Johnson to take challenge with KC head on

C-Mac · 04-25-2005, 10:31 AM

http://www.810whb.com/scripts/archiv...?article=10072

Johnson to take challenge with KC head on
Rick Dean, The Capital Journal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Derrick Johnson has heard the rap on him, the only possible negative anyone could find on a player whose college production at Texas earned him back-to-back All-American designations and the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.

Though a solidly built outside linebacker at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds, Johnson acquired a reputation of running around blockers rather than meeting them head-on.

Even his new employer, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, says his first-round draft pick has adjustments to make before he becomes a force in the NFL -- something Kansas City needs him to do quickly.

"He had a good introduction to pro defenses last year with Greg (Robinson)," Vermeil said of his former defensive coordinator who coached the Longhorns' defense last year. "But he will have to learn to take on people instead of just skating and running parallel down the line of scrimmage.

"There will be a lot of times he's forced to gap hold and take on guards and tackles and centers, then ricochet and go make the play. He has not really been asked to do that within his scheme."

Just ask him, Johnson counters. He will blow people up whenever necessary.

"I've had moments when I've had to be very aggressive, and I've had my finesse times," he said. "Sometimes my speed and ability can overwhelm someone to where I can go over a block. But at the same time, if that doesn't work with the Chiefs, I can go through blockers. I have the strength, but sometimes I just use my speed a little more."

It is a combination that made Johnson attractive to NFL franchises looking for outside linebackers.

"When you stand 6-3 and weigh over 240 pounds, you're going to learn to (take on blockers) pretty well," Vermeil said. "He's a gifted athlete. He was a 10.5 100 (yards) kid in high school, a 48-foot triple jumper. He has tremendous athletic and movement skills. Now we have to incorporate those skills into our defensive fundamentals and scheme."

If that happens, the addition of Johnson, along with veteran free agents Patrick Surtain, Kendrell Bell and Carlos Hall, could make the sorry Kansas City defense something better than the NFL's next-to-worst unit in 2005.

"Knowing about all the players coming in with me is exciting," Johnson said. "It's going to be a defensive comeback mode. I'm just ready to be a part of that."

04-25-2005, 10:31 AM	Topic Starter
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $2333699	Johnson to take challenge with KC head on http://www.810whb.com/scripts/archiv...?article=10072 Johnson to take challenge with KC head on Rick Dean, The Capital Journal KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Derrick Johnson has heard the rap on him, the only possible negative anyone could find on a player whose college production at Texas earned him back-to-back All-American designations and the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. Though a solidly built outside linebacker at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds, Johnson acquired a reputation of running around blockers rather than meeting them head-on. Even his new employer, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, says his first-round draft pick has adjustments to make before he becomes a force in the NFL -- something Kansas City needs him to do quickly. "He had a good introduction to pro defenses last year with Greg (Robinson)," Vermeil said of his former defensive coordinator who coached the Longhorns' defense last year. "But he will have to learn to take on people instead of just skating and running parallel down the line of scrimmage. "There will be a lot of times he's forced to gap hold and take on guards and tackles and centers, then ricochet and go make the play. He has not really been asked to do that within his scheme." Just ask him, Johnson counters. He will blow people up whenever necessary. "I've had moments when I've had to be very aggressive, and I've had my finesse times," he said. "Sometimes my speed and ability can overwhelm someone to where I can go over a block. But at the same time, if that doesn't work with the Chiefs, I can go through blockers. I have the strength, but sometimes I just use my speed a little more." It is a combination that made Johnson attractive to NFL franchises looking for outside linebackers. "When you stand 6-3 and weigh over 240 pounds, you're going to learn to (take on blockers) pretty well," Vermeil said. "He's a gifted athlete. He was a 10.5 100 (yards) kid in high school, a 48-foot triple jumper. He has tremendous athletic and movement skills. Now we have to incorporate those skills into our defensive fundamentals and scheme." If that happens, the addition of Johnson, along with veteran free agents Patrick Surtain, Kendrell Bell and Carlos Hall, could make the sorry Kansas City defense something better than the NFL's next-to-worst unit in 2005. "Knowing about all the players coming in with me is exciting," Johnson said. "It's going to be a defensive comeback mode. I'm just ready to be a part of that."
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