| NFL DRAFT: Jarrett not like Keyshawn in one area: his mouth |
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| Written by Admin |
| Sunday, 29 April 2007 11:39 |
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Dwayne Jarrett and Keyshawn Johnson have a lot in common: they're both from Southern California, they're both 6-foot-4 and they've been used in similar ways as receivers. ``He's much like me,'' Johnson said of Jarrett while serving as an analyst on ESPN. There's one big difference. In a meeting with reporters Sunday, a day after being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the NFL draft, Jarrett said something Johnson would never say. ``No comment,'' Jarrett said with a smile when asked if he talked as much as the bombastic Johnson. ``I'm quiet.'' Jarrett expected to be a first-round pick when he left USC a year early after a school-record 216 catches and a Pac-10 record 41 touchdown catches. Jarrett acknowledged he was surprised he fell to the 45th pick amid questions about his lack of speed and strength. If that sounds familiar, Johnson has been criticized for years as being too slow - though playing a physical style has always been a strength. ``One of the things he needs to work on is getting off the line of scrimmage because they're going to press you,'' Johnson said. ``They're going to come up in your face and until you become violent, you're going to have some problems.'' While Jarrett may be quieter than Keyshawn, he's not lacking confidence. He feels he compares nicely to Johnson. ``I think just because of our size and the way we use our bodies to go up and get the ball, we definitely are similar,'' Jarrett said. ``We can make the outstanding catches. He has great hands, as well as myself, so I can see the similarities. ``But I'm Dwayne Jarrett. I'm not trying to be Keyshawn, even though he's a great player.'' The Panthers were looking for depth at receiver behind the 34-year-old Johnson, who has hinted 2007 may be his final season. Johnson was signed a year ago as a possession receiver to complement the small, speedy Steve Smith. Like Johnson, Jarrett has a knack of using his size to create mismatches against smaller cornerbacks, and has good timing on his leaps on high throws. The Panthers think he can also do that at the NFL level. ``He's another guy we had a high value on that we liked a lot,'' Panthers coach John Fox said. ``He was very productive for three years - pretty great production in some big spots. We were excited about that pick.'' Johnson has already said he'll take Jarrett under his wing. They'll be on the same field together this weekend for Carolina's minicamp. ``I think it'll be a great experience, having him there, especially a fellow Trojan,'' Jarrett said. ``He's a veteran. I'm a rookie coming in, so I definitely can learn a lot from him.'' But Johnson has been known to be tough on rookies, and he's likely to take special interest in a fellow USC receiver who he may be grooming to replace him. ``I'm glad to have him as a teammate. This is a great pick,'' Johnson said. ``I can teach him how to play at the point of attack. He can gain a little weight, but he's like me.'' Just quieter. |
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