Some Big Plays for Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson After 3rd Team Demotion
by Joel Thorman on Sep 21, 2009 11:13 AM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
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PrintIf not for a blocked punt that resulted in a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown, LB Derrick Johnson may have had the play of the game last week with a 70 yard interception return inside the five yard line.
On Sunday, he aided in an Oakland Raiders three and out with a sack on JaMarcus Russell. Actually, it was more like a smothering than a sack. Coming through the middle, DJ beat a Raiders lineman and did his best flying squirrel impression on Russell.
In two weeks, that's two game-altering plays. Of course, neither was the difference in the game but, again, it's a team effort.
Earlier this year, former Chiefs LB Zach Thomas said this should be DJ's best position.
"This is going to be his best scheme," Thomas said. "It's definitely weakside linebacker-friendly. It can exploit the talent that he has. Everybody knows how talented and fast he is. If he gets this down where he's not thinking, just rolling around and just having fun and he knows what to do, he'll be a great player in this scheme."
DJ himself said he's more comfortable in his role. He related it to his days at Texas when he was the best linebacker in college football.
As we've previously said, the current regime has no ties to him so there's pressure on him to perform this season to earn an extension from a team that has, at least to this point, avoided giving out long-term contracts (save for Matt Cassel).
Through two games, DJ has contributed to a couple of big plays that helped turn the momentum in the Chiefs favor. Now, there's something to be said for playing a complete game, but the early returns on DJ are better than what I expected.
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DJ
looks great.
I think he’ll continue to develop into the best LB on the team….
I also really like the play of Hali and Vrabel… the jury is still out on Mays, though… some good, some bad.
But, again, I think the DJ “demotion” was simply the D-Bowe treatment, and NOT an indicator that he won’t be a Chief long term
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
I think they need to focus
On having Mays do more run support and blizting and DJ focusing more of coverage. I think that would play more to each players strengths
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by Scaryclouds on Sep 21, 2009 11:47 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I think you're exactly right. Mays needs to come out on obvious passing downs. Demorrio Williams was also seemingly invisible this past week...again. I'm not sure what the coaching staff sees, but I haven't watched the game over to focus on his play.
But I’m curious as to why DJ isn’t on the field more often. Maybe we’ll see a change soon.
Again?
Last week he had 7 tackles…
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Sep 21, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Why is D.J. still on the 3rd team? He’s only playing in nickel dime packages but isnt it better to have him than D.Williams out there? I understand D.J. has a problem with consistency but I rather have him in there than Williams. Also is it me or does Mays look like he doesn’t know what he’s doing in pass coverage sorry to be so negative but I’m still hurting bad from the loss yesterday. My point is Lets get D.J. back in the mix cause he’s one our most athletic defenders and it seems like we have heart but still a little short on talent. LET’s take them EAGLES OUT!
by Los Angeles Chiefs#58 on Sep 21, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions
We're a fan of Mays...
If anything we’d say they didn’t blitz enough Sunday. Once they had Jamarcus rattled they should have just started unleashing on him.
by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Sep 21, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions
Mays is only useful
if you’re able to put the target directly in front of him. HE can only run in a straight line. He’s like a rook in Chess. Except I’m pretty sure an actual rook could defend the screen better.
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by Ridiculous Matt on Sep 21, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
No chance in hell he gets franchised.
"What?!?! I aint no Obama for the weed!"
-Turk McBride
by HIV 2 Elway on Sep 21, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he'll earn a contract extension before being franchised
he’s on the way there, I hope
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
DJ is skilled..
He can cover as good as any LB in the league AND he can blitz. He and Flowers are the only playmakers on D they have. If I’m him I’d hate Haley’s guts and want out of Dodge. You got Mays and Williams ahead of me I’d th,ink? Two dregs? Mays and DW are like Copper, maybe they do it Haley’s way but they still suck.
If I'm DJ
I understand that I have never played up to my potential… Even in his interviews he still doesnt get it… Bowe got it! Shut up and do what the coach wants!
DJ is like “They will do what is right when it comes to starters.”
Uh wrong coach to be saying that to!
I love the guy but it seems that he thinks he is way better than what his production has proven….
Just one guys opinion tho!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Right out of his mouth!
Go back and listen to all his interviews before week one! He has never thought they wouldnt start him!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Tag
Since he has less than 6 years in the NFL he will get a restricted tender… We wont have to tag him to keep him.
