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Jeno James
Jeno James is a guard for the Miami Dolphins. He was
acquired by the Dolphins in free agency in 2003 and is signed through
2009.
Jeno played college football for Auburn University and was drafted by
the Carolina Panthers. This interview was conducted on January
16th, 2005.
Jeno's father, Joseph James, is a participating in a Q&A thread on the
phinatics.com Miami Dolphins message board known as the Phinatics Phorum.
If you would like to ask Joseph a question, please visit
http://www.phinatics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1
Phinatics.com gives Jeno James a special "THANK YOU" for his participation.
phinatics.com: Who do you like in the Super
Bowl this year?
Jeno James: I haven't really been watching the teams that
much, but the Atlanta Falcons look good right now, so I would say
Atlanta Falcons.
phinatics.com: What's your opinion on the
National Championship situation Auburn found themselves in this year?
Jeno James: I just feel like the way the BCS is going, I wish
they could change it. I thought Auburn was a top two team, but the
way the rankings are there is no way they could be there. It would
be great if they had a better system where they could find out which
team was really the best team.
Jeno James at Auburn
photo compliments of autigers.com
phinatics.com: Did you give Randy Mac any
grief about Auburn beating Georgia?
Jeno James: Just briefly. The guys that played in the
SEC, we always brag about our teams and stuff. He knew how good
Auburn was, but he still stood by his team, so we just played around
like that all week.
Randy McMichael at UGA
Photo compliments of allsport
phinatics.com: You played with Auburn man
Stephen Davis in Carolina...do you hope Miami drafts a player from
Auburn like Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, or Jason Campbell?
Jeno James: I just hope they draft the right person for the
team--a guy that can come in and just dominate. That's something
I'm really looking forward to -- getting back on the winning track.
phinatics.com: What player has impressed you
the most since you've been in Miami?
Jeno James: Zach Thomas.
phinatics.com: You are very outspoken about
your faith and you write poetry in your spare time. How do you
switch gears on game day to where you want to pancake the guy across
from you on every play?
Jeno James: I never really switch gears from my faith because
that is what makes me aggressive because it makes me a warrior on the
field. I know people like David and Gideon were warriors in the
Bible. Jesus was a warrior. He never backed down. He always had
confidence. That's what I focus on. When I go on the field I
focus on God. So my focus never really changes. (Editor's note:
To read more on this subject, visit
http://www.secretsofsuccess.com/football/james.html ).
phinatics.com: Do you find it difficult to
be a Christian in the NFL?
Jeno James: It helps me focus even more on being a Christian.
Dealing with some of the things that go on in the NFL, you have to have
some kind of foundation and that is my foundation.
phinatics.com: You played tackle all through
college and a little in the NFL...how much different was it for you to
move to the guard position and do you like it better?
Jeno James: I like guard better because it gives me a chance
to pull. The transition wasn't that hard, but when I first played
guard I had to get used to how close guys like the defensive tackles
were to me.
phinatics.com: Do you like run or pass
blocking better?
Jeno James: I like run blocking. I think if you ask any
offensive lineman, they like it when their team runs the ball.
phinatics.com: Of all the opponents you
played against last year, which one do you think has the best defensive
line and why?
Jeno James: The New England Patriots had a good scheme, so I'd
say them.
phinatics.com: The Dolphins offensive line
received a lot of criticism this past season. Were you able to just
block that out or did it bother you at times?
Jeno James: I never really focused on it. I knew coming
to this team with a brand new offensive line ... I've been in that
situation before and I knew what to expect ... so I tried to focus on
doing my job and not think about that.
phinatics.com: Dolphins Offensive Line Coach
Wise was quoted as saying last season that it would take the offensive
line until December to gel. What are your thoughts on how long it
takes a new offensive line to gel?
Jeno James: It takes time because you are working with different
guys. If you are working with guys you don't really know, it's
kind of hard to communicate, so I think it takes some time.
I think the more you know a guy that plays next to you, the better off
the line will be.
phinatics.com: What do you think the main
reason was for what appeared to be some confusion on blitzes.
Jeno James: I think it was that -- building a new line.
A lot of young guys were facing that experience for the first time.
phinatics.com: Have you had any
conversations with Coach Saban, and if yes, did they give you any
insight into what kind of coach he might be?
Jeno James: I haven't really met with him yet.
Coach Nick Saban
photo compliments of secsports.com
phinatics.com: There's been a lot of talk
about Coach Saban and discipline. How would you describe a
disciplined football team?
Jeno James: I look at the Carolina Panthers when we went to the
Super Bowl. I felt like that was a real disciplined team.
Knowing exactly what it is you are going to do that day and having a
coach that demands respect --- that's what I'd say is a
disciplined team.
phinatics.com: What area of your game do you
want to work on the most this off-season?
Jeno James: I just want to work on being the best lineman I
can be on my all around game. There are always things you can be
better on.
phinatics.com: The Carolina Panthers come to
Miami for a game this season. Will that game be any different for
you than the others since you once played for them?
Jeno James: It wouldn't be any different. I think all
games are the same. I play all games as hard as I can --- every
game.
Be sure to visit the phinatics.com Miami Dolphins message board also known as the Phinatics Phorum!