Jarrett is hustling off to a meeting following practice on this afternoon at the NovaCare Complex. Life in the NFL is far different than it was at Temple University, where Jarrett balanced football and books and life as a college student.
Here, it's all business. Jarrett is challenged every day.
"It's great. I'm working and trying to become a better player every day," said Jarrett. "It's an adjustment. Everything is different, but I think I'm getting close. I'm getting there -- learning the defense, getting bigger, faster, stronger. I feel like I'm close to where I want to be."
In a defense that has changed so much over the course of the season, Jarrett has spent most of his time on special teams and on the sidelines. He started one game, against Arizona, when Nate Allen was sidelined with a concussion. In that game, Jarrett made seven tackles, six of them unassisted, but is known more for his being the defender closest to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a catch the brought the Cardinals to the Philadelphia 1-yard line and led to Arizona's eventual winning points.
Jarrett wasn't the one to blame on the play -- the defense did not execute a coverage installed by coordinator Juan Castillo, but the media swarmed him after the game with that kind of story angle in mind.
The rookie handled it as he has handled everything this year: With class, with dignity and with patience.
"I had my good things and things I needed to improve in that game," said Jarrett, who played much of the game the week before in the loss to Chicago. "It was a positive experience, overall. I'm used to the game now. I'm used to the tempo. Everything happens so fast. There is no doubt the game has slowed down for me. I remember in training camp how fast everything moved, how much was thrown at us.
"Now, it's much more manageable for me."
The Eagles selected Jarrett in the second round of April's draft and compared him, abstractly or not, to future Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins, a legend in these parts. Head coach Andy Reid praised Jarrett's "intimidating" style of play and said he is "a big-time hitter."
To date, though, even with the ups and downs of the safety positions -- starters Allen and Kurt Coleman, both in their second seasons, have had their performances well chronicled -- Jarrett has played in eight games and has contributed 12 total tackles.
Jarrett isn't stressing, though. Oh, he wants to play and he has a burning desire to be a great safety in this league, but Jarrett is taking the patient approach. Work hard, stay humble and know that an opportunity will soon present itself again.
"That's the thing," he said. "I'm going to get my shot and I have to make the most of it. I talk to the coaches every day. They give me the feedback that's important. They know where I have to improve. It's not limited to one thing. I have to gain more experience in the system and I have to become a better player. That's my approach: Just work hard and get better every day."
Dawkins became a starter in his rookie season, replacing the forgettable Eric Zomalt. Jarrett is hoping he gets more snaps, more chances and another opportunity to start.
But if you think Jarrett is pacing the halls and pressing safeties coach Michael Zordich for another shot, you're wrong. That isn't the way to go about business.
"I can't get frustrated. That isn't the correct mindset in the NFL," he said. "If you get frustrated, you take that to the field. You don't prepare the right way and it costs you. All I can do is continue to work hard and get better."
Hard work, hard work, hard work. Jarrett has visions of greatness that haven't been deterred by a slow start to his rookie season. He is a hard-working kid and the Eagles believe in his abilities. It hasn't happened for him as a rookie, but that doesn't mean he's behind any kind of schedule.
As with all players in this rookie class -- and, to a degree, last year's rookie class -- the verdict is out. The Eagles are playing a bunch of first- and second-year kids who didn't have an offseason to prepare for 2011. Jarrett's future is very much undetermined, and he knows that every step he takes has to be one that pushes him along the right path.
"If you aren't performing, and showing the coaches you are worth being here, they make changes," said Jarrett. "That's the way it is. It's a business. I love it. I love the experience. I'm just trying to make myself the best player I can be here."
