I've been after right tackle Jonas Jennings for a while to take part in an interview. During the first week of camp I went up to him to ask if he had some time.
(Reporting tip No. 1: Never ask if someone has time to talk; instead, ask a real question instead of giving the person an "out.")
Jennings -- he of the seven-year, $36 million contract signed in 2005 -- told me something that I understood as, "No, I got rough treatment."
Obviously, Jennings feels he's been taking a beating in the press, so he did not want to do an interview. But I wanted to get to the bottom of his discontent with the media. "You've gotten rough treatment?" I asked?
"No, I said I have to rush to treatment," Jennings said, as he hurried off into the training room.
Just chalk it up to another misunderstanding. Stuff like this seems to happen a lot with Jennings.
There was another time I approached Jennings during camp.
"I'm not happy right now," he said. "I'm afraid I might say something I'll regret. I hope you respect that."
And you know what? I do respect that. I respect when a player looks me in the eye and tells me why he does not want to take part in an interview. I respect that a lot more than a player who completely ignores me when I approach to strike up a conversation/interview.
So, today, after practice I made another run at Jennings. This time he agreed to speak with me on the record.
I'm really glad we had this talk:
INSTANT 49ERS: I haven't interviewed you since you were moved to the right side. How is that transition going?
JENNINGS: I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not happy about it. But I'm just trying to be a team player.
INSTANT 49ERS: Did you try to lobby to stay on the left side?
JENNINGS: Next question.
INSTANT 49ERS: You have experience on the right side. Does that make it easier?
JENNINGS: I didn't play a lot. That was seven years ago. It is what it is. I have to adapt.
INSTANT 49ERS: How do you get yourself in the right mindset to play right tackle?
JENNINGS: I'm still learning it. I don't get all caught up in how I'm doing. I'm just taking it one play at a time, one day at a time. I have to get my muscle memory down. It's different when you play three years in college at left (tackle) and seven years in the league on the left and then in the eighth year you have to switch. It's something I have to get used to.
INSTANT 49ERS: It looks like you've adapted pretty well . . .
JENNINGS: I appreciate that. I'm a competitor. When I'm healthy and I'm fresh, which this schedule helps me, coming off ankle surgery, it's a positive. When you miss the amount of time I've missed, you just want to get back playing ball. There are things you can't help and people talk a lot of (expletive) about it. But I'm the one who has to deal with it. This is something I love to do. When you miss some games and you're upset about the (expletive) and other people are making assumptions and saying they heard this and the sources say this (expletive) - all of this (expletive). And it piles on top of all I have going on, and it's not fun at all. I just try to avoid that and do what I can do. I know when I'm well, I can be hell.
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you want to clear up anything?
JENNINGS: No, I don't need to clear up nothing. I'll let them think what they want to think. But nobody still knows what really happened last year. First, I have personal problems, then I'm back at practice the next day. You do the math. Then I (reportedly) have problems in the locker room but then (it's reported) everybody loves me in the locker room. You know what I'm saying? People are doing a lot of guessing and wishy-washy stuff. People will write things. I don't know what you wrote, but I've been staying away from that and those types of questions because you can just go back to your sources. That's what you wrote the first time. You didn't come and ask me then. Now everybody wants to talk to me.
INSTANT 49ERS: Are you in a good place mentally?
JENNINGS: I'm under contract. I'm a loyal guy, so I'm going to carry out my contract and do my duty as a 49er. That's where it is.
INSTANT 49ERS: Was the contract you signed a curse for you? Did it put a target on your back?
JENNINGS: I don't view it that way. Because when I did play 14 games (actually, 13), there were results. When I didn't play, there weren't (results). So when I don't play it's all on me, me, me, me, me. If I'm playing, we lead the NFC in rushing and break all the single-season rushing records, and all that (expletive). And there was more pressure because the expectations were this high. But if I'm out and I (expletive) up the chemistry? I really didn't have anything to do with that year. Being on IR wasn't my choice. I could've played more. But it was a choice that was made at that time. I'm not saying I agreed with it, but I'm a worker.
INSTANT 49ERS: The weekend you went on IR you were said to be ready to host a barbecue at your home in Atlanta (Jennings was placed on injured reserve on the day the 49ers left, and Jennings did not join the team) . . .
JENNINGS: That's another rumor. That's a lie. I don't know where people are getting this stuff. Look at our schedule and there's no way possible I could've had a function. That's what I'm trying to tell you. That's called piling (expletive) on top of (expletive). By the time we got back from the walk-through it was two hours. What the hell am I doing having a barbecue? I don't know where any of this (expletive) comes from. I don't know, man. When you're down, you're down. I just ignored it all. I don't care. The only person I have to live with is me. All the sources and people saying things, I'm not worried about them calling me in five years and seeing how the hell I'm doing. As long as I can look at myself in the mirror, that's good enough for me. I'll let you all keep guessing.
