KC Star: Texas LB Johnson one big hit - Page 3

tk13 · 11-25-2004, 02:21 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10266132.htm

Texas's Johnson one big hit
Linebacker, and Oklahoma's White, top Big 12

By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star

In nine years of all-Big 12 football teams, few have been praised quite like Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson.

“Best linebacker I've seen in a very long time,” Oklahoma State coach Les Miles said.

“One of the best players I've ever seen,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “He changes games.”

“A phenomenal player,” Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. “When you run away from him, he runs you down.”

Sold. Johnson is The Kansas City Star's Big 12 defensive player of the year.

Oklahoma quarterback Jason White repeats as offensive player of the year.

Honored players were selected by The Star's sportswriters who regularly cover the Big 12.

Johnson also was an all-conference player last season, but nobody outside of new Texas defensive coordinator Greg Robinson saw this kind of season from Johnson. He leads the nation with six forced fumbles, tops Texas in tackles with 86 and is a finalist for every major defensive award.

When Robinson, the former Chiefs defensive coordinator, arrived in Austin he and Johnson got together in the film room. Robinson pointed out how Johnson would overrun a play and told him to slow down briefly at the snap.

“He's helped me play more under control,” Johnson said of Robinson.

Johnson can come from anywhere on the field, at any time. He's allowed to chase plays and deliver blows with a full head of steam. He moved from middle to outside linebacker to take advantage of his speed.

Every weekend adds to the highlight reel.

Johnson had 18 tackles against Oklahoma State and 16 against Oklahoma. He turned in what must be one of the top defensive plays of the year against the Sooners.

On a third and 4, Johnson lined up to White's left. White rolled right and Johnson ran him down nearly to the Oklahoma sideline. From behind, Johnson grabbed White from around the waist with his left arm and punched the ball out of White's hand with his right. Texas recovered. Johnson forced a fumble in similar fashion a week earlier against Baylor.

Johnson also collected his ninth interception of his career against the Sooners, a record for Texas linebackers.

It started innocently enough. Johnson's mom called him a “sissy” as a 9-year-old little league football player. His mom, Beverly, would take him to practice and he didn't want to go. He'd stand outside the van and start crying. “She dragged me out of the van, literally,” Johnson said. “Every day, in front of everybody. … But she got me tougher. I'm glad she did it.”

Johnson came into his own in high school. As a senior at Waco High, he recorded a 30-tackle game.

White is bidding to own the greatest two-season stretch from a quarterback in college football history. He won last year's Heisman Trophy after throwing 40 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

In leading the Sooners to an 11-0 record and No. 2 ranking, White has thrown 30 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He'll enter next week's Big 12 championship game with 183 straight attempts without an interception.

White likely will be a Heisman Trophy finalist, and so will teammate Adrian Peterson, The Star's offensive newcomer of the year. Peterson is having one of the greatest freshman seasons ever, with 1,671 rushing yards. He's tied an NCAA record for freshman by topping 100 yards in 10 games.

Sooners coach Bob Stoops isn't taking sides. But he is emphasizing his team's priority.

“Our players won a lot of trophies last year, but we didn't win a championship,” Stoops said.

Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon is the top defensive newcomer. He was recruited as an athlete and originally worked at safety. Coaches liked his hard-hitting ability and moved to linebacker. Dizon set the Buffs' freshman record for tackles and has 72 entering Friday's game at Nebraska.

Iowa State's Dan McCarney is The Star's coach of the year for orchestrating one of the greatest turnaround seasons in league history. The Cyclones finished 0-8 last season but are 4-3 in league play, 6-4 overall and can win their first division title with a victory Saturday against Missouri or a Nebraska triumph over Colorado.

“What a difference a year makes,” McCarney said as he addressed reporters on Tuesday. “This time last year I think you guys might have come to see if I was going to cry or crack or melt down or fall apart.”

McCarney gave credit to his players, who vowed not to live through another season like last year.

“These kids drew a line in the sand and put their foot down and said we're not going through this again,” McCarney said. “They said it wasn't right, it wasn't fair to the tradition we built here and it wasn't fair to our fans.”

