EDITOR'S NOTE:*Cornerback Antwaun Molden, a third-round draft choice at No. 79 overall out of Eastern Kentucky, is providing fans with a weekly diary entry throughout his rookie season on HoustonTexans.com.
*It felt good going back home to Cleveland and seeing my family last week, seeing my old crowd. Family and friends were there to support me. It felt good.
Before the game, they didn't really want to see me because they just wanted me to concentrate. After the game is when I really saw them, and most of them were Browns fans, so I got to shove it in their face. Well, I didn't really shove it in their face too badly. But I was humbled by the whole experience. It was a great day. I just had fun.
My grandmother was wearing Texans stuff at the game. I had a few family members that had on my jersey but with a Browns hat. So, I'm hoping they're Texans fans at heart and Browns on the outside.
I stayed at home for a few days after the game because Coach Kubiak gave us time off from Monday through Wednesday. I was just relaxing. I didn't do anything. I was just sitting there with my family, being lazy, relaxing.
It was definitely refreshing. You've got to think, my last break was before football season of my senior year. I had to prepare for my senior year in college, and then after the season, I had to prepare for an all-star game, then the combine, then the private workouts. And then after you get drafted, then it's mini camp, then OTA's and then training camp. So it felt good just to go back home and take a deep breath and just see my family, settle down and eat some good food.
They all told me they were proud. They were very happy for me. You know, they were still shocked because before, they would watch football games on television, and to see their nephew and cousin actually play was a joy to them. So I was happy to see them happy.
{QUOTE}I got some more playing time in the game, too. It was fun. When you're out there, the emotion is flowing. You kind of have to settle yourself down and go through the progression of the calls. I was excited to be out there. I know what I can do and I was waiting for my opportunity. The coaches are throwing me in there. I just have to be ready.
They put me in on a couple of fourth downs, couple of third downs. But no matter what the situation is, you've got to be ready. I actually feed off of pressure situations. Most people get butterflies. That's my adrenaline. I love adrenaline. You know, I think that's what makes me the player I am, because I can feed off that type of stuff.
And now, our first Monday night game is coming up. I've never been a part of it. I know it's going to be a hostile environment. Words can't really explain how I'm feeling about it.
Other players who have been here for three or four years and haven't played in a Monday night game are excited. Just to hear them excited, that tells me how much it means to them. And I'm just a rookie, so that gets me even more fired up. This is a kid's dream. I know anyone would love to be in this position. I'm just grateful.
I'm looking forward to that hostile environment at Reliant Stadium on Monday. Be safe coming to the game, be safe going home – and we're going to give you a show, so bring your popcorn.
ANTWAUN MOLDEN DIARY ARCHIVE**11/21**- *Going back home to play at Cleveland
**11/14** - Preparing for another shot at Indy
**11/8**- Losing Zac Diles; trying to be a positive role model
**10/31**- *Riding a three-game winning streak; thoughts on trick-or-treating
**10/24** - Visiting local schools; making plays on special teams
**10/17** - Making my first tackle; Dunta Robinson's return
**10/10** - Moving past Indy; facing my old friend Teddy Ginn
**10/3** - Looking forward to my first home game
**9/26** - Contributing in any way that I can
**9/19** - Experiencing Hurricane Ike - my first hurricane
**9/12** - Anxious about the hurricane; playing on Monday night?
**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
Post a comment or e-mail the editor at *nscurfield@houstontexans.com* if you have a question for Antwaun that you'd like to see answered in his next diary entry.
