Respect for DJ

by sunny D on Jul 19, 2008 1:15 PM CDT

Derrick Johnson led the Chiefs in tackles for a loss in 2007.

But who led the league in tackles for a loss in 2007? Derrick Johnson with 14.

Additionally, DJ's 2007 numbers include:

4 sacks
3 forced fumbles
2 interceptions
6 passes defended
100+ tackles

Are our expectations so high for this first-round pick that nothing short of league MVP will make us feel like 56 has done an outstanding job? Or maybe players are only labeled as "making plays" if we win the game? Perhaps his lack of tantrums and off-field problems hurts his publicity compared to the bad-boys who grab NFL headlines? Or is the only measure of individual success the number of Pro Bowl votes?

In an earlier AP post, Direckshun already pointed out that DJ has done well.

The third and last reason that DJ will be a Pro Bowler in 2008 is that he's already played like one last year. I believe that DJ was a Top 5 strongside linebacker last year. But every OLB that made the AFC Pro Bowl squad came from a 3-4 defense, which provides their OLBs to rush the QB with abandon and put up huge numbers.

I'm not observing the praise and admiration that I would expect to hear about production such as his. Here's hoping that DJ tips a pass to himself and runs it back for a TD this year. Makes a late-game hit for a forced fumble that results in a winning defensive TD. Or produces a couple of other signature, highlight reel plays to go along with his excellent body of work that put him on the map of respected NFL linebackers in 2008. Thanks for your great effort your first three years, DJ, and the hustle it takes to make tackles on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

What will it take for DJ's name to be more prominent, in your opinion?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

4 recs | Comment 20 comments

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Wow, that post with

everything put in front of me says maybe he has already broke out, great job! With young hungry D-tackles in front of him he might resemble the person everyone compares a KC linebacker to, 58. I remember when we got him gun saying he did not know if this was the second coming of DT, but we have a hell of an athlete here. That could be what alot of us are expecting ya know.

by Eric Allen on Jul 19, 2008 2:33 PM CDT 0 recs

DJ is also the number 2 linebacker in madden this year behind Demarcus Ware, which is impressive

by Shawn on Jul 19, 2008 3:17 PM CDT 0 recs

Enlighten me

I’ve seen Madden, but am not a player. What are the rankings based on? Are they taking a player’s stats from the previous years and then basing simulations on his historical rank? Are there “experts” behind the programming who are making projections for the next year - 2008 in this case? So are the rankings - e.g. DJ #2—somewhat based on expectations? Thanks.

by sunny D on Jul 19, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes.

They take into consideration the previous seasons’ stats and trends. They also project up or down based on these trends, as well as factors such as age, coaching, and injuries. Each player has separate ratings from 0 to 99 (with a couple of 100’s as exceptions) in several categories such as speed, strength, quickness, tackling, and awareness. The game uses a formula, depending on the player’s position, to determine how these all go together to reach the player’s overall rating (0-99.)

Just like any other “experts,” they are wrong a lot but they usually release a few roster updates over the course of the season to reflect actual perfomance.

I haven’t seen this year’s player ratings yet, but I’ve heard that Larry Johnson dropped waayyyyy down. Hopefully that’s just one more thing to make him run angry the way we like him.

Oh, and great post. Really, he was just a highlight reel play or two from Hawaii. Production wins games, but production on ESPN gets you to the Pro Bowl.

by cucuybird on Jul 26, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

LJ

Ok. I looked at the rankings and I think I had misunderstood about LJ. His overall rating is a 94 (I agree), but it’s his morale rating that dropped to a 75. Still… I loves me some angry LJ.

by cucuybird on Jul 26, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks, Cucuy!

And welcome to the site! Good explanation!

Production wins games, but production on ESPN gets you to the Pro Bowl.

