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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Maurice Jones-Drew
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
8/12/2007
 Maurice Jones-Drew is fun. He’s fun to watch, he’s fun to talk to. You want proof? He’s in the middle of (Jags’ running back coach) Kennedy Pola’s kid’s birthday party when he ducks out to speak to the Diner, and his biggest regret is that he’s too big to get on the trampoline they’ve hired.
But Maurice Jones-Drew is also determined and utterly committed to winning, believing above all that Jacksonville play football the right way, through power running in a style he sees as reminiscent of the 50s and 60s. When we asked how far the Jaguars can go this season, there was no hesitation: all the way, said Maurice.
But above all, in an era of specialists and role players, Maurice Jones-Drew does the lot he runs, blocks, catches, returns kicks while also dispelling the myth that smaller players (he’s 5′ 7) can’t make it in the pros. Just ask any one of the defenders he pummels with consistency on Sundays, not least Shawne Merriman.
And if the Jags do progress deep into the playoffs, it’ll be his legs that carry them there.
FD
Maurice, this must be a pretty exciting time, the stretch run into the playoffs
Maurice
Oh it is, it’s pretty fun right now. You’re just anticipating every single game, because each one is so important and the playoffs are coming. It would be my first year in the post-season too! I’m just trying to take one game at a time like always though, just trying to get the win.
FD
How far can the Jags go?
Maurice
We can go all the way. I think you always want to have that goal of being the best there is, and that means going all the way. Right now, the goal is to get to the playoffs and then form there
FD
And what will it take to surpass the Colts in the South?
Maurice
Well, we beat ’em last year so we feel like that’s something we can achieve. But this year, both times we’ve played them, we’ve turned the ball over, and you just can’t do that. Me personally I want to keep running the ball at them I like to hit ’em with the ball in my hands!
 FD
Ok, so you were drafted in the second round a couple of years ago, after backs like Reggie Bush, DeAngelo Williams, Laurence Maroney etc., all of whom you’ve outperformed does it still give you a chip on your shoulder?
Maurice
Oh yeah in the draft in 2006 I felt I was one of the better running backs out there, one of the best players, so I felt I would be picked a whole lot higher than I was. Getting drafted behind those guys made me upset! But I use that you know, that’s my fire.
FD
And how do you compare to Reggie Bush?
Maurice
Well Reggie and I are two different types of people. We get kind of the same production but in different ways. I like to run between the tackles, to run it up inside and take people on, I love that contact, it’s what the game of football is about. Reggie prefers the open space, though I can do open space too!
FD
What do you do best?
Maurice
I love running inside, that’s my game. But more than that, the best thing I do is my desire, and my will to win. It means I’ll do a bit of everything. Most running backs, they don’t block, but I’m happy to hit linebackers in the mouth! I’m happy to do it all, whatever I’m asked to do.
FD
On that note, what was it like to pancake block Shawne Merriman, as you did a couple of weeks back, especially since he’s bigger than you?
Maurice
Hey, everybody on the field is bigger than I am! But Shawne Merriman, you know, he’s a big player, former defensive player of the year, so it was good, it was great to be able to show he’s still human. But it’s just football, and in football it’s not how often you get knocked down but how often you get back up, and Shawne did that. But, really, I’m proud of blocking anybody like that, and you know what I’d do it to Grandma Drew too if she was in pads in front of me!
FD
Wow! Leaving Grandma Drew safely on the sidelines for a moment, when you do pancake someone is that technique or strength?
Maurice
Well it’s both, it’s strength, but it’s also leverage, and above all you’ve gotta have heart to do it.
FD
And once you do that to a defender, do they fear you for the rest of the game?
Maurice
Well, not after the first time, but after a while, after about the fourth or fifth time you hit ’em, they start to get weary, and then, you know, they give in.
FD
 We bet. So how does your partnership with Fred Taylor work on and off the pitch?
Maurice
Oh it’s great. We compliment each other well he’s been playing in this league a long time and has so much to teach. He’s let me learn from his experience, let me use it and benefit from it. Then off the field, we hang out a lot, we play games, we talk investments. He means a lot to me, and I think it’s pretty rare, to have two teammates at the same position sharing that kind of bond, though he makes it seem like it’s not, because to him it’s just natural, and he just loves the game.
FD
Fred’s got a book coming out soon are there any anecdotes you’re a bit nervous about?
Maurice
I don’t know! I’ll be the first to get a signed copy, I know that much. But as soon as I get it I’m gonna read it and see exactly what he said about me!
FD
Good idea. Now, any thoughts on rumours that Jacksonville might be playing in Wembley in 2008
Maurice
Well honestly, you’re the first person I’ve heard that from, but I think it would be great. It’d be good to get that recognition to have people in the UK see how we can play football. Some people say we’re ‘boring’, but you know, we play real physical football, we play it like the 50s and 60s, how it’s meant to be played, and it’d be great to show people.
FD
So you’d like to do it?
Maurice
I’d love to so many of the guys on this team have never been out of the country, it’s be amazing for those guys to get over there too.
FD
Alright, we’ll start booking flights. Finally then, have you got any messages for MoJo fans in the UK?
Maurice
Absolutely if I can do it, anybody can do it. You’ve just got to have the heart and the will to succeed. And keep on supporting!
FD
Thanks Maurice get back to that birthday party and good luck on Sunday versus Carolina!
Maurice
Hey I will do, thanks a lot!
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