You guys posted questions for Jack Jewsbury. Now he answers them:
Q: What's one player from the Wizards that you felt was deserving of being called into the camp?A: It’s hard to pick just one out of a group of guys that has played so well together over the last year or so. I would say two that stand out are probably Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnaud. They both have previous experience with the national team. I’m sure they will have both played at this level sooner or later.
Q: How's the training with the US team different then training with the Wizards?A: The intensity on a day-to-day basis is higher because everyone is trying to show the coaching staff what they can do and that they can play at the national team level. Because of that, the speed of play is higher and your decision-making has to be quicker.
Q: How do you see the Wizards doing next season?A: I think that’s a pretty easy question to answer. We showed at the end of last year our character once we were able to field a consistent line-up. The bottom line in this game is results, so we have to get results. Last year was a good starting point, now we just need to add few more pieces and be more consistent. We had streaks at the beginning and end of last season. This year we have to make sure we don’t drop as many points through that middle part.
Q: What was your initial reaction to being invited to the USMNT Camp? Did you cry for joy? Did you jump on the bed with excitement? Did you drop and break your cell phone out of shock? Give us those juicy details.A: I don’t think I really have any juicy details, but it was very exciting. I had heard that it was a possibility I’d be called into this camp, but you never know until that final list comes out. It’s quite an honor to be called in, I just hope I represent myself and the Wizards well while I’m here.
Q: What players did you model yourself after as a youth?A: Zinedine Zidane. It seemed like he always made the game easier both for himself and for those around him. He always did the simple things perfect every time to make his teammates better, but he also showed individual moments of brilliance that could help his team win a game.
Q: What aspect of your game do you need to improve on to become a starter in South Africa 2010?A: It’s probably a little early to start thinking about 2010. I think that my communication can improve now that I’ve kind of found a home as a defensive midfielder. That is something that Kerry Zavagnin did very well. I need to continue to improve as the year goes on. It would be foolish of me to look ahead to 2010 already during my first chance with the National Team, I’m just focusing on being consistent and having a good camp.
Q: Is U.S. Assistant Mike Sorber offering any tips to a fellow Billiken? A: It’s nice to have a familiar face around since I played for Coach Sorber for two years at St. Louis. He’s pointed out a couple of things for me to focus on while I’m here at camp. Hopefully I can improve steadily at those things over the course of my time hear to make an impression with the U.S. coaches and come back to the Wizards as an improved player.
Q: I'd like to know what Jack does to prepare for games. Music, video games, etc.A: I’m not the most superstitious guy in the world, so I don’t really have a pre-game ritual. I usually eat a decent sized breakfast then eat a big meal four hours before the game. Other than that, I don’t do anything in terms of music or anything else. I might listen to one thing before one game but not before the next. I’m kind of boring on that front.
Wizards Win 7-0 *Updated*
