Michael Johnson...still

[cland]

I can't help it, I'm still stuck on this Michael Johnson kid. If you haven't seen it check out this highlight video, all of those games are from the last season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzKWDGf5-Hc

The guys workout numbers are excellent:
6’7” 266lbs
4.6ish 40 time
Put the bar up 28 times (really good for a long armed guy)

There’s an interview too somewhere, and by all accounts he has great character. Dad was a former marine, good grades at college, no legal issues.

Now there are obviously negatives, but I can’t quite get over how similar they were to Mario Williams’ negatives:

*sometimes takes plays off, questionable motor
*stats were okay, but should have been more productive against better teams, shares the 'all his stats were against weak teams' description that fits Mario's criticism exactly
*uses his speed to go around rather than through the OL
*workout warrior

If it were up to me, and I had plugged most of my holes I’d take a shot early enough that you're sure to get him. Here’s why:

First, we have some great influences already on the team and I think Mario can represent a leader for this kid. Everyone has been impressed with Mario's work ethic in the off-season and more importantly on-field. If Johnson came in trying to emulate Mario's success, he certainly has all the knowledge and guidance he'll need.

Second, Bill Kollar is all about hustle and playing 100% at all times, something Michael needs to do. Bill's average sacks per year number (+1 higher than the Texans all-time yearly sack count) suggests that he can teach pass-rushing. Just speculation, but I'd guess with his ex-marine father Johnson is used to loud and hard coaching.

If we land him, I would let him play pass-rush specialist his first year while he learns the ropes and gets bigger/stronger and conditioned better.
On passing downs we would have: Mario Smith Okoye Johnson…pretty damn convincing if Johnson works out and Okoye gets better.

To slip a mock draft in here, and steal one of the trade ideas I got from Keith. Here ya go:

Trade: Texans #15 and #46 (1490 score) for the Eagles #21 and #28 (1460 score)

#21 - Defensive BPA
#28 - Michael Johnson DE
#77 - FS/RB/DT
#112 - FS/RB/DT
#122 - FS/RB/DT
#152 - G/CB/Best
#188 - G/CB/Best
#223 - G/CB/Best

[jppaul]

I like Michael Johnson too and have since last year but it only works IF he fulfills his potential and that is a big if.

[NBT]

Yeah, I too like Michael Johnon. He has the most potential of all the DE's that we might be interested in in this Draft. Only thing is, does he want it, I mean really want it enough to do what it will take to dominate in the NFL. Of course they said the same thing about Mario, so we just have to wait and see. He would be hard for us to tab at #15, but if we trade down........then anything is possible. I'm sure we will all be watching Johnson closely.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by cland

I can't help it, I'm still stuck on this Michael Johnson kid.

#21 - Defensive BPA
#28 - Michael Johnson DE
[/i]

If you really want him, you may want to take him earlier. I just completed my mock draft and I'm expecting the Bucs to be interested in playing him opposite of Gaines Adams at #19. I realize that most experts are putting him as low as the 2nd round, but I imagine that some GM, like you, will think that there's too much talent there to pass on him.

[cland]

I would be fine at that if he reaches #21, and since there probably won't be a trade I wouldn't be upset if he's #15. Next I would like to see Louis Delmas/Sean Smith/Clint Sintim in the #28/#46 if that's the way they go.

I'd also be interested in knowing the real data that has knocked Johnson from the overall top ten to the top ten of the second round. Even Mike Mayock's 'negative clip' of Michael Johnson wasn't very impressive. He got caught un-decided on who to take on a QB-RB options play, but he got caught in the other teams backfield...I can live with that.

Anyone have a Michael Johnson 'lowlights' film? Seen a game where he did nothing or just got blown up? I sort of feel like everyone is emulating everyone else on this guy, but I haven't heard any 'When he lined up against _SU he got manhandled by their LT _____.'

[mussop]

Originally Posted by cland

I would be fine at that if he reaches #21, and since there probably won't be a trade I wouldn't be upset if he's #15. Next I would like to see Louis Delmas/Sean Smith/Clint Sintim in the #28/#46 if that's the way they go.

I'd also be interested in knowing the real data that has knocked Johnson from the overall top ten to the top ten of the second round. Even Mike Mayock's 'negative clip' of Michael Johnson wasn't very impressive. He got caught un-decided on who to take on a QB-RB options play, but he got caught in the other teams backfield...I can live with that.

Anyone have a Michael Johnson 'lowlights' film? Seen a game where he did nothing or just got blown up? I sort of feel like everyone is emulating everyone else on this guy, but I haven't heard any 'When he lined up against _SU he got manhandled by their LT _____.'

I watched a few of his games and IMO the thing that has caused most of this neg critisizm is that he just seems to lack that killer instinct to finish plays. There were many times when he just seemed to stop or give up on a play when it looked like he still had a chance to do something. For instance one play that sticks out in my mind he blitzes and then chases a RB all the way across the feild and and then 15 yards upthe sidelines and right at the end of the play he stops and lets another player tackle the RB right in front of him. He could of easily been in that tackle but defered to the other defendar.