INSTANT 49ERS: Does it bother you?
JENNINGS: It doesn't bother me. It's kind of funny. It's one thing after another. Now, I'm doing a barbecue in Atlanta. I'm hurt and I got to do treatment and all that. What? I'm going to break curfew to have a barbecue? It's common-sense (expletive) -- like come on, man. It doesn't even make sense.
INSTANT 49ERS: What do you expect from yourself this season?
JENNINGS: I expect to play at a high level like I always do. Being hurt . . . I don't worry about things I don't control. People say this and say that, but everything I've been out for I've had to have surgery for. What can I do about that? Two shoulder surgeries, hand, ankles. If you play a violent game violently, man, of course something's going to come out of it. But I can't stop this guy from rolling me up in the back. That stuff is unavoidable. If I got caught up in that and worried about all of that, I'd probably have same amount of gray hairs you have.
(Maiocco note: Really, I don't have that many gray hairs.)
JENNINGS: I'm a person first. That's how you have to deal things as a human being. That's the way I look at it. If you're going to put out all that stuff . . . the Ronnie Lott thing and what he heard, that I don't get along . . . well, why am I around? I was just a permanent captain a year ago, and now I'm the scapegoat? It doesn't add up to me. I went out (in the offseason) and got ready to perform, whether it was going to be with the 49ers or not. I know I have a lot of football in me.
INSTANT 49ERS: When you were put on IR, did you think that was the end of your 49ers career?
JENNINGS: Yeah, I didn't know if I'd be back. I guess after further review, I wasn't such a bad guy. The barbecue didn't go off (laughing).
INSTANT 49ERS: What's your relationship with Mike Nolan? Are you still rollin' with Nolan?
JENNINGS: He knows. He knows how it is. He knows and I know and that's good enough for me. I'm not bringing that out. It is what it is. He's the head coach and I'm the player. That's it.
INSTANT 49ERS: Do you consider yourself injury prone?
JENNINGS: I consider myself unlucky. I've had some bad breaks - literally. I don't know. It's unavoidable. Some people get the same injuries I've had and they're not able to bounce back and play games. I've been able to come back from back-to-back years with shoulder surgery and still be able to compete at a high level. I think it's a blessing, myself.
INSTANT 49ERS: You seem like a positive guy but is it difficult to deal with the negatives?
JENNINGS: Some (expletive) you just don't hear. There's no negative in my mind. You know what I mean? People are going to have their opinions and think what they want to think. If I'm such a bad guy, why am I still around? That's the way I look at it. I know I didn't do anything, but be hurt. What can I do about that? Especially when I needed surgery for it? Everything I've been out for needed to be fixed. They can think what they want to think, but when I'm going, I'm going.
* * *
Read my newspaper article on Jennings, which includes some reaction from coach Mike Nolan.
* * *
* **
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Kirk--buffalo (06/08/2008 9:20:52 AM)
Comment: This guy is an EGG!!!
Posted By: kenny (05/08/2008 4:39:51 PM)
Comment: I wouldn't put Jonas down as much as some of you here have. I would take him back in buffalo in a heart beat. Everyone gets hurt. Thats the NFL and thats just how it is
Posted By: Jake (05/08/2008 10:29:29 AM)
Comment: What is Jennings still doing on this team???
Posted By: 49erRick (05/08/2008 9:12:39 AM)
Comment: Jonas neeeds to stay healthy and consistently produce before he lets his little feelings get hurt by a position change, reporters articles and fans opinions.
As for Nolan the farther he stays away from the offense, the better I like our chances!
Posted By: PhillyNiner (05/08/2008 8:59:55 AM)
Comment: I know interviews can come across much different in writing and in person. Did Jennings seem as angry/upset in person as he sounds?
I'm having trouble understanding Jennings' arguments. He claims he doesn't care what people say about him, but he lists all these things people have said that bother him. He says people make things up about him instead of asking him, but he rarely gives interviews. If he's bothered by what people say, why not clear things up? If he's not bothered, why does he follow what people are saying about him so closely?
Posted By: Darth (05/08/2008 8:33:46 AM)
Comment: All I can say is (expletive) what mess.
Posted By: sandip (05/08/2008 6:45:21 AM)
Comment: This guy is a joke.
Posted By: zuke in CT (05/08/2008 5:43:28 AM)
Comment: great interview. if nothing else, i have more respect for jennings for being so candid. i don't see it as whining at all, just being honest. i can't tell if the move to RT will put him in a funk or light a fire under his ass. i hope he can stay healthy long enough to find out...
Posted By: Zolo76 (05/08/2008 12:49:23 AM)
Comment: Which statement is correct? The first one came from 49ers.com & the 2nd from Mr Bad Azz himself.
RE: How has Joe Staley's transition to left tackle been going?
