Almost an Eagle: Jaiquawn Jarrett waits

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - June 2, 2011 (WPVI) -- Eagles second-round draft pick Jaiquawn Jarrett isn't exactly living the dream of a professional football player. At least not yet.

Thanks to the NFL lockout, Jarrett has no contact with the Eagles. The safety doesn't even have a playbook to study, nor has he received a dime from the team.

"It still hasn't sunk in that I'm a pro football player," said Jarrett. "But my family and friends around me make me feel like I'm a professional by the jokes I receive from them."

Jarrett is making sure he won't be a joke when the lockout is lifted. The former Temple University star is working out five days a week here on campus, sometimes with some of his old college teammates, to make sure he's ready to make the leap to the next level.

"It's real difficult, I don't have any contact with the coaching staff, no playbook," he told Action News. "So I'm really out here getting in shape, trying to make sure I stay on top of my football drills and my technique so I can be ready for that phone call.

The Eagles can't even tell Jarrett what to work on, but he did get some helpful advice from a guy who knows what he's talking about. Legendary former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins called Jarrett a few days after he was drafted to give him some pointers.

"It really was a great feeling," said Jarrett. "It's a privilege to speak to one of the greatest players to play this game."

It was certainly was a welcoming call, considering Eagles coach Andy Reid even compared Jarrett to Dawkins after their drafted him 54th overall. Only time will tell if Jarrett can live up to the hype.

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philadelphia eagles, nfl, sports, jeff skversky

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