Trumaine Johnson sees Rams-like playoff potential in Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N. J. » Trumaine Johnson sees a lot of the tantalizing potential of his old team in his new squad.

The New York Jets cornerback, who helped the Los Angeles Rams reach the playoffs last season, was feeling predictably optimistic as he and his teammates reported to the team’s facility Thursday for the start of training camp.

“You’ve got to have faith,” Johnson said. “Just bringing that winning culture from where I was last year, I can see it. I really can. Just got to wait and see.”

Johnson was the Jets’ biggest free-agent acquisition this offseason, signing a five-year, $72.5 million deal in March that included a $20 million signing bonus and $34 million in guaranteed money. That came after the cornerback spent his first six NFL seasons with the Rams, who went 11- 5 and snapped a 13-year postseason drought with Johnson a key part of the defense.

He’ll be the No. 1 cornerback

in coach Todd Bowles’ unit in New York, which hasn’t been to the playoffs since the 2010 season. Johnson saw signs from afar that the postseason absence might not last much longer, particularly because seven of New York’s 11 losses last season were by 9 points or less.

“I was watching them,” he said. “They were losing close games and they beat some playoff teams. They’ve got all the potential in the world to be a playoff team.”

Most NFL teams feel the same at this point in the year, brimming with confidence before the dog days of camp start kicking in, with expectations for some becoming increasingly more tempered.

But the Jets like the approach the players are taking at the start.

“I can see the atmosphere has changed and the season could be great,” guard Brian Winters said. “As far as attitudes, we’ve got great attitudes in the locker room. That vibe’s a lot better than in the past.”

New York is coming off its second straight 5-11 season under Bowles, who helped establish an

improved environment around the team last year despite the losses.

The positive outlooks might be attributed in large part to moves general manager Mike Maccagnan made in the offseason. Along with Johnson, the Jets signed a number of free agents who could play major roles this year, including linebacker Avery Williamson, running back Isaiah Crowell, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, center Spencer Long and kicker Cairo Santos.

“I think it was a good start,” wide receiver Jermaine Kearse said of last season. “This year, it’s about winning games. You

want to be competitive, and that’s important, but in this league, it’s about winning games and being productive in that area. For us to take the next big step is to be able to finish games.”

All eyes this summer, however, will be on the quarterbacks as 39-yearold veteran Josh McCown, comeback kid Teddy Bridgewater and firstround pick SamDarnold all compete to be the guy leading the huddle in Week 1 of the regular season.

“I think it pushes each one of them individually,” defensive end Leonard Williams said. “I’d be happy if any one of them were the starter for the season.”