Ed Thompson: What are you doing right now as you continue to prepare for
your final steps into the NFL?
Jon Beason: As of today, I'm just training hard for my Pro Day on April 5th,
which I'm excited about. The feedback I'm getting from my agent is that I really
don't have to run the forty again, but I want to. I want to be able to do it
healthy and put my best foot forward and show the clubs how fast I am.
ET: You've already shown them your great sideline-to-sideline speed during
the season. Do you think you'll really gain that much running the forty again?
JB: I'm expecting to run it in 4.5, which is a big improvement from my
Combine numbers. So it's really just for me and my well-being.
ET: You have great versatility with playing experience at all three
linebacker positions. Where do you feel you fit best at the NFL level?
JB: I think in a 4-3 scheme, which is what we ran at the University of Miami,
I could come in and contribute right away at the Will (weakside) or the Sam (strongside).
I think the only challenge would be the terminology since everyone has their own
terminology for what they call a certain blitz or a specific coverage. But
besides that, I think I can come in day one and play at the outside. In a 3-4
scheme I'd probably be a Mike (middle linebacker). The 3-4 would probably take
some time to get used to it, but at the same time football is football. And once
you get a grasp for what they want you to do, the philosophy and what the call
is, I think I can let my athletic ability and instincts take over.
ET: What did you enjoy about the Combine?
JB: Just being a junior, I was playing a lot of catch-up. Before the Combine
I was just a name and a lot of guys didn't know who I was and the teams hadn't
met me yet. I had 28 interviews and it was exciting to finally present myself
and show them the face behind the name.
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| (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) |
ET: You had 28 formal interviews where you met with the team privately?
JB: Yes, that's right. Just from guys I talked to, I don't think anybody had
that many. I know I'm a junior, and I think that contributed to it. That many
interviews was a little bit overwhelming, but at the same time a lot of fun. I
just tried to relax and be myself, and I think I did a good job of displaying
who I was and giving teams the opportunity to meet me. It was great.
ET: While meeting with head coaches did you ever find yourself thinking,
"wow, I can't believe I'm here and sitting and talking with this guy"
or were you able to just treat it like any other conversation?
JB: I'm not so much a star-struck person. But with a lot of the coaches, it
was definitely an honor being in that moment, it's something you dream about.
The whole process was just a lot of fun and I feel like I embraced it.
ET: I was very impressed with how you presented yourself during your Combine
press conference. Have you always been comfortable talking in front of large
groups of people?
JB: My mom always told me to speak my mind, and when asked just give clear
answers and full statements. I had a great high school coach who really had
those qualities and took them to the next level. I think when you grow into that
leadership role you're almost forced into the media side of it. All through high
school and college, whenever I had an interview, it wasn't something I was
scared to do. And 9 times out of 10, the words came out the way I wanted them
to.
Scout.com subscribers can read the rest of our interview with Jon Beason
by clicking here. Find out who is showing interest in him so far, why he's so
good at reading and diagnosing plays, how he'd fit into a Cover 2 defensive
scheme, and more!
| A member of the Professional Football Writers of America, Ed Thompson's NFL and college football player interviews and features have been published across the Scout.com network and syndicated through FoxSports.com's NFL team pages. |
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