Rookie likes it fast on, off field

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times Staff Writer
Published September 23, 2007

Tanard Jackson's lifestyle is improving quickly while it seems the NFL season may never end.
	[BRENDAN FITTERER | Times]

Let's see what you're into. Say coach (Jon) Gruden walks into the morning meeting and gives the team a day off. What do you do?

Well, that depends. If it's hot, I might call Chris Simms and go over to his place and get on the Jet Skis. I like to be out on the water. That's the good thing about living in hot weather (Jackson is from Washington, D.C., and went to college at Syracuse). And we have easy access to the water here.

Are you a daredevil on the water?

No, but Chris does have some fast ones. I can go fast, but the tricks and all that other stuff, I leave that to the other guys. If you get me out on some smooth waves, I can tear it up. The tricks, that's for Sabby (Piscitelli) and Chris.

I'm sure your life has been a blur since the draft. What's been the biggest change?

To be honest, money. That changes a whole lot. Coming from where I come from, I've never seen the money that I'm seeing now. It forces you to make better decisions and give back to those who have helped you now that you're in a position to help them. And it also puts you in a position where you find out you have extra uncles and cousins who you haven't heard from in years. All that comes with the territory.

So, what was the first thing you did when you got your first check?

When I first got my signing bonus in the summer, the first thing I did was clear all my mother's debt. I looked out for her first. I needed to help her out with some bills and stuff. Then, I just set things up for myself, and I got myself a truck. I got a (GMC) Denali.

What did you drive in college?

I drove a Chevy Lumina. It was a '96.

Is it kind of nice to not have to worry about school anymore and just think about football?

That's the best part about this. Having this as a job and coming here every day and getting done what you need to do is great. I don't have to worry about going to classes or study hall or tests. Our test and exam is every Sunday.

Have you settled into your own place yet, or are you still living out of the team hotel?

I'm still in the hotel, actually. I'm so used to it now. Ever since the last game of my college career, I've been living out of hotels. I can speak for all rookies on that. After the season, we went away to (predraft) training, all-star games, then after the draft, (offseason workouts).

Do you know the room-service menu backward and forward like Gaines Adams does?

Oh, yeah. You've got the BLT, pizza, all that. I know it by heart. When I call, they say, "Hi, Mr. Jackson."

When is moving day?

I'll probably be out by the weekend, hopefully. I have a condo I'm moving into. That's a huge step for me, being able to live on my own and pay my own bills, buy my own food. It's part of growing up. You have to grow up fast when you're in this business.

What's been the most eye-opening thing for you so far?

Well, right now, I feel like I've played eight games already. And we're only in Week 3. I can see how by Week 10 or 11 rookies hit the wall. It feels like I'm already halfway through a college season. But we've got a long way to go.

Tanard Jackson

Position: Free safety

Age: 22

Ht./Wt.: 6 feet, 200 pounds

Acquired: 4th round draft pick in 2007

College: Syracuse - All-Big East second team as a senior cornerback; recorded five interceptions, two forced fumbles and four recoveries in four seasons; majored in communications and rhetorical studies

High school: Potomac (Md.) Bullis School - two-time first team all-state selection; notched school-record 19 interceptions during career

[Last modified September 22, 2007, 17:52:56]