Spencer:

The last time we met, you were getting ready to graduate from the Bullis School. Your performance was stellar, on the football field, on the basketball court, and in the classroom. What can you say to high schoolers who sometimes find it hard putting all the pieces together?

Tanard:

Just being in that position a few years ago, one thing I can tell high school students is to never let anything get in the way of what you’re trying to do. Whether that be the athletic thing or anything that you want to do in life, you should never let something get in the way of that. If that’s what you really want to do and you’re heart is into it, I don’t see why you can’t.

Spencer:

Was there anything you learned playing basketball that later helped you on the football field?

Tanard:

Just discipline. I mean the coach, Coach Hibbs, was a great coach. He was not only a basketball coach, he was a mentor for me off the court. Playing basketball those four years and that experience helped me with discipline and time management. He knew those things and he definitely tried to instill those in me during my four years at Bullis. So I would say what I got out of basketball was time management and discipline.

Spencer:

How about agility?

Tanard:

As far as the physical nature of it, it definitely helped me because the two different types of training helped me to stay in shape the whole year ‘round.

Spencer:

As a freshman at Bullis, you must remember your punt return during the St. Albans game. Could you share with me another great memory?

Tanard:

One great memory? I have so many. You, my classmates, the community.

Spencer:

You left high school to study and play football for the Syracuse Orange. The team has struggled in recent years, yet you stood out as one of the most accomplished defensive backs in recent Syracuse history. What do you remember most about your college experience?

Tanard:

Just the camaraderie with my teammates. You come out of high school where you’re pretty much sheltered. You have your people at Bullis, you have your family and all. When you go to college it’s a whole new world. You meet new people, everybody’s coming from different walks of life and you all come in and do one thing, win football games and build camaraderie. So the relationship you build with teammates, friends, coaches – that’s the best.

Spencer:

Do you still have contact with them today?

Tanard:

Oh yeah – I was there a couple of weeks ago on my off week and I still talk to all the coaches and a lot of my teammates.

Spencer:

Tell me some of your thoughts going into the NFL draft. What were your expectations?

Tanard:

Coming into the draft, my expectations were to do everything possible to put myself in a position to get drafted as high as possible. I was working out twice a day, just trying to do everything I needed to do and not have any regrets. I didn’t want to look back and say that I could have done more.

Spencer:

How did you feel when you were selected by Tampa Bay?

Tanard:

I felt great. I was drafted on the second day. That first day you’re watching the draft and see all these guys get picked in front of you. It’s rough. That was one of the toughest things I had to deal with, to see players get drafted in front of me. But at 11:00 that next morning, I got a call from Tampa Bay and they said they were going to draft me. That was the happiest day of my life.

Spencer:

What are some of the challenges as a college player transitions into the NFL?

Tanard:

The biggest transition that I’ve found most difficult is managing your time and just being professional about your work. You’re coming from college, not really much responsibility. Now you’re in the NFL. You’re around guys who are married and guys who’ve been around for awhile. So just managing your time and trying to just handle yourself like a professional.

Spencer:

And this is a job.

Tanard:

Right. And even though it’s a game, people don’t realize the business side that you have to follow.

Spencer:

You have now played for two of the greatest defensive minds in football today, Greg Robinson and Monte Kiffin. How do they differ?

Tanard:

They’re very similar, but the difference is with age. Monte is older than Coach Robinson and they run similar defenses. There’s a lot of similarities, but I would say age and Monte’s a little more stuck in his ways. I mean, you get an old-school coach like Monte who has success with his system – he’s not looking to change that. He’s going to find the players who fit that. Greg Robinson is a little more open to new things because he’s a younger coach and he’s trying to get to where Monte’s at.

Spencer:

Tell me about the ‘bend-but-don’t-break’ philosophy and do you think it works.

Tanard:

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I’ve heard that philosophy since I entered in sports and little league – bend but don’t break. You give a little but you don’t give it all. That’s the type of defense we live by, that’s how we operate as a defense.

Spencer:

How was the decision made to move you from cornerback to safety?

Tanard:

During my last season at Syracuse I was hearing the talk that I may be moved to safety once I get to the NFL. But I never really accepted it until I got to the Senior Bowl and I was down there with the Tampa Bay staff. They coached us in the game and Monte Kiffin and Raheem Morris, the defensive back coach, told me that they see me as an NFL safety. And I kind of took it and ran with it. I told them if this is what it takes to get me on the field, then that’s what I’ll do, I’ll play safety.

Spencer:

I’m sure October 7, 2007 will be a day you will always remember, your first interception as a professional football player, and off a Peyton Manning pass. Could you tell me about the play and your thoughts after it happened?

Tanard:

Well, it was one of the few bad throws on Peyton’s part. We don’t get many of those opportunities from Peyton, so when he does get a bad ball up in the air, that’s our job as DBs to go get it. And it was a matter of reading Peyton’s eyes. He was staring down his receiver. I made a good break on the ball – went up and got it.

After it happened, I was so shocked I did it – I picked off Peyton Manning. I celebrated a little bit, but it didn’t really hit me until I got back in the film room and actually watched myself picking off Peyton Manning. And I got to keep the ball. I got it painted. That’s my first game ball. Yeah, that’s a great memory. It’s up in my house.

Spencer:

Jon Gruden has been the head coach of the Buccaneers since 2002. Could you tell me about his style? What is it like to work for him?

Tanard:

He’s a very feisty individual and passionate about his work. He knows his work and he knows what he’s doing. He’s had a lot of success here. And one thing I like most about Coach Gruden is he’s a stand-up guy – you know what you’re gonna get. It’s not one person this day and another person the next day. You know what you’re gonna get consistently. I respect that.

Spencer:

A quick hypothetical question. If you were on an international flight and could choose anyone in the world to sit next to you, who would you choose?

Tanard:

I would choose my favorite actor – Denzel Washington – pick his brain.

Spencer:

Why Denzel Washington?

Tanard:

I’ve always been a fan of movies and he’s my favorite actor. I just like him. I think he’s a unique individual and he plays his roles so well you want to meet him and get into his mind.

Spencer:

In closing, is there any message you’d like to send to your old friends, teachers and coaches at Bullis?

Tanard:

Tell everyone at Bullis I say hello and I’m doing fine. I thank everyone at Bullis for their support and the opportunities they gave me at that school.

For Tanard Jackson, this is just the beginning of a successful career. His finesse on and off the field should serve as an inspiration for all of us who are trying to reach for the highest level.