Timmy Jernigan impressing Baltimore Ravens
Early in free agency, the Baltimore Ravens lost defensive lineman Arthur Jones. Jones left the Ravens to sign a five-year, $33 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
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Although the Ravens liked Jones, they simply didn’t have enough money to keep him. Instead, they tried to find his replacement in the draft and may have gotten a steal when they selected former Florida State Seminoles’ star Timmy Jernigan with the 48th-0verall pick in the second round. Jernigan was perhaps the best player on what may have been the country’s best defense last season.
According to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, Jernigan has been very impressive thus far.
"Although there’s no contact allowed until training camp, Jernigan already has shown an aggressive personality on the practice field, with a willingness to mix it up that has left an impression with the Ravens’ veteran blockers.Through two organized team activities and a rookie minicamp, Jernigan’s quick first step and ability to gain leverage has made him difficult to slow. The 6-foot-1, 302-pound second-round draft pick from Florida State also has gotten into a few scrapes with offensive linemen and engaged in his share of trash talk.“Jernigan, the young guy, he’s flashing a lot,” offensive guard Kelechi Osemele said this week. “He’s playing fast, especially for being a young guy, and being thrown in there with the [first-teamers] every now and then and it being a new system and everything. He’s coming along really well. We really need him to contribute this year, and I think he has the ability to do that.”"
Jernigan made 138 tackles, 25.0 for loss and 8.5 sacks in his three years with the Seminoles, including 63 tackles, 11.0 for loss and 4.5 sacks last season.