is going to be in that journey-man problematic situation. He’s not a marquee talent, and there are tons of younger players that the teams can put under contract for 20 to 30% what a guy like Kassim would cost. In short – he’ll be fortunate to get a one year deal somewhere.

And to me that stinks. This guy puts out and produces. Salary cap mechanics and free agency policy combine to hurt the establish veterans of the league. It ain’t right.

by Trendsearcher on Aug 12, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

I saw a couple of his SDSU games

They had two really good receivers at the time and Kassim was one of them. That makes you look even better, especially in college. I forget who the other receiver was. He was in the NFL for a handful of years as a backup.

Anyways, I never saw him play Safety. After he answered that question I actually said “REALLY?” and he said “Yeah, I like contact”, but I shortened it to seem less like a jerk who would question a stated fact like that. Is there such a thing as a 6’4" safety?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 12, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

The other receiver

you are thinking of at SDSU was J.R. Tolver (incidentally, he plays for the LA Avengers in the Arena football league now).
And I don’t remember Kassim ever playing safety while at CP (my alma mater of course…Go ’Stangs!). He did lead the nation in receiving yards while at CP the year before he transferred to SDSU. I wonder if he played some safety freshman year.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by Clip Show on Aug 12, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Osgood.

I really do. He seems like a good guy. And he’s a great special teamer.

But look at who our wide receivers were from 2003-2005. Kassim couldn’t beat out ANY of them.

That should tell you something.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 12, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Big Fan of Osgood

From the times I’ve heard Osgood on radio and TV, he sounds like he’s an articulate, funny, and intelligent guy. Hopefully he can stay in San Diego as long as possible, but when his career does end, I would love to see him have some sort of TV or radio job.

by sdpads24 on Aug 12, 2009 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

I'd bet on it

Not only is he all the things you described, he also seems hungry for attention. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when you can keep it under control (as he has been able to).

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 12, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions