Ravens’ Timmy Jernigan wants to be disciplined playmaker
Timmy Jernigan won a National Championship last season, and now he’s winning over his coaches in the NFL, too. He’s a rookie, so naturally he ends up out of position in his new defense. But even when he does something wrong, everything else seems to go right for the Florida State alumnus.
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“I told Jernigan the other night he can be one of those guys I’m going to yell – “Tim! Nice play,’’’ Ravens offensive coordinator Dean Pees said laughing, via CSN Baltimore. “He’s just active as heck. It isn’t always right, but it’s like you watch him on film and (say) ‘You can’t do that.’ He goes, ‘Coach, I made the play two yards in the backfield.’ Well, OK, maybe you can do it.”
Jernigan recognizes, however, that in order to break into the starting rotation — which is his goal for the season — he’ll have to get into the right position. He won’t be successful on talent alone. That’s the kind of Raven he wants to be: an every-play, impact player.
“I definitely think I can be even more consistent,” Jernigan said. “I feel like I’ve been doing a great job of being a penetrator. I feel like that’s what I bring to the team. Haloti’s more of a plug-up type a guy. He plays a lot more with his strength. I feel like I’m more of a guy getting in the backfield.
“I look to be a playmaker, but at the same time you’ve got to be disciplined and be able to make plays throughout the scheme. That’s definitely a big thing I want to get better at – being more disciplined throughout the scheme. At the end of the day it’s about the team, it’s about the defense, it ain’t about me.”