Temple University Athletics
LB Alex Joseph
Joseph, Neblett Return to Temple to Complete Degrees
3.21.11 | Football
Part I: Conversation with Alex Joseph
After a year in the NFL, this semester LB Alex Joseph and DT Andre Neblett returned to Temple University to complete their degrees. Here's our conversation with Alex Joseph on his journey to the NFL following his senior season at TU in 2009, what it's like to be back on campus, and what he wants to accomplish next. Later this week, we'll hear from Neblett.
Alex Joseph
Linebacker
Stamford, Conn.
Where are you now and what's your position?
San Francisco 49ers. I'm playing linebacker.
How did you end up there?
I actually moved around. I was with Green Bay. I did the whole (training) camp. Then I partially tore my quad. They held onto me for a while, and I kind of healed up a little bit, but it was too late, so they let me go. It's completely healed. Then Oakland picked me up. I was on their practice squad. I forget how long … around two months, maybe a little less. Then I guess the numbers game kicked in, because some guys got hurt, and they had to bring in new guys. I was released. I was home for a little bit. Then Carolina picked me up. I was with Andre (Neblett) for two weeks. Then my agent called me and said Oakland wanted me back, but they said they wanted to sign me for next year, but he said San Fran wanted me now. I just wanted the opportunity to get on the field, so I obviously went to San Fran. They love me over there. I played in the last game.
When did you go to San Francisco?
The last week of the season. December, I believe.
How was your rookie season?
It was pretty shaky. It was crazy bouncing around. It wasn't easy, but I've been through a lot of adversity, so it's just something I told myself to keep pushing. It's going to get hard; nothing's easy. I just took advantage of that, and just kept going.
What was your biggest surprise and what was your biggest hurdle?
Biggest surprise was how quickly I can adapt to the NFL. I thought it would be a lot harder, but Coach Golden actually prepared us for everything. Everything we did in college was exactly what we did in the NFL. I caught onto it the first day, and I knew what I was doing.
The biggest hurdle was just the terminology of the plays. They're the same thing, but just the terms kill you. The coaches want you to speak their language. That was the hard part, and studying, and trying to get the words right when you're having a conversation with the coaches.
You're poised to return once the lockout is over?
Yes.
What advice would you give to your younger, Temple teammates?
Just listen to the coaches. Pay attention to the coaches, because they really know what's going on. A lot of guys think that just because they're coaches that they don't really know that position or if another coach tells you something, that's a different position coach, and they don't really know. They all know what they're doing. They coach for a reason. Coaching takes you a long way.
What's your major?
Criminal Justice
How many credits do you need?
I should be graduating following summer 1. I need five classes. I'm taking four right now.
Will you go through graduation ceremonies in May?
Yeah, I think I'll do spring commencement.
Why did you want to come back?
I came to school to get a degree, so I can't just go into the NFL and say, 'hey, I don't need it.' Plus, I always wanted to join the Secret Service. I need my degree for that in order to enroll. That's something I've always wanted to do.
Who influenced your decision?
It was a mixture of everybody. I like to make people proud especially my parents. Just seeing their faces when my older brothers graduated from college, I want to see that face again for me. My parents, my friends, Coach Golden, just everybody really.
How does it feel to be back here after being out on your own?
It is not as easy as I thought it would be to come back to school. Sitting in classes is hard. It's not like sitting in the football room. It's not the same at all. It's really difficult. Everybody thinks it's just easy and literally just flip a switch, but it's really not like that. You have to put a lot of time into it. It takes a lot of dedication.
As far as being around my old friends, it's awesome; it's great. Seeing all the old faces … I was all the way out in California, not knowing anybody, so being back around friends is a great feeling. Academically it's not easy.
Have you met the new coaching staff?
Yes.
What do you think?
I like them; I like them a lot. The head coach is from Connecticut, so we clicked. I met him at a basketball game, and the next day I went to his office and had a conversation with him. I told him what I've been through and how things were when I was playing for Temple and how we had things under control in a way. He's a great guy. I like him a lot.
Now do you get to work out in Edberg-Olson at all?
I'm actually going to start working out over at the IBC with Andre (Neblett) at night, because our schedules are hectic. We don't have time to work out during the day. So we'll work out at night time. But when it gets warm, we'll run at EO with the new strength coach.
Providing the lockout is over soon, when will training camp start for you?
We should report back at the end of May. If that happens, I'll have to come back next year to take that one class. I'm definitely not going to give up on school. If we have to report back, I'll report back. That's my job. It's a job now.
How does it feel to have a real paycheck?
Seeing that first paycheck was just … I was in awe. I never thought I would see something like that.
What luxury item or guilty pleasure did you indulge yourself in with your first paycheck?
My Mercedes-Benz.
