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Jackson Q&A

Chad Jackson held a conference call with the New England media and revealed an interesting part of the Patriots’ scouting process. Jackson said the Patriots showed him parts of the team’s offense, and then quizzed him on it when he visited Gillette Stadium in following weeks.

The Q&A:

The Patriots showed an intense interest in you. How did the courtship go and the interest from Coach Belichick and Coach [Josh] McDaniels [offensive coordinator]?
“Everything went well with me and Coach Belichick. I think we hit it off pretty well. And also the wide receivers coach [Brian Daboll], they had me learn a little bit of the offense before I came up. I was real comfortable learning the offense and breaking it down to them. The coaches, I think I can play under those guys. I feel really comfortable coming to Boston.”

Was there disappointment being picked in the second round?
“There was a little disappointment, but I was lucky to get picked high in the second round. That’s pretty good also. I was just thankful to get picked.”

What kind of insight did coach [Urban] Meyer give you on Coach Belichick?
“I didn’t really talk to Coach Meyer about Coach Belichick. But when [Belichick] came down [on a scouting trip], he said he is a real hard-nosed guy, a real quiet guy sometimes. But on the field, he can be a loud guy.”

You come from two unique systems, a spread your first two years and kind of a spread option last year. A lot of receivers have struggled going from those type of offenses into the pros. What is the challenge coming into the NFL?
“The challenge for me is [playing at] another level. Like I said, there are guys with the same speed as you, or the same athletic ability as you, or better than you. You have to have confidence that you can go out and compete with those guys. I feel like I’m one of those guys who can go out and compete and help out the New England Patriots this coming season.”

Did you mention that the Patriots gave you a little bit of their offense to learn, and then you came back up here and showed them how you processed it?
“Yeah, they gave me a little bit, and I came back up there and broke it down to them and read it back to them on the board and film room.”

Was that unique? Did other teams do that with you?
“No, that was the only team that did that. I felt like they were pretty interested. I had at least about 4-5 meetings with the Patriots. I was feeling pretty good on all the visits.”

How did that work, did Belichick come down to Florida rip out a page out of their playbook?
“No, when the Patriots first came down to Florida, they just worked me out that day and got me on the board. We went through some coverages. I worked with the receivers coach [Brian Daboll] and the offensive coordinator [Josh McDaniels] and they gave me a couple of formations that they ran. It was sort of similar to Florida, and what we used to run. It was kind of the same thing, and I broke it down to them, learned it, and read it back to them.”

When you came back up to Foxborough for a pre-draft visit, did they re-quiz you?
“Yeah, they re-quizzed me on that.”

Did you think the Patriots would take you at No. 21?
“I thought they were. I thought I’d be the first receiver taken.”

Did they give you the idea you’ve be the pick at No. 21?
“They didn’t give me the idea, but when you meet with a team four or five times, you think they’re really interested in you and they’re probably going to get you. On draft day, everything changes.”

Did the Patriots show the most interest?
“I think so. The Patriots and the Dolphins.”

What went into your decision to come out after your junior season?
“I feel like I was one of the top receivers coming out in this year’s draft, with Sinorice Moss and Antonio Holmes. I tied the [Florida] receiving record for most catches in a season. I just felt like I was ready for the next step, the next level.”

Urban Meyer is known for his offseason workouts and his gut-check drills. Do you think you learned something from him work-ethic wise that will carry well into the pros?
"Yeah, I learned a lot from Coach Meyer, on the field and off the field. He talked a lot about character, and I think that helped a lot of guys on the team."

How familiar are you with the Patriots' receiver situation?
"I'm familiar with it, I know [David] Givens left and the only go-to receiver they have right now is Deion Branch. The Patriots feel like I can come in on the other side and help out."

How does it feel like to know you'll play with Tom Brady?
"It feels real good. A guy who won three Super Bowls and a great quarterback who has done a lot for the New England Patriots. Hopefully I can catch a couple balls, a couple touchdowns from him."