He runs the 40 in 5.10 couldn't be any slower for a LB that's got to be the reason. He won't make our team. He is just an extra body in training camp.

agree. just an extra body.

we will be checking the waiver wire at the end of the month see if anyone pops free.

If he is so good then why go undrafted, and why was he available so soon after being signed by the Giants. Like I said before training camp fodder.

I am skeptical too, otherwise why would the Giants have released him. With that said, he was an All-SEC player and has produced in college at a high level. So while I think the odds are against him, he an intriging stone to turn over as our FO is fond of saying. I bet he lands on the practice squad.

I hope J. D. Folsom can cover because he might play alot.

IN 2 weeks teams will be looking to trade guys for late round picks. Or some teams will be flat out cutting guys to cut payroll.

We will find another ILB

who?

I'm glad we picked this guy up. If he can somehow make the team this year and undergo a full offseason of training to gain some speed...no doubt about his strength.

And I also had him in my original mock draft. Hopefully, he proves himself to be a valuable pickup.

You can always gain some speed, by developing your muscles, and training hard, he can break into the 4"5's If he really wanted too, and yes once he is fully healed, and if he trains hard he can be a valuable asset, because of his physicality.

Put some rockets on his shoes maybe?

Phinsfan2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mia1 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You can always gain some speed, by developing
> your
> > muscles, and training hard, he can break into
> the
> > 4"5's If he really wanted too, and yes once he
> is
> > fully healed, and if he trains hard he can be a
> > valuable asset, because of his physicality.
>
>
> Are you suggesting that a 260+lb ILB can go from a
> 5.1 to a 4.84 to a 4.59 or better just by working
> out?
>
> Take a look at that kid. He's got muscles on his
> muscles. He's not getting faster by training.
>
> Some people can pick up a .10 or .20 depending on
> what condition they are in. But NOBODY picks up a
> half a second in the 40 just by "training",
> certainly not when they are already in "pro
> football" condition.


I laughed. Mia1 have you ever actually played football, like high school or for that matter any sport that requires you run the 40 yrd dash. .5 seconds is a huuuuuge gap.

Phinsfan2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Are you suggesting that a 260+lb ILB can go from a
> 5.1 to a 4.84 to a 4.59 or better just by working
> out?


If it meant hard work and workout out would make you faster, Dan Marino would have been Randall Cunningham by about his 3rd season! lol

You certainly cannot make up .5 seconds by training. However, when he ran initially, he was coming off and injury and if the knee is not 100% then it certainly can effect your time dramatically. He timed better at his pro day and perhaps he is a little faster now.

Brandon Spikes is relatively slow too, but he may become a player for the Patriots because he reacts and plays fast. Let us not forget that technique significantly improves time in a 40, but that isn't reflected on the field. In fact, a different footwork entirely is required and you have to carry your pads.

I am not comparing this guy to Zach Thomas, but Zach was relatively slow too. He ran just under a 5 second 40. However, he made up for his short comings, by reacting faster, taking great angles, having a high motor, and knowing his job extremely well. Despite his speed Zach was also pretty good in coverage. Speed clearly isn't everything.

Johnson is a tough SOB and has some positive qualities. Give him some time through out camp to prove himself. Afterall, he was probably the best defensive player on his team that happened to play in the SEC. That, alone, tells me he has a chance. Maybe, just maybe, he is the proverbial diamond in the rough. Isn't it, at least, possible that he could one day prove to be our Devon Bess of the defense.

Let me be clear though. I have my doubts and tend to think he is a practice squad guy.

By the way, a report has it that he did well today and another said he chucked Ricky to the ground to get into the backfield.

Slow LB can compensate w/ good read and eyes to position themselves on run plays but once a player gets behind them its all over. Get the fastest guys out there.

Well thank you guys for not taking into account that he was comming off a injury that clearly slowed him down!

Yes I am aware that you can't gain all that speed by just working out, but you can cut weight, learn technique, improve your breathing, and build on your leg, and core muscles.

I don't know how much time you can shed, because I dont know about that stuff, obviously no one here unless they are trained in the arts of teaching people how to become better runners, can't really talk like you know what your talking about either.

