The Harrington Family Foundation

Q. With the mini-camps over, you don't have to be back until you report to training camp July 23. You'll keep working out, but don't you need some free time, too?

A: It's been a long 12 weeks since the off-season workouts began, but I was here four weeks before that. It's been a long 16 weeks. Realistically, some good rest is just as important as working hard. I'm going to take a family vacation the first week in July. I'm going to take some time to myself and get away from everybody and get fresh for camp.

Q: Is it an important time to get ready for the grind of the season?

A.There are a lot of demands on my time during the season, even during the off-season. Once you get into the season, it's 20 weeks straight of pushing. I really need to be fresh.

Q: Was there any way to prepare for the long season last year?

A.No. You cannot tell a rookie how long the season is. You've got six weeks of camp instead of two (in college). You've got four preseason games. Once you get halfway through the season, you've already played an entire college season. It's a long, long haul. You can't prepare anyone for it. You've got to go through it.

Q.You're one year older, but in a football sense, have you aged more than that because of the experience of playing?

A: If anything, I might say it's the other way around. There are certain things you have to go through on the field. Those situations don't always happen every game. ... Maybe your football aging is slower than your actual aging. You see guys like Rich Gannon, guys who struggle through their first four, five, six years and finally hit their stride. You see a lot of guys 30-plus who are starting to come into their own.

Q: What else comes with being the starter in your second year?

A: People are looking at me to set an example. They're looking at me to lead the team on the field, and even off the field, show the rookies how to perform, how to act. It is a tough responsibility as a second-year guy. There are guys out here who have more experience than I do, but it comes with being the quarterback.

Q: What's the benefit of having played a season?

A.I can relax a little more. I don't have to worry about every little mistake. I know I can make some mistakes and learn from them, as opposed to making mistakes and worrying if it's going to hurt my chances.

Q: Do you think of plays when you're away from practice? Is it like having a projector in your mind?

A.I'll think about a couple plays I wish I could have had back.

Q: Do you rehash good plays or bad plays?

A.Bad plays. Good plays are done. You've done your job. Bad plays, you've got stuff to work on.

Q: You're putting on a concert in Portland later this month to raise money for charity. Are you going to be more nervous playing piano with Blues Traveler and Jason Mraz than you would be if you were throwing a pass to one of them?

A.I'll be 20 times more nervous. I've always been more nervous on the piano in front of crowds than I have been on the field. There are 21 other guys on the field that people can be looking at. But when it's a solo, it's all eyes on you.