"It's an incredible environment, a great fan base, and there are a lot of nerves involved."
No, ex-Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer wasn't talking about a trip to Heinz Field or any of the stadiums he played in throughout his 11 year NFL career. Instead he was discussing the 25th annual American Century Championship, a nationally televised celebrity golf tournament that Dilfer has competed in for the past decade.
While Dilfer and the other celebrities who descend on Reno-Tahoe each July may not be Tiger Woods -- although Dilfer is an excellent golfer and has seven top-10 finishes in the event -- the chance to play on a high quality course in front of a large gallery is tough to beat.
"All of us celebrities want to be PGA tour golfers," Dilfer said in a conference call promoting the tournament. "At the [American Century Championship] you feel as if you're playing in a professional event."
While the 42-year-old's days may feature golf as much as football Dilfer, who is now an analyst for ESPN, had plenty to say about last week's NFL draft — including how the Ravens fared.
"Ozzie [Newsome] and the front office did a great job as always," he said. "You have certain teams that, when you look at the guys they drafted, it just makes sense. The Ravens are one of those teams."
He pegged first round pick C.J. Mosley as a "tough, hardnosed" linebacker who "loves to play football." He believes that Moseley will fit in well and will contribute immediately for the Ravens.
Dilfer also talked about Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, who he has gotten to know through his quarterback camp. He has mixed opinions of Manziel's NFL prospects.
"Everything that has been said about him, positive or negative, I agree with," he said. "He lives to compete and that's a trait which is great in sports and not as great in life. How he finds the sweet spot where he can temper his competitive edge is crucial."