On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards came to Marshall as part of Menards' grand opening celebration this week. Edwards sat down with the Marshall Independent to talk about Edwards' offseason.
Independent:?With the NFL lockout being the big news in the offseason and being a pending free agent, what has this offseason been like for you? Is it a situation where you're in limbo not knowing how everything could turn out for you?
Ray Edwards: It's been great. A lot a free time, getting to do what I want to do and having fun. This is really the only true offseason I've had ... I had one as well last year as well because of the whole uncapped year thing. It's been great. Having fun and relaxing.
Independent: With the mediation going on in the Cities for the lockout, how much are you being kept in the loop with everything that's been going on?
RE: It really doesn't matter what they're trying to do to keep me in the loop, just the simple fact that whatever they decide to do. Either you're going to deal with it or you're not. When the rules come out, we'll see what the rules are. I'm not really in the loop. I see everything like everyone else on ESPN.
Independent: Not knowing when you'll play again, how have you kept up with your offseason routines and staying in shape?
RE: It's pretty much the same schedule. I never really trained with the team, I always had my own personal trainer that got me ready for the season.
Independent: It came out this week that you agreed to fight in a couple boxing matches up in Hinckley. First off, what has been your previous boxing training?
RE: I've been boxing for the last four years, now I'm turning professional because with our contracts, you couldn't do it. It's always been something I wanted to do since I was a little kid.
Independent: What are some of the rigors with the boxing training compared to getting ready for the football season?
RE: It's not too much different. I still lift weights, I still condition, I still run. It's just putting in more time in the boxing gym, sparring a lot, getting used to everything. It's really the only big difference is the sparring.
Independent: With everything you've gone through in the last five years, how do you look back at your time with the Vikings?
RE: It's been a great five years in Minnesota. It's definitely a great place, except for the winter. You take the winter away and it's 80 degrees all year round, it's a great place to be.