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Lord Happy to be a Texan

Vinny

shiny happy fan
Sunday Q&A: Lord set to go from QB to DB
Sunday, May 02, 2004
ELI GELMAN
Star-Ledger Staff​

Houston Texans draft pick Jammal Lord was hardly nervous during last weekend's NFL Draft. The University of Nebraska quarterback and former Bayonne High star relaxed with his family in Bayonne, flipping between the draft and a game between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.

Finally the call came and Texans head coach Dom Capers was on the line. "How would you like to be a Texan?" Lord recalled Capers asking him. "(Afterward), I didn't call anybody. I was still in shock. After a while, it kicks in. Wow, I just got called by the Texans. I'm going to be playing for the Texans. At first you don't realize what happened. Then it kicks in and you're like, 'Wow, I can't believe it.'"

Lord, who was selected in the sixth round, 175th overall, heads to rookie camp in Houston next weekend and is determined to make the team. He spoke to The Star-Ledger about the time leading up to draft day and his hopes for the future.

Why weren't you nervous on draft day?

I talked to every team in the NFL so I wasn't really concerned. I figured if I didn't get the call, some (team) would pick me up through free agency.

What did you go through leading up the draft?

I worked out in Atlanta on my own. Pro day was March 10 at Nebraska. Scouts come and work you out there individually. I did pretty good there. I went back and forth from Atlanta to Nebraska, because some teams could come in and work you out again. I had a few teams (do that). I had individual workouts with the Chiefs and Louis Rams. I went to visit Green Bay, Tampa Bay and the Jets.

Did any of the teams hint that they might draft you?

Everybody says they like you. But you never know what they're really thinking. The draft is so crazy, you don't know what's going to happen. You just sit, be patient and wait for the phone call.

Was there one team you wanted to get selected by?

I was kind of hoping to go to the Jets. They were my childhood team. I would have been home in my backyard. My mother is in New Jersey and the rest of my family is in Brooklyn, so they wouldn't have had to travel too far to see me play.

What do you know about Houston? Do you know anyone out there?

I don't know anybody. Raheem Orr, who went to Rutgers, was drafted by Houston. I played with him in the high school all-star game.

The Texans want you to be a free safety instead of quarterback. Disappointed?

No, not at all. I'm just excited to get an opportunity. It was (all) defensive back drills at pro day in Nebraska. I never took any reps at quarterback.

How tough will the transition be?

I played corner and safety in high school, so I have some experience there. Now I just have to tone back up my backpedaling and DB skills. It's not going to be easy.

What's your best Nebraska football memory?

Playing against Texas (in) my junior year, even though we lost by three. It was me vs. Chris Simms, two Jersey guys. He threw for about 300 yards, I ran for 230 yards and threw for 100 yards. It was fun.

What do you know about new Giants quarterback Eli Manning?

I played against him in the (December 2002) Independence Bowl. They beat us. I did all right against him. I had about 100 yards passing, 100 yards rushing.

What do you want to do with your communications degree?

Play in the NFL.
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1083487212230890.xml
 
lord has always been a stand up guy...this just proves it...he's your classic coaches player...i don't care where i play just play me type of player...love his attitude
 
Do you guys think Lord could be a 3rd string RB? I never saw him play so I was just wondering about his running skills.
 
I saw him play, didn't examine him with a microscope but I can tell you he's pretty elusive and has good speed. With alot of polishing he might be developed into a 3rd string running back, but I think it's much more feasible to see him becoming a safety.
 
I know that Capers loves players that are versatile. Seems as though those types of players have better chances of making the team. Just like he likes corners that can play safety I am sure running back was another reason why they liked Lord.
 
The title of this thread reminds me of a sappy country song.
Lord, I'm Happy to be a Texan.

I bet we could come up with some pretty good lyrics. :p
 
How about the second coming of Slash, plays DB, Speciality Teams (returns or coverage), a little RB (halfback pass or threat of), maybe WR (Reverse Pass), and Maybe Emergancy QB (option plays on the goaline). The possiblitiesy are endless. :banana:
 
V Man, I think what you said are the exact things that Capers has in mind for this type of player. Keep in mind the trick plays the Texans have done throughout the first two years of the franchise that helped us get some wins ie..Aaron Glenn against Jville.
 
