| He’s the top cornerback in the 2002 NFL draft and a shoo-in to be
selected in the top 5 despite having played the position two seasons. A converted safety,
Texas CB Quentin Jammer (6-0, 201) is described as a "lock-’em-up, shut-down
corner." A great junior season didn’t push Jammer into the NFL. Many feel
he’s worth the wait. Jammer’s original flight to Indianapolis and the NFL
Scouting Combine Feb. 28-March 2 was delayed in St. Louis by a snowstorm. In addition to
workouts, Jammer missed interviews with several teams, including the Carolina Panthers,
who hold the No. 2 overall pick. Jammer knocked on the Carolina hotel room door at 11
p.m., but got no answer. With two days left to meet with teams and make a good impression,
Jammer was asked if he was still going to meet with the Panthers. He said: "I’ll
sit there and wait on them. Don’t they have the second pick? Well, then I’ll sit
there and wait on them. They’ll be the first people I go see." Q: You
injured your hamstring right before the Scouting Combine. How serious was the injury?
A: It was minor. It was nothing that prevented me from getting out and working out and
doing the things I need to do.
Q: What do you bring to a football team?
A: I think I bring a lot of things. No. 1 is versatility. I can go out and be a
lock-down corner or go and be a great safety. The other is I have great character.
I’m not going to bring any problems to the team because I know my temper and I keep
myself out of trouble.
Q: How close were you to coming to the NFL after your junior season?
A: Real close. But I decided to make my mom proud and come back and get my degree, so I
came back.
Q: How did that make you a better player?
A: It was my first year at corner. I think I got a little more experience there and I
got better at that position.
Q: What does it take to be a great corner?
A: Hard work, dedication and competitive spirit.
Q: What is your temperament on the field?
A: Mean.
Q: How are you mean?
A: I’m very aggressive and I take it out on the opposing receiver. I don’t
talk much trash, I just go out there and play. I play hard and aggressive. I like to hit.
That is why I love the game of football; you can go out and pop people.
Q: How is your temperament different off the field?
A: It’s night and day … unless you rile me up. I can get mean off the field
then. But I’m a pretty cool guy off the field. My mood rarely changes.
Q: What does it take to get you riled up?
A: A lot. It takes so much to get me riled up, that once you get me riled up, I’m
really, really riled up.
Q: That was a risk going back to school. Were you worried about it backfiring?
A: No. The way I look at it, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. I came back
and enjoyed another year with my teammates. I wanted to work on my feet, my patience and
get better at the position. I think I’ve just scratched the surface with my ability
and I have a lot to work on. I’m still trying to get better.
Q: Have you talked to Bryant Westbrook (the Texas cornerback who was drafted by the
Lions and recently signed with the Cowboys)? You guys could be teammates.
A: I have not talked to him recently, but I’m sure I will soon. I have no
preference. I just want to go in the top 5. I wouldn’t be disappointed if I went to
the Cowboys.
Q: Is there a player you pattern your self after?
A: No. Just me. I pattern myself after me. I go out and do what I can do best.
Q: When was the last time you gave up a touchdown?
A: In the Stanford game (two) years ago. It was a rub route, an arrow and the guy ran
an out-and-up. It was a twins formation and I didn’t get the (signal) to slide over.
Q: Did that Stanford receiver get you riled up?
A: No, no. Actually, it was my corner that riled me up because he blew his assignment.
Q: Has anyone said you are too big to play corner?
A: No. I don’t think you can be too big to play corner. If you can move well and
cover, you can play.
Q: You and Roy Williams are the two best defensive backs. Do you know one another
and is there a rivalry?
A: We met at the Walter Camp All-American thing we go to in Orlando. We hit it off well
— me, Roy and Mike Williams — and we’ve been hanging out and having fun. I
think we just feel blessed to be here and have a chance to get drafted.
Q: Did Roy let you have it when Oklahoma beat Texas?
A: He really didn’t. He didn’t give me much of a hard time. He just said it
was a good game, a defensive struggle.
Q: Do you expect to be the first corner taken?
A: Yeah. That is a goal of mine. I’ve worked hard and that is one of my goals.
That is why I’ve worked the last two years.
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