Eric Weddle's fantastic first campaign with the Ravens last season resulted in a Pro Bowl selection. Baltimore is hoping its big secondary acquisition this offseason also displays similar success.
Safety Tony Jefferson signed a four-year deal with the Ravens following four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. The safety had multiple suitors, but opted for scheme over dollars.
"I had to personally go on NFL Game Pass and watch tape and film before I made a decision. I felt like this defense fits me," Jefferson said Monday on NFL Total Access. "I feel like this style fits me. I love to hit, and do that type of stuff. And I think that's the culture, and that's what I want to be a part of."
Jefferson was Arizona's swiss-army knife on defense, with NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling going so far as to state that he outplayed Tyrann Mathieu in the desert last season. Now, he joins Weddle to arguably form the top safety duo in the AFC. With a familiar philosophy in Baltimore, Jefferson anticipates he won't skip a beat.
"I get really pumped up and excited when I talk about the scheme that I've seen so far through [organized team activities] and minicamp," Jefferson said. "I feel like I'm going to be able to make a bunch of plays in this defense. [Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees] loves to bring pressure, and that's what Arizona did. I'm used to that.
"I like to cover. So I'm going to have the opportunity to do that [and] showcase my abilities as much as I possibly can, and I think Dean is going to extradite all of that."
Jefferson has already wowed his new coaching staff early on, with Ravens coach John Harbaugh saying the 25-year-old safety has been "A-plus in every area." Despite the Ravens not making the postseason in three of the past four years, Jefferson has liked the team's overall dynamic. In fact, that's what he's credited for his strong start with the organization.
"When you're surrounded by a bunch of guys like the guys that are in the locker room that Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome] put together, it makes the transition easy," Jefferson said. "With guys like [Eric Weddle, who's smart and a great football player, he's going to make me better as well. So I'm excited for the year to come."
