So you say we shoulda resigned Charlie Johnson huh?

by supercolt on Aug 5, 2011 11:35 PM EDT

In all fairness, I was in this group too particularly because of Charlie's unselfish sacrifice and utilitarian nature. I like others gasped when he was not resigned as a potential guard and Diem was picked back up. But for those of you who haven't gotten over the Polian's not making a stronger effort, please read the following description of events at a recent practice courtesy of rotoworld:

New Vikings LT Charlie Johnson was beaten like a drum by Jared Allen in his first practice with the team Thursday.

We don't usually do daily practice updates, but Johnson's beating was so severe that several Vikings beat writers were tweeting about the horrific effort on Thursday. He was going against the three-time All-Pro Allen, of course, but this has the potential to be one of the worst lines in football. Johnson is a natural guard -- not left tackle -- and LG Steve Hutchinson's play has bottomed out of late, particularly as a run blocker.

Poll

How do you feel about letting Charlie go in free agency now?

Wow, glad he's in Minnesota

143 votes

Nope, still wished we matched MN's offer

87 votes

230 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

He's a guard

We all know he’s average at best LT

by gmitch23 on Aug 5, 2011 11:51 PM EDT reply actions

Average?

If you say he’s average at best as LT then what would you say he was at guard? He was never better than average at any line position…

by Manning4Prez on Aug 6, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't read too much into one practice.

I have a friend who is a Vikes fan. I told him that CJ was not a very good LT, but one that found a way to get the job done. I wish he was a Colt, but not at the price he got. He is a stopgag at LT. I would’ve liked the insurance at T and to see what he could do at G.

I really liked CJ and appreciate what he did for the Colts. Without Peyton and his quick release, CJ’s limitations will really surface. This is a move the Vikings will really regret. As one reader pointed out on SB recently, over paying talent isn’t the problem, over paying mediocre talent is.

by strandedincarolina on Aug 5, 2011 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

Oh no!

Jared Allen, one of the best DEs in all of football, is beating a guy in practice who showed up three days ago and 1) Doesn’t know the offense, and 2) Is getting used to a new QB.

THE HORROR!

Come on.

Charlie is not Joe Smith or Jake Long, but he’s a reliable player. Bryannt McKinnie has tons more talent than CJ, but the Vikes signed CJ specifically because they wanted to cut McK. That should tell you how much faith they have in him to do the job.

Again, CJ is by no means perfect. But, he is a very reliable and versatile lineman. Vikes have him playing now while they develop the two rookie linemen they took in the draft. Makes total sense.

What doesn’t make sense is the Colts letting him walk when they have $15 mill in cap space. They made a mistake. Hopefully, not a costly one. If Castonzo is not ready to play LT, or if he gets hurt, the season is probably shot.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Aug 6, 2011 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

The Colts don’t have 15 million in cap space.

The same Florio dude who you cited as the source of the supposed 15 million, said they had less than 8 million in cap space, a few hours later.

Someone else suggested 3 of this 8 million might be only if the Colts borrowed from next year’s cap.

I don’t think the Colts made the mistake you are suggesting.

by moocow on Aug 6, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Yeah i heard that too

We only have/had like 7.9 million and 3 million of that is the “over” the CBA allowed…if we use that 3 million this then year it comes out of NEXT years cap

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Aug 6, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

They had to cut McKinnie

He showed up to camp at almost 400lbs when his playing weight is 335 lbs. He earns my Shawn Kemp award 2011.

"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy

by Mark Olson on Aug 7, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Whose Joe Smith?

Ah,…i bet you mean Joe Thomas

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Aug 6, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yea. the Browns LT

by moocow on Aug 6, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Freeney also had Castonzo spinning like a top in his 1st practice.

Only time will tell if the Vikings or Colts made a mistake with CJ. Manning’s quick release can make OL appear more talented than they actually are.

"Do you think this brain thing is a gimmick?" Bobby "the Brain" Heenan

by PV Mike on Aug 6, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The season is shot?

no one overreacts quite like you, BBS!

by NDMBoiler09 on Aug 10, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

no big deal

cj will get it together to his very average self. i wish the colts would have kept him but not for a lot of money. like bbs said, if castanza isnt ready, we dont have much for options.

it also would have been nice to plug him at lg t help castanza

by omahacolt on Aug 6, 2011 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

I really doubt he did much better here

When he had to go against freeney in practice, who is better than allen.

The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.

by It'sAlways18 on Aug 6, 2011 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

I voted for the first option, but really

I could care less either way. CJ was a good guy to fit into spots he was needed, but him being gone isn’t a huge detriment to the team either. I don’t think his absence will be either a benefit or a loss.

Dallas Clark: Some tight ends catch. Some block. Clark just owns.

by Sir Sci on Aug 6, 2011 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

CJ a natural guard?

I never understood where this notion came from. He was drafted to be a tackle. not a LT, a RT. he played tackle in college after switching over from TE. He was never a guard until the Colts put him there and performed well. Naturally, he is a RT

by metal_militia on Aug 6, 2011 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Didnt CJ play against the vikings in an actual game?

that seems worth a little bit more than a single practice (his first one for a new team, too).

by Rossaa on Aug 6, 2011 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

half a game

that is the game dungy benched ugoh

by omahacolt on Aug 6, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It's the position

I assume the reason he went to Minnesota is because the Vikings needed a LT to replace Bryant McKinnie while the Colts saw him as moving to RT or G to make room for Castonza. Since even a mediocre LT (like CJ) gets paid better than a solid RT or G (also like CJ), Minnesota was willing to pay him more. They’ll need to make sure he gets lots of help, just like the Colts have been doing the last couple years. But I assume he’s better than the Vikings’ other LT options, just like he was better than the Colts’ other LT options until Castonza came along.

by ex-Viking fan on Aug 7, 2011 12:53 AM EDT reply actions