Jack09072016

2nd DOWN
JACK
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
TRIPPED UP
Jack was widely touted as the No. 1 linebacker in college football in
2015. But during a September practice – just three games into his junior
season – he bumped knees with a teammate during a non-contact drill and
was unable to straighten his right knee. A torn anterior meniscus brought an
end to his collegiate career. He withdrew from school in early October to
rehab and ready his game for the NFL Draft just six months away.
“He’s taking his chips and shoving them into the middle, and we hope he
draws a good hand,” Mora said during a press conference last fall.
By mid-March 2016, Jack still was on the mend. He performed for
curious scouts during a Pro Day at UCLA, then he held a private workout
for the Jaguars in Los Angeles on April 16. Bradley was there to see if
Jack’s rebuilt knee could handle sudden change of direction without giving
him too much time to rest. According to Peter King, writing online in early
May for The Monday Morning Quarterback, Jack recounted that Bradley
threw balls “crazy hard” above his head, two feet to his side and at his
ankles. “[But] I did things they had never seen before,” he told King. “I was
doing some [acrobatic New York Giants receiver] Odell Beckham stuff out
there.”
With the draft set for a Thursday night in April in Chicago. Jack and 24
other stellar athletes were in town the day before to tour the Windy City.
After getting star treatments befitting the instant millionaires each young
athlete was about to become, they would end their day at an NFL “Play 60”
event to mingle with and instruct local kids.
Afterward, it was time to meet the press.
3rd DOWN
A BIT OF A STUMBLE
During a Q&A, Jack was asked about his knee. With just about 24 hours until the
draft, he inexplicably chose this moment to say, “[The degenerative problems are]
there, but it’s nothing extreme. Down the line, possibly, I could have microfracture
surgery — potentially. Who knows what will happen. Nobody knows how long
anybody is going to play in this league. To play three years in this league would be
above average,” he told reporters.
Microfracture surgery refers to a procedure during which tiny holes are drilled into
underlying bone to repair cartilage. Few athletes have ever fully rebounded.
Social media erupted.
Les Bowen, who covers the Eagles for the Philadelphia Daily News, took to Twitter
and said, “NFL source calls Myles Jack ‘a time bomb’ whose knee could give him
several good years, or not. Bone and cartilage starting to break away.”
Legacy media pounced.
Mike Mayock, draft analyst for NFL Network, said, “If everything I’ve heard about
his knee is true, I don’t think there’s a team in the top 10 who can take Jack.
Mora was reminded of his words at the press conference announcing Jack was
turning pro. “NFL teams are very, very conservative, and if there’s any question
whatsoever, they’ll pass on you in a heartbeat. They’re going to take
the sure thing.”
When the big night finally arrived, Jack appeared either unaware
or nonplussed. As he escorted his mother down the red carpet an
NFL Network reporter asked Jack to set the record straight.
Still expecting to go high in the first round, and knowing the
Jaguars held the No. 5 overall pick. a confident Jack shrugged and
said, “Whatever team drafts me, I’ll be at their rookie minicamp.
I’ll be playing this season.”
Get to know: Myles Jack
Jacqui from Jack sat down with Myles Jack to get
to know a little about this Jaguars newbie.
East Coast or West Coast?
I lived on both coasts, but I got to go East. I
love the South.
Any significance behind No. 44?
I wanted to go outside of the box and make
the number its own. Most linebackers are 50,
but I decided to be different.
After whom do you pattern your game?
I couldn’t say a specific person because I
learned watching everybody play… but if there
was a linebacker or two who I like I would say
[Seattle Seahawks’ LB] Bobby Wagner and
[Carolina Panthers’ LB] Luke Kuechly.
What are your pre-game superstitions?
I have to take a nap and a shower.
Best sense of humor in the Jag’s locker
room?
[CB] Prince [Amukamara]
What would your teammates be surprised
to learn about you?
I have three dogs; two pit bulls and a Presa
Canario. I’m a big dog person, so I’m always
kicking it with them. I have a pool in my
backyard — that’s my favorite thing to do.
Can you cook?
I’m good at breakfast. I can whip up breakfast
all day — biscuits, eggs, sausage, bacon,
omelets — all of that.
What has been your favorite football
moment?
The first time I started a game in [college]. It was
the second game of the season and first play
of the game I made a tackle. That was a really
cool moment. It just clicked and the rest was
history from there.
If you could have one do-over in life, what
would you do?
I would have taken basketball more seriously.
Will you keep reading Jack if we tell people
it’s named after you?
Yeah, that’s dope!
— Jacqueline Persandi
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SEPTEMBER 7-20, 2016
PHOTO: BRUCE.LIPSKY