Questions for Maurice Jones-Drew: What I Would Ask the Jags' Running Back

•Maurice, growing up in California where football was so prominent, at what point did you know you wanted to be a professional football player?

•Who did you aspire to be like growing up?

•Playing high school football at De La Salle, how much pressure did you feel, having such a prominent role on a team with such a football distinction?

•In high school you were a linebacker, a kick returner, and a running back. Which position did you prefer to play?

•When did you first start playing football and who are the people that are most responsible for your development?

•Growing up you were raised by your grandparents for much of your childhood. Tell us how special they were to you that you added their name (Jones) to your last name?

•You played had an impressive college career at UCLA setting school records in career all purpose yards and a single game rushing record, but what for you was your proudest achievement in college football?

•You are second in NCAA all-time career return yards and were a first team All-American all-purpose back. Were you at all surprised that it took until the second round of the '06 NFL draft for you to get picked?

•Coming into training camp in 2006, what were your realistic expectations in your first season in Jacksonville?

•With the loss of Greg Jones in your first season you became much more featured early on in your career. Were you at all nervous about the responsibility of taking some pressure off Fred Taylor?

•You've always been praised for your explosive speed, both in the backfield and returning kicks. How do you find the stamina and energy to do that so effectively year in and year out?

•Early on teammates gave you the nickname "The Bowling Ball" because of your ability to run over tacklers. How are you able to be, at 5'7", 208 pounds, so elusive and yet so punishing to oncoming tacklers?

•You set a franchise record in all-purpose yards with 2,250 in 2006 and were five times named rookie of the week. Were you at all disappointed by not winning rookie of the year despite your remarkable season?

•How surreal was it for you as a rookie coming to the Jaguars and lining up behind a legend like Fred Taylor?

•You and Taylor were the featured parts of the offence in Jacksonville the past three seasons. How is it that your guys' running styles were able to be so effective for the Jags offence?

•How difficult will it be lining up in the backfield this season and not seeing No. 28 Fred Taylor alongside you?

•Coming off a disappointing 5-11 season in '08, what do you feel the Jaguars need to improve on the most in order to be successful?

•How will the approach offensively change with the likes of Taylor and Williams no longer here and the singing of big play receiver Torrey Holt?

•You've struggled against your own division, going 6-12 in the past three seasons. How crucial will your record in your own division impact your playoff chances this season?

•How valuable has it been having Russ Purnell as new special teams coach?

•What is your favourite thing to do outside of football?

•What is your favourite food/movie/sports team growing up?

•What is one thing about you that people would surprised to know?