Message to Derrick Johnson: Do your job.

[soundmind]

Derrick Johnson is Eager for the Games to Begin This Fall
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Article: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/22...#ixzz0oj2kiGZE


Linebacker Derrick Johnson had to believe his last game would count for something. The Chiefs had been looking for a defender to make some big plays and finally, in last season’s final game, Johnson delivered.

He intercepted two passes and returned them both for touchdowns in the Chiefs’ lopsided win over Denver, a victory they hope gives them some momentum heading into a new season.

The game figured to be good for a promotion to the starting lineup, even if such jobs are not secure in May, with the Chiefs only beginning their offseason practice sessions.

But there was Johnson last week, serving the same role he played in the most frustrating of his five NFL seasons. He was again a backup at one inside linebacker position to Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays, and playing when the Chiefs went to their nickel defense.

Johnson isn’t panicking yet, not with almost four months left until the regular season begins.

“Right now, nobody has a starting job,” Johnson said. “The (coaches are) more focused on (players) learning the defense. We’ve got a new coordinator. So it’s not a set team. That depth-chart stuff, that doesn’t come into play until training camp. It’s not a priority for the coaches right now. When we get to training camp, that’s a little different. That’s when we really separate the men from the boys.

“If we get to training camp and I’m working my butt off and staying healthy and I’m still not out there with the first team, then we can look at a problem. Right now, it’s not a problem at all.”

It’s true the Chiefs can move Johnson into the starting lineup at any time, but the opening of offseason practice seemed like a good time for them to make the move. Williams was far and away the Chiefs leading tackler and Mays was second, but neither gave a floundering defense a lift with big plays the way Johnson did.

Mays had started only one game in his first three NFL seasons. The Chiefs had a special-teams role in mind for Mays when they signed him last year, but he wound up starting when the Chiefs released Zach Thomas. Williams was bothered by a knee injury that he said wouldn’t allow him to be as effective as he hoped.

“It was a frustrating year because I got hurt before the season,” Williams said. “I did everything I could to be out there with my teammates and try to make the plays that I could. This year I plan on staying healthy and doing a lot more to contribute to the team.”

Coach Todd Haley found Johnson’s play as maddeningly inconsistent as the previous staff did, but he acted on it by using Johnson mainly on passing downs. Johnson has yet to complain publicly.

“I could have been a (distraction) and caused a lot of trouble but I’m not that kind of guy,” he said.

“I want to be a big part of the defense. I want to help us win. I’ve got one more year to do what I’ve got to do. I want to get on the field. That’s my main focus. I need to get on the field. I still believe in my ability.”

Johnson, who began the offseason as a restricted free agent, signed his one-year contract offer. His comments seem to indicate he is intent on leaving as an unrestricted free agent next year.

Until then, Johnson seems intent on making what could be his last season with the Chiefs his best.

“I’ve always been a guy that you can game-plan around to help the defense do different stuff,” he said. “My standards for being a big part of the defense have not changed. The older I get, the more I want to play. I’m not looking for what happened last year to happen again.

“(The coaches) see me working. They see me being the first guy running through the drills, beating everybody. I think they know what they have in me. I can’t wait until we put the pads on. I’ve got so much built up inside me. As long as I stay healthy, I’ll be good. If I’m healthy, I can do a lot of great things.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Whatever 5-6. I've seen your games. I watched them like the rest of this crowd. You have your own brand of "true fan" but I for one have you on about the same hold pattern as Alex Gordon. Shut your mouth, earn your playing time by taking f***ing heads. It's the entitlement crap again, what the hell is wrong with your head son???

I know I'm highlighting things, but read them in context and see if it makes you feel any better. Strong man, slippery slope DJ, don't turd the punchbowl, don't do it.

[rambleonthruthefog]

DJ learned a valuable lesson last season. i hope. DJ has gotten by on his natural ability his whole life. he came to a bad football team where he was immediatly one of the best defenders on the team. he had an inflated sense of self. His success in college, and the coaching staff here in KC are the main culprits. enter todd haley and the real world coaching program. lesson learned: you will not start because your name is DJ. you will not start because you've been starting the past several seasons. you will not get the benefit of the doubt because of your ability and college resume. you will not start until your consistant. haley is riding his ass and trying to make him angry. he wants him to be nasty. he is trying to hit the switch on DJ, trying to push the right button. we all know he has the physical ability, haley is trying to find out if he has the mental ability by breaking him down military style. break em down, break em down harder, then break em down some more. if he doesn't get it this season with haley riding his ass and crennel coaching him up he will never get it. i for one will say this again for the last time.

