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Home Is Where Talib Is - Beginning Today

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs are relying on one important component as they hope to defeat the Falcons in an NFC South game today.

Homefield advantage.

The Bucs hope their passionate fans at Raymond James Stadium will give them an extra boost and ensure their division record does not become 0-2, which would hinder their playoff hopes. Staying with the theme of "home," I spoke with Bucs rookie cornerback Aqib Talib about everything residence-related for this week's Wide Right.

Anwar: Which home was worse - your dorm room or living out of a hotel during training camp?

Aqib: Definitely the hotel. We have pretty nice dorm rooms in Kansas. You got your own room. Nice bedroom. Nice living room. Nice kitchen, so you can't really complain. Most players stay in their dorm rooms the most time they are there.

Anwar: Compare room service to your mom's cooking.

Aqib: Not close. I barely ate room service. I ate a lot of Burger King and Taco Bell.

Anwar: What is one thing that is unacceptable in your parents' home?

Aqib: Take off your shoes. When you go to my mom's house, you've got to take the shoes off at the door.

Anwar: Who would you rather have visit your home - Barack or Beyonce?

Aqib: I've got to say Beyonce. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Barack Obama fan, but I might be an even bigger Beyonce fan.

Anwar: What is one essential thing a bachelor must have in his home?

Aqib: You've got to have HDTV.

Anwar: HDTV? Why?

Aqib: It's high definition. It takes Madden video game to a whole other level.

Anwar: Did you ever throw a house party when your parents were away?

Aqib: I did, I did. In 11th grade. My mom was gone for about four days and I threw a 48-hour house party. It got crazy. I had a lot of cleaning to do.

Anwar: Did you get in trouble for that one?

Aqib: No, I was sneaky. She never knew until I told her.

Anwar: What happened when you told her?

Aqib: Nothing, because it was about two years later. I was out of the house then.

Anwar: Who do you think has the better house - Bill Gates or Oprah?

Aqib: I don't know either one of them, but Bill Gates seems more old-fashioned and Oprah seems more into fashion, so I think Oprah's house might look a little better.

Anwar: Do you think you have an MTV "Cribs-"type of house or more like MTV "Bassinets"?

Aqib: I think it's like "Cribs," because when they show a house, they make it look a little bigger than it usually it is. If you make my house look a little bigger than it is, I think I have an MTV "Cribs" house.

Anwar: But what is in your refrigerator? Everyone on that show has an empty fridge.

Aqib: If "Cribs" tells me they are coming, before they get there, I'm going to get the refrigerator right. Right now, I have some Welch's grape juice and some milk. Actually, my dad and I went to the store yesterday, so there are a lot of Hot Pockets and a lot of frozen food.

Anwar: Which would you prefer most from Martha Stewart - home-decorating advice or stock tips?

Aqib: Home decorating, by far. That's her thing. I just got a home and I'd be very interested in home decorating.

Anwar: Have you ever been to a haunted house?

Aqib: I did when I was really little. I can't remember how old I was. I loved it. I never made it back to one, but I loved it.

Anwar: Are you going to put up Christmas decorations at your home this year?

Aqib: Definitely. My neighbors have kids, so I will have to have decorations up. I can't be the only house on the block without decorations. I can't do that. I might not mess around and get on the roof. If somebody comes and does it for me, they can do what they want. Other than that, I'm not getting on the roof.

Anwar: Which house would you rather live in, Hugh Hefner's or the White House?

Aqib: I don't know. The White House is kind of dangerous. I'd have to say Hugh's house, because that is where all the girls are.

Anwar: How much are you looking forward to your first home opener?

Aqib: It's the biggest game of my life. I'm excited like this is a championship game. I feel like I'm getting prepared for the Orange Bowl ... I'm ready to call Tampa home.

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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