SUMMER 2009 - DON'T FORGET - Curtis Johnson

Every year the NFL draft and free agency period dominates the attention of fans.  With all of the hype around draft selections, UDFA, and free agent acquisitions during the off-season it is easy to forget players who were already on the roster last year but were not often utilized in games.  Accordingly, the DON'T FORGET series will focus on those players who are already on the roster and for one reason or another, are being overlooked by the majority of Colts fans.

Curtis Johnson is a player many Colts fans probably don't know a whole lot about.  Fans may be aware that he was an UDFA acquisition after the 2008 draft, and may also remember seeing him in pre-season or from time-to-time on special teams during the regular season.  However, it may be in your best interest as fans to learn a bit more about Curtis Johnson.  In my opinion, Johnson is one player who will help make the 2009 Summer, and pre-season roster competition, fun to watch.

Curtis Johnson - Clark Atlanta

via cache.gettyimages.com

SACK V. TENNESSEE
COMBINE VIDEO - Says Kendall Langford But It Is Johnson

6'3", 242 lbs.
4.60 40 Yard Dash, 4.46 20 Yard Shuttle, 6.78 3-Cone Drill
26 Inch Vertical Jump, 25 Bench Reps

SENIOR SEASON STATS:
112 Tackles, 43 Assists, 27 TFL, 13.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, 6 PD, 1 BK

ROOKIE SEASON STATS:
5 Defensive Tackles, 3 Assists, 1 Sack - 6 Special Teams Tackles (In 7 Games)

2008 SCOUTING REPORT:  NFLDraftScout.com

Strengths: Type of player whose short-area burst off the line needs to be accounted for on every snap.  Has a violent hand punch that will generally see him gain advantage over a lethargic blocker.  True warrior that coaches won't have to worry about motivating.  Maintains good separation when he extends his arms in combat and when he shoots his hands with force, he has good success in shedding.  Gives excellent chase along the perimeter to cut off the runner and stays on his feet well, doing a nice job of stringing out plays.  Can clear his feet and run a long way to deliver a crunching tackle.  Stays alive and squeezes the pocket well. Can generate good power on his initial surge and has developed a strong rip move to rock the blockers back on their heels.  Has great timing as a gunner on special teams, adding more value to his resume with his pedigree on these units.

Weaknesses: For a down lineman, he lacks ideal bulk and strength to play at the point at the next level, as bigger blockers will have success bouncing and pushing him around, especially when working in-line.  Has good quickness coming off the edge, but has just decent timed playing speed.  More of a speed rusher when playing with his hand down, but does not have the anchor to hold ground vs. double teams.  Better attacking the backfield coming off the edge, as he doesn't have the raw power to get a good push when playing the blocker head-up. 

Compares To: JOEY PORTER-Miami - When Porter converted from college defensive end to pro linebacker, he was raw in his first few years before the light clicked upstairs. His strong hands have seen him have good success dislodging ballcarriers from the ball. With his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield, he will bring instant value in pass-rushing situations. He is also a very capable coverage defender on special teams. The big thing here will be getting Johnson a patient coach. Doing so could unearth a Pro Bowler before long.

One of the most notable comments regarding Johnson is that he isn't a quick study.  Accordingly, reaching his potential is something that will likely take some time.  After a full year to study the defense, learn from Freeney/Mathis and JT, it stands to reason that he'll be a much stronger player this summer than he was last year.  Of course, college scouting reports are not as important after a player has a year of NFL experience under his belt.  Accordingly, below I have included my observations from pre-season last year... since those observations are while he was on the Colts roster playing against NFL level competition.

2008 Pre-Season Analysis:

HOF Game - "Curtis Johnson was EVERYWHERE.  He got into the backfield often.  Disrupted opposing QBs, stopped running backs, even when he had to come from out of position to do so."

"Johnson's effort in the HoF game got my attention even more than Howard's.  The reason is that Johnson was not only effective getting pressure on Washington QBs, he showed me an ability to always be around the ball, making plays everywhere on the field.  That kind of hustle and effort is what we expect out of DEs and reminded me of how often Mathis and Freeney will be found making plays everywhere, to this day surprising us that they would make the stop on a given play."

Colts v. Falcons - "Johnson was impressive again, penetrating the offensive line regularly, making strong plays against the run and getting pressure. He is very fast and, again, he impressed me more overall than Howard because he does not play like he brings only pass rushing value but value overall.  Move Brock back inside now... we're totally stacked at DE, thanks."

Draft:  What Do We Really Need Anyway - "A guy who I think has been vastly undercovered and over-criticized is Curtis Johnson.  From what I saw of Johnson during pre-season play last year, and in the Tennessee game, I feel he is even more exciting as a prospective DE (or even situational DT) than Howard is.  Johnson is fast, has an excellent motor, and plays at a different level than most of the guys on our team, by way of his tenacity.  I am really looking forward to seeing Johnson develop and think he could be far more valuable than fans currently seem to expect."

FINAL THOUGHT

Curtis Johnson has really shown the ability to bring pressure off of the edge.  Additionally, he was a solid special teams player last year.  Consider that he was actvive for only seven games last year but was able to make 11 total tackles, including 1 sack and 6 solo special teams tackles.  Accordingly, he averaged just under a defensive tackle a game and a special teams tackle a game with limited time on the field.  He has had a full year to learn the defensive scheme, truly does play with a non-stop motor and had one of the most impressive special teams plays of the year last year.  I do not recall the exact game.  During a kickoff Johnson overran the returner, dropped to the ground, got back to his feet, chased down the returner and made the tackle.  A defensive lineman who can do that is someone worth keeping an eye on.  I, for one, really look forward to see how he develops this summer.