Thursday's notebook

Rookies return from Rookie Symposium

The nine members of the Jaguars 2009 draft class were among 256 draft picks at the NFL Rookie Symposium earlier this week at PGA National Resort in West Palm Beach.  The group arrived on Sunday for the four-day event and the players returned to Jacksonville in time for Thursday's workout. 

Jaguars seventh-round pick Rashad Jennings sat down with jaguars.com this morning to discuss the event. 

What was the experience like for you?

"The experience was great for me. You had an opportunity to meet some of the guys you have been watching on TV and aspiring to be for so long. You had a chance to meet some of the Hall of Famers of the game and those are the guys you aspire to be eventually. I took a lot of information from these guys and hearing the things they did and didn't do to get there. Preparation, decision making and surrounding yourself with different people, off the field issues, financial stability so you can focus, just every little key detail you could possibly hear that you already heard before. When you hear it from them and you write it down, there is something about taking notes. You can hear something a hundred times but for some reason that one time it hits you right. I was jotting down a bunch of notes. I also got to meet a bunch of players that we were competing with throughout the draft and college career. It was a great time."

There were so many speakers at the event. Did you have a favorite among them?

"(Former Oakland Raiders star) Willie Brown explained about the foundation and some of the dirty work he did so we can have a chance to be in the same locker room. Along with a lot of other guys, he was the foundation for it. We really appreciate that and I was honored to be able to hear what he had to say. Cris Carter gave a good speech. Maurice Jones-Drew and Jerome Bettis were on a panel, just a lot of guys and the list goes on and on. It was guys you look up to and you want to hear something from."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has emphasized character among the players and the privilege it is to play in the league. Have you noticed that more and more as you get acquainted with the league?

"Every single day I'm recognizing, noticing and appreciating something different about what it means to be a National Football League player. It shouldn't be taken for granted and it's not something that is handed to everybody. It's an opportunity, a privilege and an honor to be able to wear that shield. I'm honored and I know it's all because of the grace of God that I am here. I'm learning. Listening to these veterans and Hall of Famers, they're still learning. Who am I to think that I'm going to stop learning at some point? I am always jotting down notes and getting as much information as I can from people."

The NFL brings in a lot of people to discuss situations and to talk about how important it is to be involved with the right people. Did you take anything from those meetings?

"It's scary; (the problem is) it's just the wrong place at the wrong time. They gave some scenarios where you can see how that was a bad decision and then some areas where I have been in that situation and I just didn't know that somebody could do something like that. It's as simple as putting something in your pocket. You weren't doing anything wrong but it's just the wrong place at the wrong time. I put my faith in God and continue to do the right things."

Finally, what are you plans after the club's offseason conditioning program ends next week?

"I'm going to go back home and train in Virginia. That's all I can do. I'm taking baby steps. I know that I have done nothing to earn a spot on this team yet. I'm just learning from the veterans, working hard and that is all I'm going to continue to do."

Williams buys alma mater new uniforms

Second-year linebacker Thomas Williams does not forget where he comes from. Williams bought new road jerseys and hats for his alma mater, Vacaville High School in California. A recent ruling by the conference made white jerseys with black across the shoulders illegal.

"They said the jerseys had to be one color," Vacaville head coach Ed Santopadre told the Vacaville Reporter. "I thought, 'Could there be a worse time to find out about this, with the economy the way it is? But Thomas stepped up. Nobody even asked him. He just said, 'I have to do this.' The timing couldn't have been better, but that's Thomas."

Williams lettered in baseball and football at Vacaville and was a 2002 Parade All-America selection as a fullback. He went on to play 49 games at Southern California before he was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.

"He's a great athlete, but I think he's genuinely a better person.even when nobody's watching," Santopadre said. "I'm not sure how many people know that."

Trivia question

What player has the most special teams tackles in Jaguars history?

Groves provides free haircuts

Second-year defensive end Quentin Groves was a man in demand on Wednesday as he partnered with the North Florida Institute to provide free haircuts for more than 200 boys of single parent homes. Winn-Dixie provided lunch for the barbers and customers.

"We had a great turnout," Groves said. "I think everyone had a good time. I can't thank everyone enough for their support."

Ready to play

Center Brad Meester ranks first in Jaguars history with 92 consecutive starts from Sept. 3, 2000 through Dec. 4, 2005. Meester is the only player in team history to start the first 92 regular season games after being drafted. His streak ended when he tore his biceps tendon at Cleveland (Dec. 4, 2005) and was placed on injured reserve.

Here are the top five players for most consecutive starts in franchise history:

1. Brad Meester 92 9/3/00 through 12/4/05
2. Rashean Mathis 74 9/7/03 through 11/25/07
3. Marcus Stroud 68 9/8/02 through 10/1/06
4. Vince Manuwai 68 11/30/03 through 12/23/07
5. Maurice Williams 64 9/7/03 through 12/31/06

Trivia answer

Brant Boyer registered a franchise-best 94 special teams tackles from 1996-2000. Danny Clark ranks second with 55 tackles from 2000-03. Current Jaguar Montell Owens leads all active players with 45 tackles since joining the club as an undrafted rookie in 2006.

The last word

"No, not really. They really don't know what's going on with the players. But I talk to them, and I have the inside scoop. That's why I always win my league -- I have the inside scoop. This year, I might give some inside scoops on my site about who's really going to do what. But, I'm not sure I want to give that away just yet -- I want to win my league a couple of more years. But check out my site, I might just do that. We'll see."

Maurice Jones-Drew on an nfl.com chat when asked by Chris from New Jersey if he pays attention to fantasy experts