NFL Player Interview: Jamaal Jackson, C, Philadelphia Eagles

Prior to this past Sunday’s explosive 56-21 rout of the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles offense was sputtering, having scored only one touchdown in the previous two games. But the offense quickly silenced any doubt about whether they could match the productivity from last season, rolling up 473 total yards in the first half, the most by an NFL team in an opening 30 minutes since such statistics were first kept starting in 1991.

While many will credit the performance of Donovan McNabb for the swift change, the real reason was that the offensive line turned in their most physical performance since the end of last season. In 2006, the starting line of William Thomas, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Shawn Andrews and Jon Runyan was one of two units in the NFL to start all 16 regular season games and together paved the way for the highest net yardage total (6,103) in team history. Recently I spoke to center Jamaal Jackson about the season thus far.

What was the key to the success you guys had last Sunday?
“We want to go out there and take it day by day. We want to play our game, cover our assignments and not get caught up in anything off the field. This past Sunday we did that and you could see the difference right away. The other thing is that everyone was healthy and you can’t underestimate that.” 

How was every member of the offensive line able to stay healthy last year and start all 16 games?
“I don’t really know how we did it. We had a couple guys with injuries but they just battled through it. Guys like Todd Herremans, Thomas. We just pulled it together and made it through all 16 games. We actually made it through 19 counting this season so that is quite an accomplishment.”

Do you think the Center position is totally underappreciated in today’s game?
“I think were starting to get more recognition now, but I wouldn’t say were underrated. Its one of the most important jobs on the field and a lot of people don’t notice it but that comes with the territory. Half the time were not blocking anybody but its a lot more than blocking. You have to call out blitzes and protections and such but its all in a days work. I don’t really get bent out of shape as far as recognition.”

What was the difference with the scheme of the offensive line at the end of last season with Jeff Garcia as QB compared to now with Donovan McNabb fully healthy?
“There was no difference at all. We pretty much schemed the same and adjust during the game as the coaches see fit. Some people think that we passed more with Donovan in there but last year we called the same plays. It just depends on the flow of the game and how the defense reacts.”

Considering the way McNabb’s season ended last year due to injury, do you feel even more responsibility to protect him now?
“That’s always the number one goal, period no matter who is the QB. There’s probably going to be time where he is hesitant because of the injury, but we don’t look for that because our job is the same no matter what. We just go out there and do our job and try to put points on the board and win games.”

With the injury in mind, what was the team’s response to drafting a QB in the second round?
“I didn’t know what the team thought, but I think they (front office) were just protecting their rear end. I mean sooner or later were all going to get old and were all gonna have to move on and go our separate ways. It is a business so the team comes first no matter what.”

Did anyone on the team feel the pick could’ve been used better to fill more pressing needs?
Oh, no, no, no. I’m not a GM or a draft expert or anything like that. I’m just a center; that’s all I do. I don’t really have a say on who or why they pick a certain person. But you know, Kevin Kolb is a good young quarterback. He is a smart guy and I think he’ll do wonderful down the line.” 

With all of the controversy about his statements a week ago and just in general, why is Donovan McNabb so polarizing?
“In this line of work, people always try to find something wrong with you, always.  It’s like with a diamond; you gotta find out does it have any scratches? If not there’s gotta be something wrong, so there is something to talk about and tear that person down. But he doesn’t listen to that, man. Basically, this season is going to go as far as he takes us. And personally he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s is like a guy off the street because he’s so down to earth easy to get along with. You see him in those soup commercials? That’s how he is in real life, too.” 

Is Brian Westbrook healthy?
“Coming into the season he was as healthy as I’ve ever seen him. I mean you get nicked up here and there but injuries are a part of the game. All in all he’s the same Brian Westbrook we saw last week and that looked pretty good to me.” 

What is stopping him from being mentioned with the LaDainian Tomlinson’s and the Shaun Alexander’s of this league?
“I really don’t know. He’s one of the guys on our team that we rely on the most, so  I really don’t know why. He might never get 400 carries or anything, which could be part of the problem, but he isn’t that kind of a back. We aren’t going to grind him down like that so maybe that’s part of it. But for what we do, there is no one more important in the league to their team than he is to us.” 

Is LJ Smith going to be healthy at all this year?
"I hope so. He was doing well in practice before getting hurt again because he’s one of those guys who will go out there and be smart about it (playing hurt). We’ll just have to wait and see. He brings a whole other dimension to the offense but the thing about his injury is that it needs time to heal; you can’t really make it heal any faster so we’ll see.” 

Going back to the preseason, is there anything that happened that wasn’t publicized as to explain why Jeremiah Trottier was cut like that?
“That came pretty much out of nowhere. We never really know what they are going to do and that was surprising, but like I said before it’s a business. He was a leader to this team and a big part of it, but it’s also important to find the new crop of leaders and give them time to develop and that’s what I think was going on.” 

What is the measure of a successful season for an offensive lineman?
“Keeping our QB clean. Last year we had one of the lowest sack totals since 1981 in Eagles history. That’s a goal but the main one is wins. We don’t really care about stats, were just a part of the offense and all we care about is wins and paving the way for all the other guys to get their numbers.”

What is going to separate you from Dallas this year? What’s going to make you guys the NFC East champs and not them?
“Just playing balanced football. They have a great team but we just have to come with our ‘A’ game like we did last year. In the first game it came down to that fourth quarter when we stepped it up as a team and took over. And in the second game, we dominated the whole game because we came out hungrier than they were and that’s what we need to do again.”