Jets offensive lineman Duane Brown blocks out some time for some preseason Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What would you tell Jets fans who are concerned that a 38-year-old left tackle is protecting their crown jewel, Aaron Rodgers?
A: (Laugh) I still have a lot left in the tank. And nobody wants to keep him clean as much as I do. I played last year with basically one arm, and I’m healthier now than I was then. I don’t feel like I was a liability out there last year, so we’ll be good to go.
Q: Does that put added pressure on you to protect him knowing that the “savior” is your quarterback?
A: Yeah, it’s pressure, but I thrive off of that. No matter who’s under center, I’m out there wanting to do my job. Yeah, I know if he’s upright, we’ll always have a chance to win.
Q: Describe the worst pain you were in last year.
A: Every week was tough. Then it just got worse and worse as the weeks went on. Obviously, for what I have to do on a play-in, play-out basis, my shoulder’s a very important part of that. Playing with a torn shoulder, it’s not easy. In hindsight, looking back on it, it was probably not the smartest thing for me to do. But, that’s just kind of how I’m wired. If I feel like I’m not a liability, then I’m gonna be out there.
Q: Describe that pain.
A: It’s hard to describe (chuckle). … Hard to sleep at night. … From the first strike in the pregame, you feel it, and as the game goes on, the adrenaline just kind of kicks in and the moment becomes bigger than the injury, and you feel like you can’t focus on it, you just gotta do your job. It’s hard to describe, but it was pretty intense.
Q: Was it like going to the dentist and having no novocaine?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Was it like a sharp, knife-like pain?
A: Sharp, and just consistent. Just having your arm hanging, you feel it. So there’s not really a moment in time where it kind of eases up.
Q: What drives you?
A: Just to be great, at all times. I’ve played so long, I’ve had different factors motivate me. Going into my 16th year, I feel like I’ve beat the odds, and I want to continue to. I want to play at a high level. Coming off of a big pretty crucial surgery, I think a lot of people would chalk it up that I’m lucky to be out there, and that’s not how I view it. I want to be out there, I want to dominate, and I want to contribute to a Super Bowl, and I think I have as great a chance as any this year as I had in my career to win it all.
Q: How have you beaten the odds?
A: Playing 16 years in this league. I’ve had some major injuries that I’ve had to overcome to continue to play at a high level. I’ve overachieved, I believe.
Q: Describe your on-field mentality.
A: Consistent … controlled violence … poise.
Q: How much longer do you think you want to do this?
A: I don’t know, man. I take this thing one year at a time. I don’t look in the future at this point. I’m just trying to be healthy and be the best version of myself this year. I want to play every game this year, 17 weeks and beyond, and go from there.
Q: What do you hope your legacy will be?
A: I just hope I’m respected by my peers and my teammates, the opponents that I faced. I worked as hard as I could, and I was a force to be reckoned with. And obviously I want to be viewed as one of the best at my position in this era.
Q: What is the biggest obstacle or adversity you had to overcome?
A: On the field, I would say last year was probably the toughest. Playing through that injury last year, in a new city, new team where you want to come in and make your mark, it was tough. Off the field, last year I lost my brother [Marlon] two months before I reported here. I lost my mother the year before that.
Q: What happened to your brother?
A: He had a heart attack, which led to him having a weaker heart, and he got a defibrillator put in.
Q: How old was he?
A: He was 43.
Q: How devastating was that?
A: That was the hardest thing I’ve dealt with. That was my best friend. Only person I’ve talked to probably every day.
Q: Did he play football?
A: He did. He didn’t play … past high school, but I kind of followed in his footsteps.
Q: Describe him for me.
A: He was a very strong-minded, smart individual … driven. Just a great heart … family man … everything he did is kind of what I did when it came to sports. He played in a band, he played the drums, so I joined the band and I played the saxophone. I just kind of did everything that he did. Football was kind of what he excelled at, and it’s kind of how it worked out for me as well.
Q: Describe Aaron Rodgers in the huddle.
A: Calm … he’s just very poised, man. The confidence that he plays the game with, I think, is second to none. That kind of calming, confident energy I think goes through the offense.
Q: How is he funny?
A: He’s very humorous, man. He’s very lighthearted. He’s competitive, and you can see that switch flip when it’s go time, and he’s locked in. But he likes to joke around with everybody. He doesn’t like guys being too uptight. He does a great job of sensing when someone is just kind of like that and he’ll poke at them to make sure that they loosen up.
Q: Have you ever seen a guy throw that accurately?
A: (Laugh) Nah … nah. It’s special. The control he has of the offense, the way he can read defenses and knowing exactly who’s gonna be open at what time, it’s special.
Q: What do you remember about the day you learned he’d be your quarterback?
A: I was extremely excited. I train in L.A. at the same gym that he trains at, so I wasn’t quite sure, and I didn’t want to ask him about it too much, that’s a big decision to make and I didn’t want to assume. But when it was official, I was excited. Last year, looking at our team — [which] was very young, a lot of promise, a lot of potential — you add a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a guy that’s still playing at an MVP level to this team … and I didn’t know the kind of leader he was either. But just the caliber of player he is, I mean, this is the best shot I’ll have.
Q: Describe the bond between him and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was with him at Green Bay.
A: (Laugh) It’s like brothers. You could tell they have a deep respect and love for each other, and it’s been great to see. I’ve never seen a relationship like that, where they’re both learning from each other, they’re both talking s–t to each other (laugh), they both joke around all day, but they have a lot of fun. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen this camp is how much coaches, players are just having fun with this. It’s a lot of hard work, it’s a lot of expectations, but everyone’s having fun.
