Jammal Brown Journal No. 3

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 third 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. 3 (Oct. 7, 2003)
Since we talked about me getting ready for a home game in my last entry, I'll talk about an away game in this one. Away games are usually a little more tiring. We've got to ride up to the airport in Oklahoma City and there's new security stuff we have to go through. Then we get on the plane.

I used to like flying but I don't anymore. I have to sit next to Wes Sims so two big guys on a plane -- picture that.

I usually go to sleep during the flight or listen to my CD player. When we get there, I just go to my room and go over my papers. This week I roomed with Vince (Carter). Of course, Vince always wants to talk about real deep, life stuff. I'd rather talk about a dumb movie.

Speaking of movies, out of all the movies we could have watched, we ended up watching "Freaky Friday". It's about a girl and her mom that switch places -- it's like a Disney movie. They keep arguing about who's life is hardest.

(Teddy Lehman was sitting nearby)

Teddy: "So, who's life ended up being hardest?"

Jammal: "I fell asleep".

Anyway, I thought it was a good movie. It's kind of for eight-year-olds but that's the kind of movies I like. I always like the Disney movies. But before I got to see it all, I fell asleep. Got up Saturday morning and went to chapel. Then we have meetings and the pre-game meal. You remember I don't eat before a game.

We get on the bus and head for the stadium. Iowa is pretty country. They had a pretty good crowd.

Jammal, on extra points you move to the inside left on the line. Do you play there any other time?
- Jenna from Lawton, Oklahoma

I used to play on the right side on extra points. But we've got a left-footed kicker now and they want me to protect that side.

Why do you wear No. 55? You play tackle and that seems like a center's number.
- Ryan from Verdigris, Oklahoma

It was my number in high school in Lawton. The reason I picked it was because five plus five is a perfect 10. You know, when someone does something well, you say, ' ah, that's a 10'. That's how I want to try to play. 55 is usually for a center or linebacker. In high school I also wore 77 but I changed it to 55 because I liked how it looked. It's as simple as that.

Besides your regular-season games, what Big 12 North division team would you like to meet up with in the title game?
- Allen from McLaughlin, South Dakota

I talked about me playing Nebraska in my first game up there in Lincoln in my last journal. I'd like to see Nebraska. It feels like I owe them something. You know, they beat us up there and I had to block Chris Kelsay. I just want to pay them back. They'd bring a bunch of fans and it's history: Oklahoma-Nebraska.

What is it like playing with Vince Carter, a guy many seem to think may be the best center in the game?
- Jason from Oklahoma City

It's fun playing with Vince. To me, he is the best center in the college game. He came in and played as a true freshman so that says it all. This is the Big 12 and he played right away. He's a fun guy. He's one of those guys that always does right but still has a sense of humor.

Do you remember the first OU game you went to? Did you ever get to see an OU-Texas game?
- Nick from Lawton, Okla.
I was a junior in high school and I went to see the OU-Indiana State game. What were they? The Sycamores? No, I've never got to sit in the stands and have fun at the OU-Texas game.

Before the hike of the ball, what goes through your mind if you know the defense is blitzing and how do you apply your thoughts?
- Nick from Tahlequah, Okla.

I like to try and see the big picture. That's what Coach Wilson always says. Just don't focus on the guy that you're blocking -- see the big picture. So, I try to look at where the safety is. Sometimes, if the safety is over the top on your side, they can blitz a guy because the safety will take his place. Offensive linemen really have to look at every position on the defense. I'm looking at the corners, I'm looking at the safeties, I'm looking at the linebackers because what that linebacker is doing might tell me what the defensive end or tackle is going to do. You have to be focused on the whole defense. It all goes together.

Jammal, what do you think about or listen to before the game?
- Scott from Oklahoma City

Before the game I read my Bible. I read Proverbs. It always has something to say to me that seems really important. I pray for a long time. It's just a routine for me. I always seem to read something that I highlight and it will affect me for that day.

Who is the biggest prankster on the team and who can imitate Coach Stoops best?
- Don from Noble, Okla.

I don't know, actually -- I'm kind of a prankster a little bit. Tommie (Harris) is too. I don't think anyone tries to imitate Coach Stoops. But a lot of the DB's can imitate Coach Mike (Stoops) really well. Antonio Perkins is good at it. They can get him when he gets mad and is yelling on the sideline. They can imitate him getting agitated -- you know how he is fidgety on the sideline. Perkins does it real well.

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

- #55 Jammal Brown

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