Jammal Brown Journal No. 4

Sooner offensive tackle Jammal Brown joins Pasha Jackson with his own journal to take Sooner fans behind the scenes as OU plays its 2003 season. Brown gives us his perspective from the offensive side of the team. This is the fourth installment of his weekly journal. We've also added a link so you can submit your own questions for Jammal to respond to in his next entry.

Jammal Brown
Journal Entry No. 4 (Oct. 15, 2003)
Man, it was a great atmosphere down at Dallas. Seeing all those fans when our bus pulled up, it just added a lot to the game. It's extra excitement that, as a player, you love. To see how important that game is to our fans -- that makes you want to win more. For us to beat Texas, it just makes you feel really good. The atmosphere was great.

It was just unbelievable for us to go down there and take advantage like we did. It was a good time. I didn't hear much from the Texas fans during the game, but I talked to my friends that were down there and they said it was pretty wild.

Jammal, when you and Wes (Sims) are sitting on a flight together, who gets the armrest?
- Brad from Omaha, Nebraska
I do. I just get there first. When he gets there, I'm already comfortable. I also get the aisle seat so I can put my legs out there. I just always beat him on the plane (laughs).

What do you see yourself doing at 40?
- Quana from Oklahoma City
Hopefully coaching high school ball. No college, just high school. There's not as much pressure and I like kids. Maybe be in the real estate business. Be married and have a big family. Lots of kids.

What's the hardest aspect of playing tackle?
- Blake from Abingdon, Virginia
Knowing that you have to go up against one of the best athletes on the field. You're doing to be blocking a defensive end that's 6'4, 250 and he runs as fast as a defensive back. To be a defensive end, you have to be one of the best athletes on the field. Fast and strong. They're playing in a strong position -- on the line -- but they also have to be fast to rush the quarterback. They have to be athletic because they have to sometimes do things like covering the flat. Having to block one of the best athletes on the field is the biggest challenge.

Are you playing at the weight you want to play at or would you rather be bigger or smaller?
- Orb from Breckenridge, Colorado
I'd rather be bigger. I weighed 323 when I first got here. Then I got all the way down to 278. I was out of shape. Had to work it off and build it back up. Last year I played at about 300. I'm about 310 this season. I'd like to be about 320 and keep my speed.

Jammal, what's the most fierce and athletic defensive end you've ever faced -- besides Cory Heinecke?
- Cory from Oklahoma City
I'd have to say Chris Kelsay from Nebraska. Sorry Cory.

Are there things that you've learned from the coaching staff that you can use off the field and later in life?
- Jennifer from Atlanta, Georgia
I already use stuff Coach Wilson has told us. He not only tells you but he also sets an example. He helps you see things in a different way. To me, he's good with words and he makes you understand. He's a family man and I have a lot of respect for him. He has like, five kids (laughs). You see how is with his kids and that's one person I have a lot of respect for. He'll come in and do the early stuff with us and he has a family too. He's cutting out time with his family to help us see something or do things the right way. He's always making you see things more clearly.

He uses a lot of stories. And he's always telling me to see the big picture from tackle. He says don't just look at the defensive end, but see the linebacker walking up to edge so you know the end is slanting. If you see the whole picture, you can see the safety come down, you know the end might go inside because the safety has outside contain. So, instead of focusing on just what's in front of you, anticipate the whole defense. See the big picture.

Coach Wilson can chew on you when he wants to but then he'll tell a joke that will make you laugh.

OK, that's it for now. Until next time, Go Sooners!

- #55 Jammal Brown

Ask Jammal a Question | Sooner Player Journals

Be sure to check out Jammal's awards page and all the rest of the OU awards candidates at Sooner Awards.

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