Falcons' Tyson Jackson Hires Personal Chef To Drop Weight, Fit Scheme

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Falcons' Tyson Jackson hires personal chef to drop weight, fit scheme

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Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer

Falcons defensive lineman Tyson Jackson never felt like he was overweight last season, but Jackson believes he needs to be much lighter to be productive in coach Dan Quinn's defense.

The 6-foot-4 Jackson, who said he was as heavy as 322 pounds last season in a 3-4 hybrid look, has hired a personal chef with the goal of slimming down to 305 pounds. He currently weighs 318 pounds.

"I just started recently, and constantly, week by week, I want to trim down," Jackson said. "I got my personal chef at the end of March. I know Matt Ryan used her, and a couple Falcons in the past have used her, too."

Tyson Jackson said he needs to drop 13 pounds to reach his desired playing weight. Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports

Jackson, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Falcons last season that included $11 million guaranteed, said he pays his chef $2,700 a month.

"You can do either one of two things: She can purchase the food for you and come to your house and prepare it, or you can purchase the food yourself and she can self-teach how to cook everything," Jackson said. "She cooks in bulk loads."

The weight-conscious Jackson obviously wants to show he can be an asset after a lackluster 2014 debut with the Falcons. The previous coaching staff was convinced he'd be the ideal run-stuffer; a massive specimen who would eat up blocks, freeing up linebackers to make plays. But his impact was minimal as the defense struggled as a whole. Jackson, who started all 16 games, finished with 22 combined tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits while playing 47.3 percent of the defensive snaps.

In the new defense, Jackson lines up at defensive end in a 4-3 under front that incorporates some 3-4 principles. It's a role he's not accustomed to but willing to tackle as he strives toward his desired weight.

"Playing this 4-3 style of defense, there's no reason to be heavy because you're not two-gapping no more," Jackson said. "Everything is ball, key and get-off. So, that's pretty much the reason for [losing weight]."

Quinn addressed the value of Jackson shedding some pounds.

"Tyson's always been somebody that has had such great strength," Quinn said. "That's one of the things, when we've watched him through the years, you say, 'Man, is he strong and plays with length.'

"And then in this system ... he'll stunt more and move more than maybe some of the traditional 3-4 teams that Tyson's been a part of through the years. So, as that goes and the movement, you have to give up some of the size and the bulk. It's one of the things he's worked at hard going through the spring. I know going through the next phase (organized team activities), with us being out on the field, that's a good time for guys to really work their conditioning. So he has been, for sure."

All that being said, Jackson will have to prove his worth to Quinn and the new staff. The Falcons now have depth along the defensive line, which decreases Jackson's value. He's unlikely to be called upon much to rush the passer, with players such as Jonathan Babineaux, Adrian Clayborn and Ra'Shede Hageman manning the interior in passing situations.

If the Falcons were to cut Jackson before June 1, it would cost an extra $2.55 million against the cap. If he's cut after June 1, it would be a $2.25 million cap savings because the prorated signing bonus from 2016 and beyond doesn't accelerate into '15 for a post-June 1 cut.

Quinn appears willing to give Jackson a chance. And Jackson currently has Cliff Matthews and rookie Grady Jarrett behind him at defensive end, with Jarrett the guy likely to push hard for extended playing time.

The fact that Jackson was once Kansas City's third-overall pick in the 2009 draft doesn't mean much anymore. He simply has to produce.

"Going into this season, I want to prove to myself that I still have it and that I can still play at a high level," said Jackson, who turns 29 on June 6. "I just want to compete and put myself in a position where I can help my team."

[EJmusic]

Only shed 2lbs in 2 months? I guess he really isn't trying to lose his strength but that seems low.

[Clark Kent™]

The 6-foot-4 Jackson, who said he was as heavy as 322 pounds last season in a 3-4 hybrid look, has hired a personal chef with the goal of slimming down to 305 pounds. He currently weighs 318 pounds.

[FentayeJones]

I can see how the front 7 was so ineffective last year.

Everybody was playing at a weight that made them slow, less athletic and some played out of position (Babs, KB71).

Goodman, Hageman, Worrilow, T Jackson all were too heavy last season

Willie Moe is even down to 215 from 230.

Edited May 29, 2015 by FentayeJones

[JDaveG]

"Playing this 4-3 style of defense, there's no reason to be heavy because you're not two-gapping no more," Jackson said. "Everything is ball, key and get-off. So, that's pretty much the reason for [losing weight]."

This is interesting. I've assumed Jackson would play 5 tech in a 4-3 under, but I also thought that was a player who usually played 2-gap principles. This isn't my forte, so can someone tell me what I'm missing here?

[takeitdown]

Interesting that he says he won't be two gapping. That gives further information of how they'll use the LDE in this defense, and also information that Jackson likely won't move down to NT (which most of assumed, but has been bandied around on this forum).

[Malachore]

He needs to hire personal chef to lose 13 pounds?

Maybe he should invest that in a new thyroid instead.

[Herr Doktor]

My thought would be, that the team has all of these consultants and work out regimes set up. There is far too much money involved to have this not be so. So why is it that grown men who play a game for a living don't know how to look after themselves? Isn't their body essentially their job? You eat right, work out and study the play book and watch video. It doesn't seem that hard. Maybe Im wrong.

[MasterBateser]

My question would be, that the team has all od these consultants and work out regime set up. There is far too much money involved to have this not be so. So why is it that grown men who play a game for a living don't know how to look after themselves? Isn't their body essentially their job? You eat right, work out and study the play book and watch video. It doesn't seem that hard. Maybe Im wrong.

