Sept. 29, 2011
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Fifth-year senior T.J. Greenstone is a key part of a Vanderbilt defensive line that has wreaked enough havoc this season to lead to 14 interceptions — the highest total in the nation. Last year as a co-captain, he returned from a mid-season injury to record a season-high seven tackles against Kentucky. When not knocking heads on the field, Greenstone often can be found interviewing teammates for segments on vucommodores.com.
On moving around as a kid:
“We moved from Texas to Pennsylvania to Atlanta, where my family is now. My mom’s whole side of the family is in Pittsburgh. I was born in Houston, but the Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) never sold out, so I was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan because they were always on TV. So that was a nice little rivalry there. My dad got transferred on a job to Atlanta, so that’s when we moved there, about sixth grade. Most of my football life’s been in Atlanta.”
On the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference connection:
“That’s the first thing I said to Coach Franklin when I found out he played for East Stroudsburg, that my dad played nose guard at Edinboro and my mom played basketball there and went to the Sweet 16 against Rutgers. [Defensive Line Coach Sean Spencer] played against Edinboro, too (at Clarion University), so there are a lot of connections in that northeast area.”
On whether he grew up wanting to play in SEC:
“I just wanted to play college football somewhere. When I grew up, a lot of people told me I’d be too small, too slow, too whatever to play in the SEC, so they told me to look at smaller schools. Vandy gave me a chance, and I’d like to think I’ve been trying to use the best of that chance I’ve had so far.”
On his pre-game routine:
“It kind of changes; depends on the mood. I like to keep things loose. A lot of guys like to get real uptight, I like to stay loose. When I’m kinda flying around reacting instead of uptight is when I play best. I’ve got some stuff I like to write on my wrists, same thing every time: KH4JC. `Knock heads for Jesus Christ.'”
On Coach Spencer:
“We call him Coach Chaos. That describes him to the fullest. The man never runs out of energy. I think he almost blew a pec out when he was working out yesterday. He’s always all over the place, non-stop. He’s hilarious during meetings–always keeps people awake. He really knows the game, knows how to play aggressive. He’s done a great job of motivating me, keeping me going throughout the last year since I met him.”
On being limited by injury last season:
“It’s been a long year–a long career, I feel like. I’m excited–I’m finally getting back to 100% healthy and getting my legs back under me. I’m putting all those injuries in the past and working each day to keep moving forward.”
On summer workouts:
“I did a lot work with Coach Galt, Coach Losey. If there was work, I was getting it in. Guys would be going to church on Sundays and, sometimes, I’d go get a lift in before. Saturday mornings, some guys are sleeping in, I’m getting a lift in. I’m trying each day to get on my rehab and be better and better and better, just be prepared for the season. It’s a long season, playing in the SEC. And the way we’re playing defense–attacking, aggressive–our bodies have to be ready.”
On former VU defensive lineman and current assistant strength coach Chuck Losey:
“He’s nice to have. When the offense is doing `skele’ (skeleton passing drills), playing pitch and catch, we’re on the sleds with Coach Losey or working cans with Coach Losey. He’s kind of like having another defensive line coach even though he’s not our defensive line coach. During that time when we’re not allowed to work with coaches, we always had him there for reference, and he kept us on the right track. He’s done a great job of preparing us for camp.”
On who he considers the funniest person on the team:
“Everybody. That’s the one thing I like about these guys, they’re so light-hearted. Some days you may think you want to wrap it up and go home, but then you see the guys next to you and they’re always having a great time. I’m spent some time rooming with Tim Fugger and Brandon Barden. Those two cats are different, but they’re both funny. Everybody’s funny in their own way. Barden’s got the whole country thing and then Fugger, you never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.”
On his favorite class at Vanderbilt:
“I took Contemporary Philosophy: Sports Ethics, with Dr. Joan Forry. She found ways to keep me wanting to come to class. I’m not going to say that’s hard around here, but when we’re so busy, she found great ways to tie it in. I never missed a day of that class, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.”
