Draftguys.com Article - Johnson vs Monroe

[methos4ever]

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/1/nfl_draft_eugene_monroe_vs_michael_johnson/

Decent Article, that brings up a few of the issues (good and bad) discussed on the board...


The Verdict

Even though Monroe won more of the individual battles, the war is a draw, and if the fight had a few more rounds, I’m sure Johnson would have won. Johnson’s biggest flaw was apparent. Sometimes he checked out for no reason, and at times tight ends handled him easily one on one. The Tech coaching staff got so frustrated in the first half that they benched the whole defensive line. Still, there was no doubt that Virginia respected Johnson in their game plan, both in the passing game (lots of shotgun and quick passes) and the running game (constant double teams). Johnson got stronger and more focused as the game went on, and gave his team a chance to win the game with a timely turnover. It just happened that Virginia’s conservative game plan got the ball in the hands of their hottest player, Cedric Peerman, on the last drive, and he led them to the 24-17 win.

This exercise reinforces a few opinions I hold:

1) Johnson doesn’t have to be an everydown menace to be a difference maker. - He was rendered absent by Monroe and the game plan for most of the first three quarters, but by the fourth quarter, he made his presence known, and then Monroe got jumpy. This shows that Johnson’s conditioning is good, and it shows that he can rise to the occasion. A pass rusher only has to have two or three outstanding snaps to change the outcome of a game.

2) Johnson is a truly elite talent. - Remember that he’s 6’7” 266 as he’s burning Monroe with these speed rushes. Monroe will very likely go in the top 5, maybe even #1, and yet Johnson made him not trust his own ability in the most important part of the game.

[TigerJ]

I think Johnson is getting panned a lot more than he deserves. He clearly has some issues with his consistency, but even with his inconsistency, he's produced more than some of the guys now being rated ahead of him.

[ParanoidAndroid]

His work ethic is going to have to change if he is going to be successful in the NFL. Athletes are a dime a dozen. It's the ones that work their ass off that make it.

[SABURZFAN]

His work ethic is going to have to change if he is going to be successful in the NFL. Athletes are a dime a dozen. It's the ones that work their ass off that make it.


no doubt. these young athletes will learn that the NFL is where the big boys train year round and that there is no time off.

[DraftBoy]

His work ethic is going to have to change if he is going to be successful in the NFL. Athletes are a dime a dozen. It's the ones that work their ass off that make it.

Michael Johnson has a good work ethic though, its not his effort thats the issue its that he does not get the game at certain aspects. He can get frustrated with lack of results and get discouraged while out there. He expects to make plays consistently and when he doesnt it shows.

[methos4ever]

Michael Johnson has a good work ethic though, its not his effort thats the issue its that he does not get the game at certain aspects. He can get frustrated with lack of results and get discouraged while out there. He expects to make plays consistently and when he doesnt it shows.

If he can get a good Dline coach to work on showing him that one play can destroy an entire offense's game plan I think he'll get over not making the play every time. Especially as a member of a rotation.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

I saw a breakdown of Johnson on NFLN a couple of weeks ago where they showed that he seriously needs to work on his techniques. He has been able to use his athleticism to get by a lot in college, but that won't cut it in the NFL, where everyone is a good athlete.

His technique against the run in one sequence of plays (same game) was absolutely awful and he was very undisciplined in holding his lane. That's going to be a real problem for him in the NFL until he learns to 1.) be more disciplined and 2.) becomes very consistent with employing the techniques that he still hasn't properly learned yet.

For all of his athleticism, Johnson could be a guy who will take at least a year and maybe two before he becomes a factor on a consistent basis in the NFL. Will he work as hard on improving his techniques, etc. as he has on building up his body? That is the question that any team thinking about drafting him has to ask. The fact that he has gotten frustrated, lost focus and essentially taken himself out of games on the college level is not something that can be considered a positive indication of how he will respond. The NFL is a place where every little thing can matter and, no matter how frustrated you may get, you have to keep working to get better or it will be "sayonara"--no matter how great of an athlete you are.

To me, Johnson would be a big risk to take, especially in the first round. And, he might only turn out to be sporadically useful as a rookie.