**Tribal Warfare** · 11-25-2004, 10:49 PM

MLB Ahmad Brooks Virginia 6'4 250 is another player to keep your eye on also

CanadaKC · 11-25-2004, 11:16 PM

Any LB compared to Lavar Arrington and Derrick Brooks can play on the Chiefs anytime thankyou very much....

Logical · 11-25-2004, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

Now thats a Big Johnson we could use to plug some holes!

I am sorry no more one year wonders, that is one of the big problems with Larry Johnson.

Logical · 11-26-2004, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miles Teg

...

Antrel Rolle at CB would be a nice addition in the draft. I usually dont like rookie CB's as much of an impact their first year but he is different.

Antrel is definitely my top choice for our pick.

Spicy McHaggis · 11-26-2004, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UserName

My only concern is that GROB might have tainted his ass.

This quote is for you User "You must unlearn, what you have learned"

**mlyonsd** · 11-26-2004, 08:07 AM

I think DE Matt Roth from Iowa would make a stud MLB.

nomad · 11-26-2004, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyonsd

I think DE Matt Roth from Iowa would make a stud MLB.

Carl may have tired of drafting S and trying to make CB's out of em.

Makes sense that he would move on to LB and take a DE....

Frankie · 11-26-2004, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

I am sorry no more one year wonders, .....

I have subscribed to that ever since the disastrous first round draft of Todd Blackledge who had come out of nowhere in his senior year to win national champship with Penn State. To think that Marino, Eaton and Kelly were still on the board when we picked him early in the 1st!

I agree. I want to see a draftee with a longer resume than just his last college year.

Frankie · 11-26-2004, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Antrel is definitely my top choice for our pick.

Agreed again.

ZootedGranny · 11-26-2004, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

I am sorry no more one year wonders, that is one of the big problems with Larry Johnson.

I agree on the "no one year wonders" as I'd rather have someone that prduced year after year. However, that doesn't fit Derrick Johnson, as he has been one of the best LBs in college for a couple of years now. Had he come out last year, he would have challenged Vilma as the first LB taken. That's why I've pointed out the absurdity of Greg Robinson's preseason statement that he was going to make Johnson the best LB in football, as Johnson was already there.

All that said, the Chiefs look to be able to get Rolle or Johnson. I prefer Rolle just because great CBs are rarer than great LBs.

jspchief · 11-26-2004, 02:43 PM

At DE, we could probably get IA's Matt Roth in the late second/early third. He's a meaner version of Jared Allen and has done it against Big Ten talent level. He would bring a nasty-streak that seems to be missing from our D's attitude right now.

go bo · 11-26-2004, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad

Carl may have tired of drafting S and trying to make CB's out of em.

Makes sense that he would move on to LB and take a DE....

carl already did just that, beisel was a de in college and they made a lb out of him...

jspchief · 11-26-2004, 03:02 PM

Roth played LB his first two years in college

go bo · 11-26-2004, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Roth played LB his first two years in college

well in that case, carl will probably draft him to play safety...

nomad · 11-26-2004, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go bo

carl already did just that, beisel was a de in college and they made a lb out of him...

"Groundhog Day" , starring Carl Peterson.

