Makes sense. I just don't think his size is an indicator we will draft him. But if you say he has the best pass rush ability, that would be.

A guy who plays as if he doesn't care 75% of the time is the best? Then we need to look elsewhere. Johnson was capable of being a huge player, but he plays like he doesn't care. Has his whole career.

I have no use for him.

He has 20 career sacks including 9 his senior season. That's more than Maybin and one less than Orakpo.

Maybin had 12 sacks as a redshirt Sophomore and 19 TFLs. His "career" numbers are not going to be a fair comparison considering the fact that he played behind All-American Maurice Evans and he is only a Sophomore. Johnson had 9 sacks and 17.5 TFLs after 4 years of experience. The fact that he didn't start many games but was only brought in during passing situations his Junior year should tell you something.

Anyway, I'm not trying to kill the guy, I'd be more than happy to draft him the 2nd round if we don't have a shot at Brown, Orakpo, Maybin, Ayers, or Kruger earlier in the draft..

I don't know, I guess to me 9 sacks doesn't really constitute "very little production."

I know it's just semantics, but I think MJ is a good example of when critique of a player snowballs to the point where it becomes exaggerated and inaccurate. The guy has all the physical tools to be a dominant player in the NFL. Knocking the guy for "taking plays off" might be accurate, but to say that he hasn't produced isn't.

Is it just me or does there seem to be something wrong with that statement?:rolleyes:

Sacks are not the only statistic to look at when considering production from a DE. While Agents like to point at that one stat to support the idea of their clients worth, one could also take a look at the number of Tackles a DE is a part of to determine production.

While I am going by what my eyes see during a game as the major factor for determining "production" let me at least show you some Tackles numbers as an indicator.

Maybin - 49 Tackles
Brown - 37 Tackles (as a Jr. couldn't find his Sr. numbers)
Orakpo - 42 Tackles
Kruger - 61 Tackles (2007)
Johnson - 43 Tackles (he only had 21 as a Jr. when he did not start)

So, it really just comes down to what you are looking at. Maybe MJ is such an athlete that I was expecting more when I saw him.

write up on MJ for the GT v. Georgia game on Dec. 2:

Georgia RG Chris Davis and ROT Josh Davis vs. Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson
Johnson recorded seven tackles, including a sack, and broke up a pass in the Yellow Jackets' 45-42 win over the Bulldogs. The pass breakup came on a first-and-10 play in the second quarter with the ball at Georgia's 44-yard line. Johnson stunts inside at the snap and engages Chris Davis, delivering a violent punch that knocks Davis off-balance, and keeps working upfield. Georgia QB Matt Stafford tries to loft the ball over him, but the 6-foot-7 Johnson gets his hands up in time to deflect it. This play is very similar to a second-and-9 play in the second quarter from the Bulldogs' 32-yard line. Johnson shoots inside on this play as well, leaving his feet at least twice in an effort to deflect the pass. Stafford gets the ball over Johnson this time but throws it out of bounds and is called for intentional grounding.

Johnson's sack comes on third-and-4 in the third quarter with Georgia on the 50-yard line, and while it's not a play that will make the highlight reels, it could improve Johnson's value in the eyes of scouts. One of the biggest knocks on Johnson coming into the season was his tendency to get caught out of position, and this play is an example of how he has improved in that area. Johnson engages Josh Davis off the ball, extends his arms and keeps his eyes on the backfield. He sees Bulldogs RB Knowshon Moreno drift to the outside and follows him, shedding Davis' block along the way. Meanwhile, Stafford finds himself in a catch-22. He can't pick up the first down with his feet because Johnson has taken away the running lane, and he has to get rid of the ball because Johnson is closing quickly. Stafford runs out of bounds before he is able to flip the ball downfield and Johnson is credited with a sack. Finally, it's worth pointing out that Johnson lined up wide as a gunner on punt coverage. This role is generally reserved for skill players because it requires a great deal of speed and agility, so the fact that Johnson can play there is another testament to his rare natural athleticism.

