Follow Up With Troy Kropog
by Jared Donnelly
NFL Draft Analyst
4/21/09

Read 1st Interview with Troy Kropog

Troy Kropog projects as a late second to mid-third round pick in next weekend’s NFL Draft.  Even with his chaotic schedule, Troy still took time to speak with me.  

 

We all know that persistence pays off in today’s society. The same is absolutely true in the NFL today.  What does that mean Kropog has been doing since the last time we talked? “Basically the same stuff I have been doing. Working out hard, running a lot. But mostly, I’m doing and focusing on things that I hear from scouts and coaches. Working on my upper body strength. I’m doing that now more than I ever have in the past.” 

 

Information this time of the year is tightly guarded.  So when we hear or find things out, it is important to check the facts with the source. What better source for news on Troy Kropog is there than Troy Kropog himself? I asked him whom he had heard from and Troy was forthright, “I’ve heard from guys from the Redskins and the Saints. The Saints seem to have a lot of interest in me so that’s nice.” Kropog followed that up with the line “it’s probably a local thing though."  It is refreshing to hear some humility from someone is his position.

 

A week or so before we talked, I had heard from a source that the Steelers liked Troy a lot at the bottom of round two, or possibly moving up to the middle of the round if there were a run on tackles. Troy did the best that he could to say that he had heard the same but did it in a way that was very professional. “I don’t really know.  You know more about where I’m going at this point, but I have talked to those guys a number of times and I’m doing what they say I need to do to get better. I like to think I’ll go high, but you never know. 

 

Since he is human, he does have things on his mind everyday that people don’t have to deal with usually. The hardest part? “Oh man! It’s gotta be the waiting! Not knowing where you’re going to go, the conflicting information, not knowing what’s around the next corner. And the thing is, there’s nothing I can really do about it. Workout. Sit, wait, listen, and get better.”

 

So, what does a Troy Kropog do once he’s making the big bucks? Once he finds a team, or better said, a team finds him? “Well there’s no credit card debt right now. My parents have always looked out for me and taken care of me and stuff like that. I’m not a flashy guy though, you know? I want to save most of it. I guess you have to live somewhere, so I’ll probably get a house.  I hear they are giving some pretty bring tax breaks for first time homeowners.”

 

A man in his 20’s, about to become a highly paid NFL player talking about tax breaks!  Let me introduce you once again to Troy Kropog. Offensive tackle, caring family guy with a mean streak a mile wide on the field, and all around good guy.  Remember his name, defensive lineman will once they stand up.

• Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 7 rounds
• Cox's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 6 rounds
• Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft 
• Mock Draft Database