Priest Ponders LB Derrick Johnson's Future With the Chiefs
by Joel Thorman on Jan 15, 2010 10:30 AM CST
Email
Print
Good news, Chiefs fans. Priest still knows where home is.
"My heart is still there in Kansas City with all the great things that happened over those seven years," he recently said on the Border Patrol on 810 WHB. He also mentioned that there are "tons of KC fans" in California.
As many of you know, Priest is a former Texas Longhorn, along with Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson. Priest spent a few minutes talking about DJ and where his future may lie with the Chiefs.
"With DJ, we know he still has a number of years he can play and be productive. We know what type of linebacker he is and what his strengths are.
"There are some things that may not necessarily be in the best interest of him by staying, [but] I still think it would be a smart move [to stay in Kansas City] for the longevity that he has and an opportunity to fit into the system. I know with coach Todd Haley, there's a certain way of going about business. It's either his way, or no way. I think that's a good precedent the coach has set. It's just a matter of can the players get on his program.
"We know that Derrick has a great opportunity and a lot of upside in what he's doing. It's just a matter of whether he's comfortable with staying. I don't see why not. It's a great opportunity for him but again it has to be a good fit for him."
For what it's worth (not much), Priest wants DJ to stick around in Kansas City. Of course though, once a Longhorn, always a Longhorn, so he's going to support him no matter what.
40 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I did not know that Priest had a home in Cali
And yeah, there are tons of us out here. You’d be surprised how many red jerseys show up at Qualcomm.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
Got to go somewhere to get away from the baby momas
Plus, I head they have good nachos in Cali
by bonesjackson on Jan 15, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
Definitely a lot of us out here.
Hell, 2 softball players on my team and 2 others in my office are Chiefs fans. It’s awesome!
I've been pretty hard on DJ
But I gotta say that he definitely made the most of his playing time this season.
He’s got 5 seasons under his belt. By season 5, I’d think you’ve seen about all there is to see from a player. Either he’s progressing, or he’s reached his ceiling.
Coming into the season, I felt DJ had reached his ceiling. He didn’t seem to be progressing. But as the season went on and made the most of his opportunities, my opinion was swayed.
I’m perfectly ok with giving him another season to compete for a starting role. There really is no more excuses this time. If Vrabel, Gibbs, and Crennel can’t turn this guy into the every down beast that he should be next season, its time to stockpile more picks.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
by ArrowSpread on Jan 15, 2010 10:38 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
I just cant agree fully
I liked DJ, I did…I was one of the people stoked on draft day when he fell to us…
with that said, I feel I was wrong…DJ is a yo-yo player to say the least…his late 2 INT’s were a lot like the baltimore pick…all great, but in that denver game, DJ missed 3 tackles on ONE DRIVE…
I think he just raised his trade value with that final game…a friend asked me about dj and why I didnt like him, then he saw dj in limited time against SD, and said wow…this guy really has issues at times tackling
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson, and make an offer for Boldin
with that said, I do agree, 1 more season, I just dont feel hes earned a longer contract.
I would still move him for picks if restricted and if an offer comes of a 3 or better hes gone
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson, and make an offer for Boldin
He has been the very definition of a yo-yo
And he definitely doesn’t earn a contract extension based on this year’s performance. But he has definitely earned a shot at being the starter…again.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
by ArrowSpread on Jan 15, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Rec'd - I agree with most of what you say
I’m not sure DJ has “reached his ceiling”, it may still be a matter of getting the right situation, but I’ll grant he’s been given lots of opportunity to succeed. I think the smart thing for DJ would be to sit down with Crennel and see if he can come to an understanding with him before he makes any decisions about staying or going.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There's no use in being a damn fool about it." ---W.C. Fields
Yea he probably should have a long conversation with Crennel
Previously under Herm/Gunther, with the lax ship that Herm ran, I’d be willing to bet that there wasn’t as much attention placed on all the little details. Either that or it was left up to the players to put in their due diligence in the film room, much like conditioning was left to the players.
With all the emphasis from Crennel on scheme and gameplanning (opposed to the all-out blitz/prevent scheme Penderpuss runs) comes an added emphasis to breaking down film and becoming smarter football players, which is what Haley preaches.
Perhaps Haley has layed a foundation of picking apart the details that will carry over to how players respond to more emphasis on the details in Crennel.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
by ArrowSpread on Jan 15, 2010 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
Fully agree
DJ had so much potential. We just haven’t seen the fire he showed at Texas.
by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Jan 15, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
DJ
With coach Crennell ; you can pickup , the way you finish the season ! Stay Gold !
by 65tosspowertrap on Jan 15, 2010 10:43 AM CST reply actions
I just don't know about DJ
He seems to have all the talent to be successful in this league, but still can’t put it together. I’d like to see what DJ could do in Crennel’s system but if he’s let go I won’t be too upset
What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.
by Aperture on Jan 15, 2010 10:51 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I could see us giving DJ a one-year contract
This is his last chance.
