Jalen Ramsey didn’t make any grand statements wrapped round Super Bowl ensures and even that the cornerback mixture of he and Xavien Howard are one of the best within the NFL, however his introductory press convention in Miami on Thursday nonetheless put his brash confidence on show.
The six-time Pro Bowl, three-time All-Pro cornerback, outfitted in Gucci from head to toe, embraced championship aspirations in his new dwelling with the Dolphins. He talked about hopes of securing first-ballot Hall of Fame standing over the second half of his profession. And for those who assume he’s previous his prime at 28, he had some pointed phrases.
“Alright,” he replied merely to a query about criticism for his 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. “Did you see me play last year? Cut on the film. You got to really watch it. You don’t become this successful without actually doing good things on the field and having the respect of your peers, media. … We gon’ see.”
And whenever you mix the will to show doubters fallacious in a brand new state of affairs, return to a Super Bowl after already profitable one and type a doubtlessly elite secondary, one can see why Ramsey tweeted Sunday, moments after information broke the Dolphins acquired him in a commerce, that he prayed for this precise situation to develop.
“I didn’t necessarily think like, ‘Oh, I’ll be traded,’ but once it kind of started to be reality, me and my team we sat down and we kind of wrote pros and cons of different situations going on,” Ramsey defined. “Which groups could also be in want of a nook, which groups could also be , which groups do I like, as effectively, which groups will I match no matter they received occurring.
“And I remember writing down Miami, and Miami stayed at the top of my list from the jump. So yeah, then I just started praying about it and it all started to visualize for me, so I’m ready. I hope it’s everything that I dreamed up and prayed about, and I’m sure it is, so I’m excited.”
And all it took within the commerce for Miami, except for the extra $25 million in ensures to his contract in a restructured deal, was tight finish Hunter Long and a third-round choose.
Ramsey thought again to how he and Howard have been the 2 first-team All-Pro cornerbacks within the league in 2020. Now, the 2 veterans can staff as much as lock up opposing go video games in an AFC the place will probably be wanted with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen within the convention and Allen now quickly to be joined by Aaron Rodgers within the Dolphins’ division of the AFC East with the New York Jets.
Ramsey has been a core piece of stout cornerback models and defenses with each the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, however he places this group on prime.
“On paper, this is the best group that I’ve been a part of, and I feel like I’ve been a part of some good groups in Jacksonville and also in L.A.,” he mentioned. “But it’s not just about us. It’s a whole defense and a whole team. I think we can do something special if we put that work in and be as one.”
Aside from Ramsey and Howard with Jevon Holland at security, the Dolphins protection, now below the path of latest coordinator Vic Fangio, has standout edge rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. The entrance line is spearheaded by Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler. David Long may very well be a welcome addition to the linebacker corps if he stays wholesome.
In Fangio’s system, Ramsey can really feel proper at dwelling. Fangio was the architect of the identical scheme the Rams have been operating in recent times, with present Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator in 2020. Staley was below Fangio with the Bears and Broncos seasons prior.
Ramsey’s versatility can shine, as his ability set isn’t just restricted to taking part in cornerback on the skin. He was versatile taking part in the “star” place in Los Angeles.
“I’m very familiar with the scheme,” he mentioned. “Love the scheme. It’s different ways to play it, and that just depends on the flow of our team and exactly what [Fangio] wants me to do because I have that versatility. I can do whatever he asks of me.”
Ramsey alluded to how he can lock up reverse boundaries with Howard. Or slide into the nickel. Or blitz in a dime package deal. Or cowl tight ends.
With all that he can convey on the sphere, the veteran expertise — and Super Bowl expertise — grants him consolation in taking over a better management function than he’s beforehand manifested.
“When I was going to L.A., I was kind of a younger guy when I first got traded,” Ramsey mentioned of the 2019 transfer. “Now, I’m one of many older ones within the room and on the staff. It’s a little bit little bit of a distinction, however I do know what I can convey personally as a participant and as a DB on the sphere. I do know what I convey into the locker room — simply my vitality, my swag, my ardour, my love.
“There’s some championship qualities that I know I can bring as well, just from being on a winning team basically every year I was in L.A. besides this past one. And, you know, getting to the Super Bowl, winning the Super Bowl, having success individually, having team success, being around Hall of Fame players — Von Miller, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford.”
Ramsey wasn’t certain how Miami sports activities followers would really feel about him after the way in which he dominated the Hurricanes whereas in school at Florida State. He questioned, “I don’t know how they’re going to feel about me right now. I used to tear them up.”
But he beloved the embrace from being in South Florida his first few days, together with attending the Miami Heat recreation in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies courtside with Howard on Wednesday night time.
Ramsey has additionally had his first interactions together with his new coach Mike McDaniel. The cornerback mentioned McDaniel supplied a playful nudge at Rams coach Sean McVay, whom McDaniel has labored with, saying he needs to be one of the best head coach he’s ever had.
If Ramsey can present a bit that helps convey the Dolphins their first Super Bowl in 50 years, it will go a good distance in him solidifying his Hall of Fame aspirations.
“I want to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” he proclaimed Thursday, saying he needs to place himself within the class of nice cornerbacks like Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