If he could be coached to FINISH plays he would be an allpro in no time. That is where he needs the most improvement. I would think his interview will be the deciding factor in whether a team thinks they can coach him up on that or not.

[cland]

That's a fair point, but it is something that seems to be a coachable problem.

Here is Michael's interview video I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeXIe...eature=related

Seems to be a fairly mature guy, and nothing stands out to me that is negative.

[NBT]

I now wonder if the Bucs would think enough of Johnson to trade-up to get ahead of us at 15?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by NBT

I now wonder if the Bucs would think enough of Johnson to trade-up to get ahead of us at 15?

I would imagine that would depend upon if Aaron Maybin and Connor Barwin are still available. In my Mock, both were off the board before #15, so in that case, we may be able to seek a trade. However, in most mocks on the internet they could take their pick of the three (and in some cases Everette Brown).

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by cland

I haven't heard any 'When he lined up against _SU he got manhandled by their LT _____.'

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/584099

Boston College … Johnson managed just three tackles, but one took down Montell Harris for a 1-yard loss midway through the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#74-Anthony Castonzo (6:07-287).

Virginia Tech … The right end was held to three tackles for the second straight week, but forced Virginia Tech to punt on their first possession of the third quarter, as he assisted in sacking QB Tyrod Taylor for a 13-yard loss on a third-&-6 snap … Johnson was later charged with a face mask penalty, setting up the Hokies' game-winning 21-yard field goal to hand the Yellow Jackets a 20-17 loss … Head to Head Competition-OT#77-Ed Wang (6:05-310).

Mississippi State … Johnson was held to two solo tackles, but made a considerable amount of timely plays … Midway through the first quarter, he recovered a fumbled snap at the MSU 40 and on the next series, he blocked an 18-yard field goal attempt … at the start of the fourth quarter, he sacked Tyson Lee for a 5-yard loss on a fourth-&-1 play at the Tech 7, killing a 9-play, 68-yard drive … Head to Head Competition-OT#79-Derek Sherrod (6:05-298).

Gardner-Webb … Johnson produced a career-high ten tackles (5 solos) with 1.5 sacks, 4.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and a pass deflection … Johnson crushed QB Stan Doolittle on a first quarter 10-yard sack, sending the passer to the sidelines for several series … When he returned, Johnson batted down his third-&-4 second quarter pass, forcing Gardner Webb to punt … With Doolittle again out of action, Johnson introduced his replacement, Devin Campbell to the ground on a 7-yard sack with 1:03 left in the first half … In the third frame, Johnson was called for a personal foul on a missed 34-yard field goal attempt and the opponent used that penalty as an opportunity to score on an 8-yard run … Head to Head Competition-OT#75-Demario Deese (6:04-305).

Clemson … Back to facing Division I competition, Johnson was held to three tackles … Head to Head Competition-OT#61-Chris Hairston (6:06-320).

Virginia … Johnson registered the only sack allowed by All-American offensive tackle Eugene Monroe for 2008, taking down Marc Verica on a fourth quarter third-&-7 snap that caused a fumble, but Virginia recovered … Also made four solo tackles … Head to Head Competition-OT#75-Eugene Monroe (6:06-315).

Florida State … Johnson proved that quality tops quantity, as he was once again limited to just two tackles, but one resulted in a forced fumble when he sacked QB Christian Ponder on a third-&-4 snap and Tech recovered the ball late in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#67-Andrew Datko (6:06-276).

North Carolina … Johnson registered six tackles (4 solos) … On the game's first play from scrimmage, he sacked QB Cameron Sexton for a 16-yard loss … Head to Head Competition-OT#72-Kyle Jolly (6:06-300).

Miami … The right defensive end deflected two passes, intercepted another and had a stop behind the line of scrimmage … He returned his first career pass theft 26 yards for a touch-down at the start of the second quarter … Head to Head Competition-OT#64-Jason Fox (6:07-306).

Georgia … Johnson posted seven tackles (3 solos) with a pass deflection and two stops behind the line of scrimmage, including a 7-yard sack of QB Matthew Stafford on a third-&-4 third quarter snap, forcing the Bulldogs to punt … Head to Head Competition-OT#60-Clint Boling (6:05-293).

Louisiana State (Chick-Fil-A Bowl) … The senior team captain closed out his career with three tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble … He sacked QB Jordan Jefferson for a 7-yard loss five minutes into the game and then caused a fumble when he took down Jordan again for minus 8 yards on a third-&-8 option with 1:17 left in the game … Head to Head Competition-OT#70-Ciron Black (6:05-325).

[jppaul]

The fascinating part of this to me is that his stats aren't bad, 17.5 tfl and 9 sacks, which ranks about fourth behind Maybin, Brown, and Oarkpo. Yet becuase he has some much talent, and can be such an knucklehead at times, they call him underproducing.

Interesting, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go mid 20s to the Falcons.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by jppaul

Yet becuase he has some much talent, and can be such an knucklehead at times, they call him underproducing.

You make him sound like Antwaun Peek.