My concern with DJ
is that since he’s proven to be a yo-yo, what happens if he gets the contract? The long one? I mean, if so, then what’s he got to prove? A one year contract is all he deserves – he’s got to prove he’s the player we hope he is. The fact however, that we are discussing him, PROVING IT after 5 years though, after 5 years?!
by Eastcoastransplant on Jan 15, 2010 10:56 AM CST reply actions
If he could somehow improve his tackling, he'd replace Demorrio
DJ is worlds better at pass coverage than Williams is, and with the addition of a true NT, hopefully our ILB’s won’t be consistently eaten by guards on inside runs (that’s DJ’s weakness – I have no worries about him being able to pursue an outside run from the ILB position)
My not-so-outrageous dream front seven would be
…………..TJ….some actual NT….Dorsey
Studebaker……DJ……..McClain………….Hali
Alternatively, we could go for the NT in round 1 and hope Spikes falls to the top of round 2
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
Exactly..5 yrs...
but three different coaching staffs….wasnt he drafted by Vermiel?…..then switched to Herm, now switched to Haley…..its been a fucking roller coaster in KC….the guy has skills….no talent around him……some guys will shine when the are one of the few bright spots, other guys blend in…He has been no better and no worse than anybody else on the chiefs D the last five yrs…….I just hope its not another case of Haley not recognizing his talent and has formed an opinion of him. We saw this with Jamaal, and yes I will say it, with Pollard too. Jamaal played behind LJ, because he was tagged with a fumbling problem…..Pollard was let go in favor of Mike Brown…Pollard went on to have the best season of his career…Many people overlook coaching. It is a BIG factor in a players career and the way he is viewed. Coaching is why NE has been so good so long. They dont have a bunch of marquee players, they are just really really well coached. The Chiefs have not been solid on both sides of the ball for yrs……because of coaching. I bet you anything, if we let Derrick go, he will go on to be a star for some other team…unless he goes to Detroit….lol….Joe Horn also comes to mind. Played a backup role here for yrs…everybody thought he wasnt shit, goes to NO and becomes a pro bowler…why? for one the actually put him in the game and two…better coaching.
DJ has been under three HCs, but I think up until this past year, just one DC
Gunther was his DC until Haley came. So it’s not like he’s had to learn a lot of different schemes. KC has hardly been a roller coaster.
I don’t think Haley has made a lot of mistakes in assessing talent, Charles wasn’t just held back because 2.7 was here and Haley didn’t see him as a player. Charles was making some mistakes. Besides fumbling he also noticeably missed assignments when he played (a nasty sack of Cassel and on a punt block in particular spring to mind). I think it was actually the opposite. I think KC decided to cut 2.7 because Charles HAD progressed to where they could take a chance on him as a starter.
And DJs play has been noticeably overshadowed by guys like Allen, Page, Hali and Flowers since he came here. I agree it is painful to see players cut from KC and excel elsewhere, but at some point you have to blame the player and not the coaches. Sometimes guys don’t wake up until they’re cut or on the verge of it. It might take that before DJ starts playing up to his potential, but I hope not.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There's no use in being a damn fool about it." ---W.C. Fields
How bout Hali stats from last yr...in fact
the whole teams stats…Gunthers D has sucked for yrs….Ill give you Jared Allen as being better. Flowers excelled…but who drafted him…a HC that used to be a CB…go figure.Page performed no better than Johnson.
I ask you…would have rather had Charles rushing for 120 yrds and 2 TD a game at the beginning of the season, with the possibility of missing an assignment, or LJ, 2.7 yrd per carry, unwilling, or unable to block, and falling down on his own before even getting to the line of scrimmage,with no passion for his team?Are u telling me that when LJ got suspended that that was magically the week that Jamaal “got it”?…cause that was the first week we had a 100 yr rusher, a rushing TD, and looked like we could move the ball somewhat.
Lets throw Cottam in this too….where the hell was he all yr?
I like Haley. But I dont care what anybody says, he made A LOT of mistakes this yr that should not be chalked up to “oh its his first yr”…..risky play calls, bad game management,ect.
What, it's big news that the D has sucked? Yes, Hali had a bad season last year
but you asked about the past 5 years, not just last season. And I think Hali has clearly been better than DJ since he arrived even though he had a bad year last year.
If you don’t think Haley has learned from the mistakes he made this year then you shouldn’t like him. I thought Haley made mistakes, but that he’s improving. I like most of what he did and still think he’s the right guy for this team. And be prepared because he and Pioli and the coaches and players are going to be making mistakes next year, too.
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There's no use in being a damn fool about it." ---W.C. Fields
Production
Please tell me which LB has been more productive the DJ over the last 5 years? With good coaching DJ will be in the Pro Bowl. He had no chance to play this year. Give him a chance under Crennell and I think you will see that guy from Texas
Jerome
DJ was listed as one of Haley's players to build off of.
If I read the article right, DJ was mentioned as one of the players Haley says will be part of the corp group of players that he plans to build off of. I think the Denver perfomance really raised Haley’s faith in him. Also, Crennell is a really good talent evaluator, and it is obvious DJ is presently our most gifted and athletic LB. It has also been written that DJ has handled his role fairly well, and he has had a pretty good attitude about it, and has even played harder, to prove himself. I think he will stick around, and play a big part in building a real good defense.
