EDITOR'S NOTE: Cornerback Antwaun Molden, a third-round draft choice at No. 79 overall out of Eastern Kentucky, is providing fans with periodic diary entries throughout his rookie season on HoustonTexans.com.
To all my fans -
I've never experienced anything like this whole hurricane situation. I'm from Cleveland, of course, so we don't get tropical storms up there. But I am concerned for the people here and their families and I hope they evacuate in time and I hope the storm doesn't hit as bad as people say it's going to hit.
We really didn't know what was going to happen as far as our game goes until about 5 in the evening on Thursday, but right now you've just got to go which way the pendulum swings. It's so hard because you've got to stay focused on the task at hand, but then again on the outside you hear people talking about that it's a catastrophic storm. And again, you know, you've just got to stay focused.
As far as the possibility of flooding where I'm staying, I think that's always a concern. I think first and foremost, you've got to prepare for it. Storms like this, I've heard you've just got to prepare for it and expect the worst.
But at least we know when we're playing now with the game being moved back a day. It's my first Monday night game. I think we're all looking forward to it. I know the Baltimore Ravens are a great team. They have a great defense.
Whether it's broadcast nationally or not, we're going to come to play. It's a game either way.
In the Pittsburgh game, I just didn't do well. I had some mistakes on special teams. It was disappointing, but we've just got to go back to the drawing board and go back to the coaches. I know Ray Bob is going to put me in a good situation this week, and I'm going to prepare the best I can.
I know the Ravens are a good offense. You've got a Pro Bowl guy with Derrick Mason. He's a great receiver. Mark Clayton from Oklahoma. You've got Willis McGahee, Todd Heap. They've got firepower. They're a great offense.
{QUOTE}I watched Joe Flacco, their quarterback, in college. He's a small-school guy like myself. He's made a tremendous leap, just from showing his talent in the Senior Bowl. He's a great athlete and he has a big arm. He has great upside and I've seen tremendous growth, so he's a guy that you can't take lightly, either.
On a side note, I can't wait for that Ohio State-USC game this weekend. Being a big Ohio State fan, of course I'm going to be watching the game. You already know I'm going for them Buckeyes. I don't have a prediction, but I know it's going to be a hard-hitting, hard-fought game. I'm guessing a low-scoring game in the teens, in the 20s, and I think it's going to be one of those games that determines who goes to the National Championship if everything plays out right.
My friend from high school, Ray Small, plays wide receiver for the Buckeyes. You might have seem his name out there in the news this week – he said some things about USC that made some headlines and I heard he got some people fired up.
I wouldn't necessarily say it's trash talk, though. I mean, I guess he's voicing his opinion. I'm pretty sure others have voiced their opinion. The difference between theirs and his is his opinion was just broadcast and put in the media. And actually, he's a very quiet guy. That's why it shocked me when I heard about it.
But Ray, he's a hard worker. He's come a long way, obviously, and just me being around him, I know that Ray, he's going to strap it up and back up every word. And so I'm praying for him and the team to have a good game.
Thanks for all your continued support, and stay safe from the storm this weekend.
- Antwaun
ANTWAUN MOLDEN DIARY ARCHIVE
**9/5** - Answering fan questions; preparing for Pittsburgh
**8/26** - Watching Harry Williams go down
**8/20** - Looking back on a week in New Orleans
**8/8** - Excited for my first game; rookie hazing
**8/2** - Training camp - tiring, but not overwhelming
**7/27**;/1218232188794/) - Life as a rookie in a new city
Questions for Antwaun that you'd like to see answered in his next diary entry? Post a comment, or send an e-mail to the editor at **nscurfield@houstontexans.com*.*
