Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga cornerback Buster Skrine was a fifth-round selection of the Cleveland Browns in 2011 and in four seasons amassed 196 tackles and six interceptions, including four interceptions last year.
In March, the 5-foot-9, 182-pounder from Woodstock, Ga., signed a four-year, $25 million contract with the New York Jets, of which $13 million is guaranteed. Skrine was a guest this week on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: How is life so far with the Jets?
A: "Right now, we're just trying to build a chemistry with a completely new secondary. We're trying to build chemistry as a team, too, so right now we're just going over the basics. Everything is progressing pretty fast, and I like what I've seen so far."
Q: What was it like last season with the Browns after they drafted Johnny Manziel?
A: "I had a good time. After we drafted Johnny, we got a lot of media attention. He brought a lot of people to our training camp. I think Johnny Manziel is a good dude, and every young player who comes into the NFL has to figure things out. That's what he's done this year, because he put himself in rehab. I respect him for that."
Q: What do you remember about the 2011 draft?
A: "I was pretty nervous, because I thought I was going to get drafted higher than the fifth round. I had a good feeling I would get drafted, because I had the film to back up what I had done at the combine. It was three days, and after those first two days, I was like, 'What if I don't get drafted?'
"My draft year was the lockout year, so all the free agents didn't have the minicamps to show what they could do. I was blessed to get drafted, and everything took off from there."
Q: What is the biggest splurge you've made with your new contract?
A: "I actually purchased a Lamborghini. I said if I ever got a big deal that I would get a Lamborghini, so I had to go out and do it."
Q: How are you going to tour around Woodstock in a Lamborghini?
A: "A lot of people there have money. It's nothing new to them."
Q: Along those same lines, most NFL players lose their fortune within two years of being out of the league. What are you doing to make sure that doesn't happen to you?
A: "Before I signed with the Jets, I knew I was going to get a pretty good sum of money, so I actually went to Manhattan and interned for two months straight. I wanted to know what a financial adviser was talking about when he called me, and I wanted to put together a plan for me and my family so we can have long-term money.
"I've heard the scary stories about NBA and NFL players going broke, and I didn't want that to happen to me. It's about knowing how money works, and I think the NFL could do a better job of helping people who get a large amount of money at a young age and don't know how to manage it. Those two months helped me out a lot."
Q: UTC could have two players selected in this draft. Do you have any kind of relationship with Davis Tull and Derrick Lott?
A: "I've met both of them, and Tull had just gotten there when I was there. I've heard a lot of good things about both players, and one of the coaches on our team called me about Tull. I know he's going to get drafted, and Lott should get drafted, too, after the way he played in that all-star game."
Q: Turning to our rapid fire, who's been the toughest guy you've had to guard?
A: "Calvin Johnson."
Q: What's it like being with Darrelle Revis, who is considered one of the best cornerbacks of all time?
A: "It's great, and I pick his mind every day. He carries himself as a professional."
Q: Who is the best quarterback in the NFL?
A: "Peyton Manning."
Q: Does your last name still get mispronounced?
A: "All the time. Announcers. Everybody."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.