Tarvaris Jackson to work harder
If the media's around-the-clock speculation surrounding Favre-to-Vikings rumors doesn't get to Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson, one of his own players might.
According to Rick Alonzo of The Pioneer Press, Jackson was surprised by Vikings DT Pat Williams' comments on Sirius NFL Radio suggesting that he needs to put in more time than he already does.
Said Williams: "I talk to Tarvaris all the time (and) tell him you have to put in the time. This ain't college no more. This is the NFL. You have to put in more time than you are used to putting in. If you are putting in four hours, you have to put in eight. You have to put in more time than what he's doing. I think if he puts the right time in, he will be a great quarterback in the league."
Jackson says he won't let the comments affect his confidence, but he is going to work even harder. He "guesses."
"I feel like I'm doing what I've got to do," Jackson said. "I put the time in. Maybe I do have to put extra time in. I guess when you're not doing as well, you've got to put the extra time in. I feel like I'm working hard. I've always been a hard worker. I'm going to continue to do that."
"I'm just going to try to turn it up a notch, I guess, try to work a little bit harder so we won't be having these conversations no more," Jackson said.
Instead of making these comments in public, I think Williams should be making these comments to Jackson privately. He says he does "all the time," but Jackson seems to say the opposite.
Although Jackson didn't play well in the Vikings' sole playoff game, he played well down the stretch as Gus Frerotte's replacement.
Jackson, who was the Vikings' second-round pick in 2006, had a QB rating of 115.4, completed 64 percent of his passes for 740 yards in those final four regular-season games. He threw eight touchdowns and only one interception during that span.
According to Rick Alonzo of The Pioneer Press, Jackson was surprised by Vikings DT Pat Williams' comments on Sirius NFL Radio suggesting that he needs to put in more time than he already does.
Said Williams: "I talk to Tarvaris all the time (and) tell him you have to put in the time. This ain't college no more. This is the NFL. You have to put in more time than you are used to putting in. If you are putting in four hours, you have to put in eight. You have to put in more time than what he's doing. I think if he puts the right time in, he will be a great quarterback in the league."
Jackson says he won't let the comments affect his confidence, but he is going to work even harder. He "guesses."
"I feel like I'm doing what I've got to do," Jackson said. "I put the time in. Maybe I do have to put extra time in. I guess when you're not doing as well, you've got to put the extra time in. I feel like I'm working hard. I've always been a hard worker. I'm going to continue to do that."
"I'm just going to try to turn it up a notch, I guess, try to work a little bit harder so we won't be having these conversations no more," Jackson said.
Instead of making these comments in public, I think Williams should be making these comments to Jackson privately. He says he does "all the time," but Jackson seems to say the opposite.
Although Jackson didn't play well in the Vikings' sole playoff game, he played well down the stretch as Gus Frerotte's replacement.
Jackson, who was the Vikings' second-round pick in 2006, had a QB rating of 115.4, completed 64 percent of his passes for 740 yards in those final four regular-season games. He threw eight touchdowns and only one interception during that span.
