If you loved the movie, you heard the name “Johnson” quite often. Well hopefully the same will be true of the Cards’ telecasts this season.
It’s hard for me not to like this pick best, since I've been posting to take this guy since I started discussing running backs. So even with acknowledging my prejudice, this is a great pick. You will grow to love this guy. I keep hearing people say he’s too much like Ellington. He’s not. They have some similarities, e.g. great receivers, but there are also significant differences. Don’t be surprised to see them on the field at the same time.
The first big difference is size. This guy has a running back’s build, can take the hits and keep going. No one is injury proof, but I like the odds of him being durable. He missed 1 game in 4 years despite nearly 900 carries, returns and receptions combined. By the way, several sites, including ESPN, have his stats wrong. His presence should mean more rest for Ellington, which would translate into more impact throughout the season as a whole. Johnson is a 224 lb back who can run a 4.5. That’s a package.
There is some criticism that he runs soft. Keep in mind that the coaching at his level of school tends to be spotty. He does not look like a runner who was coached to get the most from his talent. He is reasonably strong and keeps his legs moving displaying a great motor. He has fairly large thighs. That combination should translate into power. Part of the issue is he needs to improve his timing and hit the hole quicker and harder. He does wait for blockers, but he occasionally dances. He’ll have to halt that latter tendency. I think with proper coaching he will be a more powerful runner. He’s not beast mode, but he will do. He has some moves, but again a little more technique will make him even more effective.
On the other hand this guy is already awesome as a receiver. He’s is better than Ellington in my book and Ellington is very good. This guy looks like a receiver when that’s his job. Once he gets moving he cannot be covered by even the fastest linebackers. He’s a homerun threat if he gets such a mismatch. He has an excellent vertical leap and wins jump balls often even against corners. He knows how to use his body to shield defenders from the ball and that’s a bigger body than most receivers offer. The Cards have not gotten much productivity from their tight ends, but he can make those routes work.
It’s not like Palmer needed another weapon, but I guess you can’t have too many. This is an exciting player who will give the Cards depth they certainly need.
It’s hard for me not to like this pick best, since I've been posting to take this guy since I started discussing running backs. So even with acknowledging my prejudice, this is a great pick. You will grow to love this guy. I keep hearing people say he’s too much like Ellington. He’s not. They have some similarities, e.g. great receivers, but there are also significant differences. Don’t be surprised to see them on the field at the same time.
The first big difference is size. This guy has a running back’s build, can take the hits and keep going. No one is injury proof, but I like the odds of him being durable. He missed 1 game in 4 years despite nearly 900 carries, returns and receptions combined. By the way, several sites, including ESPN, have his stats wrong. His presence should mean more rest for Ellington, which would translate into more impact throughout the season as a whole. Johnson is a 224 lb back who can run a 4.5. That’s a package.
There is some criticism that he runs soft. Keep in mind that the coaching at his level of school tends to be spotty. He does not look like a runner who was coached to get the most from his talent. He is reasonably strong and keeps his legs moving displaying a great motor. He has fairly large thighs. That combination should translate into power. Part of the issue is he needs to improve his timing and hit the hole quicker and harder. He does wait for blockers, but he occasionally dances. He’ll have to halt that latter tendency. I think with proper coaching he will be a more powerful runner. He’s not beast mode, but he will do. He has some moves, but again a little more technique will make him even more effective.
On the other hand this guy is already awesome as a receiver. He’s is better than Ellington in my book and Ellington is very good. This guy looks like a receiver when that’s his job. Once he gets moving he cannot be covered by even the fastest linebackers. He’s a homerun threat if he gets such a mismatch. He has an excellent vertical leap and wins jump balls often even against corners. He knows how to use his body to shield defenders from the ball and that’s a bigger body than most receivers offer. The Cards have not gotten much productivity from their tight ends, but he can make those routes work.
It’s not like Palmer needed another weapon, but I guess you can’t have too many. This is an exciting player who will give the Cards depth they certainly need.
