|
Chat Reel: JaJuan Dawson
Browns receiver is optimistic about the future
Posted: Wednesday January 24, 2001 12:50 PM
Updated: Friday January 26, 2001 3:07 PM
| |
Cleveland wide receiver JaJuan Dawson caught nine passes for 97 yards and one touchdown this season. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Jajuan Dawson. Welcome Jajuan and thanks for joining us.
JaJuan Dawson: I'm glad to have the opportunity to chat with a lot of the fans out there.
From mikey68: What was the most important thing you've learned during this past season?
JaJuan Dawson: To stay healthy (laughs). I think the most important thing was the length of the season. The season is twice as long as the college season, so for a rookie, you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically.
From rajmahal: Who do you think the Browns need to draft? Do the Browns need David Terrell with the talent of yourself, Kevin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and David Patten?
JaJuan Dawson: Well, It's a tough decision. The biggest thing I think we're waiting on is free agency, which begins March 1, which will give us an idea of what we need to look for.
From Sid Marti in San Antonio, Texas: What are your views on the turmoil with the coach Palmer situation, and whom would you like to see as the next coach of the Browns? Look forward to great things from you next year -- Go Browns!
JaJuan Dawson: Good question. Just coming in the NFL is a total shock to me on the way they handle some things. It was a business decision that the organization decided to go with. As a player, I'm fortunate just to have my job every week. As for a replacement, it doesn't matter to me as long as they call pass plays, the other guys and me can take care of the rest.
From Terry Hazen in Tampa Bay, Fla.: Hi JaJuan, I am a huge Browns fan, and was really disappointed when you went out with the injury early in the season. Just wondering if you plan on staying with the Browns next season? It would be a great loss to the organization if you were to go elsewhere. Thanks, and hope your 100 percent recovered now!
JaJuan Dawson: I'm definitely staying in Cleveland. I think this is a great team going in the right direction. And I'm really looking forward to being a Brown next year.
From Heels: How do you think the Browns will do next season, considering everyone stays healthy?
JaJuan Dawson: Well, the sky's the limit. Right now, our No. 1 concern is getting a coach. The players are anxious to see who the new coach is going to be. Everybody is excited. Maybe change is good.
From MarkyMark: Who did you admire growing up? What was your favorite football team?
JaJuan Dawson: I admired my parents for getting through the everyday life struggles, and I was a huge 49er fan.
From mikey68: JaJuan, have you had a chance to pick the brains of any of the veteran receivers and pick up any tips?
JaJuan Dawson: Not yet, unfortunately the team I went to was very young. There haven't been very many veterans that I have been able to come in contact with.
From Spero: You played with Shaun King at Tulane and he's really struggling right now in Tampa Bay. What do you see as the problem there?
JaJuan Dawson: Hopefully, they solved the problem. I know Shaun wasn't overwhelmed by the offensive schemes, he would like to be more involved. Hopefully, they'll get on the right track.
From What: With the Ravens in the Super Bowl are there any hard feelings since they are actually from Cleveland?
JaJuan Dawson: No hard feelings. In the NFL guys go out to work everyday, it's a hard job.
From heels: Will you be ready to return to the Browns at full strength?
JaJuan Dawson: I'm probably at about 90 percent right now, so I should be ready when they're ready to start in April.
From mikey68: JaJuan, does being on a team that didn't win a lot of games during the season make everyone want to work harder during the offseason?
JaJuan Dawson: Yes, to be honest. Every player wants to make it to the playoffs because then there's no limit. When you don't make it, it hurts to watch the other teams. So guys are going to work hard to get there.
From nutter: Do you think that Tim Couch can get your team to the Super Bowl?
JaJuan Dawson: I think Couch is great quarterback. And when given ample enough surrounding talent, he can definitely lead the team to the Super Bowl.
From What: How far do you think you are away from making the Pro Bowl, how many seasons?
JaJuan Dawson: I challenge myself to have Pro Bowl numbers within three years, maybe less. But right now we don't even have a coach, so one thing at a time.
From brownsfan: How is the NFL different from college?
JaJuan Dawson: The biggest difference is the business side. It's a job. It's not just a game, it's a job. Other than that, physically, more guys are bigger and faster.
From rajmahal: There are rumors that Robert Smith is coming to the Browns. What are your thoughts on this?
JaJuan Dawson: Another great player. Put great players in good systems and teams win.
From Armen: JaJuan what are you goals for next year?
JaJuan Dawson: Stay healthy. Just to be consistent and hopefully to be a go-to guy.
From mikey68: How fast does everything appear to be moving during a play in the NFL?
JaJuan Dawson: Split-second. It's unbelievably fast from the time the ball is snapped to the end of the play. If you close your eyes you'll miss it.
From ClevelandRocks: How have you adjusted to the weather in Cleveland?
JaJuan Dawson: Not too well, but I'm getting better. The snow was a tremendous shock for me coming from the South, but I'm getting used to it.
From BigTen: Who is the one player you would most like to have as a teammate?
JaJuan Dawson: That's a good question. Wasn't Marshall Faulk the league MVP? That's a good start. I would think everyone would want a player of that caliber on their team.
From rajmahal: Who are you rooting for in the Super Bowl?
JaJuan Dawson: It really doesn't matter. You don't really root for one team unless you're there. I'd just like to see both teams play well and may the best team win.
From Patriots1188: How tough is it for other teams to come and play in Cleveland with the fans, and the weather combination?
JaJuan Dawson: Extremely tough. Sometimes it's tough for the guys who play for Cleveland. No, we have a great fan base. Sometimes we'll put anywhere from 72,000 to 74,000 in the stands each week, but our biggest fan might be the weather in December. It gives us an extra edge, especially when we're playing teams from the South.
From diehardbrownsfan85: JaJuan, do you feel the team is building properly in terms of getting to the Super Bowl?
JaJuan Dawson: I think so. Management has been to the Super Bowl a couple of times, speaking of Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark. They drafted me, so that's a start. Overall I'm happy with the direction that the team is going.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Jajuan Dawson. Jajuan, thanks for joining us and enjoy the Super Bowl.
JaJuan Dawson: Thank you -- and thanks for all the great questions.
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
