NFL exec echoes a supposed issue with Jalen Ramsey despite high praise in latest poll
Jalen Ramsey was one of the great comeback stories last season. After suffering a meniscus injury during the early stages of training camp, he managed to come back in time for the Dolphins' 31-17 win over the New England Patriots on October 29. And not just come back but have a major impact with two […]
Jalen Ramsey was one of the great comeback stories last season. After suffering a meniscus injury during the early stages of training camp, he managed to come back in time for the Dolphins' 31-17 win over the New England Patriots on October 29.
And not just come back but have a major impact with two interceptions. He showed immediately just how big a difference he can still make on a defense.
However, among the feedback from NFL executives, scouts, and coaches, there's a notable concern about one area with Ramsey, and that's his intensity or motivation.
Here's what ESPN had to say about Ramsey, who placed fifth, in its Top 10 list of NFL cornerbacks:
One personnel director with an NFL team perfectly summarized Ramsey, who has a Hall of Fame case as the best corner for a stretch of the past decade.
"Outstanding when he wants to be," he said.
Opposing quarterbacks recorded a 66.2 passer rating against Ramsey, who allowed 269 yards and two touchdowns in coverage. His three interceptions in 10 games played last season were impressive, and he has earned a Pro Bowl nod in nine straight seasons.
Ramsey's rep the past few years is that he's not always motivated to dominate.
"He might be declining a little at this stage, but he can still impose his will on a game," a veteran NFL offensive coach said.
It seems that Ramsey's motivation and/or intensity aren't always at the top level, at least according to those paid around the league to evaluate NFL personnel.
That being said, while Ramsey might have developed such a reputation before coming to Miami, the issue of motivation hasn't really appeared to be the case during Ramsey's first season in Miami. He didn't appear to dog plays or otherwise not give his all after returning.
In fact, it's been the opposite so far this offseason. Ramsey spoke highly of new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver's defensive system, even indicating that it will free him up to be able to shadow receivers and not be locked into one side of the field like he was in Vic Fangio's last year. That he's going to go back to having fun on the football field again.
If Ramsey indeed has the freedom to do that, then the Dolphins' star corner certainly should be happy on the field in 2024. And perhaps he could begin to put a narrative about him to bed among those inside NFL buildings.
Former Miami Dolphins coach rumored to nearly taking franchise on wildly different path years ago
The Dolphins would look quite different today if that was the case
