LB Jarret Johnson Doesn't Mind Working Hard
RESOLUTE LB KNOWS HOW TO STAY FOCUSED
By Joe Platania
WESTMINSTER -- Linebacker Jarret Johnson has cast his vote in the ongoing debate about cutting preseason in half and lengthening the NFL regular season from 16 to 18 games.
“Really, they limit how many reps you get in the (preseason) games, but you still are in training camp during those times," Johnson said. "And yeah, it’s a long process. We go two weeks before the first game, and then you’ve got a four-week training camp period during the preseason games. And if those were knocked back and regular season games were in place, I’m all for it. I’d love to see it. I don’t know how they would structure it, but I’m all for it.”
It's a rather surprising quote from the eighth-year strong-side linebacker, considering how hard he already has had to work to get where he is. Johnson worked his way up from the bottom of the depth chart to become the University of Alabama's only two-time captain in its storied history. But even after being drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2003 draft (109th overall), he had to bide his time and wait his turn.
That included taking a turn on the defensive line since he wasn't about to crack the Ravens' exceptional corps of linebackers. On top of that, Baltimore played a 4-3 scheme at the time, lessening the chance for Johnson to play that position.
However, with hard work came a little luck. In the final game of Johnson's second season, he intercepted a deflected pass against the Miami Dolphins and ran it back six yards for a touchdown. To this day, it remains the shortest interception-return score in team history.
“I think it’s all helped me to become the player that I am," Johnson said. "I don’t think that if I hadn’t gotten drafted as a D-lineman, played three years as a D-lineman, had to play behind [Adalius Thomas] for a year, learned a ton from him, and then the pressure, once he left, the pressure put on me made me the player I am now. And I just hope to continue to improve. I appreciate the route that I’ve come. I liked being a part of the D-line; that was one of my favorite times of my career.”
Johnson battled through shoulder problems last year, which is why he was one of the "selected veterans" asked to report to camp early ahead of the other veterans, who checked in July 28.
Despite the injury, Johnson went on to register six sacks and 50 total tackles, tied with Ed Reed for sixth on the team. Those sacks represented a significant portion of the Ravens' total, one Johnson attempted to increase while playing hurt. But working hard and playing through injuries isn't foreign to Johnson at all.
“It feels good to get out," Johnson said. "Obviously, coming off surgery last year and then rehabbing during the offseason, it’s good to get out here and see where you’re at. It’s one thing when you’re feeling good sitting at home doing nothing, but it’s another thing when you get out here on the field and you hit somebody or lock somebody out and the shoulder doesn’t hurt, and it feels strong.”
Johnson will need to continue to stay strong. One of his likely backups at his position, rookie second-round pick Sergio Kindle, fractured his skull last week in a nighttime fall at a Texas home. Published reports have stated narcolepsy was a likely cause of the incident.
Also, the league's labor troubles will continue to put a cloud over this season, which could be the last for a while if there is a lockout next spring. But, as usual, Johnson's focus won't be deterred, not even after his wife gave birth to their first child this year.
"We want to win this year purely because we want to win it, and we have the ability to win it," he said. "With the labor stuff, you can’t worry about that stuff. What happens, happens, and we’ll get it resolved. We will continue to play, but we just don’t know what route that’s going to be.”
Somehow, you get the feeling the resolute Johnson will know the route ... and exactly what it will take to get there.
Posted July 29, 2010
