KHALIL MACK

I'm going to come in and be a hard worker, and I'm going to try to lead by example and be a great teammate, and everything on the field is going to take care of itself.

The ball is the most important thing on the field.

I love the game of football. That's what I'm all about.

It was tough for me not to play, but it was cool. But it was tough because I'm a competitor, and I like to be out there with my guys. That's all it's about for me.

The NCAA game, the first one that I was on, I was rated a 46 with 37 speed. It was a slap in the face. I knew deep down in my heart I was better than a 46.

I love the Bay. I was there for four years.

One of my best friends got recruited to go to Miami, and another one went to South Florida. You're talking about two big schools in Florida, and I had to go all the way up to Buffalo. I was like, 'OK, I have to put in some more work.' That's just the way it has been ever since.

I love to compete against the best.

I'm not surprised by much in this league. You see and hear all kinds of stuff, you never know what can happen.

I had some good OGs, from Charles Woodson to Justin Tuck to Antonio Smith.

I've always thought of myself as the best defensive player in the league, and I want to play like the best defensive player in the league.

I always preach this to people, even my teammates and family: 'Always know someone's working harder than you, trying to get that spot you have.' That's what drives me.

Coach Staley definitely had me doing overtime. It has been fun, though, man.

I felt like a coach. I just wanted to do what I could as far as helping guys understand what was going to happen early and get the best feedback I could and be a great teammate.

That's a good feeling, knowing that I can finally get everything situated and that I had the time to get things situated.

I like looking at the negative stuff. Because it fuels me. It lights a fire that's going to be burning for a long time.

I'm trying to get better every week.

I knew I wanted to come in and make an impact, but, ultimately, you want to come in and win. That's all I care about.

That's something you want to preach throughout the whole defense - getting the ball back to the offense.

I can't give my secrets away. But I've definitely been putting in a lot of work, and you can kind of see that it pays off a little bit.

Whenever we were on the road when I was younger, I remember my father pointing out the trucks that had 'Mack' on them.

You can receive the individual awards, but ultimately, you want to win the big game.

I like to go out and use my actions to speak, you know, and when I get out there and get on the field, you can probably sense what's going to happen.

When you do something, do it right the first time... When you're talking about hard-working, when you go out of your way to mop floors and strip them and do all those things, it's kind of like, 'Dang.'

The great thing is, it's not just about me and my impact. What you want to do is come in here and be a great teammate, lead by your excellence. That's all I've been trying to do.