AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2009 > January > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTo play or not to play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like a bunch of top players, defensive end Michael Johnson is not at the Senior Bowl this week. At least one expert believes Johnson is making a mistake.
Chris Maier, senior editor at NFLDraft101.com, includes Johnson among five players he says should have shown up, unless they are hurt. (Johnson is healthy). Here is his Senior Bowl preview.
Even so, Johnson is projected to go 20th in a lot of mock drafts. The bad news is the Detroit Lions own that pick. They need everything, with quarterback and pass rusher at the top of the list.
NFLDraft101.com’s profile on Johnson says he “has the ideal frame to be a disruptive pass rusher at the next level. Long arms help with separation from offensive tackles. Very athletic, yet still disciplined as a pass rusher.”
It goes on to say that “the big question mark for Johnson is his ability to play the run.”
Can’t argue with any of that.
Johnson’s linemate, Vance Walker, is participating in the Senior Bowl and has shown a good bull rush in practices.
According to the Website, Walker is a “late bloomer who has flown under the radar due to the presence of DE Michael Johnson. Has good burst off the ball and is senior class’ best all-around DT, showing strong run stopping and pass rushing skills.”
His weakness? “Undersized at 6-2, 295.”
I’ve seen Walker projected anywhere from the 2nd to the 4th round.
The NFL Network will show the South team’s practice at 5 p.m. today, with a recap show airing at 8 p.m. The game airs at 7 p.m. Saturday.
So, do you think Michael Johnson made the right move?
Comments
By Sautee Dawg
January 22, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
Maybe Johnson is trying to hurt his draft status by not playing. Maybe he wants to move down a couple of spots to avoid being chosen by Detroit.
By Observer
January 22, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this
I would imagine Johnson’s decision is being driven by his agent who is telling him that his draft status isn’t going up by playing in the game but could go down if he gets hurt. It’s a simple matter of playing the risk/reward curve. There are several players in the same boat who have chosen not to play.
By old gold engineer
January 22, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
That is funny Sautee Dawg. I needed a good laugh this morning.
By UGA is so last year
January 22, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
Who the ‘h’ cares??? I like how the ajc tries to deflect away from Hewitt and our awful basketball program. Johnson is a pro for all intensive purposes now. It is his life to do as he pleases. He will not be playing another game for GT and this is a GT website to discuss and talk about current GT sports. And the polls the ajc put in here are just assinine. Who will be drafted first? Again, who cares - means nothing to our school. Why not put a poll in here and ask if Hewitt should be fired or not?????
By GT66
January 22, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Have yall noticed how big Johnson is? I hope the Falcons draft him so I can continue to root for my favorite big Johnson!
By Pi$$onaDawg
January 22, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
The great thing about M. Johnson is he is undersized. With his 6-7 frame he can carry 40 more pounds and not lose any speed. I think if Mike played some Basketball for technique on pick-n-roll moves to help his speed footwork that would be great for him.
By noddy dred
January 22, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this
EVERYONE GET READY FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL STEWPERBOWL PARTY AT THE LUCKY LOUNGE. THIS PARTY, HOSTED BY THE 2 LIVE STEWS, WILL BE THE BIGGEST SUPERBOWL PARTY IN AT LEAST 11 YEARS. COME HANG OUT WITH ME, THE STEWS, AND NUMEROUS CELEBRITIES AT THE FIRST ANNUAL STEWPERBOWL PARTY. TELL THEM NODDY SENT YOU!
By GT66
January 22, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
Our brillant incompetent coach in basketball ran off another good player Zam Frederick who last night led South Carolina with 15 points plus the winning shot to upset Florida. He has to go.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
January 22, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
Obviously, he has an agent advising him to do this, but I think it might cost him some money. He has already fallen to the mid-first round area because of a lack-luster junior season, but his refusal to play in the Sr. Bowl could give more teams pause.
I think he will be a good NFL player, but he must go 100% on every play.
Go Jackets!! And thank you Michael for your play at GT the last few years and especially for your part in the 45-42 win this year!!
By ggodsey
January 22, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
GT66..whats up with all the gay talk??? Its getting a little old and frankly scary..
By Joseph
January 22, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
I remember reading somewhere that Johnson is not taking this semester off from school to prepare for the draft. I can see where he’s coming from if graduation seems so close. Maybe he feels that it would hurt him to much in his studies to miss a whole week of school and would rather take a week off for the combine than the senior bowl.
By ggodsey
January 22, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
Why don’t we start a poll to see if ‘UGA is so last year’ should be banned from blogging with us.
