Dec. 13--It was not the impression Eddie Goldman wanted to make on his first day of work in his first job out of college.
He tried to fight it, to push through the dizziness and prove he belonged on the Halas Hall practice field at the Bears' rookie-camp practice May 9. Before the session ended, though, the team's second-round draft pick -- all 336 pounds of him -- plodded off under trainer escort.
Goldman was frustrated and disappointed.
"When you get lightheaded, there's nothing you can do," he recalled Thursday. "You're helpless."
Helpless in the moment, yes. But in the greater scope of Goldman's transition from student-athlete to professional, he learned he must help himself.
Seven months later, Goldman sat near the Christmas tree in the lobby of team headquarters with 12 games' worth of production and even more learning experiences to put that unsatisfying first day into perspective.
After he returned to practice May 10, Goldman told media his back had tightened up. But the defensive tackle acknowledged Thursday he was dehydrated that morning.
For the Bears' youngest player, it was the impetus for a personal and professional evolution through which he has established himself as part of the foundation for a Bears defense under construction.
"I thought it was going to be a dream job," Goldman, 21, said. "And it is a dream job. But at the same time it's a blue-collar job.
"You have to bring it every day; it's not just what you see on Sundays. That's what some people don't realize."
Goldman's eyes were opened to the grind, routine and details required for on-field success. It's a big reason he enters the final quarter of the season leading all NFL rookies in sacks with 41/2.
Outside Halas Hall, he has improved his eating habits and committed to managing his time. Inside the building, he has embraced the mental components of preparation.
Coach John Fox has been pleased to see it. After Goldman left the first rookie-camp practice, Fox was less concerned about Goldman's hydration levels than how he would react to the adversity.
"When you have somebody young, you're just teaching -- even how to be a good young man," Fox said. "There's just a growing, teaching progression. Some guys learn faster or the light goes on.
"With Eddie, for being chronologically young he has continued to work at it. He has had some lulls (and) he has had some bright spots. He hasn't been super consistent, but he has hung in there. You just keep teaching ... and hopefully they improve."
Premium fuel
Goldman will sit down Saturday night to a meal that includes rice and pasta. On the eve of the Bears' game against the Redskins, the team he followed growing up in Northeast Washington, D.C., his plan for success already will be in action.
Goldman has grown to appreciate how the right food -- those two sources of carbohydrates and perhaps some protein in the form of grilled chicken -- is critical to game preparation.
"You feel more active," he said. "You feel more energized. You feel like you can do more."
What seems obvious now wasn't so easy for Goldman to apply as a college player. He doesn't like to cook and, like many adults young and old, has a soft spot for dining out.
Goldman's premature departure from his first practice prompted the Bears to act. They implored him to get help preparing his meals at home and sports science coordinator Jenn Gibson spearheaded his education about food.
She has had a lot of help, including Goldman's father, Eddie Muhammad, who continues to play a large role mentoring his son.
"I don't care who you are," Muhammad said. "At 21 years old, you're very green about a lot of things, even if this is your profession and you get paid to change your eating habits and the culture of your intake of foods. Once he started seeing the end result of just the mentality that he's supposed to have as far as going about being a professional, he's accepting it more and it's easy to do."
Goldman doesn't count calories, but he pays closer attention to food choices.
He tries to "stay away from greasier foods," he said. He still dines out but tries to summon the self-discipline to order a grilled chicken salad. That has helped him maintain his team-mandated weight of 328 pounds.
"Lighter is always better," Goldman said, the braces on his teeth adding sparkle to his smile. "Every D-lineman wants to feel fast."
Staying hydrated is another focus. The Bears introduced him to The Right Stuff, a liquid concentrate NASA developed to help astronauts combat involuntary dehydration. It contains 1,780 milligrams of sodium per serving and no sugars. Even mixed with water, it's a salty drink not designed for taste.
"Do you ever want to put regular gasoline into a Ferrari?" Bears defensive line coach Jay Rodgers said. "Their bodies are their temples, and they use their bodies to maintain their careers. We educate the guys a lot and hopefully ... they make smart decisions."
All in the details
Muhammad knew his son's mindset before he phoned Tuesday night for their weekly recap of the previous Sunday's game.
Goldman played "probably one of his better games" against the 49ers, Fox said. But even after adding two sacks, a blocked extra point and three solo tackles to his rookie totals, Muhammad knew the Bears' crushing loss would outweigh any personal gratification Goldman felt.
Indeed, Goldman was stealth in escaping the home locker room Sunday.
"I ingrained in his personality, 'Don't talk about it, be about it,'" Muhammad said. "Talking is for suckers. Do it (instead)."
That's why Goldman shrugged Thursday when asked what he's proudest of seven months into his pro career.
"Nothing really, man," he said. "I haven't accomplished anything."
But even Muhammad would agree his son is selling himself short on that one.
Goldman has established a productive in-season routine: back and forth to Halas Hall from the house he rents in a northern suburb, study the playbook and game plan, run errands on the Tuesday day off. And after he was drafted 39th overall, Goldman began raising a puppy, a 7-month-old Rottweiler named Kane.
Coaches would disagree with Goldman's personal progress report as well.
He has played 55 percent of the defensive snaps this season, significantly more than the club's plan for him. Attrition along the line has offered Goldman game repetitions to refine his footwork and learn how to read offensive linemen.
"He's using his hands, getting off (the ball) better (and getting his) feet in better positions early in the down," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of the 6-foot-4 nose tackle. "He has gotten better understanding the techniques and how we want to play them, not just line up and do them from memorization. He has a little better understanding of how to adjust them subtly to help him play a down better."
Goldman believes that stems from his attention to coaching. He enjoys the conversation Rodgers hosts in the defensive line meeting room, with players competing to answer questions. Football is a game of intricate details, Goldman says, and mastering them is the daily mission.
"To me, that's being a pro right there," he said.
Finishing moves
Goldman used a two-handed swipe in the third quarter last Sunday to free himself from 49ers center Marcus Martin and haul down quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
He got up from the ground slowly, rising first to one knee. Then it was showtime. He crouched down and swayed back and forth for more than five seconds, the Kodak Bop his sack dance of choice.
He is, after all, 21 years old.
"You can't just stand up and be all awkward," Goldman cracked. "You have to do something."
Muhammad encouraged his son to build on his individual production, to remember how he beat Martin for the two sacks and apply that during the final four games.
Muhammad expects his son to finish strong. Florida State played 14 games in each of Goldman's three seasons there. The so-called rookie wall -- which Fox called "kind of BS" -- shouldn't apply.
But Goldman still has a lot to learn, so the process continues.
"Everybody sees you're the younger guy," Goldman said. "Somebody will help you out and tell you what you need to know. And I'm open to the advice."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
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