Jacoby Ford is fast.
SUPER fast.
I don’t think anyone will question that. His speed helped him rack up seven all-purpose touchdowns in his 2010 rookie season with the Raiders. Not only that, but after WR Louis Murphy went down with a chest bruise in Week 7, Ford started the last nine games – some even after Murphy returned. All offseason indications from Coach Hue Jackson suggest Ford is in for some increased playing time in 2011.
Here’s what Ford had to say about his rookie season, about working out of the slot, and about his speed:
Steve Wyremski (SW): How’s everything going; how’s the off season going so far?
Jacoby Ford (JF): It’s been cool. Just been working out off and on a little bit. I’m enjoying it.
SW: How much are you working out at this point with the NFL lockout? Are you working out every day?
JF: No, not every day… every other day or a few days throughout the week; nothing too strenuous. I don’t want to overwork my body before the season gets here especially since we don’t know when we’re going back.
SW: Speed’s your trademark. There’s no doubt about it. From running track at Clemson to your 40 time at the combine to your rookie season production, your speed was key. How were you able to take the track speed and translate it to the NFL?
JF: I think it helped tremendously. I’m just a football guy that knows how to run track. I didn’t go to Clemson for track, but my coaches just pushed me to always be fast. They said that sometimes it didn’t seem like I was as fast [on the field] as I was on the track. I always kept that in the back of my head to play fast every time I had the ball, or even when I didn’t have the ball.
SW: Your rookie season at receiver really started back in week 7 when Louis Murphy went out with a chest bruise injury. From that point on, you play roughly 70% of the team’s total snaps. How were you able to go from 6 weeks of playing on special teams or as a backup/situational player and transition from that role to a starter for the remainder of the season?
JF: It’s one of those things where you always have to be ready. You never know when your number’s going to be called. My coaches kept telling me, “Always be ready because you never know”. He was excited when I did get the opportunity. He just told me, “Now that you have the job, it’s your job to not let it go.” It’s always good to have that support.
SW: As a starter in the last 9 games, you caught 23 balls for 450 some-odd yards and rushed for, roughly, 150 yards. Projected over a full year, that’s 40 catches for 800 yards and 200-or-so yards rushing, which would put you over 1,000 yards total for the season. Would you be happy with that production?
JF: Of course I would. I want to capitalize on everything. I want to pickup exactly where I left off from the last half of the season; keep building and getting better each week.
SW: At receiver you had 50 targets with 56% that were over 10 yards. What do you attribute that to?
JF: That’s just our mentality. We’re a fast team and a fast group of receivers, so we definitely do take a lot of shots. It’s either going to be a hit or a miss.
SW: Who would you say is the toughest corner you’ve faced to date in the NFL?
JF: Champ Bailey… Antoine Cason, Nate Clements.
SW: Is that just because it’s difficult to get separation from those guys?
JF: Those are just veteran guys, so it’s always a constant battle with them. It wasn’t total domination by either player. You get him on a fade and he might get you the next play. It was evenly matched. It goes to show how much technique does have to come into play when you go up against an elite corner like that.
SW: Looking at bit closer at your 2010 numbers, you caught 11 balls on 16 targets between 10 and 20 yards. That’s clearly your best spot on the field. What is it about that section of the field that you’re able to succeed?
JF: It’s between 10-12 yards… I’m just able to get my speed up, get the corners a little nervous and get them on their heels a bit. You have to impose your speed and get them to respect you and they play you off more.
SW: In 2010, you scored 7 all-purpose touchdowns (3 special teams, 2 receiving and 2 rushing). How does the mindset compare – does it differ between the three?
JF: Every time I touch the ball, I want to make a big play and want to score. I always tell myself to, “Stay up, stay up”. You know, if someone tries to trip me up and get me off my feet, I just keep telling myself to stay up and that’s my mentality every time I touch the ball.
SW: Sticking to the kickoffs, with all the concussion issues out there… is that ever in the back of your mind as you’re walking on the field?
JF: Na, you can’t really think about it. If it happens, it happens. You can get hit hard. I’ll tell you, I’ve seen some big hits, but you can’t let that get into the back of your head. Otherwise, you’re going to play scared and it actually will happen. If you’re just playing [and] not thinking about it, you’ll be fine. You do have to keep your head on a swivel, though.
SW: Coach Hue Jackson said that you’re play down the stretch “reminded him of Steve Smith of the Panthers”. Would you agree with that comparison?
JF: Yeah, I would agree with everything Hue Jackson says. I’m behind him 100% with everything he’s doing.
SW: Any indication so far from the coaching staff that you’ll get more involved in the offense in 2011?
JF: I’ve heard that Hue wanted to use me more, but as far as hearing from the coaches, I’m not allowed to talk to them at all. I just heard it from an interview.
SW: I want to talk a little about where you line up on the field. In 2010, you saw 41% of your snaps in the slot. Do you see yourself continuing to spend time in the slot?
JF: Yeah, I like the slot. It’s a whole different world in the slot and I like it. I’ve done it a lot so I feel real comfortable there. I did it so much when I was at Clemson and it’s fun to play in the slot. A slot man has different reads from an outside receiver; we’ve got different things we have to do.
SW: If you were to race Desean Jackson in a 40. Who would win?
JF: Me.
SW: Are you the fastest guy in the game right now?
JF: Yes, I am. I’ve never seen anybody that’s going to beat me. Unless it happens…
SW: [Laughs] Alright, Jacoby. Thanks a lot. I appreciate you taking the time.
JF: Alright, no problem.
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Jacoby Ford is just what Al Davis wanted and has been searching for… the fastest guy in the game who can play football. You have to love the confidence from a guy like Ford who finished the 2nd half of 2010 in a big way. I’m excited to see how he develops especially considering the talk from Hue Jackson saying that he wants to get him more involved going forward.
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