JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For years the NFL hosted one rookie symposium for all drafted and undrafted rookies each year. It is typically a weekend of speakers and team building to give those rookies a groundwork of what to expect with their new lives in the NFL. However, this year, the NFL has shifted that program to the individual teams and the Jaguars couldn't be happier.
"The biggest thing was about the guys," said Jaguars Director of Player Development Marcus Pollard. "In the past I was more of a chaperone, make sure you catch your flight, make sure you are wearing the same shirt to the meeting and make sure they don't leave early. This year, I had a little more on my plate but we captured 100 percent of the rookies and that was the most important thing."
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With the shift of the program to individual teams, the Jaguars in particular were able to streamline and personalize their presentation to their rookies. Pollard brought in former Jaguars like Kyle Brady, Tom McManus, Damon Jones, and Bryan Barker to speak to the group about what it means to be a Jaguar.
"With these millennials, you have to keep it big, you have to make it epic to keep their attention and these guys kept them engaged and got the information out that was needed," said Pollard.
Also speaking to the rookie class was Jaguars President Mark Lamping. Pollard said that Lamping's message of character and what being a part of this team means to the community were some of the most important points he wanted to get across.
"He talked about character and values. So often that can get overlooked by so many other things going on like x's and o's. But, when you get down to it. it's really about character and values,"said Pollard.
Part of Lamping's message was just how important being a Jaguar means in this community. He recognizes the passion that this town has for football, not just the NFL, but at every level, like it or not.
Lamping may have only been with the Jaguars for four years, but says he has built his career around several different sports and franchises and what the NFL is doing is pretty revolutionary.
"Oh it’s night and day, no question, says the Jaguars President. "If you look at the investment these players make in themselves, the investment the organization makes in the players, the investment the community makes in the organization, we have to do everything we possibly can to create an environment where they can be successful not only during their playing career, but beyond that. And this is part of that."
“Whether you like it or you don’t like it, you really have no choice. Football is such an important part of what Jacksonville is all about, probably behind only the military. We are very high profile. There’s not a lot of other things that create the type of national and international exposure that the NFL and the Jacksonville Jaguars create here. And because of that we influence what people think about this community from the outside. And that’s a big responsibility, and that’s a different responsibility than what you may experience in a bigger market.”
That message was not lost on Jaguars fourth round draft pick Sheldon Day. The defensive lineman from Notre Dame said that it was a good introduction to what is expected of you from the league.
"It opened our eyes to everything, said Day. "The whole rookie thing has kind of made us better and introduced us to the city, making sure we know the ins and outs."
Day mentioned that he appreciated hearing the messages from former Jaguars on Friday because they have been in the same shoes he is in right now.
"That was special because they have been in the locker room, they have done what we have done. They have key insights into things we don't even know yet so I want to pick their brains and learn from them."
