Grady slimmer then Sullivan - It's Official

saintz08 · 05-02-2004, 11:10 PM

Jackson tackles weighty issues

By TOM SILVERSTEIN

Green Bay - The off-season had potential disaster written all over it for nose tackle Grady Jackson and the Green Bay Packers.

Though Jackson had been the catalyst in reviving the Packers' pass rush during the second half of last season, he required minor surgery on his right knee Feb. 16. Considering that weight had always been an issue for the eighth-year veteran, some in the Packers organization held their breath over the effect a three- or four-week layoff would have on him.

Yet Jackson reported to town weighing a respectable 355 pounds, 15 below what he weighed when he was first picked up off waivers from New Orleans Nov. 4 and 5 to 10 pounds below what he weighed at the end of the season.

"To be honest, I'm ecstatic because anytime you have surgery on a big guy, you have an extra two or three weeks before you can start doing stuff," pro personnel director Reggie McKenzie said. "The red flag comes up more with a big guy because maybe he's not doing anything."

Jackson said he made a conscious effort to walk as much as possible and report to camp in the best shape he could. It doesn't hurt that he has four $50,000 weight bonuses in his contract, the first of which required him to be 345 pounds at the start of this minicamp.

Despite not making the first incentive, Jackson has given the Packers plenty of hope that he'll pick up where he left off last season, when he invigorated the entire defense with his ability to penetrate the backfield. His weight might not be perfect but it is not a hindrance to his play.

"When we're out here doing drills he's as quick as a freaking cat, I'll tell you that much," defensive-line coach Jethro Franklin said. "But he can be quicker. For us to do what we set out to accomplish, that has to happen. He just has to improve each time."

The weight clauses that were included in the two-year, $2.31 million contract extension that Jackson signed Dec. 27 also require him to weigh 340 pounds at the June minicamp, 335 at the start of training camp and 330 at the start of the regular season. Jackson will be paid $50,000 for meeting any of those prescribed weights.

Jackson's weight was not an issue when he sparked the defense last year and it probably won't be one this year, provided he stays around 350. A year after totaling 33 tackles, 21/2 sacks and a forced fumble in 10 games (including playoffs), Jackson, 31, said he was ready to take his game to another level.

"I'm a guy who gets sacks and my goal is to get 10," Jackson said. "I've always been stuck on eight or seven. If I can get 10, that would be great. Ten is the goal."

http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/apr04/226231.asp

[Edited on 4/5/2004 by saintz08]

05-02-2004, 11:10 PM	#1
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	Grady slimmer then Sullivan - It's Official Jackson tackles weighty issues By TOM SILVERSTEIN Green Bay - The off-season had potential disaster written all over it for nose tackle Grady Jackson and the Green Bay Packers. Though Jackson had been the catalyst in reviving the Packers' pass rush during the second half of last season, he required minor surgery on his right knee Feb. 16. Considering that weight had always been an issue for the eighth-year veteran, some in the Packers organization held their breath over the effect a three- or four-week layoff would have on him. Yet Jackson reported to town weighing a respectable 355 pounds, 15 below what he weighed when he was first picked up off waivers from New Orleans Nov. 4 and 5 to 10 pounds below what he weighed at the end of the season. "To be honest, I'm ecstatic because anytime you have surgery on a big guy, you have an extra two or three weeks before you can start doing stuff," pro personnel director Reggie McKenzie said. "The red flag comes up more with a big guy because maybe he's not doing anything." Jackson said he made a conscious effort to walk as much as possible and report to camp in the best shape he could. It doesn't hurt that he has four $50,000 weight bonuses in his contract, the first of which required him to be 345 pounds at the start of this minicamp. Despite not making the first incentive, Jackson has given the Packers plenty of hope that he'll pick up where he left off last season, when he invigorated the entire defense with his ability to penetrate the backfield. His weight might not be perfect but it is not a hindrance to his play. "When we're out here doing drills he's as quick as a freaking cat, I'll tell you that much," defensive-line coach Jethro Franklin said. "But he can be quicker. For us to do what we set out to accomplish, that has to happen. He just has to improve each time." The weight clauses that were included in the two-year, $2.31 million contract extension that Jackson signed Dec. 27 also require him to weigh 340 pounds at the June minicamp, 335 at the start of training camp and 330 at the start of the regular season. Jackson will be paid $50,000 for meeting any of those prescribed weights. Jackson's weight was not an issue when he sparked the defense last year and it probably won't be one this year, provided he stays around 350. A year after totaling 33 tackles, 21/2 sacks and a forced fumble in 10 games (including playoffs), Jackson, 31, said he was ready to take his game to another level. "I'm a guy who gets sacks and my goal is to get 10," Jackson said. "I've always been stuck on eight or seven. If I can get 10, that would be great. Ten is the goal." http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/apr04/226231.asp [Edited on 4/5/2004 by saintz08]
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020