Jammal Brown Journal No. 5

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 fifth 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. 5 (Oct. 22, 2003)
I'm going to go straight to some questions this week so I can answer as many as possible. Keep sending them in -- there have been some great ones!

Jammal, I'm a freshman football player at Army. We're going through some program changes with the firing of our coach. Growing up, I never was used to losing very much. We were 14-1 my senior year in high school so this is bothering me. What do you think is the most important aspect to a winning season?
- Luke from Burnet, Texas

You have to have talent but you also have to have someone to coach that talent. They teach you how to work, how to work in the off-season. That's what it takes to win. You have to be mentally tough. Coaching, mental toughness, work ethic -- that's all important to winning. Sometimes the ball just doesn't fall your way. You have to fight every day and keep going.

The situation you're in, you play at a Division I school which is the highest level you can play in. Looking at the big picture, you're playing at a great, storied program. The most important part is that you're getting your education and getting to play. Winning is important, but overall -- you're a winner already. When you look back, win or lose, you'll remember how much fun you had.

Is it true that Jason White takes all his "protectors" to eat every Thursday night?
- Mike from Sand Springs, Oklahoma

Yeah, Jason takes the starting five (offensive linemen) out to eat every Thursday. We get appetizers and then the big meal. We started out just going to a cheap buffet but when we started winning, Jason bumped up the restaurant. We have a good time because we always go to the same place now --even eat in the same section.

Jammal, what would be your advice to a tackle in high school that wanted to get better?
- Nick from Noble, Oklahoma

First of all, play hard every play. Listen to your coach even on the little things. The little things matter. Always keep your feet moving and use good, strong hands. Play hard and play powerful. Just try to dominate your guy. Take every play as if it's your last play. Go out there with the mentality that you're going to be the best on the field between you and the defensive end.

What would you say has been your defining moment so far at OU?
- Jonathon from Pineville, Kentucky

I think my defining moment was in last year's game against UTEP. The play was called "45 Jab" and I pulled around and the linebacker had fallen inside so I ran about 50 yards downfield with Quentin Griffin holding on to the back of my jersey. The safety came out and I got a good lick on him. It was a big gain.

I got to show off my speed, my vision and some athleticism. It was a good deal. I've heard that's the play they showed for me on the intro video last Saturday. I'll have to see that again.

Jammal, what's it like to pancake a guy? Is it like getting a sack on defense? I bet it's an awesome feeling.
- Brian from Arlington, Texas

That's a good question since I played defense before offensive tackle. Pancaking a guy is like getting a sack. We keep stats on them. Being able to take a guy that plays Division I football like you do and being able to put him flat on his back -- that's a great feeling. Some of the fans may not be looking for that during a play but when we watch film the next day -- that's what we can't wait to see.

Jammal, if you could play on any Sooner team of the past which year would it be and why?
- Dave from Ridgecrest, California

I think it would be the 1985 team. Playing under Coach Switzer, having Casillas and Bosworth on defense -- and all those great run-blocking offensive linemen like Anthony Phillips and Mark Hutson. Plus Jamelle Holieway and Keith Jackson. They went all the way to the National Championship so I think that's the team that I'd have liked to have been a part of.

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

- #55 Jammal Brown

Ask Jammal a Question | Sooner Player Journals

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