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Jonathan Wade prepares for 2008 NFL season
By MARK NAGI
6 Sports Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- In college, former Tennessee Vol Jonathan Wade was one of the fastest guys on the football field, and on the track. Today he's a defensive back for the NFL's St. Louis Rams, and has found out that in the pros, quickness is plentiful.
"Everyone who runs 4.3 (in the 40) is in the NFL. Everyone that runs 4.4 consistently is in the NFL," says Wade. "At the same time mistakes are minimized, and it allows you to be faster. It's wonderful seeing those NFL veterans... you can learn so much from watching."
Jonathan Wade spent five years at Tennessee, and worked hard to shake the stigma that he was just a track guy, and not a football player. Wade was named All-American in 2005 in both indoor and outdoor track. He also anchored Tennessee's 2003 SEC champion and NCAA outdoor runner-up 4x100 meter relay team.
Wade hopes that his hard work will pay off with a long career in the NFL.
"You can make it in the league by just getting by if you do the minimum. You can get by," says Wade. "There are places that you have to take your body and mind to be an elite player. There is an elite group and there is a difference."
Wade finished his rookie season with the Rams in strong fashion, but he's learned that momentum doesn't last very long.
"Even though you have a good game this week, you have to have a better game next week," says Wade. "Even though you have a bad game this week you have to have a better game next week. You leave it there, enjoy it Sunday, and enjoy it during film. After that it is completely on to the next week. The previous week isn't even discussed."
It's good that Wade is looking ahead. Training camp starts next week.
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