Interview date: 09/17/2007
Posted: 10/10/2007
Stalter Home / Sports Channel / Bullz-Eye Home
Talk about timing. When we set up an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars rookie linebacker Justin Durant earlier this season, little did we know that he would make his first NFL start against the Falcons a few days before we talked to him. Durant played well, recording two solo tackles and stuffing RB Artose Pinner on a third-and-one early in the second quarter during the Jags' Week 2 win.
We got a chance to talk to Justin about that start, the transition from Hampton University to Jacksonville, and playing in front of NFL crowds. He also filled us in on which teammates have helped him adjust to life in the NFL, and he spills the beans on whether or not his second cousin is really Seattle Sonics first-round pick Kevin Durant.
Bullz-Eye: Hello, this is Anthony.
Justin Durant: Hey, this is Justin Durant.
BE: Justin, how are you, man?
JD: Good, how are you?
BE: Excellent! I really appreciate you sitting down and talking with us.
JD: No problem.
BE: Well, I turned on the TV last Sunday and the very first thing I heard was that you were going to make your first NFL start. When did you hear that you would start against the Falcons?
JD: You know, I was kind of going back and forth during the week with the (first team defense), but I probably didn’t actually find out until that Friday (before the game).
BE: And how did you think you played?
JD: I did okay for my first game. There were a couple of things I messed up on that I could do better this week. I’m just going to try and build on things each and every game.
BE: Can you describe a particular play that kind of welcomed you to the NFL? Whether it was a specific tackle you made or a time where an offensive lineman blindsided you on a block….
JD: (thinks) Uh, let’s see. I helped make a stop on third and one (with) Derek Landri. That was the first play where I really felt the crowd get excited off of something I did. So, you know, that was probably the first thing that told me I was finally (in the NFL).
BE: You mentioned the crowd. For those of us who gave up on our NFL dreams long ago, describe the atmosphere during a given play.
JD: (laughs) Oh man, it’s a crazy feeling, especially for me coming from a smaller school. A lot of our crowd (at Hampton)…we used to have maybe four or five thousand at some of the games -- sometimes we would have upwards of 20 or 30 (thousand) on any given Saturday. So it wasn’t really loud. But there were times during the game (on Sunday) where I couldn’t even hear myself think. I’m looking at guys for signals and I can see their mouths moving, but I can’t hear anything.
BE: (laughs) Right!
JD: It’s crazy, but it’s a good feeling to have your fans behind you and hear them rooting for you.
BE: Definitely! What player has impressed you the most in the NFL? Maybe it’s one of your Jaguar teammates or a player from another team…?
JD: (thinks) Um, I’ve been watching, but at the same time I haven’t been watching, you know? (I haven’t been concerned) with what everyone else has been doing. I just think that, (I should) watch our guys each week (on) both the offensive and defensive lines and also the skill players that we have. So yeah, I just watch our players and then when we watch film.
BE: Going back to your college days for a moment, how did you wind up at Hampton?
JD: Actually, Hampton was the first school that offered me a scholarship after my junior season of high school year. None of the Division I schools offered me a scholarship. So it was basically something where, I went up there and had a good time on my visit, thought that it was a good program, (thought it was) a good fit for me and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
BE: That’s great! So, for everyone who watches the NFL Draft and hears analysts say, “This prospect has a bigger transition to the NFL because he came from a smaller school”…is there any truth to that? Or, look, it’s football and everyone has to adjust.
JD: That’s how I feel. I look at it as the same game. Everybody’s talented and the speed (in the NFL) is faster than it was in college, but I think that’s an adjustment that everyone has to make. Guys that went to the bigger schools are used to having more attention and pressure put on them than I’m used to, but as far as the game, it’s still football. It’s the game we’ve all been playing since we were little kids.
BE: Right. And how has the transition been from Hampton to the Jaguars? Has it been smooth?
JD: Yeah, it’s been pretty smooth. I had a couple of bumps. I think every rookie has his problems sometimes learning the playbook and dealing with the amount of time we (devote). It’s been a difficult adjustment at times, but overall I think it’s been pretty smooth.
BE: And besides the speed of the game, can you pinpoint a major difference between college and the pros?
JD: Oh, just the size. Everyone’s size is just crazy. (laughs) I was one of the smaller linebackers coming out (of the draft) and just to see all the tight ends are 6’7” is crazy. I’m 6’1” on a good day.
BE: (laughs) Right! And in your good shoes too!
JD: (laughs) Yeah! It’s just the size and speed of the interior offensive linemen.
BE: Did you receive any rookie hazing in training camp or were the veterans pretty light on you?
JD: No, not too much. They cut my hair one time, but other than that it’s been pretty good.
BE: Has any specific teammate gone out of his way either on the field or off the field to show you the ropes?
JD: Yeah, all the guys invite me and other people over to hang out. Me and Maurice Jones-Drew have the same agents, so I go over to his house, especially (when we were) in training camp. Once we got out of the hotel I went over and just relaxed at his house. He told me how he adjusted (as a rookie last year) and keeps telling me it’s the same game and to not think about where you were (in college) and go out and play the game you’ve been playing forever.
BE: Right.
JD: So yeah, Maurice has been a big help for me and of course, all of the linebackers. They’ve all been real cool and just helping me out on the field as well as in the classroom. You know, they’ll help me out when coach asks me a question that I might not know the answer to, I’ll have someone whisper the answer to me just to help me out. (laughs) So you know, all the guys have been a great help to me.
BE: Talk about playing alongside Mike Peterson and how his guidance has been.
JD: It’s been great. He knows the defense like nobody else. To be out there beside him…he takes command on the field and just leads us. You know, he’s our defensive leader.
BE: Definitely.
JD: I’m with him all the time during the day, so I’m just paying attention to what he does and the way he goes about things and just trying to pick up on smaller things.
BE: What can Jaguars fans expect for the rest of the season?
JD: Well, of course, our goal is to win the Super Bowl. Every team goes into every season thinking it’s their year to win it. So of course that’s our goal and, you know, we had a little slip up earlier in the year (13-10 loss to Tennessee in Week 1), but we’re back on track and I feel we’re going to make it to the Super Bowl.
BE: All right Justin, I’ve got one last question for you: I read somewhere that your second cousin is Kevin Durant.
JD: (laughs) Not that I know of!
BE: Oh man, somebody’s got it on the web! I think its Wikipedia!
JD: (laughs) Really?
BE: Yeah, do you ever go on there?
JD: Yeah!
BE: So he’s not your cousin?
JD: No, not that I know of. You don’t know how many people have asked me that question since I’ve made it to the NFL.
BE: (laughs) Are you serious?
JD: Yeah, I get that all the time.
BE: Well, if he was, I was going to ask you what’s in store for you this year and what’s in store for him. But I guess not now!
JD: (laughs) Yeah, I wish he were my second cousin! But no, we’re not related at all.
BE: It’s amazing that something on the Internet is wrong!
JD: (laughs)
BE: All right Justin, I know you’ve got meetings and probably other interviews, so I’ll let you go.
JD: Actually, it hasn’t been too bad (as far as interviews). I’m sitting right here next to Mike Peterson, so everyone wants to talk to him!
BE: Hey, forget Mike Peterson! I wanted to talk to you.
JD: (laughs) Well, I appreciate that.
BE: All right Justin, thanks again, take care and good luck this season.
JD: All right, thanks.
Questions or comments? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.