By GB
January 22, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this
Intensive purposes?!
By Steve
January 22, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
By UGA is so last year
January 22, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
Who the ‘h’ cares??? I like how the ajc tries to deflect away from Hewitt and our awful basketball program. Johnson is a pro for all intensive purposes now. It is his life to do as he pleases. He will not be playing another game for GT and this is a GT website to discuss and talk about current GT sports. And the polls the ajc put in here are just assinine. Who will be drafted first? Again, who cares - means nothing to our school. Why not put a poll in here and ask if Hewitt should be fired or not?????
Who cares about basketball anyway?
By okeefe59
January 22, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
UGA is so last year—- you are really a piece of work.AJC has this article to focus on MJ ,not the GT BB situation.If you want to discuss BB,go to an article about BB.What is “intensive purposes”?
By ggodsey
January 22, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
For all intensive purposes I am an idiot.
By Jaded Jacket
January 22, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this
Sautee Dawg I can’t argue with your assessment. I wouldn’t want play on the same team as Stafford either.
By Wrecker1
January 22, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
I agree with Joseph. Johnson has stated his intent to focus on school this semester and may figure that playing in this ball game is only going to affect his draft position by 1 or 2 places either way and a good showing at the combine may be more important.
By st simons
January 22, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
45 to 42 ! hahahahahhahahaha
By guffaw
January 22, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this
I’ve had intensive purposes before….it’s bad!
By BravesFan79
January 22, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this
Steve January 22, 2009 11:55 AM:
The REAL question is who cares about College Football!?? I mean common its on the same level as a dog show… everyone prances around for position…. hoping to get “votes”.
Im a bigger fan of the NFL… where the dogs actually FIGHT it out for #1 instead of prancing around in little pink dresses trying to impress the judges.
Face it… NOTHING college football offers even comes CLOSE to March Madness!!
If college football fans were smart, yall would ban together instead of all your dumb bickering about what school is better…. and FORCE the presidents to make a change by REFUSING to attend games!!
Go GT… and Go UGA!
Neither compare to the excitment of GT hoops making a run deep in march tho!!
By Kurt
January 22, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
Calvin Johnson will be nice and comfortable with Stafford throwing to him. It’ll be just like college: getting terrible throws where he can show off his great hands making sweet catches. Too bad they still won’t win. Free Calvin Johnson!
Zam Fredrick is a good player? Did you watch him when he was here? He was so good, he ran off to a sub-par SEC school. I didn’t even know he was still playing until I heard his name on sportscenter.
Cancer, poverty, global warming, the economy…. Damn you, Paul Hewitt! It’s all your fault!
Johnson should have played. Bad decision.
By Jimmy
January 22, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
Maybe Barrack Hussein can give CPH some of that bailout money and he can pay a couple of GT’s opponents. That way yall will have a couple of wins this season. Hahahahahahahahaha!
By Tampa Wreck
January 22, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this
Michael Johnson is way over rated. He’s fast and can run around mediocre college offensive linemen, but he totally disappeared when he went against good teams and good players… He has the physical skills, but I think he’s a bust in the NFL. I can’t believe any team would waste a first round pick on him.
So to answer your question.. no he shouldn’t play. It would only further expose his weaknesses and move him further down in the draft. He will do much better in combines where he can impress with his size and speed, but not have to actually play.
By Mike T.
January 22, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this
42-45 a fluke
By GTman
January 22, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this
Tampa Wreck’s assessment is right on. He is not going to the Senior Bowl, because in the practice sessions (where the scouts really make their assessments) he will get stoned by the talented O-linemen at the Senior Bowl.
I would love to see MJ do well in the pros, but if his Senior year is any indication he can NOT beat top level Offensive linemen. He was almost a non factor this year and his draft stock is falling faster than Obama’s bro-cred after that pathetic dancing display. He was a top ten pick at the start of the year. I will be surprised if he goes in the first round.
THWG and 45-42 is as close as UGAy gets for years. UGAy fan - sux for you that all you will have to play for is to win the GT game. Forget about winning NC, SEC, or even SEC East for……………….ever!!!!
By A Fluke???
January 23, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this
45-42 not a fluke. Sorry Mike T. But when your team gives up 409 rushing yards…..NOT A FLUKE!
By Mike T.
January 23, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
42-45 a fluke
you caught us when we were down. Had we played Tech on Jan 1 instead of MSU we would have done the same thing LSU did.
enjoy it while it lasts Nov.30 is approaching
By Mike T.
January 23, 2009 8:50 PM | Link to this
Correction Nov 28th. 2 days closer Oh Boy!