"Well it's on real short notice because he didn't practice the first week almost. We will give him a few more practices. I expect him to do well. He played there all of his college career. He is one year removed, but it is something he really wants to do well. It's something that he wants. Joe wants to be there so he will make it work."
JENNINGS: I'm still learning it. I don't get all caught up in how I'm doing. I'm just taking it one play at a time, one day at a time. I have to get my muscle memory down. It's different when you play three years in college at left (tackle) and seven years in the league on the left and then in the eighth year you have to switch. It's something I have to get used to.
Posted By: Obama the world leader (04/08/2008 9:26:49 PM)
Comment: How can somebody whine like a girl scout making millions of dollars a year playing a childs game and be such a cry baby!!
Stand up and man up!! Family problems in the middle of a 16 game season in the NFL..somebody should have died!!! Prima donna. 99.9 percent of the time your fate is the result of your own actions. Cut him!!!
Posted By: markegan (04/08/2008 9:14:09 PM)
Comment: OMG!! Is it April Fool's? I am completely and utterly stunned. This essentially pins Nolan as a fraud. Between this and his argument with Alex Smith -- Is Nolan nutz? Bi-polar? A compulsive liar? What?? What did we do to deserve this crap???
Posted By: oneniner (04/08/2008 8:46:31 PM)
Comment: no way...this is classic instant 49er......i can officially start thinking nolan is not going to be coach next yr. ..its sad, but he just messed up a good situation in ninerland.....when your QB and your best Offensive lineman can't talk straight or honest about their relationship with the coach....IT'S OVER
Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (04/08/2008 8:44:14 PM)
Comment: Well, that was a heck of a good read.
Posted By: Joey C from LP (04/08/2008 8:27:42 PM)
Comment: Glad you had a chance to let Jonas let some stuff off his chest. Gotta admit that he needed more of a voice to his scenario. He's not a bad starter when he's on the field... can't avoid Grant Hill / Griffey-like bad luck. If he is fortunate enough to stay on the field... maybe he'll become a maintstay in our line-up instead of having to be defensive about things out of his control.
Posted By: Jon in SoCal (04/08/2008 8:09:35 PM)
Comment: I didn't realize that his contract was for so long. The longer he stays here, the better deal it becomes. I always thought he was a good, not great lineman when healthy. That's his problem, staying healthy. He'll keep Simms on the bench most of the season. I don't really believe Nolan anymore when he starts badmouthing players unless it shows up in the police blotter. Nolan is the sensitive one, Jenning (and A Smith) were truly injured (needing surgery) and both were labeled as "soft" by Nolan.
Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (04/08/2008 7:40:23 PM)
Comment: JJ needs to play a full season with us... Can't be productive when you're sitting on the pine.
Posted By: Jim in Walnut Creek (04/08/2008 7:33:25 PM)
Comment: Well done, Senor Maiocco. Lots of baggage in that basement. Thank you for not being afraid to open the door.
Posted By: Tooltime (04/08/2008 7:28:26 PM)
Comment: P.s.
Matt, the best part was Jennings laughing at the end about the BBQ thing. Great work getting him to open up. You may have changed him. Can you use some of that Maiocco charm on Bruce to get him to open up? I really want to know whats up with him. Maybe you could get Jennings to do some PR work for you.
Posted By: Tooltime (04/08/2008 7:23:21 PM)
Comment: Good interview. I like Jennings, but he is injury prone. I love these players with college education that can't speak without an expletive every other word and bad English... it makes you wonder if they ever even attended class. I also liked how he took complete credit for Gores 1600+ yards noting how it dropped off when he was injured. Its probably true, but the majority of Gores yardage came through holes opened up by Allen not Jennings. It appears to me that what Jennings fails to acknowledge is that it was bad luck for the entire team when he went down, not just him. So far his production has been a disappointment's and its a valid topic for the media, I don't think its been unfair for the most part, although I didnt see the piece about the BBQ. lol.
Either way, I completely understand any player who is suspect of talking to the media. Sometimes they have been known to over sensationalize certain events, like saying a certain day at training camp is the most important day of training camp in 49ers history.... ;) (just kidding matt, nice work)
Posted By: Kevin (04/08/2008 7:22:26 PM)
Comment: Good (expletive), Matt. I think the bad vibes toward Jennings is more just disappointment than it is accusal of him dragging a$. He was a big signing at a time when the Niners weren't spending a lot of money and, bad luck noted, the bang for the buck has stunk so far. Hopefully he has a great year because no matter who the QB is, no matter how much better Martz is than Hostler, no matter if Gore can stay healthy and run with the same gusto we're used to, the offense will only go as far as the OL will allow them.
"what a tool, and Jonas is in need of an english lesson. Whoa is me, he plays a beautiful victim"
It's 'woe is me', guy. ;)
Posted By: 49erinSC (04/08/2008 7:20:56 PM)
Comment: Damn nice interview.
