It may have taken five years, but Trai Essex is finally a starter in the NFL. Essex entered training camp intent on challenging Darnell Stapleton for his starting job, and he won it in part because of Stapleton's knee injury. Essex acknowledged that the hard work is just starting for him. "Teammates are looking at you, and you're a starter now, so you've got to act like it and got to be prepared to go in there and play," said Essex, a third-round draft pick in 2005. "You've got more accountability." Essex, who served as a backup guard and tackle last season, said he is ready to handle the added responsibility that comes with starting, since he has learned what it takes to succeed at this level. "I thought last year was (when) I really started to pick it up," the 6-foot-4, 324-pounder said. "Just how to take care of your body, how to approach the game and what to expect."
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