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Anyone got the insider from the WWL? See a headline from Shefter about the KC. Just wondering what it’s about…
Nothing
Just citing that same statistic that’s been doing around – 31 players are gone from last year’s Chiefs team and only 3 have found jobs.
by Joel Thorman on Sep 21, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions
he's done this before
he can’t sustain production over a season. One or two pretty good games, then disappears
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
we'll see
people say the same thing about Bowe…
but with a big push from Haley both guys could develop into good, consistent players
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
To the “official arrowhead pride parade” our secondary doesn’t have the man to man cover skills to be unleashing our blitzes (easier said than done buddy) I f we did do that J.Russell would of probably just needed 30 secs to get the game winning score. I like C.Mays to but we can’t go off of what he did in the preseason as he is still strong against the run thats the only thing he can do as he over plays everything and is over aggressive. I believe we need our MLB to be more versatile than that. Not trying to speak negative about mays it’s more about we need D.J. in there instead of D. Williams
by Los Angeles Chiefs#58 on Sep 21, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions
Not to mention
Oakland had a guy named Miller that we werent going to let kill us like Heap!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
defense in general
I was disappointed to see that we went to a “prevent defense” mode on that last drive. That always prevents the team doing it from winning. Had we just continued to defend as we did the whole game, the raiders would not have scored at the end.
Air Cassel - approved for takeoff
Yes you did miss it
When DJ plays inconsistently he drops easy picks, missed assignments etc. When you do that because you think you are the best IT DOES HURT YOUR TEAM!
Your comment on inconsistent play is why I asked about TO. Would you rather have TO drop 4 easy TD passes over 3 games or show up in 1 game and catch 3 TD’s?
Exactly one guy makes a couple plays in the preseason and everyone thinks he’s our savior (MAYS) If you’ve watched our REAL games this season you would know that we are short on talent so to sit our most talented LB doesn’t make sense. Also how has Mays shown consistency?? Exactly in the preseason where games don’t count. This is pointless argument cause like I said we just need to find a way to get D.J. in there when he’s better than both the guys ahead of him.
by Los Angeles Chiefs#58 on Sep 21, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions
Dont get me wrong!
DJ is a starter on this team! He has more talent even when he messes up but that isnt what Haley wants him to learn.
Mays is a backup/ST players at best. He looked great when teams werent game planning for our D.
Bowe did and said all of the right things to get back in the starting lineup. If DJ wants to be a Chiefs next year he needs to get on board with what the other 52 guys have learned…
Right or Wrong that is the Haley/Pioli way
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I AGREE! He’s gotta be onboard w/ Pioli/Haley. WE NEED A WIN BAD!!!!
by Los Angeles Chiefs#58 on Sep 21, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
YES SIR
Could you imagine us pulling out a win over Philly in the Vick debut? They are going to have a hurt Westbrook(if he plays), no McNabb, a hurt D.Jackson and they are going to try and force Vick into the game…
Long shot but you couldn’t ask for more opportunity than all those injuries to sneak out a W!
by flyin_squirl on Sep 21, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions
no, actually
I can’t.
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
Where were the LB at this game?
In the 3-4 the LB are suppose to make the plays, but look at the numbers and they didn’t have the tackles. I didn’t get to watch so was listening to the game, and I wasn’t hearing their names called more making stops.
Tank the Frank took some of their numbers away.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on Sep 21, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
IMO
DJ is a solid LB, but likely won’t ever develop into the star that we have been hoping for for the last 5 years. He’ll have a role on this team, but I don’t really see him being a consistent impact. This is his contract year. Unless he explodes this year, he’ll receive a mid-range contract for an LB, be it here or else where.
I’m rooting for him. If he can start to perform to his full potential, I’ll eat crow. Unfortunately we’ve been repeatedly saying “this is his breakout year” for the past three years. I just don’t see him becoming elite now… and maybe never.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Sep 21, 2009 3:26 PM CDT reply actions
I think the expectations among Chief fans for DJ are unrealistic. He’s making an ipmpact play or 2 a game seeing very limited time. Play him more, he’ll make more, but he’s not going to be a HOF LB, just a very good one that occassionally makes an impact play. He did that 2 years ago when he should have been in the pro bowl after leading the NFL in tackles for losses.
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