Posted By: Marion (04/08/2008 7:13:54 PM)
Comment: Matt,
This won't sound the way I want it to but is Nolan a jerk?(Nice for rear end) It sounds like to me that even though Jennings has been hurt hes been very productive. When Smith has been bad, hes been bad? however when hes been good hes still been just mediocre. Do I smell a rat? I see Nolan badmouthing everyone who's not a choir boy to let the world know hes the head coach. Please elaborate!! I'll sing at your door step if you do!!
Posted By: RC (04/08/2008 7:08:53 PM)
Comment: what a tool, and Jonas is in need of an english lesson. Whoa is me, he plays a beautiful victim
Posted By: MarcCab (04/08/2008 7:08:32 PM)
Comment: Matt,
Thank you for this fact filled interview. It is good to hear from the player himself. I have to admit that almost all of the write-ups about JJ had skewed my impression of him (negatively). I almost forgot how excited I was when the Niners signed him. As JJ pointed out when he was healthy he has performed, unfortunatly for him he hadn't the luxury of the fan base developing a level of respect that players of that calibur earn from the admiration of the fan base through years of consistent play. Niners fans would have been more understanding had these injuries happened after he had been here for three or four years. As he stated (in your interview) the position that he plays is not a position for sissys. It takes a warriors mentality, and some good fortune (to be successful). I just hope that the working relations are not too strained that should he have the years that he is capable of (should the stars align), that he doesn't just want to beat feet to another town ASAP. On a side note Matt you must have been a little scaired with such a large statured athlete spewing forth so many explatives, knowing in the back of your mind that you may have been responsible for writing an unflattering article (such as what had obviously upset him). I don't get scaired by too many things, but if I were in your shoes at that time I would definatly not want to be alone with him. Thanks Matt!
Posted By: D.A. (04/08/2008 7:04:06 PM)
Comment: Fantastic job, Matt. Great interview for you and Jonas. You really got him to open up, and we were able to see a very different side of the guys we root for, and subsequently get upset at for getting injured. I like what Jones said: it's a violent game played violently. I think we all tend to forget that sometimes. Great job putting things into perspective.
Posted By: 49erlou (04/08/2008 7:01:56 PM)
Comment: great interview....maybe Bruce should take some lessons, alot of my negative opinions were erased by this interview. great job matt.
Posted By: Berger (04/08/2008 7:01:21 PM)
Comment: Bring it Jonas! I was glad to read that.
Very interesting to read the non comment about "Rollin' with Nolan". Is it just me or does it seem Nolan split up his own locker room with his handling of Alex Smith and Jonas Jennings? It seems OK, so far, this year, but Nolan might've put himself in a position where he has to walk a fine line. Thanks Matt.
Posted By: Matt R (04/08/2008 6:43:07 PM)
Comment: Agreed, that is good stuff... I can hear the discontent from Jonas there... I have been hoping for years that he would be the beastly tackle that his ability says he should be. I hope that he can stay healthy and can come to an agreement with Nolan to work hard and compete for the LT position too. The last thing we need is dissention in the ranks of the OL... They should be the tightest (and yes the stinkiest) group on the team. As tone does not really translate into written word, do you think that he can be happy and successful in his new position, or that there is a mendal block there based on his discontent about being moved to the right side? I see it as brilliant since he has gone through so much lately, it could potentially prolong his career. Competitivness and ego can sometimes blind us to the benefits of what comes our way... Thanks for the info though... good stuff and provides great insight.
Posted By: Simran (04/08/2008 6:33:00 PM)
Comment: Wow, thanks Matt. Great stuff as always.
Posted By: SonocoNinerFan (04/08/2008 6:18:25 PM)
Comment: Great stuff Matt. Thanks for being persistent. I wish JJ had done this long ago. It's nice to get a tangible sense of where his mind is at.
Posted By: mark (04/08/2008 6:10:14 PM)
Comment: today roger goodall said he found no evidence of tampering by vikes with farve, though it was undisputed farve had telephone contact with the vikes head coach and offensive coordinator. I don't see where he even had an arbitration hearing, as niners and bears did regarding lance briggs. This seems like unequal treatment, when niners ge zapped for supposedly 2 unanswered messages on drew rosenhaus' phone. Am I missing something?
Response: Only Roger Goodell knows all the facts and evidence he heard in both cases. --Matt M.
Posted By: Jonas Ymir Jonasson (04/08/2008 6:07:46 PM)
Comment: Amazing interview, Matt. thanks, now i can go to sleep here in iceland.
Posted By: Bryan (04/08/2008 6:04:00 PM)
Comment: Wow... I mean wow... can we get every player to open up like that? Awesome work Matt
Posted By: Idaho Nick (04/08/2008 5:57:39 PM)
Comment: Great interview, Matt. Thanks.
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