11-25-2004, 02:21 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1852500	KC Star: Texas LB Johnson one big hit http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10266132.htm Texas's Johnson one big hit Linebacker, and Oklahoma's White, top Big 12 By BLAIR KERKHOFF The Kansas City Star In nine years of all-Big 12 football teams, few have been praised quite like Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson. “Best linebacker I've seen in a very long time,” Oklahoma State coach Les Miles said. “One of the best players I've ever seen,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “He changes games.” “A phenomenal player,” Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. “When you run away from him, he runs you down.” Sold. Johnson is The Kansas City Star's Big 12 defensive player of the year. Oklahoma quarterback Jason White repeats as offensive player of the year. Honored players were selected by The Star's sportswriters who regularly cover the Big 12. Johnson also was an all-conference player last season, but nobody outside of new Texas defensive coordinator Greg Robinson saw this kind of season from Johnson. He leads the nation with six forced fumbles, tops Texas in tackles with 86 and is a finalist for every major defensive award. When Robinson, the former Chiefs defensive coordinator, arrived in Austin he and Johnson got together in the film room. Robinson pointed out how Johnson would overrun a play and told him to slow down briefly at the snap. “He's helped me play more under control,” Johnson said of Robinson. Johnson can come from anywhere on the field, at any time. He's allowed to chase plays and deliver blows with a full head of steam. He moved from middle to outside linebacker to take advantage of his speed. Every weekend adds to the highlight reel. Johnson had 18 tackles against Oklahoma State and 16 against Oklahoma. He turned in what must be one of the top defensive plays of the year against the Sooners. On a third and 4, Johnson lined up to White's left. White rolled right and Johnson ran him down nearly to the Oklahoma sideline. From behind, Johnson grabbed White from around the waist with his left arm and punched the ball out of White's hand with his right. Texas recovered. Johnson forced a fumble in similar fashion a week earlier against Baylor. Johnson also collected his ninth interception of his career against the Sooners, a record for Texas linebackers. It started innocently enough. Johnson's mom called him a “sissy” as a 9-year-old little league football player. His mom, Beverly, would take him to practice and he didn't want to go. He'd stand outside the van and start crying. “She dragged me out of the van, literally,” Johnson said. “Every day, in front of everybody. … But she got me tougher. I'm glad she did it.” Johnson came into his own in high school. As a senior at Waco High, he recorded a 30-tackle game. White is bidding to own the greatest two-season stretch from a quarterback in college football history. He won last year's Heisman Trophy after throwing 40 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. In leading the Sooners to an 11-0 record and No. 2 ranking, White has thrown 30 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He'll enter next week's Big 12 championship game with 183 straight attempts without an interception. White likely will be a Heisman Trophy finalist, and so will teammate Adrian Peterson, The Star's offensive newcomer of the year. Peterson is having one of the greatest freshman seasons ever, with 1,671 rushing yards. He's tied an NCAA record for freshman by topping 100 yards in 10 games. Sooners coach Bob Stoops isn't taking sides. But he is emphasizing his team's priority. “Our players won a lot of trophies last year, but we didn't win a championship,” Stoops said. Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon is the top defensive newcomer. He was recruited as an athlete and originally worked at safety. Coaches liked his hard-hitting ability and moved to linebacker. Dizon set the Buffs' freshman record for tackles and has 72 entering Friday's game at Nebraska. Iowa State's Dan McCarney is The Star's coach of the year for orchestrating one of the greatest turnaround seasons in league history. The Cyclones finished 0-8 last season but are 4-3 in league play, 6-4 overall and can win their first division title with a victory Saturday against Missouri or a Nebraska triumph over Colorado. “What a difference a year makes,” McCarney said as he addressed reporters on Tuesday. “This time last year I think you guys might have come to see if I was going to cry or crack or melt down or fall apart.” McCarney gave credit to his players, who vowed not to live through another season like last year. “These kids drew a line in the sand and put their foot down and said we're not going through this again,” McCarney said. “They said it wasn't right, it wasn't fair to the tradition we built here and it wasn't fair to our fans.”
Posts: 54,970

11-25-2004, 10:49 PM	#31
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $762813	MLB Ahmad Brooks Virginia 6'4 250 is another player to keep your eye on also __________________
Posts: 42,129

11-25-2004, 11:16 PM	#32
CanadaKC Lord of the SB Rings Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada Casino cash: $6528668	Any LB compared to Lavar Arrington and Derrick Brooks can play on the Chiefs anytime thankyou very much....
Posts: 1,505

11-26-2004, 08:07 AM	#36
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $1523762	I think DE Matt Roth from Iowa would make a stud MLB.
Posts: 38,883

11-26-2004, 02:43 PM	#41
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	At DE, we could probably get IA's Matt Roth in the late second/early third. He's a meaner version of Jared Allen and has done it against Big Ten talent level. He would bring a nasty-streak that seems to be missing from our D's attitude right now. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

11-26-2004, 03:02 PM	#43
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Roth played LB his first two years in college __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207