The southern drawl is omni-present. The Ravens celebrate his diversity at the linebacker position. One of his teammates, defensive end Trevor Pryce, called him “one of the best football players I?ve been around in a long time.” There is one thing he is not, however. Adalius Thomas.
Meet the new starting linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens ? Jarret Johnson ? the man charged with replacing Pro Bowler Thomas this season for the No. 1 defense in the NFL. After Thomas bolted Baltimore in March for a lucrative, $35 million free agent contract with the New England Patriots, the Ravens immediately tabbed the Florida native to be the next man up. Johnson, who has spent his entire career with the Ravens, was re-signed to a six-year deal in wake of Thomas? departure.
“Well I?m not the same player that AD is, obviously,” Johnson said. “He can do more things in pass coverage. I can do the pass coverage thing but my game is more geared towards the run – probably not the back end stuff like he can do, but I am also a versatile player, who can do some thingsalong the line. We are two completely different players, but we have some similarities.”
Johnson has plenty to prove, including that he can be an every-down player in the NFL. Thomas had 83 tackles last season, five less than Johnson has had in his entire career.
“He has got to replace a great football player, there is no doubt about it,” defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. “Adalius was a tremendous player for us; we don?t hide that fact. It is not all going to fall on Jarret Johnson, even though we are comfortable with that. Jarret is a smart guy, tough, dependable, durable and mean. He plays to our mentality.”
On top of all that, Johnson has to find his spot in what is widely regarded as the NFL?s best linebacking corps. It?s a group that had every single starter named to the Pro Bowl during the 2006 season, including Thomas, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott.
“I don?t feel any pressure,” Johnson said. “I know it?s a challenge, but I?m up for it and I?m excited about the opportunity.”