They could study and study to find exactly what they need to eat and when to eat it, then study what to work out, how much to do it, and when to do it, then go study hours of game tape or hire a chef who already knows all of that and a trainer who again already knows about that

[FentayeJones]

My thought would be, that the team has all of these consultants and work out regimes set up. There is far too much money involved to have this not be so. So why is it that grown men who play a game for a living don't know how to look after themselves? Isn't their body essentially their job? You eat right, work out and study the play book and watch video. It doesn't seem that hard. Maybe Im wrong.

Its my assumption and I could be wrong, is that he was told to gain weight last season because of the whole "bigger and stronger" theme that the team was under last season. I dont think he was 322 when he played for KC.

[Herr Doktor]

They could study and study to find exactly what they need to eat and when to eat it, then study what to work out, how much to do it, and when to do it, then go study hours of game tape or hire a chef who already knows all of that and a trainer who again already knows about that

You are essentially reaffirming my point. Its his JOB. And the team has nutritionists and a coaching staff that design off season workouts. If his day is a couple of hours of research into correct nutrition (and this is not an everyday thing) and he works out for a couple hours and watched game film for an hour. His day is essentially a 5 hour work day. Not bad for the money.

I just don't understand how college educated men cannot figure this out. But it seems like for every Stephen Jackson there is 5 Tyson Jacksons. Its not rocket science ultimately. Heck you can watch an hour of the Food Network and get the gist. Having a cook is great though, good for him!

[Dirtybird56]

He should've dumped the weight earlier as soon as Quinn told him his role, but it's good he's doing it now.

On the more important note: What is TJax talking about? He's not 2 gapping anymore? 5 tech DE in 43 under has 2 gap responsibility. Either Quinn is changing up the responsibilities in the scheme or TJax is confused

[Lornoth]

This is interesting. I've assumed Jackson would play 5 tech in a 4-3 under, but I also thought that was a player who usually played 2-gap principles. This isn't my forte, so can someone tell me what I'm missing here?

I believe, and I could be wrong, but I believe that 5-T's don't actually 2-gap usually, instead they're setting the edge. Because the NT is usually shaded towards the LE's side of the center, they'll be the ones eating the two blocks of the C/G, leaving the LE with only the OT to deal with. The LE basically just has to plug either the B or C gaps, and the LB'ers can clean up the other one. Especially in the 4-3 Over/Under, when the SAM is usually lining up outside the LE, the LE can just make sure the RB doesn't squeeze through the B gap between the OG and OT, and forces them to bounce wide where the SAM is waiting.

[Power I]

It amazes me how everything that's happening with the defense this offseason seems like common sense even to us fans. Mike Smith and especially Mike Nolan couldn't get off their high horse thinking they were smarter than everyone else and just left an overweight, confused mess of a defense behind. Slimmer, faster, and more intuitive. Doesn't have to be rocket science.

Why tell Tyson Jackson to play at a weight that high and then drop him into coverage? It's just borderline insane.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Power I

[1989Fan]

You are essentially reaffirming my point. Its his JOB. And the team has nutritionists and a coaching staff that design off season workouts. If his day is a couple of hours of research into correct nutrition (and this is not an everyday thing) and he works out for a couple hours and watched game film for an hour. His day is essentially a 5 hour work day. Not bad for the money.

I just don't understand how college educated men cannot figure this out. But it seems like for every Stephen Jackson there is 5 Tyson Jacksons. Its not rocket science ultimately. Heck you can watch an hour of the Food Network and get the gist. Having a cook is great though, good for him!

So you are basically going to stand behind these comments in regards to Matt Ryan as well right? Beings he used the same chef as TJax.

Fans should be glad he is taking extreme measures to ensure his success, but instead he gets bashed because he is putting his own money to good use.

[The Talon]

If I had that kind of money, I'd never go to the grocery store or cook again.

[g-dawg]

if Tyson Jackson is not a starter in our 4-3 under set, then 2015 will be his last year.

[Jigglypuff]

Yes good I have faith in Jackson, he just needs to slim down a little maybe start drinking skinny mojitos

[Herr Doktor]

So you are basically going to stand behind these comments in regards to Matt Ryan as well right? Beings he used the same chef as TJax.Fans should be glad he is taking extreme measures to ensure his success, but instead he gets bashed because he is putting his own money to good use.

Totally correct. And agreed. But, I will say that Matt Ryan has always been prepared. Can I say same about TJax? Not sure. But on the hiring of a chef, agreed.

[Falcanuck]

$2,700 a month for one client???? I need to become a personal chef..

[Herr Doktor]

$2,700 a month for one client???? I need to become a personal chef..

Seriously. And she must have quite a few. **** yeah that's nice money per client!

[UnrealfalcoN]

Seriously? Is it that hard to cut back on the carbs and eat his poultry? I wish I interviewed for this job.

[Jigglypuff]

$2,700 a month for one client???? I need to become a personal chef..

ill bet she is a dietician

[Falcanuck]

ill bet she is a dietician

Likely. But she's also clearly trained in the culinary arts, too. Prob a few years of school under her belt. PhD in food.

[TheFatboi]

It's not the fact that he diesnt know how. It's more the fact of he wants to still be able to work out, keep his strength without getting heavier. That's hard to do. Some guys touch the weights and instantly put on 10 pounds of muscle. A chef/nutritionist can help with that so he keeps energy but drops fat all while keeping muscle. I know it seems simple but it ain't. A lot of artists in my business use chef's. I've been consulting with a chef myself recently. It ain't just about backing away from carbs etc...