Eric D. Williams 9y

Jarret Johnson is a fan of Mike Nolan

SAN DIEGO -- Jarret Johnson, who announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, talked with Steve Hartman and Mike Costa of Xtra 1360 Fox Sports radio about that and the future of the San Diego Chargers.

Johnson said nagging injuries in 2013, along with the Chargers asking him to take a pay cut heading into the 2014 season, were signals that the end of his career was near.

“Everything kind of pointed toward this year being my last year,” he said. “And as the year wore on, I had a blast. I played as hard as I could, and I came to work every day with a smile on my face, knowing that this could be it. I played and practiced like this could be the last one. And once the season is over, you look at your family, and I have a daughter that starts kindergarten next year. And I’m ready. I’m ready to start the next phase of my life.”

Johnson had good things to say about recently hired Chargers linebackers coach Mike Nolan, whom he played for when Nolan served as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2004.

“Mike Nolan is a huge hire for the Chargers,” Johnson said. “Mike Nolan was my defensive coordinator for my first two years in Baltimore and he’s just an unbelievable guy. He’s kind of a hard-nosed guy. He’s going to get the best out of you, but he does it in a way that you respect. He’s really good at communicating and getting the best out of players. So he’s going to be a huge help to that staff.”

Johnson said the addition of Nolan should help elevate the play of a young linebackers unit that has a lot of potential with players like Melvin Ingram, Manti Te'o, Donald Butler and Jeremiah Attaochu.

But the main thing that needs to happen is for those players to stay healthy. Ingram, the team’s best pass-rusher, missed seven games last season with a hip issue. Te’o missed six games with a foot injury. Butler finished the season on IR, missing the last two games with a dislocated elbow. Attaochu missed five games of his rookie season with a hamstring injury.

“In my mind, this linebackers core is where you want it -- young, athletic and fast,” Johnson said. “It has a ton of upside. They all have had so many injury issues that they all have dealt with, but hopefully that’s all in the past. Hopefully those are all things that they’ve kind of played through.

“Melvin has flashed and shown when he’s healthy how dominant he can be. Jerry had a very productive year when he was healthy. Manti has done nothing but get better since he’s been here. It’s amazing to see how far he’s come since his first year, especially on the physical side of the ball – his physical mindset. When he first came, he kind of avoided contact and tried to steer around guys and now he’s just going to get it.”

Johnson also was complimentary of third-year pro Tourek Williams, whom he believes will get the first crack at filling his spot at strongside outside linebacker.

“He’s going to get a shot,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to see where he goes. He’s got a ton of upside.”

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