Luke Kuechly talks 'Madden,' Manziel, facing Steve Smith and more
Fox Sports: How has your offseason been?
Luke Kuechly: The Pro Bowl was a cool experience. That was the most fun thing that I did. It was the first time I've been to Hawaii and first Pro Bowl, so that's something you can't ever get back. Hopefully I can get back there a couple of more times.
FS: You were the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. What's next for 2014?
LK: Just keep getting better. There are a lot of aspects of my game that I'd like to improve. I'd like to get a better understanding of our defense and how teams want to attack it. Specifically, I'd like to become a better blitzer.
FS: I read that you don't have Internet at home. True or false?
LK: Right now, I'm in the process of moving, so I don't have Internet, but when I get into my new place, I'm gonna get it.
FS: OK, that makes sense. I can't imagine anyone your age not having Internet.
LK: Well, if I need to look anything up, I can do it on my phone. A phone is pretty much like having a computer. So I look up directions, recipes, where to eat.
FS: Recipes? Are you a cook?
LK: I try to be. Sometimes, I'll go a couple of day straight where I'll make some food.
FS: What's your specialty?
LK: Chicken parm. I think that's pretty easy to make. You can't mess it up.
FS: You've sent out a grand total of three tweets. What's up with that?
LK: I'm working on it. I'm working on Tweeting more. I've had three tweets in less than a year. That's a start, but I gotta keep improving on that. I gotta find a way to get more tweets out there.
FS: You do follow a decent amount of people. Do you read their Tweets or do you just stay away from it altogether?
LK: I'll read it. It's like a newspaper for me. And right now with the NBA and NHL playoffs going on, I just pull it up to get updates on the games.
FS: NFL cornerbacks are constantly trash talking about who is the best. How come linebackers don't do that?
LK: I think when you look around the league at guys who play linebacker, Patrick Willis, Navaar Bowman, Jon Beason, they're very into being good at what they do and they're happy for other guys that do well. Guys all respect each other and respect each other's work ethic. I appreciate all those guys who play hard and work hard and like watching the guys do well.
FS: You get to play against your former teammate, Steve Smith this season. Are you looking forward to that?
LK: Oh yeah. I think it'll be funny. It's interesting because he's a different dude off the field than on the field. Off the field, he's a great guy. I had two years of watching him on the field and now I'll be going against him, so I'm interested in seeing Steve Smith on an opposing team.
FS: There is no bigger story in the NFL right now that Johnny Manziel. What is your opinion of Manziel and what did you think of the controversy around him going to Vegas for a weekend?
LK: I liked watching him at A&M. I think he's a guy that's electric and can make plays. I don't really pay attention to that other stuff. He worked hard to get to the NFL. If he wants to go do whatever, that's his decision.
FS: You're in the trailer for "Madden 15." How was that experience?
LK: I had a lot of fun. It was my first time being part of a trailer. I didn't realize all the work that goes into making a trailer and how long it takes. But it was very cool.
FS: Are you a big video game guy?
LK: I play quite a bit of "Madden." I've been playing since I was a little kid.
