Q&A with John Leglue

Packer: John Leglue

Number: 79

Position: Offensive tackle

College: Tulane

Draft: Undrafted, 2005

Season: First

Age: 23

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 301 pounds

Q: What were you thinking last week when you learned the Packers were signing you off the Saints’ practice squad?

A: I was thrilled. You dream of playing in the NFL. Each step is just another stepping stone. When my agent told me Green Bay wants me on the active roster, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ I was super excited.

Q: What is your focus? Are these next however-many weeks a head-start on next season?

A: I’m studying the playbook as if, if something happens to one of the players, I’ve got to be ready to go. I’m probably not the next man up, but I’m definitely learning the system and how coach Steno (Adam Stenavich) teaches everything. All the linemen have been helping out with any questions I have. I feel like I’ve picked up the offense pretty quickly.

Q: Speaking of teammates, you got here just in time for Aaron Rodgers to get you a huge TV for Christmas.

A: Aaron’s a great guy. He came up and talked to me the first day I was here. He told me he was happy that I’m a part of this team. From such a leader like that to come up and tell you that, it gets you a better mindset that you’re really a part of this team.

Q: What’s the best asset you’re bringing to the team?

A: Probably versatility. I played everything at Tulane. When I was with Denver (for training camp), I was playing everything; when I was with the Saints, I was playing everything. My college coach always harped on being able to play every position. I’ve relied on my smarts to help me out. Being available is the biggest thing in this league. Availability over capability.

Q: You started at least nine games at three spots at Tulane. That obviously helps you now, but what did you think of that at the time?

A: I went to a small school in Alexandria, Louisiana. Originally, I was going to play tight end. I was like 6-5, 220 as a freshman. Our center couldn’t snap the ball, so my head coach said, ‘We need you on the offensive line.’ So, I ended up playing center my whole high school career until my senior year, when he let me move to tackle to help me get recruited. It ended up benefiting me tremendously because my sophomore year of college, our center went down against Navy, so I moved from right tackle to center and started nine games at center. My senior year, I started 13 at guard. The year before that, I started 13 at tackle. Being able to play all these different positions, you know more of the scheme opposed to just knowing what you’re supposed to do. Understanding the scheme is going to help you understand how the defense is going to try to attack you. It benefited me tremendously from college to now.

Q: I read that you were the first person from your high school (Holy Savior Menard Central) to make it to the NFL. How cool is that?

A: It’s tremendous. I just want to be a role model for them and give all those kids that have a dream a reason to keep chasing it. It is a blessing. I always get texts from random people from back home talking about how proud they are.

Q: Are you a legend when you go back home?

A: I don’t know about a legend. (laughs)

Q: Your high school was seventh grade through 12th, so did you play varsity in seventh or eighth grade?

A: My freshman year, I just played JV. My sophomore year is when I started at center on the varsity. But I played every sport. I played basketball, football, baseball. I loved baseball. We went to the quarterfinals my senior year, and I was a pitcher. I had 18 consecutive shutout innings or something like that and got first-team all-state in baseball but honorable mention in football, which never made sense to me. It’s crazy how things work out.

Q: Fastball?

A: Topped out at about 86, 87, but my curveball was probably my go-to strikeout pitch.

Q: Did you get any looks in baseball?

A: McNeese State, a Division I team in Lake Charles, Louisiana, wanted me to play baseball and football for them. Tulane tried to say that I could do both but, once I got there, I realized I needed to focus on the weight room and football.

Q: Have you ever thought back and wondered what might have been?

A: No, no, no. I’m happy to be here. It’s been a lifelong dream to be in the NFL.

Q: Is there a person who’s been instrumental in making that dream a reality?

A: My mom and dad always told me that if you want something, you’ve got to work for it. My high school coach, Freddie Hallman, he told me my sophomore year, ‘John, you’ve got an opportunity, I think you can play at the next level.’ I had never really even thought about the next level before that, so I started going to football camps during the summer. Coach Hallman was always on my butt to make sure I was giving my all. It’s paying dividends, going from such a small school to Tulane, which is a smaller Division I school, to going to the NFL.