The loss of Logan Ryan this offseason wasn’t easy for any of his former Tennessee Titans teammates to take, including cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
In a Zoom call with the media on Friday, Jackson explained how Ryan helped him early on in his career and was sad to see him go, but understands that it’s just part of the business of the NFL, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
“When I came in, (Logan) is one of the guys I leaned on a lot to help me out,” Jackson said. “I told him I appreciate him more than he knows. He was there for me, the big brother that you need. I was sad. But in the world of football, every time we get a team, we understand it is not going to be the same next year.”
With Ryan now gone, the Titans have to figure out how they’re going to fill the void at slot cornerback.
While second-round pick Kristian Fulton has been pegged as the guy who could take that job, general manager Jon Robinson didn’t rule out playing Jackson in the middle earlier this offseason.
The former No. 18 overall pick is spending time learning what it takes to play the slot “just in case I’m needed,” per David Boclair of Sports Illustrated.
“When you’re playing corner you pretty much have to worry about yourself in those aspects, and playing the nickel is a lot of different assignments and alignments and techniques that come into play,” Jackson said. “Being able to go in these virtual meetings and listen in and see the picture, and the virtual classroom and things that we do to help get a better understanding and knowledge of the role and position, just in case I’m needed.”
As you would imagine, Jackson was thrilled that the Titans picked up his fifth-year option and it’s clear he wouldn’t mind spending the long term in Tennessee.
“I was thankful when I got the call from (general manager Jon Robinson),” Jackson said. “I talked to him. That was my first feeling, I was just excited, just smiling and happy. I love being a part of the Titans and being able to play in not just a great city, but with great people and great players.”
Jackson is happy about the direction in which the Titans have gone in the secondary with some of their new additions, one of which was veteran Johnathan Joseph, per Wyatt.
“From the jump, J-Joe, I like him a lot,” Jackson said about Joseph. “I remember watching him and seeing him play when he was down in Houston. I always liked his game, respected his game. As soon as we signed him I … reached out to him. I am excited to learn and play with him and be able to develop under what he knows and his knowledge because he has played in a similar defense and done great things.
Jackson is already familiar with Kristian Fulton, who he’s known since the rookie’s days at LSU. And Jackson has something in common with seventh-round pick Chris Jackson, with both players having a background in track.
“Kristian, he’s a smart player. I’ve known him since he was at LSU and chopped it up with him before, so I am excited to see what he’ll do and how he can help us. He’s a great player and a great talent. And Chris Jackson, I just realized he has a track background, so he’s another guy I am excited to work with. Everybody is going to be able to help us as a team collectively to be able to get the goal that we want and that is to go to the Super Bowl.”
After solidifying himself as the team’s No. 1 corner in 2019, Jackson still has to prove that he’s worthy of a long-term extension before the final year of his rookie deal expires in 2021.
Right now, he’s definitely on the right track to earning himself a hefty payday, whether that comes before or after he hits free agency.
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