[h2]Q&A with new 49ers receiver Brandon Jones[/h2]
Posted by
Dan Brown on February 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am | Categorized as
Uncategorized
Brandon Jones was once drafted by the New York Yankees. Now, the 49ers are hoping he can be a different kind of home-run threat.
Jones just signed what he said was a five-year contract here at team headquarters. Here is a transcript of his session with me, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee and John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle. (Just for kicks, I threw in the names so you can tell who asked what.)
Barrows: How does it feel?
It feels good to be a 49er. I'm looking at this red around here and I know I'm going to look good in it. I'm excited.
Barrows: Is it strange to be in a different team?
Yeah, it is. This whole process is strange how you're in one day and out the next. It's how it is. I love it. I'm blessed. I'm fortunate to be here. I'm just ready to start playing and being a 49er. I'm going to go home, be with my family, soak this whole process in. It's unbelievable and I'm excited.
Crumpacker: What do you think you bring to this team, with your abilities?
I bring a deep threat. I bring a possession guy. I bring a guy that's going to be out there on the perimeter and block. We have a great running game here, and it always helps. I bring physicalness and I'm going to go out there and work hard and give it all I got.
Brown: What did you know about Singletary before you got here?
At first, I thought he was a real tough-nosed guy. You can tell he is. After talking to him, you know he wants it. His will to win and the fire in his eyes, man, makes you want to play for a guy like that. I've always heard that players love to play for him and play hard for him. Just meeting him at breakfast, you get a feel for it. He wants to win and get this thing going in the right direction. So does the G.M. It's going to be great being around here and playing for a coach like that. I can't wait to start.
Barrows: Did they talk about your role in the offense and what position you might start playing?
Not exactly. He basically told me I have a chance to compete. That's all I'm here for. That's what I want - the opportunity to go out there and compete. That's what this game is about. There are a lot of talented players on the roster, other receivers. But I just want to have a chance to compete, go out there and practice. Nothing is going to be given to you. (Singletary) told me that. I wouldn't appreciate it if it was and my mom certainly wouldn't appreciate it was given to me. I'm starting to prepare.
Crumpacker: The 49ers had a B.J. on this team last year. How will you be different and better than Bryant Johnson?
We're two different people. There are a million B.J.s in this world but there's only one of me. We're going to be different people. I'm sure he worked hard. I'm sure he did his duty around here. It's unfortunate that he's not here, but it's fortunate that I am. I'm going to start over. I have a new role. I'm going to take it the best I can.
Brown: Why do you think your best days are ahead of you as an NFL player?
I'm young. I haven't reached my full potential. I've been in an offense that doesn't throw the ball as much. I've taken the best of my opportunities when they did throw the ball. I'm ready just to elevate and step up my game and be showcased. Get the ball more. Get the opportunities. I know that my best days are ahead of me.
Brown: Are you back to where you were physically? You've had some injury problems. Do you feel 100 percent again?
I feel more than 100 percent. My body feels great. I went through last year not having any problems. That's what this league is about. If you can stay healthy, you can do things out there on the field. I'm not worried about my playmaking abilities because I'm going to go out there and make plays.
It's just all about being blessed and being fortunate to get your body right to stay out there on the field. That's how you get better.
Crumpacker: How were you used last season in Tennessee?
I was used more in a third wide receiver role, in a second-to-third receiver role. I was in on third down a lot. In Tennessee, we would run the ball: run, run, run. And then we'd pass. When it was time to make those plays, when you were down and you needed to throw the ball, that's when you can get used.
That's all you can do is do your job. You know you would love to call the plays and get a pass play every down, but that's just now how it works. Some people are different.
Crumpacker: Singletary wants more of an emphasis on the run. He wants more of a power running. How does that fit in with what you want to do?
That fits in great. That's how you win ballgames. You need a power running game. You can't be one dimensional. I'm going to fit in because in Tennessee that's what I've been a part of. Even in college, being part of a running game, you have to be out there on a perimeter to block. Once you're out there blocking and have guys that can run like Frank Gore down the field, he can go as far as the blocks can take him so I'm going to get that extra guy out of the box. I'm going to get down and get physical.
I'm going to be part of the running game, not just part of the passing game. I want to be all-around.
Brown: I see you're wearing a Yankees cap. Didn't they draft you?
Yes, sir. They drafted me out of high school. I decided to go to college. I played baseball at college also. And when I was taking recruiting trips, I had to decide between coaches: a football coach and a baseball coach. It had to be a match of both when I was deciding on schools.
I played college baseball (at Oklahoma) for 2.5 years and made my decision to stick with football. And I'm at a good point in my life.
Brown: What position were you in baseball?
Centerfield. And I could hit a curveball, too.
Barrows: What did you weigh in at during your physical yesterday?
208.
Barrows: Is that about where you usually play?
Yeah, it is. In the season, I'll get down to 205, maybe a little bit under that, so I can feel a lot more shifty and know that I can blow by guys. At 208, that's normally where I'm at. When you get to working out and things like that you add muscle.
Barrows: You ran a 4.38 before you were drafted. Is that speed still around?
You know what? I think I've gotten faster. I had an ACL injury my rookie year and I came back better than ever. I never felt better. They say you can come back from an ACL either slower or faster. And I came back faster. I came back in a short period of time and was ready to play the next year.
Barrows: Did you meet with Jimmy Raye at all?
No, I haven't.
Brown: Isaac Bruce is considering retiring. What are your thoughts on maybe being a teammate of his?
Isaac Bruce is someone I've looked up to in my life. It would be a joy to play with someone I've looked up to for so long and to get that experience. I would get to watch him and see the things that he brings to the game and learn from him. I would love to be able to play with Isaac Bruce.
Crumpaker: Don't expect a lot of long conversations with the man.
(Laughs) I don't mind it at all. I'm a little quiet myself. I come to work to work. I'm sure he's the same way.