JamesC
11-18-2005, 10:57 AM
Rookie a Chief concern
Texas product poised to make Texans wonder if they passed over the better Johnson
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Kansas City rookie outside linebacker Derrick Johnson is going to be so pumped up Sunday night at Reliant Stadium that the roof may need to be closed to keep him from floating away.
Johnson, who grew up in Waco and starred at the University of Texas, wanted to play for the Texans. He thought there was a good chance they would select him.
"Yeah, I did (because) they had the 13th pick and knowing they were going to pick up a defensive player and I would most likely go in that 10-to-15 range, the Texans were in the hunt," Johnson said. "I don't hold any grudges against the teams that passed me up."
Before the draft, Johnson moved to Houston, where his father and many members of his extended family reside. His agents, Vann McElroy and Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group, are based in Houston. To prepare for the draft, Johnson worked out at Danny Arnold's complex in Stafford.
"It would have worked out either way, but I'm happy where I am," said Johnson, who turns 23 on Tuesday.
Johnson had an incredible workout for NFL scouts. At 6-3, 242, he ran the 40 in the 4.4s and excelled at the agility drills.
"We liked him because he's a rare athlete for a guy his size," Texans coach Dom Capers said. "He's big and athletic, and he can run. But we had an opportunity to trade down and get an extra third-round pick."
Trading down
Rather than draft Johnson with the 13th pick, general manager Charley Casserly traded it to New Orleans for the 16th selection and a 2006 third-round choice.
The Chiefs selected Johnson with the 15th pick. The Texans took defensive end Travis Johnson one spot later.
"They picked who they wanted to pick, and the Chiefs picked who they wanted to pick," the linebacker said. "Hopefully, things will turn out well for their first-rounder, things will turn out pretty well for me and I can go down there and show them what they're missing."
Johnson should send the 1-8 Texans a thank-you card for not drafting him. The Chiefs are 5-4 and trying to earn a playoff spot.
Would the Texans' record be better if Johnson played linebacker for them? In a 3-4, the linebackers have to stop the run for the scheme to be effective. The Texans have allowed six 100-yard rushers.
"He's an outstanding player, a player who'll be a perennial All-Pro outside linebacker," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "He's big, fast and instinctive. I think he's a candidate for defensive rookie of the year."
Johnson's performance in the NFL doesn't surprise Longhorns coach Mack Brown.
"He made spectacular plays," Brown said. "What he would do is change games by the type of plays he made. He's got so many signature plays. He made 'wow' plays."
Johnson was wowing coaches and teammates since he first arrived in Austin.
"He's the athlete of all athletes," Longhorns defensive tackle Rod Wright said. "You can start him anywhere and he'll get the job done."
After the Chiefs drafted Johnson, there were comparisons to one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history — the late Derrick Thomas.
"He's a little different (because) he's more of a true linebacker than Derrick Thomas was," Vermeil said. "Derrick (Thomas) was a great pass rusher, maybe one of the finest to come up in the past 20 years or so. (Johnson) can rush the passer, but he's a linebacker."
In passing situations, Johnson often drops into coverage rather than rush the quarterback. He has one sack and eight quarterback pressures, and he's second on the team with 73 tackles.
'Positive pressure'
"I think of it as positive pressure to be compared to Derrick Thomas," Johnson said. "But that's not something I'm thinking about on Sundays. I'm just taking it in stride knowing that I've got a lot of people supporting me."
Before the draft, Johnson had a lot of critics as well as supporters. Some said he wasn't physical enough, that he wouldn't take on blockers and that he was more of a finesse player.
"Yeah, I heard that negative talk," he said. "My coaches (at Texas) told (the scouts) that I made plays without really having to take on blocks. The Chiefs have plenty of film of me taking on blocks.
"I'm very coachable. I can take on blocks any time. That's not a problem. But sometimes in college I'd use my speed and athleticism to make the play instead of running through somebody."
When the Texans have the ball, Johnson might be taking on blocks and terrorizing quarterback David Carr and the running backs.
When the Chiefs have the ball, the Texans might wish they had him to help prevent Larry Johnson from becoming the seventh back to roll up 100 yards against them.
link (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3469545)
Personally I hope DJ has a hell of a game against the Texans. I pissed when they let Sharper and Foreman go, then passed on him. That's when it all started to go downhill in my opinion.