DJ will be a starter, our best LB, and will have his best season as a pro.

[38yrsfan]

Originally Posted by milkman

You mean like Tony did last year?

It is all part of the Chief's role as an NFL farm team.

Clark probably does the cooking and bartending at the owners meetings.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by beer bacon

DJ has the talent to make plays even if isn't playing within the team's scheme. Sims never showed a damn thing.

yep, but he also has the lack of focus and discipline to leave his assignment which results in giving up huge plays ... especially in the running game.


gets the big play and gives up the big play


that's why they pulled him from the starting lineup and put him in there on passing downs because it still gives DJ the chance to make the big play but keeps him from screwing up our run defense.

[Blick]

Originally Posted by Laz

yep, but he also has the lack of focus and discipline to leave his assignment which results in giving up huge plays ... especially in the running game.


gets the big play and gives up the big play


that's why they pulled him from the starting lineup and put him in there on passing downs because it still gives DJ the chance to make the big play but keeps him from screwing up our run defense.

Yeah we wouldn't want DJ in there screwing up the run defense. Mays and Williams are monsters against the run.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Anomaly man,
Anomaly man,

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Blick

Yeah we wouldn't want DJ in there screwing up the run defense. Mays and Williams are monsters against the run.

Hey, Mays and Williams may get blown up, but at least they get their bodies in the hole. DJ can't even find the hole to get blown up.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Blick

Yeah we wouldn't want DJ in there screwing up the run defense. Mays and Williams are monsters against the run.

they are more consistent than DJ

you think the coaching staff pulled DJ because they just wanted to mess with him? They were willing to go with less talent because DJ was such an issue.

it's not just this coaching staff and scheme either ... DJ has been a mental case since day 1.

[Blick]

Originally Posted by Laz

they are more consistent than DJ

you think the coaching staff pulled DJ because they just wanted to mess with him? They were willing to go with less talent because DJ was such an issue.

it's not just this coaching staff and scheme either ... DJ has been a mental case since day 1.

Consistent at getting their shit pushed in, sure.

I don't understand the coaching decision, and let's not pretend like everything our coaching staff does is awesome.

I understand DJ's limitations, but at least he makes plays. Williams and Mays don't do ANYTHING.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by Blick

Consistent at getting their shit pushed in, sure.

I don't understand the coaching decision, and let's not pretend like everything our coaching staff does is awesome.

I understand DJ's limitations, but at least he makes plays. Williams and Mays don't do ANYTHING.

I think you're missing the point. They may get pounded, but at least they get into position to slow the runner down. DJ just isn't there at all at times and leaves running lanes wide open. He may make a big play every blue moon, but allows a big play more often than not.

[Blick]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Hey, Mays and Williams may get blown up, but at least they get their bodies in the hole. DJ can't even find the hole to get blown up.

Mays sucks at staying home and playing the cut back lane. He overruns plays all the time.

[ToxSocks]

And DJ has been doing it for YEARS. Might as well give Mays, who was considered to be a good commander on the field, a crack at it.

[Blick]

Mays is a special teams player. He got a crack last year, and he was ****ing awful.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Blick

Mays is a special teams player. He got a crack last year, and he was ****ing awful.

and DJ was a dumbshit, pain-in-the-ass until they made him a glorified Strong Safety.


we need to drafted a quality ILB in the 2nd round of the draft this year instead of the smurf patrol.

[Blick]

We need to just play the guy that actually makes plays for our defense.

[BossChief]

30 tackles (combined assisted tackles and solo)
2 sacks
9 qb pressures
6 missed tackles
3 interceptions (2 for touchdowns)
1 forced fumble

...and the opposing quarterbacks passing rating against his zone was a measly 65.8% !

If you take that and give him 1116 snaps (like Patrick Willis had last year) and do the math, DJ would have had (x3.24 snaps...all of these are rounded either up or down))=

97 tackles
6.5 sacks
29 pressures
19 missed tackles
10 interceptions
3 forced fumbles
7 touchdowns