Nice post, Joel
DJ is about as polarizing a figure as we have right now, with the exception of Cassel. You either love him or hate him. I suggest:
- That under the previous regime, he didn’t really have to work hard to start. He was a number one pick after all, and we were going to play him if for nother else, just to prove that we had not made a mistake in drafting him. That scenario wasn’t an incentive for him to work hard and… dare I say it… he got lazy?
- That lack of discipline and work ethic didn’t fly under Haley, and he found himself in the doghouse because of it. Well, his eyes were opened this season. Nothing is given to you in the NFL… at least not under the current staff. He’s shown this season that if he’ll work, he can be outstanding. Let’s give him a chance to work. and to show that he can live up to the promise he showed when he was a longhorn.
We are building a fighting force of extwaordinary magnitude.
Love/Hate
There is a 3rd opinion on him. He’s very good in pass coverage and below average against the run. Many of us really like him as a nickle LB, but don’t trust him as an every down ILB.
Personally, I’m comfortable making a 2nd round tender to him. If another team bites, let him wlk and take the compensation. If not, bring him back and let him excell on passing downs.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Jan 15, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Good point Satch
But isn’t being a run stopper all about WANT TO? Hit the guy. Don’t be afraid of the contact. Can it be coahced? I don’t know. It seems more of a mindset. Fight off the block. Get to the runner. Good technique. I hope he gets it. Romeo will certainly try to get through to him.
We are building a fighting force of extwaordinary magnitude.
The neg on DJ in the scouting report coming out of UT
was that he preferred to run around blockers instead of fighting them off.
by bonesjackson on Jan 15, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
It's mostly about discipline actually
I don’t ever question DJs effort. I do sometimes qustion his decision making and to a lesser extent his upper body strength.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Jan 15, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
Stopping the run is all about discipline and anticipation
As it has been suggested, DJ is more of a read and react kind of player. He relies more on his athleticsm after he sees where the play is going as opposed to anticipating where the play is going and being in the proper gap.
Because he relies on his athleticsm so heavily, he has a tendency to over-pursue. Couple that with him not being a sure tackler, and often times you get DJ trying to arm tackle guys around the shoulders and going over the top after they duck even slightly.
He’s so great in obvious passing situations because his role is singular: Rush the QB, or cover this guy. He does do those things well. But not being reliable in run support makes him a huge liability on most days.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
Not dissagreeing...
However, I do hope that we can take something from his picks at Denver. Particularly the second one was purely from his read on Cutler. At least from his interview with the media, he saw Cutler telegraph it, pulled off his blitz, and set himself up to be in the right place (the gap). Poor neck-beard never had a chance with him hiding behind the line.
That’s just my optimistic assessment coming from a guy who’s not a film watcher or really much of an expert.
Orton, you mean
Hear you on the second pick of the Denver game. That play alone gave me pause. Maybe he IS making the progression when I previously thought otherwise.
Like Haley said of his ‘core’ players… It is a very important offseason for him. He really has to find a way to consistently play up to the level. Not only on the field, but in practice as well.
"The first step to penetration... must not be lateral"
-Confucius, in contrary to Glenn Dorsey lining up in the 2-tech
Wow.
Yeah, I meant Orton. Not sure where that screw up come from.
I’m hoping for the best for him (as a Chief). Ideally he and Crennel (and the rest of the D for that matter) will get close and they’ll really take root and sprout into their potential. I want our feared DT/NS defense again.
Agreed
But being better than “suck” doen’t make you good.
This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.
by KCSatchmo on Jan 15, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
ha!
but it should be enough to keep you on the team…at least until the “suck” is gone =)
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
Crennel will decide.
I could see drafting McClain from Alabama and plugging in Belcher alongside him and that being an upgrade over DJ and Williams. While everyone tends to remember the interceptions and occasional sack by DJ, I remember waaay more blown assignments and missed tackles. I’ve seen him grabbing air many times. Not that many of our defenders haven’t been there. I just see him as one of those guys that ends his career with “potential” still listed by his name. Pioli is crazy to sign him to longer than a year. Take compensation if offered.
Priest
Lives in San Antonio and went to Marshall High School. I know this because I live near San Antonio. It seems like all my friends have met him but me. They say he is one of the nicest people to talk to. There are quite of few Chiefs fans here also. I hope he talks some sense in Johnson. I think Priest wishes he was still playing in KC.
D.J. might have trade value
Since D.J. finished the season scoring two T.D. Maybe we can get a 3rd or 4th round pick for him. I ’m tired of waiting for him to have a break out year. Hali had a bad year last year because we lost Jared Allen.
Hope he stays...
I feel Coach Crennel has a better eye for defensive talent and will put DJ on the field more!
by m4x1mus on Jan 16, 2010 12:00 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Jim Irsay says he would welcome Peyton Manning back … at the right price
- Roddy White isn’t thrilled with Roger Goodell’s $20 million salary
- Could concussions actually kill football?
- J.T. Thomas arrested for possessing some marijuana
- Bucs hire Butch Davis as ‘special assistant,’ have no issue with his double-dipping
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