We have a real possibilty of turning this guy into a real good FS. He has the size and the speed needed. We just have to hope that Capers places him under Marcus Coleman ASAP so that Lord can get all the mentoring he can a soon as possibly. As Marcus is going to make ONE HELL of a Safety.
 
I Am very glad he is a texan he is one of those guys I can see playing just about any position that he sets his mind to, that is with the correct amount of work and determination. Lord is a standup guy from what I have read, glad he is a TEXAN
 
I hope Lord changes his attitude. He lost the respect on several Nebraska fans by laughing and joking around on the sidelines during some butt kickings including a couple of losses to K-State. Also, his mom lipped off a few times about how great of player he is. Hopefully, his attitude will change as a Texan. :confused:
 
Shotgun30 said:
I hope Lord changes his attitude. He lost the respect on several Nebraska fans by laughing and joking around on the sidelines during some butt kickings including a couple of losses to K-State. Also, his mom lipped off a few times about how great of player he is. Hopefully, his attitude will change as a Texan. :confused:

I hadn't heard that. It is concerning, but if it was a major issue, I don't think CC or DC would have drafted him. They like the high character players. :banana:
 
It really was nothing you would have read about it in his attitude unless you were following the Huskers. You had to be watching the games or reading the Nebraska newspapers. And I am probably the only on this board that reads the Nebraska papers.

Don’t get me wrong I hope he does well b/c I think he has the talent. Also, it is nice to see the 5th Nebraska player on the Texans’ roster. Pretty soon the Texans are going to have to wear red at all the home games. :spot:
 
Lord is an athlete with 4.4 40 speed. J Lord is smart and I think he will pick it up enough to make the team.
 
Shotgun30 said:
Don’t get me wrong I hope he does well b/c I think he has the talent. Also, it is nice to see the 5th Nebraska player on the Texans’ roster. Pretty soon the Texans are going to have to wear red at all the home games. :spot:

So THAT explains the red alternate jerseys!
 
The early word out of rookie camp was that Lord was very impressive in drills. He was much larger and quicker than some expected.
 
I read that on the website, that is great. It also said they were impressed with his hip swifts, very fluid. Looks like at least one of the sleepers is going to work out.
 
Remember with all the 4-WR and 5-WR sets at certain points in the game we could have anywhere from 5-7 DB's in the game. I think have two starters already at FS in McRee and Coleman; however, we will need to have a futre FS eventually. I like the fact that he is a QB. He might be able to read the offense quicker using the QB mindset and make adjustments better. He might even be a good gunner.
 
Lord had a history of getting in trouble with the law at Nebraska in incidents related to drinking so I hope he can keep himself straight.
 
A Texan said:
Lord had a history of getting in trouble with the law at Nebraska in incidents related to drinking so I hope he can keep himself straight.
Are you talking about when he was AT HOME and playing his music too loud? Is there anything else where he was doing anything other than being a College kid?
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord and Cornhusker volleyball and basketball player Greichaly Cepero were ticketed for disturbing the peace.

Officers were called to Lord's north Lincoln apartment about 3 a.m. CDT Sunday after neighbors complained of hearing a loud noise.
 
I believe the other incidents that he was cited for were attempting to buy alcohol as a minor, careless driving (his blood alcohol was only .02 but Nebraska has a zero tolerance policy for minors), and urinating in public.
 
I like lord playing for the Texans I think we should try him at reciever and halfback option plays. and seeing that he is a natural runner he might be good at returning punts and kickoffs. :disco:
 
A Texan said:
I believe the other incidents that he was cited for were attempting to buy alcohol as a minor, careless driving (his blood alcohol was only .02 but Nebraska has a zero tolerance policy for minors), and urinating in public.

The simple fact is that, no matter who you are there is dirt. It is magnitude of person's indiscretions that can be debated. :soapbox:
 
I posted this in the Chronicle thread (making light of our lack of local coverage), but for the archive's sake I am putting this tidbit on Lord here too...
"I don't mind [the switch], not at all," said Lord. "I've got to feed people. I've got to feed my mother."

As a two-year starter at Nebraska, Lord passed for 2,848 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 2,573 yards and 24 touchdowns, the school's second best rushing total for a quarterback behind Crouch.

