Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008

Seahawks rookie enjoying lessons with Walter

Lined up across from Walter Jones every day at camp, Rookie defensive end Lawrence Jackson is going to school and learning what it takes to be an NFL player

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 RENTON -- He's had assistant coach Dwaine Board chirping in one ear and veterans like Patrick Kerney whispering words of advice in the other.

But when it comes to preparing himself for his first season in the NFL, Lawrence Jackson's best lessons come from the hard knocks of No. 71.

The Seattle Seahawks' rookie defensive end spent almost every day of training camp knocking heads with Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, and Jackson believes the experience will help him get ready to face the NFL's best linemen.

But that doesn't mean the 22-year-old rookie isn't in awe at times.

"Even if you beat him, you don't beat him," Jackson said. "His recovery is so crazy. He's so nimble with his lower body. You can make a move where you have him, but you'd better think of the move after that. Because as soon as he recovers, he pretty much has you."

The Seahawks' first-round draft pick has been lining up at right defensive end with the No. 1 unit for the past two weeks. While the promotion serves as a good indicator that Jackson has the inside track on a starting job, it also means he's got to line up against one of the best left tackles to ever play the game.

"I'm not going to sacrifice my technique to try and beat him," Jackson said. "Trying to work on my technique, and trying to beat Walter, that's a pretty good deal."

Despite his Hall of Fame-caliber competition, Jackson has shown the coaches enough to warrant serious consideration for a starting spot. Jackson took Darryl Tapp's spot as the No. 1 right defensive end in the practices leading up to last weekend's preseason game against Chicago, and he hasn't surrendered the position.

"The thing he showed at USC was awareness," defensive coordinator John Marshall said. "He does a very good job of that, and we saw it in that (Chicago) game."

Marshall stopped short of naming Jackson the regular-season starter, saying that he and Tapp are still battling.

"This third game is important to him," Marshall said of Monday night's game at San Diego. "And it's important to Darryl Tapp, too."

Because Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill is nursing a strained neck and likely to sit out Monday's game, Jackson probably won't get to face another Pro Bowler in San Diego.

But Jackson, a Southern California native who grew up in Inglewood and went to USC, has seen plenty of snaps against Pro Bowl competition in recent weeks.

He said facing Jones has taught him a few lessons along the way.

"It's the little stuff," Jackson said. "He might knock your hands down when you're rushing, or his stance might change. You really don't get a good feel for what he's going to do to you."

Jackson has also made an impression on Jones.

"He has a lot of raw talent," the 33-year-old Jones said of the rookie. "He's coming from the position where he was the man in college, but basically you have to earn that respect again in college. He's just got to come out here and work hard.

"He's got the potential. It's just a matter of him coming out here and working hard and putting it all together."

More than anything, Jones has noticed Jackson's willingness to learn.

"He's working every day, and he's always asking questions on every play," said Jones, who is about to begin his 12th NFL season. "That's what a rookie has to do."

For Jackson, the transition from college to pros is much bigger than the jump from high school to college was.

"In college," he said, "you've got guys who have just played two or three years; it's very rare you'll get a four-year starter. But here, you're going against guys who have been playing 10, 12, 13 years.

"What can I show Walter Jones that he hasn't already seen? It's about staying true to your technique and doing the best that you can do."

Through constant coaching and help from the other defensive linemen, Jackson is trying to bring out the best in his ability. But his most vital lessons are being delivered by a future Hall of Famer on the other side of the ball.

Said Jackson: "It's a challenge I'm willing to take on."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA