Tony Jefferson loves Ravens, but ‘I’ve always been on the best coast, which is the West Coast’

Safety Tony Jefferson acknowledges he was initially apprehensive about leaving the Arizona Cardinals for the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.

It wasn’t so much the change of teams that concerned the California-born Jefferson. It was the change in geography.

‘I’ve melded really well with everyone on the team’

“At first I was a little nervous, moving to the East Coast,” Jefferson told Alex Marvez and Bill Polian on Late Hits. I’ve never been on this side before. I’ve always been on the best coast, which is the West Coast, and I was kind of nervous a bit. But I will say that Baltimore is one of the more classier, better organizations I’ve been around. I’ve melded really well with everyone on the team, the coaches are great, the staff. Everyone that works around there is just top class and I really appreciate how they’ve welcomed me.”

Jefferson sees some significant changes from the defense he played with the Arizona Cardinals and the one he’ll be playing with the Baltimore Ravens. He likes the new defense better.

‘If there’s a coverage, we’ve got a bunch of stuff going on in that simple coverage’

“Here, we’ve got a lot of different stuff,” Jefferson said. “I think I fit really well in this defense and I’m looking forward to it. If there’s a coverage, we’ve got a bunch of stuff going on in that simple coverage. Whether it’s Cover Three, whether it’s Cover One, we’re doing a lot more luxurious, sexier things. I’m excited to get out there and make some plays.”

Jefferson said he already has established good chemistry with long-time veteran safety Eric Weddle.

‘(Eric Weddle’s) so smart, I’m learning so much from him daily’

“I mean, it just hit off right away,” he said. “Our first day on the field, I felt like I’ve been playing with him for years. The guy’s so smart, I’m learning so much from him daily, on and off the field. He’s a stand-up guy, one of the smartest players I’ve been around. He’s going to make me a way better football player.”