How can you not love this kid?
http://blogs.columbiatribune.com/football/2008/04/jeremy_maclin_qa.html
Jeremy Maclin Q&A
Here’s a question worth exploring, which I will, as Missouri’s spring practices continue: What can
Jeremy Maclin do for an encore?
In his first college season, all Maclin did was earn consensus All-America honors and rack up the fifth-most all-purpose yards in FBS history. In case the lull of winter affected your memory, here’s what Maclin produced last year in 14 games for the Tigers:
• 80 catches for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns, which ranked second, first and first on the team last year, respectively, and third, third and second in team history, respectively.
• 375 rushing yards (second on the team) and four rushing TDs (fourth)
• 307 yards on punt returns, including two for TDs
• 1,039 yards on kickoff returns, including one for a TD
• 16 TDs total (tied for fourth at MU in a single season)
• 2,276 all-purpose yards (most in MU history by more than 600 yards)
We could go on all day, but you get the picture. And don’t forget, Maclin’s rookie season began less than 12 months removed from major reconstructive knee surgery, and he dealt with a bruised shoulder that popped up occasionally.
But with fewer proven playmakers surrounding him in 2008 — gone are
Martin Rucker and
Will Franklin — can Maclin surpass the ridiculously high standard last year while wearing a much bigger target on his back?
We’ll explore this topic a bunch in the coming days and weeks, starting with a chat with No. 9.
Behind the Stripes: What are you working on out here because it didn’t seem like there was too much lacking last year?
Maclin: Just being more consistent. That’s pretty much the key to everything. Like, I dropped a ball today, but last year I would have dropped the next ball. Today, I made the next play. Obviously, I don’t want to drop the ball at all, but it’s just about getting better and more consistent catching the ball.
BTS: So, you’re looking to become a more complete receiver?
Maclin: That’s just all about focus. Coach always tells me that he wants me to be great, and it’s the little things that count.
BTS: Last year, late in the season, you said you hadn’t seen any double coverage by other defenses. Was that accurate, and is that just a product of this offense?
Maclin: Yes, because when you got Rucker and Will and all the playmakers we had last year, it’s kind of hard to double team one person because that’s going to leave someone else open. I might expect more double teams this year. Our defense does that a little bit, they’ll high-low me some out there, especially the inside guys. So I’ve experienced that some. But it’s just really hard to double team a spread offense.
BTS: How do you overcome that?
Maclin: Be patient and try to get open. But most of the time it leaves someone else open.
BTS: Do you expect to run the ball as much this year as you did last?
Maclin: Yeah, definitely. However they want to use me is how I want to be used.
BTS: How do you describe what the coaches have created out of the slot receiver position you play?
Maclin: Any position I guess can do what they got me doing. But being in the slot, and that’s why they put me there, they can get you the ball in many different ways and hopefully try to get mismatches on linebackers. And then, well, speed kills, right?
BTS: Lots of people assume this will be your last season here. I’m sure you get asked about it all the time. How do you respond to those assumptions?
Maclin: I kind of laugh and blow it off. I mean, obviously, I want to get my degree. That’s the first thing, education. Student becomes before the athlete part. We’ll see how the season goes.
BTS: But, do you keep track of the receivers in the upcoming draft and where they’re expected to get taken?
Maclin: Oh yeah, I look at it. I look at all the guys who are coming out (this year). I look to see how Will compares to all of them. I think Will is amongst the top of them. so, I look at the numbers they’re putting up, the drills they’re doing and that kind of stuff so that when the time comes, I’ll be ready for it.
BTS: What’s your latest 40-yard dash time?
Maclin: My fastest one this offseason was 4.32.
BTS: So, I guess you’re pretty satisfied with that time?
Maclin:Actually, I’m not. I was aiming for something in the 4.2 range. I’m going to get there. But that’ll do for now.
BTS: The whole incident with Marquis Booker from two weeks ago, is there anything that came out of that or anything that was reported that you’d like to clear up, anything you didn’t think was accurate or fair as far as your involvement?
Maclin: The whole situation could have been avoided. I shouldn’t have been out that late. But at the same time, I didn’t know he had the gun in my car until the cops came. That’s pretty much how it is. The papers and stuff were saying that I knew (Booker’s gun) was there when we got there. But I didn’t know about it until the cop told me. So, that’s all I wanted to clear up.
Posted by Dave Matter at
03:08 PM
