In the past few years, the Los Angeles Rams have parted ways with quite a few leaders on defense. Trumaine Johnson, Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron and Lamarcus Joyner are all gone, leaving leadership voids in the locker room.
The Rams haven’t struggled to replace those players with veterans such as Eric Weddle, Clay Matthews and Aqib Talib. But it isn’t just older players becoming leaders. John Johnson III is taking on such a role, too.
He and Weddle not only give the Rams a great safety tandem, but it’s one with vocal players who help get the entire defense aligned. Johnson and Weddle are working well together already despite it being so early in the offseason.
“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, via the Rams’ official site. “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.”
Johnson isn’t afraid to speak up and has an infectious personality that rubs off on everyone. It’s almost impossible for a player to be down on himself when he’s around Johnson. His positive attitude is a spark on defense, which coaches undoubtedly love to see.
Entering Year 3, Johnson is becoming more comfortable on defense and has stepped up as a leader.
“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.
Leadership at safety is crucial, especially with risk-taking cornerbacks like Marcus Peters and Talib also in the secondary. Having Johnson and Weddle back there to align the defense will be a huge boost to the entire unit.