Good point. Here’s hoping for a couple of highlight reel moments for DJ thisyear. Since he’ll be on the weakside with Tamba, it could very well happen!

by sunny D on Jul 26, 2008 8:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

great post

i didn’t know he lead the league in tackles for a loss. great stuff. He’s been my favorite player since he joined and i see him being in the pro bowler from this year and on. Go Chiefs!

by fujirio on Jul 19, 2008 3:33 PM CDT 0 recs

Not bad

Imagine what he will do with some help. 6 sacks and they hardly used him in blitzing situations. Especially when you consider we were scared to blitz cause our secondary would get torched.

by cmpotter on Jul 19, 2008 6:18 PM CDT 0 recs

Boone/DJ combo

It hadn’t occurred to me before, but maybe the idea of Boone at left DE is coupled with the thought that DJ would be the pass rusher from that side more often. That would make the middle linebacker take tight end coverage more often, then, wouldn’t it? I thought DJ usually had TE responsibility. Not sure. And I can’t imagine them ever having Boone drop to cover a pass zone. I’m still hopeful that Turk or Little Jared will be good enough to play left end.

by sunny D on Jul 19, 2008 7:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

Edwards?

That theory just may be backed up by Edwards being moved to middle. He can definately still cover tight ends. Harris was good but didn’t have the speed of DJ, Donnie, and Demorrio Williams.

If Boone is left end although slow, will be tough to block. With his size the right tackle who is usually not the best tackle on the line will need some help possibly openning things up for DJ.

by cmpotter on Jul 19, 2008 8:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

I love DJ!!!

by DThomasReigns on Jul 19, 2008 6:54 PM CDT 0 recs

High praise from a DThomas fan

by sunny D on Jul 20, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

The madden rankigns

I know a lot of the rankings are based on past statistics but there are also many rankings on players based on predictions alone, such as rookies..In DJ’s case I am assuming they are taking his good play with the prediction of a breakout year putting him at the number 2 linebacker on the game. Afterall I know many of us and other fans are predicting a pro bowl year for DJ, I hope that prediction comes true!

by Shawn on Jul 20, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Thanks, Shawn!

Appreciate your perspective. I did a quick Google and found the list of Madden defensive players from ESPN ranked number one at every defensive position:

DT: Albert Haynesworth (Titans, 98) and Pat Williams (Vikings, 98)
DE: Aaron Kampman (Packers, 98) and Jason Taylor (Dolphins, 98)
MLB: Brian Urlacher (Bears, 98)
OLB: Derrick Johnson (Chiefs, 93) and DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys, 98)
CB: Champ Bailey (Broncos, 97) and Asante Samuel (Eagles, 96)
SS: Bob Sanders (Colts, 99)
FS: Ed Reed (Ravens, 98)
P: Shane Lechler (Raiders, 97)

So I see what you were referring to now, and most people probably already knew. I believe there has been as least a comment if not a specific post about this previously on AP. Perhaps by you, Shawn. Thanks again. So there IS a little bit of respect growing out there, eh? =]

by sunny D on Jul 20, 2008 5:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Kampman over JA

I disagree with that. But I guess both are victims of playing in small markets…

by primetime 07 on Jul 20, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

No

that’s freakin’ retarded. Allen beat Kampman in almost every category in two fewer games last season, and he definitely should have at least beat out Taylor.

by PVChiefsfan on Jul 21, 2008 7:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Typo

Rankings*

by Shawn on Jul 20, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs

Derrick Johnson Isn't A Bust By Any Stretch

Although I think he’s shown himself to be more of a Seth Joyner-type “do-it-all” linebacker as opposed to a Derrick Thomas/Lawrence Taylor/Pat Swilling pass-rushing type. Either type is worth a first-round pick, though.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 22, 2008 12:04 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm Not Sure Where You Got Your 2007 Numbers, Though

Derrick Johnson had 83 tackles last year, not 100+.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Jul 22, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

For my stat source, click the on the word "league" in the story

It seems like a reliable source, but I have a touch of doubt regarding the tackles for loss number. I can’t believe KCChiefs wouldn’t include that fact in DJs bio. So I was halfway looking for confirmation. It’s also why I put 100+. Although that number is confirmed by KCChiefs, in that all three LBs had 100+ years. One factor is solo vs. assists. Most places count assists as tackles.

by sunny D on Jul 22, 2008 7:03 PM CDT up 0 recs