Ok, you've convinced me. I've moved MJ up my board.

Wow youre easy. Now lets disscuss Malcolm Jenkins. :D

J/K, But I would like to know why you have him rated 3rd best CB.

If he is such the athlete, then why are his numbers so pedestrian, that is why I am not high on him. In the mid 80's the Falcon's drafted a guy who looked the part, had all the measurable, but he never developed, Andre Bruce was a good player but never the superstar his measurable said he should be.

I do not want to give 1st round money to a guy with a questionable motor. With the measurable jpaul gave the man should have set a sack record and been a factor on every play he was in the game, but he is not. So why?

I'm not looking for a cover2 CB in the 1st round. That is my reason against him.

Like Johnson or any other player I have rated lower than what you'll find on draft sites, I'm not as impressed when I've seen them play. Malcolm Jenkins isn't Chris McCallister, but acts like he is. Perhaps it's because he played at THE Ohio State University and their history of producing NFL CBs gives him the impression of entitlement.

If I were to project him, or compare him to somebody, it would be Marlin Jackson. Except Marlin Jackson is a much better tackler and more of a force in run support. Maybe a better comparison would be what Aqib Talib showed us last year. I'll be interested to see if he runs better than a 6.84 in the Cone drill and 4.3 in the Shuttle - if he runs at Indy. He doesn't look like he has quickness or he simply guesses wrong. He's a guy I see getting beat on double moves who needs help over the top.

Gee, PK, I moved him up to #24 on my draft board.

Basically Ayers and Kruger are 1 year wonders too, so I'm giving MJ the benefit of the doubt. If Kollar and Bush can light a fire under his ass, maybe he can turn some of that potential into some good production.

I'm not banging the drum that we take the kid at #15, but if he's still around in the 2nd round, I won't pout too much if we draft him instead of Donald Brown, Harvin, Nicks, Pettigrew, or Greene.

I guess the question is, who are we considering for that 2nd round pick? Do we take Chung or Moore to play S? How about Unger or Mack to play C? Imagine the impossible happens and we drafted Raji at #15, who do you want in the 2nd? MJ wouldn't be a bad option, would he?

I concur and the reason I am banging the drum is becuase if we trade down to the 20's mid 20's I would not be upset if we picked him there. Additionally, this current staff has put a lot of stock behind measurables, i.e. Molden, Brown, etc., and I think this is an area they might continue the trend.

BTW, on the measurables, I found some video of Cushing running a 4.15 on the 20 yard shuttle, which if I remember correctly is pretty solid.

I am hoping for Donald Brown, but I doubt this team takes him, even though IMO he is the prototype for our ZBS. My 2nd choice is Chung, but again I doubt it, it seems the team thinks we are OK at safety. So that when a Kruger or an Ayers (one year wonder, more like a huge week in Mobile put him up the board) start to to creep into view. How about a LB, someone like Clay Matthews might be available around our pick. But LB is more likely a 3rd round target. So I am holding out for Brown. And yes I still pass on Johnson, let some one else light a million dollar (bust) fire.

OSU is certainly known for its contribution to the NFL LB gene pool, but corners ?
BTW, I'm really getting intrigued by this Krueger guy out of Utah. Could he possibly be the next Jerret Allen ? Similar build, but don't know anything about his
on-field demeanor ? And I get practically nothin when I google him ?

Spelling his name correctly usually helps me, Paul Kruger.:D

Pick - Player - year
70 - Ashton Youboty - 2006
28 - Chris Gamble - 2004
75 - Derek Ross - 2002
21 - Nate Clements - 2001
24 - Ahmed Plummer - 2000
23 -Antoine Winfield - 1999
3 - Shawn Springs - 1997
84 - Ty Howard - 1997
74 - Marlon Kerner - 1995

I've tried it under multiple spellings (including the correct one as you point out), but find only limited entries on "Youtube", .i .e., I was hoping to see some game action. Wish I had recorded the bowl game vs. 'Bama.