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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Andre Caldwell
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
14/10/2009
Emerging star Andre Caldwell has been the hero in two of the Cincinnati Bengals’ four last gasp wins scoring game winning touchdowns in the dying seconds against the Super Bowl champion Steelers in week three, and the much-hyped Ravens in week five.
Now in his second year with the Bengals, Andre is coming into his own as a clutch, big-play receiver and is working hard to take his game to the next level. With a 2006 National Championship with Florida on his resume and Cincinnati atop the AFC North standings, it’s so far, so good in the career arc of Andre Caldwell.
The Diner caught up with him on Tuesday, just two days after his latest Houdini act a 20-yard game-winning grab with 22 seconds to play in Baltimore.
FD
 First thing’s first Andre: congratulations on your game winning touchdown catch versus Baltimore on Sunday how did that feel?
Andre Caldwell
Thanks; I was very excited about it. It was great for the team and great for the organisation to get that win against a big opponent. It was great for my confidence too.
FD
It was the play that gave the Bengals sole possession of the AFC North lead talk us through it a little bit
Andre Caldwell
There was man-to-man coverage and it was a playcall where everybody went deep. I had a good feeling the ball would come my way somehow, and I got open one-on-one and got behind the safety. When I beat my man over the top and I saw the ball come out of Carson’s hand, I knew we had it.
FD
You also caught the game-winning touchdown in the dying seconds against Pittsburgh in week three you have to admit your sophomore NFL season is going pretty well so far
Andre Caldwell
Oh I’m living the dream. I never imagined in a million years I’d be in the position to make these sorts of plays so early in may career playing with great teammates and a great quarterback who, when crunch time comes, throws the ball to me.
FD
Do you have to have ice water running through your veins to make that kind of play?
Andre Caldwell
You’ve got to have nerves of steel! Some people fold in those situations, but I’ve learned from the guys around me and I’ve been able to get it done.
FD
You’re part of a great group of receivers in Cincinnati including Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry can you learn a lot from them?
Andre Caldwell
Those other veterans are remarkable and I learn from them every day. It makes it easier on Sundays because you play with these guys through the week. Chad and Coles and TJ Houshmandzadeh last year have taught me a lot.
FD
It must be a bit of a challenge simply to get on the field
Andre Caldwell
It’s a big challenge! Nothing’s easy, it means you’ve got to work harder to make sure the ball comes your way. It’s helped me that I spent the off-season working on my timing with Carson Palmer down in California, and now my goal is to develop into that go-to guy for him.
FD
What’s it like having Carson as your quarterback?
Andre Caldwell
 He’s one of the top five in the game; he’s elite. He’s knocked off the rust from the injuries and he always puts the ball where it needs to be. His work ethic is second to none.
FD
And what about having Ochocinco as your running mate?
Andre Caldwell
He’s fun to work with! He clowns around but he also works harder than anybody else on the field. When game time comes, it’s strictly business with him, there’s just no quit. It’s hard to match him he’s always in the film room, he’s always doing extra reps after practice, he’s always working to improve.
FD
Let’s get to the Bengals’ performance so far. You guys are one of the surprise stories of the season how far can you go as a team?
Andre Caldwell
I think we can be an 11, 12-win team, we have that much talent, that much fight. Lots of people doubted us, but we’ve beaten some top teams, beaten the Super Bowl champions. We’re winning those marquee games and no one can say we’re a pushover.
FD
How about going undefeated in the division so far did you expect it?
Andre Caldwell
Yeah I expected it. You can never be certain but I knew our chemistry going in would give us an advantage. Our goal now is to ride the momentum and win that division crown.
FD
You must be biting your fingernails a bit though with all these close finishes?
Andre Caldwell
It’s real intense in those situations, but if you look at us on the sidelines, in the huddle, our players believe we’ll win, especially with Carson as our leader he’s calm and confident the whole way.
FD
What does he say in those situations?
Andre Caldwell
The best example is versus the Steelers in week three. He came into the huddle and he told us we’d be going for two after we get the go-ahead touchdown. The only thing was we still had 70 yards to go before we could get that touchdown! We feed off his confidence.
FD
You’re no stranger to winning you captured a National Championship in 2006 with Florida. Was that the single biggest moment of your sporting career so far?
Andre Caldwell
 Yeah, that’s the proudest moment so far not many people ever get to achieve that. It’s so hard for me to put into words. I was on top of the world, and it was something I’d dreamt about since I was a little kid. From day one, before the season even started, me and my Florida teammates said: We’re gonna do whatever it takes to win the whole thing. We were determined.
FD
Did it help to follow in the footsteps of your brother Reche? He played at Florida and for seven years in the NFL too
Andre Caldwell
He’s been a great help, taught me a lot of things, like what it takes to be a player, how to be a man period. He helped me to be the professional I am today, showed me how to put in those ten hour days of practice and study.
FD
And now your career is in the ascendant what are your goals for the season and beyond?
Andre Caldwell
I want to play a long time, win championships and be a Pro Bowl player I want to do great things! Off the pitch, I also produce music and design clothes and shoes, so I hope to have my own business too.
FD
You’re an ambitious man. Any ambitions to come over to London and be part of the International Series one day?
Andre Caldwell
I would love that. I’ve never been but I’ve seen it on TV and there’s a great atmosphere and great fans. Playing out there would be incredible, especially winning over so many new Bengals fans.
FD
We’ll start spreading the word about the clothing line in the meantime. Lastly then Andre, Houston are up next surely you can’t catch another game winner as time expires?
Andre Caldwell
I hope not, because I hope we can put them away earlier this time! But if the situation arises again, I’ll be ready like before, you can count on it.
FD
Thanks for talking to us Andre we’ll be watching with baited breath
Andre Caldwell
You bet.
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