Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM – visited with Jackson’s Artis Hicks for a question & answer session to discuss Super Bowl LVII.
Artis, a 1997 graduate of Jackson Central-Merry High School, played collegiately at the University of Memphis, and professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Washington, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.
An offensive lineman, Hicks, played in the 2005 Super Bowl (2004 season) when the Eagles faced the New England Patriots.
Hicks, who trains at Atlas Fitness Jackson – 3023 U.S. Highway 45 Bypass Suite 109 – is a member of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame – 2014 – and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – 2022 – works with middle school, high school, and collegiate players in Tennessee, developing offensive lineman skills and talent through his ‘Will Breakers Camp.’
Question: You played for Philadelphia when the Eagles played the Patriots in the 2005 Super Bowl. This year, there is another Jackson connection – Trey Smith – Kansas City Chiefs, UT and the University School of Jackson.
Would you tell us about your friendship with Trey – an offensive lineman – and do you talk during the season?
Answer: Trey and I talk at least two-to-three times weekly during the season as well as text messaging. I’ve been coaching him since he was 15 years old and that doesn’t stop until he retires, which will be a long time from now.
It’s more than a friendship that we have; it’s also an offensive lineman’s bond that we share and that will remain well after he retires and transitions into the next phase of his life one day.
We talk about the challenges his individual opponent presents and how to negate them to start off every week. Then I record and watch all of his games weekly and grade his performances. We then discuss how he played right after the game and we talk about how to correct any issues which he faced.
I make videos demonstrating technique drills to fix technical errors for him to work on before or after practice when needed. I just try to do any and everything that I can to help him get to where he wants to go which is the top of the league at his position.
He’s well on his way but not because of anything I’ve contributed over the years. It’s because he’s a super hard worker, very talented, extremely smart, and most importantly; it’s God’s will.
Question: What was your experience like leading up to the Super Bowl, and have you had a chance to speak with Trey about what he might expect?
Answer: The Super Bowl experience was both amazing and stressful all at the same time. It was a blessing to be able to share such an unbelievable experience with all of my immediate family members.
However, there’s a fine line that you must straddle knowing that they are at the Super Bowl as spectators on vacation while you’re there to win it all in just a few days so you can’t get caught up in having too much fun.
It’s a delicate balancing act as you try to enjoy the moment with family and friends while still remaining engaged and locked onto the task at hand with laser focus.
My biggest pieces of advice to Trey were to fight to keep that same laser focus which he’s had all year during what will feel like a circus at times during Super Bowl week and to NOT subscribe to the mentality of “this is just another game” because it’s not! It’s the game of all games and the winner takes all! You MUST acknowledge the fact that this is the Super Bowl because that FORCES you to leave no stone unturned as you prepare schematically, technically, mentally, physically, and spiritually to perform at the highest level of your capabilities.
You just what to do your part to help the team win. That’s the only way you can move forward with zero regrets after the game is over regardless of the outcome.
Question: In your opinion, what does Kansas City have to do to win Sunday?
Answer: Kansas City has to establish a physical presence early in the game up front on both sides of the ball with their offensive and defensive linemen to win this game.
If they do so then they’ll run the ball efficiently on offense and create manageable third down situations which allows (KC tight end) Travis Kelcey to have a field day working the middle of the field.
He’s a master at finding holes in coverages underneath and he and (Chiefs QB Patrick) Mahomes have great chemistry of completing passes to keep drives alive by doing this.
The Chiefs are banged up in their wide receiver group so I don’t see them winning matchups consistently on the outside if they have to get into an all out passing attack due to the inability to stay in front of the down and distance chains by running the ball.
Be alert for KC to run screens and wheel routes out the backfield with (KC running back Clyde) Edwards-Helaire in this game also as they just activated him back onto the active roster for this game.
He has great hands for a running back and can create mismatches on linebackers in coverage.
Lookout for No. 65, Trey Smith, kicking out defenders as Helaire cuts off his blocks for big gains on those screens.
The Chiefs love running screens behind him due to his physical play and athletic ability to run in open the open field for such a big guy.
This will show down the Eagles’ relentless pass rush as Mahomes is still dealing with a bad ankle himself, (and) 45-to-50 passing attempts won’t be ideal for KC to win this game as Mahomes likes to play outside the pocket as he uses his legs to create big plays downfield in the passing game.
The Chiefs defensive line has to be very disruptive and negate the rushing yards gaining on RPO (run, pass, option) plays when (Philadelphia qb Jalen) Hurts hands the ball off and force the Eagle to win behind Jalen’s passing.
Question: In your opinion, what does Philadelphia have to do to win Sunday?
Answer: The Eagles have to do the exact same thing upfront. This game will be won and lost upfront in the trenches with the big fellas. Both teams have two of the top offensive lines in the NFL and both have top defensive lines also consisting of multiple All-pro players on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles must establish the run also because I don’t think Hurts will lead them to victory if he has to drop back and throw 40-to-45 attempts. That’s not his strong suit. They have to find ways to get him in manageable third down situations also without exposing him to too many hits because he’s still dealing with a banged up shoulder himself.
The Eagles have a clear cut advantage in this game in its receiving group which is very good and relatively healthy. Both teams also possess two of the top scoring offenses in the NFL so defense will be a huge factor the outcome of this game. Which ever defense can come up with just one turnover could very well be the difference in this game.
Question: You played for Philadelphia, but am I correct, you’re pulling for KC because of Trey Smith. Is this a tough decision, and would you give us a final score?
Answer: My pick for this game was very easy, 100 percent CHIEFS ALL THE WAY! I will forever be grateful for Philly giving me an opportunity to prove myself and start my professional career in the league.
I learned everything I needed right there in that city about football and life, from some of the greatest men to ever coach and play the game, which paved the way for the longevity and success that I experienced.
That organization is built right from the top with Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie all the way down to the bottom with the custodians on staff.
Everyone is a professional and takes the utmost pride in their work in that organization. They are one of the few gold standards of how to do it the right way and it’s rewarded with all of the success they’ve had in recent years.
However, this is about the next great Jacksonian who has a shot at capturing a world championship. Little ole Jackson, TN has produced a few good football players over the decades.
The likes of Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Sylvester Hicks, Trey Teague, Al Wilson, Jabari Greer, Artis Hicks, and now the newest addition Trey Smith. After the opening kickoff this Sunday, five of us will have played in a Super Bowl, meaning roughly 71 percent of Jackson NFL players have had an opportunity to win a Super Bowl ring.
Right now we’re sitting at a 75 percent Super Bowl win rate but Trey can bump us up to 80 percent with a win Sunday. That’s pretty impressive for a little ole “Hub City” wouldn’t you all agree? Let’s go Chiiieeeeefs! Let’s go Big Trey! 38-35 Chiefs.
(PHOTO: Artis Hicks)