Texas product poised to make Texans wonder if they passed over the better Johnson
By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Kansas City rookie outside linebacker Derrick Johnson is going to be so pumped up Sunday night at Reliant Stadium that the roof may need to be closed to keep him from floating away.
Johnson, who grew up in Waco and starred at the University of Texas, wanted to play for the Texans. He thought there was a good chance they would select him.
"Yeah, I did (because) they had the 13th pick and knowing they were going to pick up a defensive player and I would most likely go in that 10-to-15 range, the Texans were in the hunt," Johnson said. "I don't hold any grudges against the teams that passed me up."
Before the draft, Johnson moved to Houston, where his father and many members of his extended family reside. His agents, Vann McElroy and Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group, are based in Houston. To prepare for the draft, Johnson worked out at Danny Arnold's complex in Stafford.
"It would have worked out either way, but I'm happy where I am," said Johnson, who turns 23 on Tuesday.
Johnson had an incredible workout for NFL scouts. At 6-3, 242, he ran the 40 in the 4.4s and excelled at the agility drills.
"We liked him because he's a rare athlete for a guy his size," Texans coach Dom Capers said. "He's big and athletic, and he can run. But we had an opportunity to trade down and get an extra third-round pick."
Trading down
Rather than draft Johnson with the 13th pick, general manager Charley Casserly traded it to New Orleans for the 16th selection and a 2006 third-round choice.
The Chiefs selected Johnson with the 15th pick. The Texans took defensive end Travis Johnson one spot later.
"They picked who they wanted to pick, and the Chiefs picked who they wanted to pick," the linebacker said. "Hopefully, things will turn out well for their first-rounder, things will turn out pretty well for me and I can go down there and show them what they're missing."
Johnson should send the 1-8 Texans a thank-you card for not drafting him. The Chiefs are 5-4 and trying to earn a playoff spot.
Would the Texans' record be better if Johnson played linebacker for them? In a 3-4, the linebackers have to stop the run for the scheme to be effective. The Texans have allowed six 100-yard rushers.
"He's an outstanding player, a player who'll be a perennial All-Pro outside linebacker," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "He's big, fast and instinctive. I think he's a candidate for defensive rookie of the year."
Johnson's performance in the NFL doesn't surprise Longhorns coach Mack Brown.
"He made spectacular plays," Brown said. "What he would do is change games by the type of plays he made. He's got so many signature plays. He made 'wow' plays."
Johnson was wowing coaches and teammates since he first arrived in Austin.
"He's the athlete of all athletes," Longhorns defensive tackle Rod Wright said. "You can start him anywhere and he'll get the job done."
After the Chiefs drafted Johnson, there were comparisons to one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history — the late Derrick Thomas.
"He's a little different (because) he's more of a true linebacker than Derrick Thomas was," Vermeil said. "Derrick (Thomas) was a great pass rusher, maybe one of the finest to come up in the past 20 years or so. (Johnson) can rush the passer, but he's a linebacker."
In passing situations, Johnson often drops into coverage rather than rush the quarterback. He has one sack and eight quarterback pressures, and he's second on the team with 73 tackles.
'Positive pressure'
"I think of it as positive pressure to be compared to Derrick Thomas," Johnson said. "But that's not something I'm thinking about on Sundays. I'm just taking it in stride knowing that I've got a lot of people supporting me."
Before the draft, Johnson had a lot of critics as well as supporters. Some said he wasn't physical enough, that he wouldn't take on blockers and that he was more of a finesse player.
"Yeah, I heard that negative talk," he said. "My coaches (at Texas) told (the scouts) that I made plays without really having to take on blocks. The Chiefs have plenty of film of me taking on blocks.
"I'm very coachable. I can take on blocks any time. That's not a problem. But sometimes in college I'd use my speed and athleticism to make the play instead of running through somebody."
When the Texans have the ball, Johnson might be taking on blocks and terrorizing quarterback David Carr and the running backs.
When the Chiefs have the ball, the Texans might wish they had him to help prevent Larry Johnson from becoming the seventh back to roll up 100 yards against them.
link (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3469545)
Personally I hope DJ has a hell of a game against the Texans. I pissed when they let Sharper and Foreman go, then passed on him. That's when it all started to go downhill in my opinion.