Entering year three, Johnson joins Weddle, vets as a leader in the L.A. secondary

[CGI_Ram]

https://www.therams.com/news/enteri...-weddle-vets-as-a-leader-in-the-l-a-secondary

Entering year three, Johnson joins Weddle, vets as a leader in the L.A. secondary

Heading into year three, safety John Johnson’s role in the Los Angeles defense lies somewhere between his position mates rookie safety Taylor Rapp and veteran counterpart Eric Weddle — both new members of the Rams who Johnson believes can make a difference heading into 2019.

Following OTAs Day 8, Johnson did his best to pinpoint where his role lies, after leading the team with four interceptions a season ago.

“I’m the young guy, I come out here and practice every day — the days that [veteran teammates] can’t. I play a lot of football, I bring that presence — I guess veteran presence because I’m kind of comfortable now. I’m just being that spark for the older guys,” Johnson said.

A youthful spark alongside seniors like Weddle, linebacker Clay Matthews, and cornerback Aqib Talib, but far from his days spent catching up to the professional pace of football as a rookie, Johnson mentioned growing as a leader as one personal goal as his third OTAs as a Ram wraps up.

Sure to send no disrespect to the 2018 Rams defense that wound up in Super Bowl LIII, Johnson says the chance to take the field alongside Weddle will result in a step forward for coordinator Wade Phillips’ group.

“He puts everyone at ease and it’s funny because I used to say that’s what I try to do,” Johnson said of Weddle on Tuesday. “So it’s kind of like two guys are back there working together to just make everybody comfortable, everyone play faster, and work together even better.”

And that’s everyone including second and third-rounder rookies Rapp and cornerback David Long, who have been thrown into the fire since landing in L.A. a few weeks back. Johnson’s days as a rookie in the Los Angeles defense are not so distant, despite the Boston College product’s spike in production and top tackling ability put on display in year two.

He gave a progress report regarding the youngsters before heading into the locker room in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“They are sponges. They are taking it all in and not many mistakes — it’s kind of like they are comfortable and they are getting there,” Johnson said. “It’s one thing to know what you are doing, but it’s different to go out there and execute because the game is moving fast.”

 

[Riverumbbq]

Aqib Talib raves about Eric Weddle, new Rams teammates

By: Andrew Ortenberg | June 4, 2019 5:51 pm ET

The Los Angeles Rams’ defense will have a few new members in 2019. Guys like Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle were signed in free agency, and the Rams used early draft picks to replenish the secondary with Taylor Rapp and David Long.

One of the most experienced players on defense is Aqib Talib, and he seems very welcoming of the fresh blood. Speaking to reporters after a recent practice, the veteran cornerback talked about all of his new teammates for the first time.

When asked about Rapp, Talib praised his versatility.

“He’s learning, definitely learning. A lot being thrown at him, he’s learning strong safety, dime, free safety, so it’s a lot on his plate and he’s picking it up fast,” Talib said.

Talib said similar things about Long, saying that the Michigan product is having to learn to play both inside and outside, but that he’s “picking it up fast” as well. He seemed happy with the progress of both rookies, mentioning that the toughest thing for both of them is “the speed of the game, it’s a lot faster than college. Once they get the speed down, we’re good.”

Talib had very high praise for Weddle, and what he’ll bring to the team.

“I love playing with him already.” When asked about how Weddle being a longtime veteran in the league will help, Talib replied, “I think its gonna help a lot, bunch of knowledge, saw a lot of stuff, he brings experience, and it’s gonna help us out a lot.”

Talib talked about how even in their limited time on the field together, he can already see what type of player Weddle is.

“The communication man, smart dude. He can get everybody lined up, he can play multiple positions, tell you where to go, it’s versatility [that he brings].”

Talib even highlighted his own versatility, joking that he could play receiver when responding to a question about potentially lining up at safety. Like Marcus Peters, he’s set to be a free agent at the end of the year, but he isn’t thinking about his next contract or where he’s going to play next season.

“One year at a time,” Talib said. “I’ve got to do something on the field and make some money for next year.”

