The Madbacker sits down to chat
ProFootballWeekly sat down with new Jets linebacker Bart Scott to gauge his and the team’s progress as training camp draws nigh. Not that you’re shocked by any of this given Scott’s loud-talking nature, but it was quite an interview. There were a few things that jumped out at me, including Scott’s view of team leadership.
PFW: Who else has been stepping to the forefront, especially at other defensive positions?
Scott: Kris Jenkins has always been a dominant player, and whenever you have a dominant player people are going to look to him. How can you not respect a guy like Shaun Ellis, who has been on this club a long time and has been a playmaker in this league? As I’ve quickly learned, he’s a tempo-setter and guys look to him as kind of a nasty player who will do the dirty work and get it done. For me, I’ve been around Marques Douglas and I know what a playmaker he is. He’s a guy that will never get the respect, never get the accolades, but when you look at his body of work, he has some impressive numbers.
Scott’s had to overcome obstacles for pretty much all of his professional football career. His past has been well-documented here and elsewhere, but given all he’s had to go through, more than one player would lay off after signing the big time deal Scott signed with the Jets in the offseason. But that just isn’t his style.
See how Scott’s getting ready for the season after the jump…
PFW: So what’s in store for you until training camp? Going to rest up at all? Any vacations planned?
Scott: I just got done with three sessions with my trainer in the last two days. All the vacations that I take — if we’re out of the playoffs — are in January, February and March. I always ask people, why would you want to work hard and peak, and then take a vacation right before you’re starting up? When a boxer is getting ready for a fight, he doesn’t train up to four weeks before the fight, then takes time off. He trains completely through. You want to be able to hit camp running so you don’t have to worry about your conditioning, you can just go right to the Xs and Os and execute. … A lot of guys peak early and take this time to go vacation and things like that, and what you’re doing is you’re losing ground so whatever mountain you built up, you’re chipping away at it. Even if you left in better shape than me, I’m going to be working five weeks straight, and you’re partying, drinking, doing the red carpets and things like that. I’m catching you and then I’m going to be passing you.
And Scott couldn’t be more excited to play with young ‘backer David Harris.
PFW: Just like you had a great inside ‘backer to play alongside with the Ravens in Ray Lewis, you have another now in David Harris. Can we expect to see the same role for you in New York as you had in Baltimore?
Scott: I actually see my role expanding because David is a younger player who has his own different set of skills. He’s able to cover the tight end, he’ll cover backs out of the backfield. We didn’t really put that responsibility on Ray to cover tight ends and do certain things, and I think teams adjusted to that and got the understanding that I was going to be the blitzer. I think that, along with Trevor Pryce being hurt, was the reason that we went from that 60-sack year (in 2006) to not getting back up to those totals again. But now, when we have a player like David, we can mix things up and be a lot more interchangeable.
It really is a great read and there’s a good amount I left out just for space value. Scott talks about how good the LB corps can be (the interview was done before the Pace suspension), Rex Ryan, and a couple other things. It’s exciting to me to see someone like Scott as enthusiastic about the players and the team’s outlook. Sometimes when a team is coming together, it needs a player like Scott who’s going to constantly pump up the team’s collective ego and get them going. While the end of Scott’s deal could come back to bite the Jets, I expect the first few years to be well worth it. The knowledge that he can pass on to Harris alone is nearly worth it. Regardless of how good the skill players are, the defense is going to be fun to watch, and listen to. I know I can’t wait to hear Scott, Kerry Rhodes or some other defensive player mic’d up — especially if it’s against the Dolphins or Patriots.
It’s going to take some time for the LBs to hit full speed with Pace suspended, but when they do, they’re going to be a joy to study and watch. I know I’ve already said that but it’s been a while since the Jets have had a charismatic, outspoken leader like Scott that the team could really rally around at such an important position. Heck, I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about watching the boys wreak havoc.
4 Responses to The Madbacker sits down to chat
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The Green Lantern #80 says:
I like my favorite teams to have players that have pasion because I refuse to be the only one pissed when we lose..
But Good Work Madbacker. -
Harvlis says:
I liked the interview but, two things stand out. First, you have to prove it on the field. Second, last year we were obvious. We set up in the same formations, Offense and Defense, and by the end of the year — teams were teeing off on us. Coaching, Coaching, Coaching. This year, we will be coming from every angle. I can’t wait for the season.
As for the Offensive side of the ball, Schottenheimer is on the hot seat. He stunk, two years in a row. They say, he is going back to the movement offense that we played in 2006. I hope so, otherwise, Sanchez and Clemens will be running for their lives. I believe this season will come down to Schottenheimer’s performance.
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miketaliaferro says:
“Even if you left in better shape than me, I’m going to be working five weeks straight, and you’re partying, drinking, doing the red carpets and things like that. I’m catching you and then I’m going to be passing you.”
A clear gauntlet to his new teammates, as well as the rest of the NFL. I would not want to be within 5 lockers of this man if I turned out to be numbered in that group above. You can assume Scott would NEVER stop ragging on any teammate who opted for the high life between mini-camp and training camp.
PFW: So what’s in store for you until training camp? Going to rest up at all? Any vacations planned?
Scott: I just got done with three sessions with my trainer in the last two days. All the vacations that I take — if we’re out of the playoffs — are in January, February and March. I always ask people, why would you want to work hard and peak, and then take a vacation right before you’re starting up? When a boxer is getting ready for a fight, he doesn’t train up to four weeks before the fight, then takes time off. He trains completely through. You want to be able to hit camp running so you don’t have to worry about your conditioning, you can just go right to the Xs and Os and execute. … A lot of guys peak early and take this time to go vacation and things like that, and what you’re doing is you’re losing ground so whatever mountain you built up, you’re chipping away at it. Even if you left in better shape than me, I’m going to be working five weeks straight, and you’re partying, drinking, doing the red carpets and things like that. I’m catching you and then I’m going to be passing you.
IF this type of work ethic and dedication is CONTAGIOUS,then we are DEFINITELY going to have a team that we can be PROUD of!