Monroe, New York product Patrick Laird was indoctrinated into the United States Military Academy before any of his classmates and teammates were able to say their first words.

Yes, Laird was actually born on the campus of West Point and now the junior wide receiver has adjusted to life as a starter for the Army Black Knights. With 5 games under his belt, he is becoming more dependable as both a receiver and blocker, as well as battle tested each week.

Laird took some time out of his busy schedule of a one-on-one Q&A with GoBlackKnights.com.

GBK: Were you destined to attend West Point, after being born on grounds of the academy and how exactly did that happen?

Laird: Yes I was born at Keller Army Hospital {laughing}. My parents were both in the Army at the time ... both officers. My mom was teaching in the Dept. of Physical Education and she was living on West Point. Actually, my family had just moved to Highland Mills and my Mom was still working at West Point and that was her doctor throughout her pregnancy, so she ended up going to Keller for my birthing.

GBK: With 6 catches for 91 yards and a long of 33 yards on the year. Do me a favor and translate that into dog years, meaning, how does that translate into receiving yards outside of Army's triple option offense.

Laird: I think in the Army offense a couple catches a game isn't too bad {chuckles}. Either way it doesn't matter, because most of our passes are play action anyway, so I guess I have to thank the run game for my catches. But it's nice to get a few catches in our offense, but my main priority to go out there and block for our running game.

GBK: You are listed at 6-foot-3, 219 ... what is your current height & weight?

Laird: I'm 6'3" with shoes on, so I'm about 6'2 1/2", 220, but I kind of fluctuate in weight. It goes from 218 to 222 pounds.

GBK: Most folks see you, they see tight end. Do you feel with the blocking schemes that your role is more of that of a tight end versus wide receiver.

Laird: I think that I am used as both equally, especially this year. Last year I was more of a tight end. When we are in the boundary, Coach Guyader (Andy) thinks I can play that position pretty well and us my strength to my advantage and keep those d-backs off the running game. Coach Shields (Ian) has incorporated that tight-end offense in a little bit, so I'm able to block some defensive ends a little bit too, which is interesting. I never really got to do it in high school, but it's fun now.

GBK: Now you came into the academy with a high school teammate in Jared McFarlin. Needless to say, Jared's no longer a part of the team and presently running track. What is it that has assisted you to endure the course, not only on the gridiron, but also balancing football into your day-to-day?

Laird: Well it's tough, especially during the season, but I try to take it one thing at a time ... both football and school. So when I'm at football, I'm focusing on football and once I'm done with football before we go to meetings throughout the day, I'm going to be doing my academics and make sure I knock out all those great events like projects I have to get them done as soon as possible. Everyone knows that every West Point cadet has a tough work load. Even though my semester isn't as tough schedule as some ... on top of football it does make it a little difficult. I still have some work to do every day, I'm always pretty busy.

GBK: You aren't the fastest guy, and when some fans look at you, they see tight end versus wideout. What do you consider to be your biggest attribute as a receiver?

Laird: Like I said earlier, my receiver coach, Coach Guyader always tells me that my biggest strength is my strength. So, I would say being a little bigger than some of the defensive backs out there when I am out at receiver.

A benefit to me is that I am always ready to go get the ball and that's one the things that I have always been good at. I like to go up and challenge the defender to go get it. I don't want to wait for it.

GBK: It seems like Chevaughn Lawrence is coming around opposite you and made a great catch against BC. Talk to me about what you like about Lawrence's talent.

Laird: I think Chevaughn is a great compliment to me. With his speed and athleticism in the open field when I'm to the boundary and he's to the field ... it's two very different type of receivers coming at them. They have to worry about him going and making those quick plays or jumping up getting the ball. Then they have to worry about me possibly coming down and blocking some guys opposite side. But he is also very good at coming down and making the block. It's a nice little threat from both sides.

GBK: How did it feel to not only win on Saturday, but who you beat and how you beat them?

Laird: I think that being at home was one of the great benefits we had there. I heard that you could hear the fans across the river. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's the story I'm sticking with {laughing}. But I do know they (fans) were getting loud, we were in standing room only so it was awesome to have everyone going nuts at the end of the game ... supporting our defense. It was almost hard to quiet them when the offense was on the field.

It was a little frustrating that we didn't get in from the one (4th & goal @ the 1 yard line), but it just made that last touchdown all that better.

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