But the Texans were looking for defensive backs, and Lord's 6-foot-2, 220-pound body seemed ideal for a free safety.

"I didn't really look that far ahead [to the pros] when I was playing," Lord said. "All I knew was I wanted an opportunity."

The Texans saw in his offense the makings of a good defensive player.

"He's just a big, powerful guy, and he's got explosiveness," Houston coach Dom Capers said. "We noticed when he was running the ball in college, he hit some tacklers pretty hard. With power and speed like that, he can do a lot of things. And he's the type who can contribute on special teams while he's learning the new position."

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/colleges/8772289.htm?1c
 
I think the development of Lord of the course of pre-season will be a pretty fun story to watch. Everyone agrees that he has the physical tools to play in the NFL...but nobody really knows play what position. The way the current game is and everyone is ultra specialized I like the idea of a team having a couple Jack-of-All-Positions so to speak (the Pat's Klecko leaps to mind).

Lord might not be the best at any spot but he could open up mis-match oppportunities...I would like to see him get involved on the offensive side of the ball as well. He has a tough path to follow in the conversion to DB...but who knows, the guy might end up being a perennial Pro-Bowler or just another excellent college athlete that didn't work out in the NFL.
 
J-Man said:
...but who knows, the guy might end up being a perennial Pro-Bowler or just another excellent college athlete that didn't work out in the NFL.

I like how you put that. It goes to prove the difference in competition and how much more difficult it is to make it in the NFL...there are a lot of guys at the college level that are able to flat out physically beat the guy(s) across from them without developing any football skill.

I like how Lord is willing to switch positions and do whatever it takes to succeed and take care of the people he loves. I like his attitude...him being willing to change positions will speed up and improve his progression at the new position...whatever it may be. Eric Crouch was in the same situation, but his bad attitude caused him to fall apart. Lord will succeed and I'm excited to see how well he does at the new position he'll play.
 
Jman's description of a Jack of all trades type reminds me of Guido Merkins, who played for the old Oilers many moons ago. If memory serves, he was the emergency QB, emergency punter, but also played alot of WR, maybe some DB, and KR, and was a good overall ST player. I think he did a bit of everything. Another guy who comes to mind played for the Dolphins, but his name eludes me. He played QB, and might have punted, and done some other things as well. 80's era guy. Maybe someone else will remember. Those guys were borderline athletes, unlike Lord, who is a superior athlete. I think Lord is best served by immersing himself totally in trying to make the conversion to safety. He can play on ST while doing this, but I don't know about playing WR or RB. He has his hands full, and I hope he can make the conversion, but nothing is guaranteed.
 
Jim Jenson was the Dolphin you are speaking of I believe. He was an outstanding athlete also. Ex-QB, played a lot of WR. Did a little bit of everything.
 
Yep,
Jim "Crash" Jenson...he came out as a QB, and when they told him he wasn't going to make the practice squad his rookie year he volunteered for STs and put the wood to a couple guy in his first go round...the rest is history. He is a very popular guy in Miami football history.

Bottom line is that good athletes who want to play bad enough can be sucessful, just maybe not in the way they originally planned.
 
I agree with Shotgun30 here, I read the Nebraska papers also and watched him play every game, and he WILL need to change his attitude. He is a great and versitle athlete though and could prove to bring some interesting moves to the game.
 
He is a good athlete, pretty fast and smart, so given time, he will likely work out "OK". I like it that we seem to be picking up the overall team speed.
 
I am from Nebraska so i do read all the papers and i am so excited to see most of the people on this board speaking well of jammal. I have been a big fan of him and are sick of everybody being down on him. He gave his best every game, with no support from fans and i think he will be a great player for you guys!!
 
sportschic82 said:
I am from Nebraska so i do read all the papers and i am so excited to see most of the people on this board speaking well of jammal. I have been a big fan of him and are sick of everybody being down on him. He gave his best every game, with no support from fans and i think he will be a great player for you guys!!

I'm willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt who is being asked to make as big a change as Jamaal is being asked to...and smile while his doing it! I hope he does well and finds his niche with team.
 
I saw Jammal play in college, both as a backup and as a starter.
I'm glad that he plays for the Texans and not the Titans.
:soapbox:
 
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