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Johnson and Ihenacho lay the foundation for training-camp battle at strong safety
Although the Washington Redskins don’t kick off training camp until the end of July, the competition for the starting strong safety job already has commenced, with offseason addition Jeron Johnson and holdover Duke Ihenacho going head to head.
“I think it’s shaping out to be a competitive [offseason],” Ihenacho said Tuesday. “Everybody back there in the secondary is pretty understanding of the fact that we’re going to have to compete for our jobs this year. … It’s just on right now. Me and J.J., we know we have to work for our position. That’s all we can do. It’s still early. So you just leave it up to the coaches, come out and compete. There’s no animosity. We understand the nature of the business. Somebody’s got to be back there.”
As the players look to bring stability to a position that has long represented one of Washington’s weak areas on defense, the 5-foot-10, 212-pound Johnson and the 6-1, 207 Ihenacho aim to distinguish themselves in the eyes of their coaches. But the two competitors actually have much in common.
They grew up in the same area of California (Johnson in Compton, Ihenacho in Carson, just 15 minutes away). Only a year apart (Johnson 26, Ihenacho 25), they knew each other in their younger years and share many of the same friends. Both went to smaller schools (Johnson to Boise State, Ihenacho to San Jose State), and both entered the NFL as undrafted free agents and have had to work for everything.
Both came to Washington from winning organizations — Ihenacho got his start in Denver, and Johnson in Seattle — and now hope to bring those winning ways to their new teams. And both have had to fight through their share of disappointments.
Ihenacho was a starter in Denver, but was deemed expendable after the team signed T.J. Ward to a four-year, $22.5 million free-agent contract in 2014. The Broncos cut Ihenacho at the end of last preseason. After getting claimed by Washington, Ihenacho expected to eventually start in the Redskins’ short-handed secondary, but a foot injury ended his season after only three games.
Meanwhile, Johnson — a signing of current Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan with the Seahawks — spent his time in Seattle as a backup to talented safeties Earl Thomas III and Kam Chancellor while carving out a role for himself on special teams. He had his 2013 season cut short by injury.
The past experiences of both players, and the winning traditions they came from proved attractive to the Redskins, Coach Jay Gruden explained.
“It’s important. You’re trying to change the culture and we’re all working very hard to do that,” Gruden said. “You bring in some people with some great leadership skills and have been at winning programs, it’s important. They know how to win and how to prepare to win.”
ASHBURN VA, JUNE 9: Redskins safety Jeron Johnson during the Washington Redskins OTAs at Redskins Park in Ashburn VA, June 9, 2015 (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post) Redskins safety Jeron Johnson during Tuesday’s practice. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
Like Ihenacho, Johnson came to Washington with expectations of finally earning a starting job. Johnson was undaunted by the presence of Ihenacho on the roster, and Ihenacho was unfazed by the signing of Johnson.
“I definitely knew Duke was on the roster when I signed here, and that he had previous starting experience, so I knew what I was getting myself into,” Johnson said. “But, I believe in myself and know what I’m trying to do.”
Said Ihenacho, “I know Jeron. I’ve known him. I just feel like I belong here. I’ve started, I’ve played in games, I’ve been in the Super Bowl, and I’m a competitor, man. It’s been like that. Like I said, nobody gave me anything. I was an undrafted free agent, then I was on practice squad, then I worked my way up to the starting position. I’m no stranger to it. It’s familiar territory.”
Through the three weeks of offseason practices, Johnson and Ihenacho have rotated at strong safety. One plays with the first unit on a given day while the other plays with the second unit, and the following day, their roles flip flop.
The lack of consistency could prove frustrating to some, but the players have worked to remain focused.
“I’ve got to control what I can control. That’s my effort. It’s hard to judge anything right now. We’re still in T-shirts,” Johnson said.
Iheancho agrees.
The players possess similar skill sets. Both play with physicality and have done well against the run, and both are working to prove themselves as adequate in pass coverage, while trying to improve at the same time.
Asked to describe his game, Johnson said, “I have great instincts, I feel. Big-play ability. I make plays on the football field, so that’s just what I’m trying to do: make plays.”
Ihenacho described himself as, “just a playmaker. I’ve got a good nose for the football, good instincts, and I get to the ball pretty fast. So, I would say those are good qualities that I have.”
As Johnson said, it’s still extremely early, so no player appears to have gained an edge over the other. The physical practices of training camp, plus performances in the preseason will help sort things out. For now, both players are working to establish their understanding of the defense while also pushing each other.
“It’s some good work going on back there,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a good competition between Duke and myself, and we’re just trying to help the team. … Whatever he does makes me better, whatever I do makes him better. There’s no bad blood at all.”