Talib is 33 now, and a player of his age with his pedigree might often skip OTAs. He was asked why he thinks they’re important and why he still shows up.

“For the communication. When you have someone new like Eric out there you want to get a good feel for them, before it’s live bullets,” he said. “Also just camaraderie – camaraderie means a lot in football so you come to vibe with each other, you get off work early, you vibe after work, you get used to talking to each other on the field.”

Finally, he talked about Matthews. Matthews was raised in a football family, with seven different Matthews making it to the NFL so far. Talib indicated he wants to follow a similar blueprint, saying “I’ve got tons of questions for Clay, I want my family to be like his. So I ask him all kinds of questions like, ‘Did your daddy have you working out when you were six?’ I’m trying to see if I’m being the right parent to start that, so tons of questions for Clay in the locker room, his locker is by mine.”

All of the new Rams seem to be integrating well, which is a good sign. Sean McVay has instilled a strong culture in his two years at the helm, and it sounds like Les Snead went out and got all the right guys to keep things that way.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...m_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=pos2headline

 

[oldnotdead]

I was surprised when Weddle signed with the Rams. I thought he was going to retire. I watched him his entire Charger career and was surprised when they didn't bring him back. Playing safety is more than pure speed. The safety must diagnose the play quickly and correctly and Weddle has always been very good at that. Johnson and Rapp couldn't have a better mentor. Weddle has always been a consummate team player. Weddle, Johnson and Rapp have definitely upgraded an obvious weakness in the Ram secondary.

I can't tell you how many times I watch him bait a QB and slot/TE into taking the slant or hitch only to jump it for an INT.

 

[Malibu]

One thing we all should be happy about is our safety and DB core I know I am.

I hated Joyner's play last year and voiced my dissatisfaction alot. He was never in the camera shot now that is really bad - translation a miss diagnosed play or too late to effect the outcome bot the play. Weddle is an big upgrade imo unless age has caught up with him. Plus all the help he will be to Johnson who I believe will be a pro bowler this year as well as the other Safeties on the team.

I was definitely saying I felt shaky with the DBs and Safeties last year at certain times and generally Joyner and Peters most of the time. Now by adding Rapp and Long to Talib, Peters, Coleman, Weddle and Johnson I feel we have one of the overall best defensive back depth in the league. To me I felt it was our biggest problem even bigger than our Run Defense. Barring injuries the Rams fans I believe will be very pleased with them.

 

[Merlin]

The biggest differences going from Joyner to Weddle...

1. Consistency. Joyner was extremely inconsistent, to the point where teams were able to predict it and take advantage. Weddle isn't the greatest single high safety out there (which is what I wanted the Rams to go get), but he'll be a significant improvement over what we had last season.

2. Intelligence. Joyner ain't the sharpest knife in the kitchen. He's (IMO) a natural slot CB and at safety the thinking slows him. Weddle is one of the smartest safeties in this league and has been for some time. And in a defense like Wade's that intelligence will translate into more effectiveness than it would in more simplistic schemes.

Weddle also adds that ability to call the defense. Which will take a load off Littleton and I think is another big advantage.

 

[RamFan503]

I hated Joyner's play last year and voiced my dissatisfaction alot

I was always a Joyner fan until his play last year. It was like a switch went OFF instead of ON. I don't even recall him making a single OUCH type hit all last season. He used to put players' heads on a swivel including after he made the transition from CB to safety. I would say he was my single biggest disappointment on defense with Peters getting burned a close second

 

[oldnotdead]

Joyner was frequently slow to read the play making him react late. With his short stature it limits his play radius so he many times looked to be a step late. If a safety has average speed (4.5+) he needs to be taller than Joyner's 5'8" or he needs to make quick reads. This is where Weddle's mentoring will pay huge dividends to Johnson and Rapp, because Weddle's ability to read plays quickly is outstanding. After watching Rapp at UW for years, I can say he's a similar type of safety as Eric. Rapp has always played much faster than his timed speed because of his ability to diagnose the play quickly. Rapp in many ways is a classic strong safety, with the length to match up with TE's, quick and a strong tackler.