Smith: "Welcome everyone, Steven B. Smith here bringing you a new interview. Today I am joined by a rookie to the league who just had his first few weeks with the Minnesota Grey Ducks, Chris Kross. How are you doing Chris?"
Kross: "Hey Steven I am doing great and very excited to be here. Thank you for having me."
Smith: "Alright alright enough with the formalities. You were born and raised in Hawaii and even went to college there. How is it now living this far from home in Minnesota?"
Kross: "Let me tell you it takes some time to get use to this weather. In Hawaii we think 70's are cold but over here it gets down into the negatives. My first week I huddled up in my bed every chance I had to try and not freeze to death. The great thing though is the people around here are good people. It feels a bit like home where everyone is so friendly just minus the freezing weather and the snow."
Smith: "(laughs) Well if you think its bad now, just wait til January when this Minnesota weather is at its coldest. What's it like being the new kid on the block on a team who now has the best record in the NFC?"
Kross: "It's been pretty crazy. We got a lot of good guys so everyday is a battle to improve and carve out a role for yourself on the team. Especially coming to such a good team everyone is trying their best to get better and as the new guy I really have to put in that extra effort to impress the coaches."
Smith: "Speaking of carving out a role, your team has a clear number 1 wide receiver on your team in Thompson but the number 2 role seems to be up in the air. Do you think you have a shot at taking it?"
Kross: "Of course. I didn't join the league thinking I couldn't be one of the best. So becoming the number 2 on my team is well within my abilities. Also I am not just going to settle for that number 2 role. Thompson is a great receiver and an even greater guy, but you better believe that I am coming for that number 1 spot."
Smith: "Sounds like we should be in for a treat with you two battling it out. Now your first couple of weeks are in the books, how do you feel you did?"
Kross: "I feel like I did alright. I caught all of my targets, but there is still a lot I can improve on. Unlike college the DB's in the league are another animal. I got to work harder to get better separation and make it easier on Zach. Also I didn't have much yardage or a touchdown so I really need to get better at making some plays when I get the ball in my hands and get some yards after the catch."
Smith: "Sounds like you got a lot to work on, but good to here you know what the next steps are. The conference championship is coming up and you guys play the Pythons in order to move on and have a shot at the Ultimini. How do you think it's gonna go?"
Kross: "I think it is going to be a great game. We secured home field advantage which is huge because their stadium is a hard place to play in, but now they have to come to ours and we have some great fans who make a lot of noise. They are a good team with some good players, but our coaches have a great plan and if we stick to it and play up to our standards I feel like we can come out with a win."
Smith: "Should be a good game. One last question. You may be playing for the Grey Ducks now, but your draft day has yet to come. You could be playing for another team if someone else decides to pick you up. How do you think that will affect you moving forward?"
Kross: "Right now I am just focusing on what I can do to help my team now and not looking to far into the future. I would love to stay with the Grey Ducks as the coaches are great, I love the atmosphere and the fans are some of the best out there. But if i do end up on another team then so be it. I just gotta work my hardest and do my best to make my team the best. No matter where I end up.
Smith: "Anything you want to say to anyone before we end this interview?"
Kross: "I just want to say thank you to all the fans who have been cheering us on through the good and the bad. Without you guys we wouldn't be able to work as hard as we do. Also wanna say Hi to my mom and dad in Hawaii. Your boy is doing his best to make you guys proud. Lastly to my team. Lets keep working hard and end this season with a bang."
Smith: "Well Chris thank you for doing this interview with me. I wish you and the Grey Ducks the best of luck and hope to see you some day in the future."
Kross: "Once again thank you for having me Steven."
Kross: "Hey Steven I am doing great and very excited to be here. Thank you for having me."
Smith: "Alright alright enough with the formalities. You were born and raised in Hawaii and even went to college there. How is it now living this far from home in Minnesota?"
Kross: "Let me tell you it takes some time to get use to this weather. In Hawaii we think 70's are cold but over here it gets down into the negatives. My first week I huddled up in my bed every chance I had to try and not freeze to death. The great thing though is the people around here are good people. It feels a bit like home where everyone is so friendly just minus the freezing weather and the snow."
Smith: "(laughs) Well if you think its bad now, just wait til January when this Minnesota weather is at its coldest. What's it like being the new kid on the block on a team who now has the best record in the NFC?"
Kross: "It's been pretty crazy. We got a lot of good guys so everyday is a battle to improve and carve out a role for yourself on the team. Especially coming to such a good team everyone is trying their best to get better and as the new guy I really have to put in that extra effort to impress the coaches."
Smith: "Speaking of carving out a role, your team has a clear number 1 wide receiver on your team in Thompson but the number 2 role seems to be up in the air. Do you think you have a shot at taking it?"
Kross: "Of course. I didn't join the league thinking I couldn't be one of the best. So becoming the number 2 on my team is well within my abilities. Also I am not just going to settle for that number 2 role. Thompson is a great receiver and an even greater guy, but you better believe that I am coming for that number 1 spot."
Smith: "Sounds like we should be in for a treat with you two battling it out. Now your first couple of weeks are in the books, how do you feel you did?"
Kross: "I feel like I did alright. I caught all of my targets, but there is still a lot I can improve on. Unlike college the DB's in the league are another animal. I got to work harder to get better separation and make it easier on Zach. Also I didn't have much yardage or a touchdown so I really need to get better at making some plays when I get the ball in my hands and get some yards after the catch."
Smith: "Sounds like you got a lot to work on, but good to here you know what the next steps are. The conference championship is coming up and you guys play the Pythons in order to move on and have a shot at the Ultimini. How do you think it's gonna go?"
Kross: "I think it is going to be a great game. We secured home field advantage which is huge because their stadium is a hard place to play in, but now they have to come to ours and we have some great fans who make a lot of noise. They are a good team with some good players, but our coaches have a great plan and if we stick to it and play up to our standards I feel like we can come out with a win."
Smith: "Should be a good game. One last question. You may be playing for the Grey Ducks now, but your draft day has yet to come. You could be playing for another team if someone else decides to pick you up. How do you think that will affect you moving forward?"
Kross: "Right now I am just focusing on what I can do to help my team now and not looking to far into the future. I would love to stay with the Grey Ducks as the coaches are great, I love the atmosphere and the fans are some of the best out there. But if i do end up on another team then so be it. I just gotta work my hardest and do my best to make my team the best. No matter where I end up.
Smith: "Anything you want to say to anyone before we end this interview?"
Kross: "I just want to say thank you to all the fans who have been cheering us on through the good and the bad. Without you guys we wouldn't be able to work as hard as we do. Also wanna say Hi to my mom and dad in Hawaii. Your boy is doing his best to make you guys proud. Lastly to my team. Lets keep working hard and end this season with a bang."
Smith: "Well Chris thank you for doing this interview with me. I wish you and the Grey Ducks the best of luck and hope to see you some day in the future."
Kross: "Once again thank you for having me Steven."