NFL.com - Derrick Johnson for DPOY

sedated · 06:24 PM

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Aug. 15, 2006) -- Here's an early vote for 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick Johnson.

The Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker was a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, but lost out to a deserving choice in fellow linebacker Shawne Merrimanof the San Diego Chargers.

Look for Johnson to outperform Merriman and every other defensive player in the league this year as he begins to establish himself as one of the league's most dominant players at his position.

In '05, Johnson thrived mainly from his amazing combination of size (6-foot-3, 242 pounds), strength, athleticism and speed that made him a sideline-to-sideline terror. His physical gifts alone were enough to allow him to become the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start 16 games as a rookie. Johnson immediately showed he is a versatile talent who can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and always pose a threat to force a big play.

It is his play-making skill that I think will do the most to cause his already lofty stature to climb considerably higher this season. Johnson, who forced two fumbles and recovered one as a rookie, has spent the offseason and a good portion of the Chiefs training camp at the University of Wisconsin River Falls honing the techniques that allowed him to set an NCAA single-season record with nine forced fumbles at Texas.

The approach is right in line with new coach Herm Edwards' emphasis on making the Chiefs defense significantly better by instilling a more aggressive mentality.

"That's all coach Edwards talks about -- getting to the ball," Johnson said. "Every time that ball is snapped, all 11 guys are working hard, busting their tails to get to the ball."

And when they get there, the job is to do everything possible to try and separate it from the ball carrier.

"This year, I've got so much stuff up my sleeve, I'm going to pop the ball out any time I get a chance," Johnson said. "The main thing you want is to secure the tackle. Most of the time, I can secure the tackle with one arm, either arm, and with the other arm that's free, I can punch the ball out from the back.

"Being on defense and trying to get the defense turned around, you've got to cause turnovers."

Johnson also should receive a recognition boost from the fact the Chiefs defense will likely play much better than it did in 2005, when it ranked 25th in the NFL overall and 30th against the pass. Kansas City's defensive struggles did little to help his chances to be recognized as the league's best rookie defender last year.

FIVE REASONS WHY…
…the Chiefs look like they could be the team to beat in the AFC West:

- Herm Edwards' ability to get the defense to perform better by instilling a more aggressive, attacking mentality, and players such as Derrick Johnson emerging as dominant forces within the unit.
- Larry Johnson's power running. (

good insight)
- Trent Green's accurate passing. (

this guy must really be studying with insider info like that)
- Tony Gonzalez's big plays. (

great research jaggoff)
- A solid kicking game that will give the Chiefs an edge in several close, low-scoring games they are likely to play with the defensive-minded Edwards in charge.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9604106

Fish · 08-16-2006, 11:36 AM

Quite a prediction for a second year LB.....

Not to take anything away from DJ, but to call him DPOY before the season starts is a little lame....

|Zach| · 08-16-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

(

a whole lot of new info there)

What kind of "new info" were you seeking?

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-16-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derrick Johnson

"The main thing you want is to secure the tackle. Most of the time, I can secure the tackle with one arm, either arm, and with the other arm that's free, I can punch the ball out from the back.

"Being on defense and trying to get the defense turned around, you've got to cause turnovers."

This quote kind of bothers me. Yeah causing turnovers is great, but don't mess with your technique to it. I rather him say I'm gonna pop, wrap, and drill them to the ground. Instead of working on ballstripping techniques.

StcChief · 08-16-2006, 11:43 AM

Nfl.com has a Chiefs homer

milkman · 08-16-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

This quote kind of bothers me. Yeah causing turnovers is great, but don't mess with your technique to it. I rather him say I'm gonna pop, wrap, and drill them to the ground. Instead of working on ballstripping techniques.

This is the kind of mentality that Gunt instills.

sedated · 08-16-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachKC

What kind of "new info" were you seeking?

just to name a player and one thing he does well isn't exactly showing off your knowledge and research.

"Larry Johnson's power running, Trent Green's accurate arm..."

(maybe I should have said that)

stevieray · 08-16-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

This quote kind of bothers me. Yeah causing turnovers is great, but don't mess with your technique to it. I rather him say I'm gonna pop, wrap, and drill them to the ground. Instead of working on ballstripping techniques.

I agree.

Like he did to Jake Plummer.

SNR · 08-16-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

This quote kind of bothers me. Yeah causing turnovers is great, but don't mess with your technique to it. I rather him say I'm gonna pop, wrap, and drill them to the ground. Instead of working on ballstripping techniques.

"Working on stripping drills.... he would teach stripping"

-Dick Vermeil

chief2000 · 08-16-2006, 12:10 PM

good one !

