Defensive tackle Tim Bulman became a key defensive contributor last season, finishing second on the team in sacks with four. The Boston native, who is known for his high motor and competitive spirit, is getting a head start on next season with a new training program.
- How have you been spending the offseason so far?
"For the most part, I have been relaxing and taking time to enjoy being with my family, friends and girlfriend. I'm doing all the things that I didn't get to do during the regular season. I've been taking weekend trips. I've also been working out and trying to get a jump on things before I get back to Houston."
- You are the type of guy who goes 110 percent. How do you approach your offseason workouts?
"I don't really run until the end of March. I do a lot of cardio, but I do stuff that doesn't involve pounding or is hard on your knees or ankles. I do hit the weight room pretty hard. My goal is to build my lean muscle mass and make sure I'm in the best shape possible before things get going again. I'm already itching for us to get started."
{QUOTE}3. What kind of nutritional regimen do you follow?
"Getting lean muscle mass is all about diet. I have been working with (team dietician) Roberta Anding, and she had me eating about every two to three hours during the day. I've been on a really good regimen. I get up about 7:30 a.m. every day and make myself breakfast. Actually, it's been really good because I've been on a good sleep cycle, which helps my body get to where it needs to be. I want to just cut fat and gain muscle. So far, it's been working."
- What kind of foods do you make for yourself?
"I have been eating a lot of vegetables and a lot of protein, especially fish. I make myself eggs in the morning and I don't eat a lot of red meat these days. I have been holding my cheat days to a minimum. I feel like this is my time where I can gain an edge from people. Monitoring my diet has really helped me in the past and my regimen has kept me in the league. So I'm not going to break it. If anything, I'll turn it up a few notches."
- What do you think about Frank Bush becoming the defensive coordinator?
"I love Frank. He is the only coach in the NFL that I have been with for all four years of my career. He was in Arizona when I was a rookie and for my second training camp. I actually have had all my training camps with Frank. I can't say enough about the guy. He is one of the brightest guys from a football standpoint. He knows every defensive position and what he wants from that position. He's very smart in what he is what he is doing from a scheme standpoint."
- Bush is known for getting players to buy into his system. What kind of motivator is he?
"Frank gets his players to play with energy, and I love it. You want to bleed for your coach, so that when you go out there, you aren't just doing it for yourself. You want to do it for your teammates, but it's key that you believe in your coach and you want to go out there and bleed for him. With coach (Gary) Kubiak, I want to bleed for him. And I feel the same way about Frank. He's one of the best coaches I have ever had. When I head he got the job, I literally was jumping up and down."
- What do you think Frank Bush will change schematically with the defensive line?
"I'm not sure what he has game planned, but I know his style and how he would like to do things. I like it because it's simpler for the defensive line. You go upfield, you stay in your gap and you explode off the ball. I feel that kind of defense creates havoc. I know gaps are blown up. As long as you know what you are doing and you are creating havoc as a d-line, you are really going to disrupt plays. I feel like more explosive plays will be made. It's the style of play I played in college and it's the style of play I really enjoy, so I'm excited about it."
- What are your thought on the new defensive line coach Bill Kollar?
"I've heard he's a great guy. Frank said Bill is right up my alley – that he's a fair coach and a coach that will get everything out of you. He's obviously got a great resume. I know Jeff Zgonina played for him, and Jeff game me a call and told me that he was a heck of a coach. He's been in the big games, he knows what to expect and he's coached great players. Honestly, I love starting with a clean slate and having the same opportunity as everyone else does."
- You were in Hawaii with the defensive line for the Pro Bowl. Any funny stories from the trip?
"N.D. Kalu came on the trip. His wife told him, 'Go have fun with the guys. It's your last time to go with the team.' It was his farewell song. The guy gets there and I call him to get something to eat. He doesn't answer. I call him the next day, and he says he just fell asleep and had the best sleep of his life. I am thinking, 'I can understand that with the jet lag and all.' Then, for the rest of the time he was in Hawaii, he went to bed by eight every night. He just slept. At the end of the trip, I said, 'Dude, I have to take a picture of you to document that you were actually on the trip, because there were no pictures with you here.'"
- You are a huge Celtics fan. How do you feel about their chances this season?
"I think they are doing great. I am going to try to go to a game this week. I haven't had a chance so far this year. If I have to go scalp tickets, so be it. I think they are on their way. I am a little disappointed because I know Ephraim (Salaam) is going to give me crap about the Lakers because the Lakers beat them in overtime in Boston. That does hurt a little, but it's all about the playoffs."
