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Tony Jefferson is eager to make his presence felt in the NFL again.
The former Ravens goalie hasn’t adjusted since he tore his ACL in October 2019 and remained unsigned until 2020 while he recovered. The unfortunate injury put an end to his inspiring career as an undrafted free agent turned solid defenseman approaching Pro Bowl status. The 49ers came calling in June, signing a one-year contract at Jefferson and giving the seven-year veteran a chance to prove himself again.
Join MJ Acosta and Tony Jefferson of NFL Network on Full access to the NFL On Tuesday, Jefferson spoke about how his absence from the game rekindled his drive to come out and prove himself in a team groomed for success.
“If you go away for a year, you completely miss everything,” Jefferson said. “You just want to get your hands on it at this point. For me, being undrafted is like starting all over again and just going out there and proving yourself and making a name for yourself. Because, you know, you. you sit for a year, a lot of people forget, forget who you are, forget what you did, and it’s time for me to remind people.
The 49ers are looking to bounce back from an injury-ridden season and return to the dominant form that catapulted them into Super Bowl LIV. In 2021, however, they will have to do so under the guidance of new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans after Robert Saleh was hired as the head coach of the New York Jets. Ryans, a 10-year veteran linebacker and former All-Pro, began his coaching career in San Francisco under Saleh in 2017, a year away from his retirement as a player. Jefferson believes Ryans is well equipped to pick up where Saleh left off.
“I had the opportunity to speak to him, I had been in touch with the 49ers for a little while,” Jefferson said of Ryans, who was the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. ” Just looking at (Ryans) he looks like we’re the same age, but you can tell he has an aggressive mindset. Like you said he’s All-Pro, he played, so he knows exactly what he wants from defense and he knows what pattern he wants to run. He wants to be aggressive. Once you hear a defensive coordinator talk about aggression, all he does is turn on lights in my head right there. “
Jefferson joins a deep high school that also had his fair share of injuries in 2020. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt has missed the last nine games with a turf toe injury and free safety Jimmie Ward has faced several ailments during the course. of a difficult campaign. Cornerbacks K’Wuan Williams, Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley and Dontae Johnson all missed some time last year, but the unit is equipped to make up for Richard Sherman’s absence before 2021.
Considering the Niners’ secondary depth, Jefferson will certainly have to fight for a spot on the team after such a long layoff. It remains to be seen whether he will make the squad as a starting caliber starter or replacement, but the 29-year-old sees plenty of opportunities for the unit to play in the NFC West.
“As a secondary player you watch NFC West, you see the quarterbacks,” Jefferson explained. “I love Matthew Stafford and I’ve played against him a number of times in my career, then Kyler Murray and of course Russell Wilson you know the ball is going to be in the air and with the ball in the air. ‘air that means more opportunities. I think with the forward we have and the plan we have, I think that will give us ample opportunity to go and play. The ball is in there. air – I have it, it’s ours. “
San Francisco’s defense remained stingy despite injuries last season, allowing just 314.4 yards per game (5th best in the NFL). A ball peddling secondary is welcome, however, as their ability to make plays was lacking with just 12 interceptions in total and a -11 spin rate (second-worst in the NFL). With Nick Bosa approaching a healthy comeback, Javon Kinlaw entering Year 2, and the exciting duo of Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner holding the fort, the 49ers are destined to come back strong.
Under an established 49ers defense, Jefferson is looking to take advantage of a great situation. And the motivation behind his long-awaited return knows no bounds.
“They have dogs up front,” Jefferson said. “Anytime you look at that list and look at the defensive depth chart and what they’ve been up to defensively up front – that’s where it starts, in the trenches. They’ve got dogs there. Linebackers, you know, (Dre) Greenlaw, Fred Warner, all kinds of guys that are just touch-to-touch guys making plays.
“I’m delighted that I can just put my hand in the pile, work my tail and prove myself. Like I said, taking a year off for a guy who’s been playing for four years, words can’t really express to. how excited I am for this opportunity. “
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