Q: How high is up for Mekhi Becton if he can stay healthy?
A: Sky’s the limit. He’s a freak athlete. The guy’s massive. He can move, he plays with aggression. He just has all the tools. If you want a prototype, to me, he has all the tools to be that. I think the kind of injuries he’s had, it’s hard to continue to gain a confidence back, but he’s done a great job of transforming himself and controlling his mind. If he can continue to stay healthy, he’s gonna be a beast.
Q: What makes the following Jets defenders hard to block? Quinnen Williams?
A: Strong, quick, instinctive.
Q: Jermaine Johnson?
A: Really good athlete … combination of power, speed. He had a really good rookie year but now he’s playing with a lot more confidence.
Q: Micheal Clemons?
A: Strong dude, man. He’s big, long arms. He’s a strong guy that knows he’s strong, and he plays with aggression.
Q: Carl Lawson?
A: A strong guy (laugh). He really works hard at his craft. I don’t think I’ve ever played with a D-lineman that has been so inquisitive about the game and about my process on how I approach how I block guys, and I think it’s really benefitted him.
Q: Was DeMarcus Ware the toughest guy you went up against?
A: I would have to say my archnemesis was Dwight Freeney. We were in the same division, and he made life hell for me my first few years. I’m grateful, I had a lot of tough opponents that kind of just baptized me into the league. I had to sink or swim, and luckily I was able to find my way and excel and create some confidence.
Q: Were there trash-talkers?
A: Joey Porter … Jared Allen talked a little bit … Justin Smith with the 49ers … Joey Porter was probably the most that was just consistent with it, but it wasn’t like a big thing.
Q: How do you handle that?
A: I talk back (laugh). When I was younger, I didn’t talk as much, like my first two years I was not as good, so I just had to listen. But as I got better … when you get to talk trash-talking, that just kind of elevates my game a little bit. The older you get, you kind of create a rapport with most guys.
Q: Boyhood idols?
A: Lawrence Taylor was my favorite player growing up. Shaquille O’Neal. Mike Tyson. That’s a group of characters, man (laugh).
Q: So you liked guys who imposed their will?
A: Yeah. They’re dominant, and they’re expressive about it.
Q: Does that describe you?
A: I’m a bit more calm now. When I was young I was like that, yeah, I was more expressive, and probably more animated.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X.
Q:. Favorite movie?
A: “300.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Viola Davis.
Q: Favorite singer/rapper/entertainer?
A: Nas.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Spaghetti.
Q: Do you remember your first Opening Day in the NFL?
A: It was the worst day of my life. I was in Houston [in 2008], we played … at Pittsburgh, it was the year they won a Super Bowl [XLIII over the Cardinals]. I was blocking James Harrison, that was the year he won Defensive Player of the Year. … [three] sacks … ended up cramping, catching full-body cramps in the fourth quarter, didn’t finish the game.
Q: What do you remember about 9/11?
A: Ah, man. I was in high school. It’s a tragic day, surreal day. I was in gym class, and I remember we got the news and you didn’t believe it. You saw the footage of it, and it was just like, “This can’t be real life.” And then, from that day forward, just kind of everything changed as far as people just being on edge … it was just a very horrible day.
Q:What does it mean to you to be playing on Sept. 11, Opening Day at MetLife Stadium?
A: It means a lot. It was 9/11 last year [Ravens] I believe, and you could just feel the energy, you could feel a lot of emotions in there, and I had never really spent time in New York during this time of year. It’s something people will forever remember and people will forever have those emotions on that day.
Q: What is it like playing in New York?
A: It’s amazing. I think the more successful we are, it’s only gonna be as great of a time you could have. The fan base here is waiting for success, and they deserve it. We’re looking to give it to ’em.
Q: Do you sense a hunger to win on this team?
A: One hundred percent. From everyone. You have young guys that have had a lot of early success and are hungry to continue to capitalize off of it. You have veterans like myself that have played at a high level, but that’s the only thing that we’re missing. You got a guy like Aaron who’s done everything you can do in this league, but that’s what he aims for every year. Every year, he’s expected to be in that game. The energy here, it’s high, and everyone is fighting every day to be the best version obviously of ourselves to get there.
Q: What’s the closest you’ve come?
A: Second round.
Q: Can you imagine what hoisting the Lombardi Trophy would be like, or feel like?
A: Dream come true, man. It’s something I’ve envisioned as a kid. I’ve talked to a lot of people that have, and they explain it, but they’re just like … words don’t do it justice.
Q: What are you most proud of about your career?
A: I’ve never slacked. I’ve always been disciplined, and maintaining a certain level, keeping my body at a certain level. … Even through injury I’ve been able to bounce back and create this longevity that I’ve had, that I get reminded of, especially being on this team. I turned 38 [on Wednesday] and Sauce (laugh) turned 22 [on Thursday]. A lot of people laugh about it, man, but it’s a blessing.
Q: Aaron turns 40 in December.
A: He joked about it [Wednesday], it was like, “You’re not the oldest player anymore.” I said it before, man, I’m so happy he’s here because being the older guy, you kind of lose the connection with the younger generation. But he has a way of connecting with everyone, and he has so much fun with it. That’s helped me a lot seeing somebody that’s of my generation continue to have so much fun and playing at the level he’s playing at. It makes me want to elevate my play, but also elevate my attitude and my demeanor and have more fun and not being as serious.
Q: What would your message be to Jets fans about Duane Brown and this team?
A: For me, I’m committed to being the best version of myself to bring us a ring. You can count on me. This team, we have the highest expectations for ourselves than anyone can imagine. I know the fans are gonna show up to MetLife and show out, and we’re gonna do the same.
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