Question about travis johnson

[fball]

I'm trying to get a feel for how good this guy is, if he was in last years draft who would go first vince wilfork , tommie harris, or travis johnson, and who do you think he plays like in the nfl ?

[Bayern]

Thats a very good question actually.... I've been trying to figure out how good this guy is and I don't see many FSU games. What is he 6'4 300lbs? Hell his size alone should plug up the o-line.

[keyfro]

tommie harris in my opinion would have gone first overall of them...then travis johnson then wilfork and here's why:

tommie harris...no weight problems...no off the field issues
travis johnson...no weight problems...but some off the field issues
vince wilfork...a lot of weight problems...but not a lot of off the field issues

some teams don't mind a guy who is 347 or 360...but a lot of teams do including us and that's why he would be the last DT picked amongst the three

[Vinny]

He has been compared to Cory Simon. If you go to yahoo NFL section there is a short highlight film on him. I think he has a game much like Gary Walkers. When Gary went to the pro bowl he was more of a penetrating DL than anybody else we had on this roster. If you notice, last year we had nobody to give us inside push in passing situations. Blowing up the pocket from the inside leads to the outside guys getting more sacks because the QB has to flush to one side or the other and we just didn't get that from any of our linemen last year. Hopefully Walkers turf toe is healed and TJ will give us two guys who can penetrate in 2004.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by fball

I'm trying to get a feel for how good this guy is, if he was in last years draft who would go first vince wilfork , tommie harris, or travis johnson, and who do you think he plays like in the nfl ?

I'd probably prefer Wilfork to him but in our system I'd probably take Travis Johnson over Harris. I think Harris is best suited for a 4-3. I know many say that about Johnson also...but Harris has more of a quickness/finesse game than Johnson does overall.

[fball]

There is one thing I don't understand about the 3-4, I thought that the 3 down lineman on the 3-4 were supposed to do nothing but block or clear the way for the 4 linebackers to make plays, so why do they want them to penatrate and leave the linebackers open to get blocked?

[Vinny]

You are right on the running plays. On passing plays it does no good just to take up blockers. Someone needs to disrupt the QB and make him move outside the pocket. The pocket is the safest place for a QB and easiest place to protect him on the field. One reason Carr is sacked so much is because its almost impossible to protect a guy when you don't know were he is. Blowing up the pocket from the inside is something that didn't happen much last year when we were on defense.

[fball]

why do they not know where he is?

[Blake]

I just dont understand how NE got VW at 21-22 area.... That makes me sick.

[michaelm]

Originally Posted by DC_ROCK

I just dont understand how NE got VW at 21-22 area.... That makes me sick.

a lot of people wanted us to take him @ 10... I'm glad it worked out the way it did!

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by fball

There is one thing I don't understand about the 3-4, I thought that the 3 down lineman on the 3-4 were supposed to do nothing but block or clear the way for the 4 linebackers to make plays, so why do they want them to penatrate and leave the linebackers open to get blocked?

People say that a little too simplistically. Good 3-4 D's also get pressure collapsing the pocket so the QB is flushed where he is a better target for the OLB's. With no pressure up the middle, the QB just steps up into the pocket if there is edge pressure and lets the tackles ride the outside pass rushers on a long trip around the pocket and out of the play. Our pressure production from the DL does need improvement (sacks since I have never found a QB hurry source, by DLmen):

Houston 4.5
Pittsburgh 12
Patriots 15.5
San Diego 8.5

[ComstockLode]

He barely was getting playing time his junior year. If he would have came out, he would have been drafted later than second round.

His senior year was his breakout year.

[nunusguy]

Though the Texans have shelled out the bucks to sign and/or retain
their starting DL, Texan players at that position have practically been ignored in the draft. And for that matter, none of the starters themselves were even drafted on the first day. With TJ they did a complete 180 degree turn.
TJ was not only drafted the first day, he was taken in the first round as our
top selection in this years draft as we all know. Its not unusual for DTs to go
high, because in 3 of the last 4 drafts there were 3 DTs taken among the top
dozen picks. So its usually a premium position, but not for the Texans. So
they must have really liked TJ, or just felt that there was a tremendous drop
off in talent after him and Marcus Spears. But it is kind of surprise that a lower pick was not used by the Texans, because the top tier DTs usually end
up in the 4-3s.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by fball

why do they not know where he is?

Because when you are blocking for the QB you have your back to him. You have to assume he is in the pocket. Once Carr steps out of the pocket it is nearly impossible to keep your body between you and the defender. If he is in the pocket you pretty much know exactly where you have to push your man. If you don't know where the QB is after 1-2 seconds you are in trouble as a lineman.

[Youngstown Colt]

He probably would have gone second, after Wilfork, Tommie Harris was grossly overrated his senior year.

[keyfro]

i don't know how you can say harris was overrated...he started up in chicago they absolutely love him and are looking forward to another solid season with him next year...i don't think he was overrated...if you look at how much he was double-teamed that year there is no wonder his production dropped

[El Tejano]

For some reason I feel this guy will be like Warren Sapp in his younger days except without the mouth.

[Vinny]

http://store.houstontexans.com/produ...entPage=family

[TexasAggie]

Vinny - What is the co$t of your teaching sessons? :woot

[Grid]

woot! that looks nice. Ive got my Red Johnson, my White Davis, and by Blue Robinson.. soon as i get the cash im gonna go buy a Blue T. Johnson, a White Carr, and a Red Babin.