Everyone's waiting to find out just how ready new middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is to contribute after almost two years away from the game. Well, the one player with the best handle on an answer to that question is practice squad fullback Marcus Mailei, who spent the bye week working one-on-one with Trotter. The linebacker worked against Mailei in a variety of football drills.

"I think he's ready to step in and contribute to the (middle linebacker) position," Mailei said. "He came downhill, brought the wood and covered me well on passes. Every time I tried to cut back, he was always there, so I think he's doing well ... I think he's ready to bang."

Mailei was impressed with Trotter's physicality and lateral movement, but he was also somewhat intimidated by the veteran at first.

"It was great, I got to hit against him in full pads," Mailei said. "I was a little nervous; it kind of had a little "Pros vs. Joes" flavor to it.

"I was stressing out a little bit because the one-on-ones, it reminded me a little bit of training camp and what it took to get here. So, I was little nervous, then when I met him, I was even more nervous. I was like, I know his name, but it was just a great experience overall."

Mailei, a rookie from Weber State, said he could also tell Trotter was a team leader right away.

"(Trotter) does (come here as a leader)," Mailei said. "He was coming right out of the film room, just saying 'Hey, what's up, you guys ready to get to work?' So he definitely has that leader vibe to him."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 3:31 p.m., October 6