Anything you want to share with the Temple fans and alumni?
It's just a blessing. I'm glad I went to Temple. This has been the best experience I've ever been through. I've met so many people I know I'm going to cherish all my life. I'm glad I am a part of the Temple family.
Alex Joseph
Linebacker
Stamford, Conn.
Where are you now and what's your position?
San Francisco 49ers. I'm playing linebacker.
How did you end up there?
I actually moved around. I was with Green Bay. I did the whole (training) camp. Then I partially tore my quad. They held onto me for a while, and I kind of healed up a little bit, but it was too late, so they let me go. It's completely healed. Then Oakland picked me up. I was on their practice squad. I forget how long … around two months, maybe a little less. Then I guess the numbers game kicked in, because some guys got hurt, and they had to bring in new guys. I was released. I was home for a little bit. Then Carolina picked me up. I was with Andre (Neblett) for two weeks. Then my agent called me and said Oakland wanted me back, but they said they wanted to sign me for next year, but he said San Fran wanted me now. I just wanted the opportunity to get on the field, so I obviously went to San Fran. They love me over there. I played in the last game.
When did you go to San Francisco?
The last week of the season. December, I believe.
How was your rookie season?
It was pretty shaky. It was crazy bouncing around. It wasn't easy, but I've been through a lot of adversity, so it's just something I told myself to keep pushing. It's going to get hard; nothing's easy. I just took advantage of that, and just kept going.
What was your biggest surprise and what was your biggest hurdle?
Biggest surprise was how quickly I can adapt to the NFL. I thought it would be a lot harder, but Coach Golden actually prepared us for everything. Everything we did in college was exactly what we did in the NFL. I caught onto it the first day, and I knew what I was doing.
The biggest hurdle was just the terminology of the plays. They're the same thing, but just the terms kill you. The coaches want you to speak their language. That was the hard part, and studying, and trying to get the words right when you're having a conversation with the coaches.
You're poised to return once the lockout is over?
Yes.
What advice would you give to your younger, Temple teammates?
Just listen to the coaches. Pay attention to the coaches, because they really know what's going on. A lot of guys think that just because they're coaches that they don't really know that position or if another coach tells you something, that's a different position coach, and they don't really know. They all know what they're doing. They coach for a reason. Coaching takes you a long way.
What's your major?
Criminal Justice
How many credits do you need?
I should be graduating following summer 1. I need five classes. I'm taking four right now.
Will you go through graduation ceremonies in May?
Yeah, I think I'll do spring commencement.
Why did you want to come back?
I came to school to get a degree, so I can't just go into the NFL and say, 'hey, I don't need it.' Plus, I always wanted to join the Secret Service. I need my degree for that in order to enroll. That's something I've always wanted to do.
Who influenced your decision?
It was a mixture of everybody. I like to make people proud especially my parents. Just seeing their faces when my older brothers graduated from college, I want to see that face again for me. My parents, my friends, Coach Golden, just everybody really.
How does it feel to be back here after being out on your own?
It is not as easy as I thought it would be to come back to school. Sitting in classes is hard. It's not like sitting in the football room. It's not the same at all. It's really difficult. Everybody thinks it's just easy and literally just flip a switch, but it's really not like that. You have to put a lot of time into it. It takes a lot of dedication.
As far as being around my old friends, it's awesome; it's great. Seeing all the old faces … I was all the way out in California, not knowing anybody, so being back around friends is a great feeling. Academically it's not easy.
Have you met the new coaching staff?
Yes.
What do you think?
I like them; I like them a lot. The head coach is from Connecticut, so we clicked. I met him at a basketball game, and the next day I went to his office and had a conversation with him. I told him what I've been through and how things were when I was playing for Temple and how we had things under control in a way. He's a great guy. I like him a lot.
Now do you get to work out in Edberg-Olson at all?
I'm actually going to start working out over at the IBC with Andre (Neblett) at night, because our schedules are hectic. We don't have time to work out during the day. So we'll work out at night time. But when it gets warm, we'll run at EO with the new strength coach.
Providing the lockout is over soon, when will training camp start for you?
We should report back at the end of May. If that happens, I'll have to come back next year to take that one class. I'm definitely not going to give up on school. If we have to report back, I'll report back. That's my job. It's a job now.
How does it feel to have a real paycheck?
Seeing that first paycheck was just … I was in awe. I never thought I would see something like that.
What luxury item or guilty pleasure did you indulge yourself in with your first paycheck?
My Mercedes-Benz.
Anything you want to share with the Temple fans and alumni?
It's just a blessing. I'm glad I went to Temple. This has been the best experience I've ever been through. I've met so many people I know I'm going to cherish all my life. I'm glad I am a part of the Temple family.
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