The Questions With L.j. Smith

What was your welcome-to-the-NFL moment?

At my first training camp [in 2003], the rookies had to take the veterans out for dinner at the Capital Grille [in Philadelphia]. The bill came. It was in the thousands.

What is your favorite off-day activity?

Playing video games--mainly NBA Live.

What's one thing about being in the NFL that people don't really think about?

We can't call in sick like everybody else. We've got to come to work no matter how we feel.

If I weren't in the NFL, I'd be ...

a teacher.

If I were NFL commissioner for a day, I'd ...

put in a rule that allows each player to take two sick days per month. Don't feel well? Take a sick day. Don't feel like practicing? Sick day.