Ringer reflects on career so far

NFL rookies around the country have been working on their game, and Tennessee Titans running back Javon Ringer is no different. The former MSU workhorse, Ringer was selected in the fifth round by the Titans in April’s NFL Draft. The State News caught up with Ringer during Titans-organized team activities to ask him about adjusting to the NFL, his time at MSU and being a professional football player.

Ringer

The State News What was your initial reaction when you found out you were drafted by Tennessee?

Javon Ringer My initial reaction was, “It’s finally over. The whole process is finally over.” That was kind of like, maybe about 30 seconds. Then it was, “OK, man, I need to hurry up and try to get a playbook.” I felt my No. 1 concern going into the pros was just trying to remember a whole other terminology and what they use.

SN How does it feel to be joining quite possibly the best backfield in the NFL?

JR Well, my initial reaction with that was (that) I am going to be able to learn a lot from (running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White). Chris was just coming off his rookie year, so he would probably be able to coach me and kind of relate to what I’m going through now. And then with LenDale, he’s also been in the league a while, too. And they also have some other running backs here. Everybody’s been really, really helping me with fitting in and mainly just helping me remember everything. I’m going to be able to gain a lot of experience from them, watching, kind of seeing what’s made them successful thus far, and then I kind of just build from that.

SN What has been the best advice someone has given you, and who did it come from?

JR I really think it was all the running backs, and it’s just study. That’s basically the description of my job now. Right now I don’t have to worry about school, homework or taking any tests. My job is to learn, to essentially be out there and try to stay relaxed and study as much as I can.

SN How difficult is it to learn an NFL playbook?

JR I really just can’t say a word. This offseason reminds me a lot of my freshman year at Michigan State, especially just trying to learn a whole other playbook. Right now, I’m actually picking it up. I’m picking it up a lot better than what I would (have). It just reminds me a lot of my freshman year, and I’m pretty sure once we come back here in August, I’ll be a lot better with it.

SN When you look back on your career at MSU, what’s the one moment or experience you will remember most?

JR (laughs) That would be beating Michigan (laughs again). Finally, finally got that win over Michigan. That’s probably one of the No. 1 things I’ll remember. Honestly, it would also probably have to be my junior year and senior year combined, just all of it as a whole because it was basically a whole start for the (MSU football head coach Mark) Dantonio era and helping build Michigan State’s program back up. I can be one of those people that can say I was at the beginning. I was the one that helped establish bringing us back to a bowl game my junior year and also gained 1,000 yards. It’s kind of basically starting this legacy for Coach Dantonio, and hopefully the legacy will go forward, but I’m just kind of glad I’m able to say I was there in the beginning.