Niles Paul speaks to the media after OTA on Thursday, June 7:
I’m about 234, maintaining that.
(is that weight OK for play?) Absolutely, I’m fine at 234. Shannon Sharpe told me he did it at 228. I’m not saying I’m Shannon Sharpe but it gives me hope.
(surprised when asked to move there?) I was more surprised last year when I played there. They let me know, they wanted to give me a chance, find me a home on the field, I just appreciate the opportunity.
(advice from Sharpe) He said this is one of two steps; the next step is out the door. They’re trying to find you a home, he said. Coach Shanahan believes in you enough to find you a home.
(appreciate that they’re giving you a shot at TE?) Absolutely, absolutely. They could have showed me the door.
(do you see a role at TE in the short term?) I see myself as competing for a job. I’m going to go out there and compete and hopefully earn myself a position by the end of camp.
Transition to tight end a physical and mental challenge for Paul
(How different is TE from playbook perspective) With the receiver part, it’s the exact same thing as if I lined up at Z. When it comes to running I’ve got to pick up on combo blocks, I’ve got to read the defense a lot better than I had to at receiver.
(get anxious when you think about blocking guys like DeMarcus Ware?) Oh, yeah. Shannon Sharpe told me when I was talking to him, that I’m a smaller guy and I’m not going to win every battle and my role is to protect the running back and the QB. As long as I’m doing my job, that’s all that matters.
(watch film of Sharpe?) The show me a lot of film of a lot of different people, him being one of them. Just being able to see that and have Fred and Cooley in the room both coaching me up and getting me ready for the position.
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