Also there are techniques that are made to increase explosivness, and overall speed, that he might not do alot of or know about.

To sit there and think that a comming off injury player, who is a linebacker, who might not care, nor train to gain speed is assuming somthing.

Yeah I get it the guy will not gain all kinds of speed but Im sure if he did everything he could do, he could shed off some time.

mizzou15 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Slow LB can compensate w/ good read and eyes to
> position themselves on run plays but once a player
> gets behind them its all over. Get the fastest
> guys out there.

Zach Thomas made a career out of hitting guys in front of him. He wasn't good in pursuit, but his reads were so dead-on he didn't need to be. We've had faster LB's in the past, but none of them were as good as ZT.

Jonathan Twilley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You certainly cannot make up .5 seconds by
> training. However, when he ran initially, he was
> coming off and injury and if the knee is not 100%
> then it certainly can effect your time
> dramatically. He timed better at his pro day and
> perhaps he is a little faster now.
>
> Brandon Spikes is relatively slow too, but he may
> become a player for the Patriots because he reacts
> and plays fast. Let us not forget that technique
> significantly improves time in a 40, but that
> isn't reflected on the field. In fact, a
> different footwork entirely is required and you
> have to carry your pads.
>
> I am not comparing this guy to Zach Thomas, but
> Zach was relatively slow too. He ran just under a
> 5 second 40. However, he made up for his short
> comings, by reacting faster, taking great angles,
> having a high motor, and knowing his job extremely
> well. Despite his speed Zach was also pretty good
> in coverage. Speed clearly isn't everything.
>
> Johnson is a tough SOB and has some positive
> qualities. Give him some time through out camp to
> prove himself. Afterall, he was probably the best
> defensive player on his team that happened to play
> in the SEC. That, alone, tells me he has a
> chance. Maybe, just maybe, he is the proverbial
> diamond in the rough. Isn't it, at least,
> possible that he could one day prove to be our
> Devon Bess of the defense.
>
> Let me be clear though. I have my doubts and tend
> to think he is a practice squad guy.
>
> By the way, a report has it that he did well today
> and another said he chucked Ricky to the ground to
> get into the backfield.


I don't even think he is a practice squad guy. He will be cut outright.

Johnson tore his MCL in the Music City Bowl at the end of December. Just 8 weeks later, he ran those really slow 40 times at the combine. In his hurry to get back and run at the combine, he was also dealing with a strained quad. And about 10 days later, he managed to shave his 40-time down to 4.84 at his pro day. Going into the 2009 season, he was thought to be a guy who would run in the 4.75-4.80 range. Koa Misi ran a 4.75. Johnson is not a coverage guy in the molds of AJ Edds, or Karlos Dansby. But, he is a very physical defender against the run, and he's very strong. His 31 reps on the bench were 3rd best among LB at the combine. He was Kentucky's Mr. Football as a high schooler, including running for over 2600 yards with 46 TD his last 2 years. He was an SEC All Freshman selection, and a 2-time All SEC selection. Mel Kiper said you have to love "his fire and intensity." He has an uphill battle to make this football team, and he probably won't make it. But, don't write him off so easily. He's a good football player, and one who had a much better college career than Austin Spitler or JD Folsom. he may be one of the first cuts, but don't be surprised if he makes a real run at a roster spot.

Both Folsom and Spitler are far more athletic than this slow moving tub of goo. They both will make the roster before Johnson will. Folsom might be our fastest line backer and Spitler runs in the 4.7 range both would beat Johnson in a race by quite a few steps. I know Johnson is a good run stuffer and is physical, but he can't run with a tight end. If you can't do that then your chances of making this team are slim to none.

Finshady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Both Folsom and Spitler are far more athletic than
> this slow moving tub of goo.

Tub of goo? Have you seen any pictures of this guy?

Yes he is muscular and SLOW.

If Micah Johnson wants to win a roster spot, he will have to make plays in the preseason.

No excuses. He will get chances. Make a play

– Sparano, on the competition between J.D. Folsom, Austin Spitler and Micah Johnson for backup inside linebacker: “They’re all tied.”