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-16-2006, 12:11 PM

all that grilling in the parking lot has the players thinking KC Strip

sedated · 08-16-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

"Working on stripping drills.... he would teach stripping"

-Dick Vermeil

each man's knee is his own knee

classic dick

htismaqe · 08-16-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nm_dbf

Nfl.com has a Chiefs homer

It's Bob Gretz.

BigRock · 08-16-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

This quote kind of bothers me. Yeah causing turnovers is great, but don't mess with your technique to it. I rather him say I'm gonna pop, wrap, and drill them to the ground. Instead of working on ballstripping techniques.

I don't think he's messing with anything. He's got an awesome chop move where he goes around the ballcarrier's back, which is what forced most of those fumbles when he was in college. I remember him doing it to Chad Pennington in the first game last year and knocking the ball loose, but he hardly seemed to do it the rest of the season. Maybe they wanted him to get away from it to make more secure tackles, I don't know. But it was a big part of his game and he's really, really good at it.

If Herm's encouraging him to do it more often, that's fine by me.

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-16-2006, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

I don't think he's messing with anything.

Yes he is, the 1st fundemental in tackling is to wrap properly, The way he dictates in the way he tackles would mean that a a good RB would eat him for lunch with one armed tackles.

08-16-2006, 11:33 AM
sedated Like I woke up in Wonderland.. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OPKS Casino cash: $216886	NFL.com - Derrick Johnson for DPOY RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Aug. 15, 2006) -- Here's an early vote for 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick Johnson. The Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker was a strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season, but lost out to a deserving choice in fellow linebacker Shawne Merrimanof the San Diego Chargers. Look for Johnson to outperform Merriman and every other defensive player in the league this year as he begins to establish himself as one of the league's most dominant players at his position. In '05, Johnson thrived mainly from his amazing combination of size (6-foot-3, 242 pounds), strength, athleticism and speed that made him a sideline-to-sideline terror. His physical gifts alone were enough to allow him to become the first Chiefs linebacker in 20 years to start 16 games as a rookie. Johnson immediately showed he is a versatile talent who can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and always pose a threat to force a big play. It is his play-making skill that I think will do the most to cause his already lofty stature to climb considerably higher this season. Johnson, who forced two fumbles and recovered one as a rookie, has spent the offseason and a good portion of the Chiefs training camp at the University of Wisconsin River Falls honing the techniques that allowed him to set an NCAA single-season record with nine forced fumbles at Texas. The approach is right in line with new coach Herm Edwards' emphasis on making the Chiefs defense significantly better by instilling a more aggressive mentality. "That's all coach Edwards talks about -- getting to the ball," Johnson said. "Every time that ball is snapped, all 11 guys are working hard, busting their tails to get to the ball." And when they get there, the job is to do everything possible to try and separate it from the ball carrier. "This year, I've got so much stuff up my sleeve, I'm going to pop the ball out any time I get a chance," Johnson said. "The main thing you want is to secure the tackle. Most of the time, I can secure the tackle with one arm, either arm, and with the other arm that's free, I can punch the ball out from the back. "Being on defense and trying to get the defense turned around, you've got to cause turnovers." Johnson also should receive a recognition boost from the fact the Chiefs defense will likely play much better than it did in 2005, when it ranked 25th in the NFL overall and 30th against the pass. Kansas City's defensive struggles did little to help his chances to be recognized as the league's best rookie defender last year. FIVE REASONS WHY… …the Chiefs look like they could be the team to beat in the AFC West: - Herm Edwards' ability to get the defense to perform better by instilling a more aggressive, attacking mentality, and players such as Derrick Johnson emerging as dominant forces within the unit. - Larry Johnson's power running. ( good insight) - Trent Green's accurate passing. ( this guy must really be studying with insider info like that) - Tony Gonzalez's big plays. ( great research jaggoff) - A solid kicking game that will give the Chiefs an edge in several close, low-scoring games they are likely to play with the defensive-minded Edwards in charge. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9604106 Last edited by sedated; 08-16-2006 at 06:24 PM..
Posts: 14,108

08-16-2006, 11:36 AM	#2
Fish Missing Dick Curl Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2086914	Quite a prediction for a second year LB..... Not to take anything away from DJ, but to call him DPOY before the season starts is a little lame.... __________________
Posts: 21,139

08-16-2006, 11:43 AM	#5
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	Nfl.com has a Chiefs homer __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,902

08-16-2006, 12:10 PM	#10
chief2000 Starter Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $250	good one !
Posts: 628

08-16-2006, 12:11 PM	#11
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $1381	all that grilling in the parking lot has the players thinking KC Strip
Posts: 6,009

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