Steve Serby chatted with the Lions rookie defensive tackle and No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft about his on-field demeanor and his days at Nebraska.

Q: Describe your on-field temperament.

A: Very subtle. I would say almost nonchalant but very focused and worried about what I have to get done.

Q: Do you play angry?

A: I wouldn’t say (that) I play angry. I think playing angry keeps you out of focus. I would say I have a mean streak. If you happen to tick me off, or do something I don’t like, I definitely am a person who gets even through my play.

Q: What happened on the play where you threw Jake Delhomme to the ground?

A: I thought he had the ball, and I wanted to get him down as fast and as hard as I could.

Q: A scouting report on Ndamukong Suh?

A: That’s a tough one. I never really scouted myself. . . . Someone who’s versatile, you have to be aware of many different moves in the passing game. . . . Hard-nosed run stopper.

Q: Do opponents trash talk on the field?

A: Yeah, people love to trash talk, but it’s all words to me. You send your message by making plays and helping your team win.

Q: You don’t talk back?

A: No need. My pads on the plays I make talk for me.

Q: You’re not lacking in confidence.

A: No, not at all. That’s what hard work is for.

Q: How good do you want to be?

A: I want to be the best. You always want to be the best.

Q: What’s the best single play you ever made on any level?

A: 2008 vs. Colorado — I returned an interception for a touchdown and in the process ran over the QB, who happened to be the coach’s son.

Q: What did Bill Callahan mean to your career and what do you suspect he’s telling the Jets offensive line about you?

A: He’s one of the reasons I went to Nebraska, opened my eyes to NFL coaching style. I have no clue what he’s telling them, I’m not the same player I was.

Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL crackdown on helmet-to-helmet hits?

A: That’s a rule, something people have to deal with. I’m not always in the open field dealing with defenseless receivers. The same rule applies to quarterbacks. . . .

It means nothing to me.

Q: What have you observed about Brandon Moore on film?

A: He’s an athletic, mobile guard that knows how to play the game.

Q: How would you compare him with the Giants’ Chris Snee?

A: I think they’re very similar. They’re not subtle guys who sit back. They’re aggressive players more or less.

Q: Which quarterbacks would you like to sack?

A: I’d love to sack ’em all.

Q: Do you know Mark Sanchez?

A: I played with him in the Army All-America game. He’s a cool dude. Definitely laid-back.

Q: What defensive players do you like watching?

A: I just like watching defense as a whole.

Q: What about when you were younger?

A: I definitely watched Kyle Vanden Bosch, being from my school. Him and (Albert) Haynesworth played on the same (Titans) team (a few years ago). That’s a tandem I definitely watched closely. . . . (I also watch) the Dallas defense and the Steeler defense. . . . Dwight Freeney.

Q: What was it like meeting Adam Sandler and Kevin James at a NASCAR event at Michigan Speedway?

A: It was great meeting those guys. It was a lot of fun. They’re hilarious. They’re really down-to-earth people.

Q: When you were young, kids in Portland would bully you?

A: I don’t necessarily call it bullying. They’d give me a hard time. I held my own. Some people, I guess, tried to get on my nerves. I didn’t really take much from people.

Q: Your sister has called you a big goof. Are you?

A: Yeah I definitely am, if you’re lucky enough to keep me in my comfort zone. I’m very guarded if I don’t know you.

Q: What was it like for you getting your degree (construction management)?

A: It was a great feeling. It probably was the best feeling seeing my parents cry and be happy for me.

Q: Boyhood idol?

A: My father.

Q: Favorite single childhood memory?

A: When I purchased my very own bike. I saved up for the whole summer for it.

Q: Biggest influences growing up and in what way?

A: “Be your toughest critic,” told to me by someone in my childhood.

Q: Describe your basketball ability and who did you pattern your game after?

A: Athletic, versatile, enforcer. . . . Never patented myself, but always got compared to Charles Barkley. People said I was able to control my opponent, although I wasn’t always taller.

Q: Best single game you ever played on any level?

A: I’m not perfect, so no perfect game.

Q: What was it like for you being redshirted after two games as a freshman at Nebraska?

A: Painful.

Q: What do you do to relax?

A: Hang out with friends at home, watch ESPN, take a nap in my own bed, beat people in pool.

Q: Superstitions?

A: None.

Q: Worst fear?

A: Not being successful, not living up to and exceeding my potential in all aspects, both professionally and philanthropic.

Q: One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

A: Nothing.

Q: What was it like getting your hands on Brett Favre and did he say anything to you?

A: I barely touched him and no.

Q: What were your first impressions of Lambeau Field?

A: Amazing, an incredible venue.

Q: Why are the Lions close to being a playoff contender?

A: We have the right tools that just need to be put together.

Q: What drives you?

A: The fact that failure is not an option, and I like being good at what I love.

Q: Favorite movies?

A: Law Abiding Citizen; Inside Man

Q: Favorite actors?

A: Denzel Washington; Jamie Foxx

Q: Favorite actresses?

A: Gabrielle Union; Eva Mendez

Q: Favorite entertainers?

A: Jay-Z and Drake.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: My mom’s jerk chicken.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: Warren Buffett; President Obama; Nelson Mandela.

Q: What would you want Lions fans to say about you down the road?

A: A great guy within the community, and someone who definitely helped to turn the organization back around.