2006 Scouting Report on Tank Johnson

[tunahelper]

Comment: Johnson has an explosive first step and can deliver a blow and disrupt plays. He can be an effective inside penetrator. He has above-average strength and athleticism. He showed a little pass-rushing flash in 2005 and even started to develop some moves. He has shown enough to encourage hope for more progress. But Johnson isn't natural on the field, and his instincts are questionable. He plays too high, loses his gap responsibilities and allows run lanes to open. He doesn't use his hands well, lets blockers into his body and struggles to get off those blocks. His feet stop moving too often, making him an easy blocking target. He isn't very effective without a clear path to the ball. He should be more productive on backside chase plays. He is inconsistent and seems to take some plays off. He seems to have added some bulk and strength, but he isn't a power player. He tore his quadriceps in offseason workouts, which could affect his availability and performance.

Tank will do well in Phillips 3-4.

He will penetrate the backfield and he will contribute the most on the nickel.

It will be a good signing.

 

[Clove]

Comment: Johnson has an explosive first step and can deliver a blow and disrupt plays. He can be an effective inside penetrator. He has above-average strength and athleticism. He showed a little pass-rushing flash in 2005 and even started to develop some moves. He has shown enough to encourage hope for more progress. But Johnson isn't natural on the field, and his instincts are questionable. He plays too high, loses his gap responsibilities and allows run lanes to open. He doesn't use his hands well, lets blockers into his body and struggles to get off those blocks. His feet stop moving too often, making him an easy blocking target. He isn't very effective without a clear path to the ball. He should be more productive on backside chase plays. He is inconsistent and seems to take some plays off. He seems to have added some bulk and strength, but he isn't a power player. He tore his quadriceps in offseason workouts, which could affect his availability and performance.

Tank will do well in Phillips 3-4.

He will penetrate the backfield and he will contribute the most on the nickel.

It will be a good signing.

I'm all for it personally, i'm certainly in the minority here.

 

[sago1]

Whether we sign him will depend on his physical condition and attitude & if Jerry/Wade/Ireland really believe he can help improve our defense. In any case he won't be available until bye week (8th week of season). Wonder if there any chance Jerry could get Goodell to lessen Tank's suspension even by 1 game for good behavior? OTOH, how long would it take for Tank to really contribute.

Jerry will offer him a fair deal and maybe long-term as well depending on his attitude & behavior both on and off the field. Thank goodness he'll not be on the roster until he eligible so no player will be cut until then.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Whether we sign him will depend on his physical condition and attitude & if Jerry/Wade/Ireland really believe he can help improve our defense. In any case he won't be available until bye week (8th week of season). Wonder if there any chance Jerry could get Goodell to lessen Tank's suspension even by 1 game for good behavior? OTOH, how long would it take for Tank to really contribute.

Jerry will offer him a fair deal and maybe long-term as well depending on his attitude & behavior both on and off the field. Thank goodness he'll not be on the roster until he eligible so no player will be cut until then.

Tank had his chance to get the suspension reduced and screwed it up.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We will need all the help we can get to reach our objectives

 

[YosemiteSam]

I don't want him. I think he is a decent player at best. His teammates in Chicago, made him look better than he actually is. Top it off with his questionable actions, and he isn't welcome in my opinion. We have more than enough players to play tackle in the nickel, and I would rather work with Remi to become the backup NT. The kid has the athletic ability, he is just a bit raw. Fergie is 32, it's time to start grooming someone else at least as a backup. While I think Ratliff has played very well at NT, the question is do we want to limit his explosiveness on the outside by keeping him inside and only being able to use that speed on stunts?

 

[AmishCowboy]

He's sure to come cheap, so why not?, especially since we might be able to make some kind of run in the weak NFC.

 

[Redball Express]

Tank had his chance to get the suspension reduced and screwed it up.

..is taylor-made for us to get him now.

If he hadn't screwed it up..he probably would already be signed and unavailable.

:starspin

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Tank had his chance to get the suspension reduced and screwed it up.

Im not so sure about that. He got arrested for something he didnt do.

 

[firehawk350]

It sounds like he's a pass rusher but not a run-stuffer. Sorta like what you have in Ratliff now, so why spend more money, go through the pains of him adjusting and possibly getting suspended and all that??? You need a huge body to tie up blockers, not somebody who looked good because they played aside one of the best, if not the best, DTs in the game.

Then again, I don't have a better option...

 

[RomoIsBack]

we need sombody like him

 

[Portland Fanatic]

It sounds like he's a pass rusher but not a run-stuffer. Sorta like what you have in Ratliff now, so why spend more money, go through the pains of him adjusting and possibly getting suspended and all that??? You need a huge body to tie up blockers, not somebody who looked good because they played aside one of the best, if not the best, DTs in the game.

Then again, I don't have a better option...

Because Spears is a bust and we need a disruptive DE...Tank can play both DE and NT in Wades 34.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Because Spears is a bust and we need a disruptive DE...Tank can play both DE and NT in Wades 34.

Umm, go back and watch the games and stop making uninformed statements based on other people who don't know what they are talking about says.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

Umm, go back and watch the games and stop making uninformed statements based on other people who don't know what they are talking about says.

Ummmm...I did go back and watch the game! I spent 3 hrs watching and rewinding over and over. Focusing mainly on Spears, Canty and Spencer.

Canty played well I thought and had more pressure then anyone is giving him credit for.

Spears on the other hand simply does not have a motor. He gets stone walled consistantly. I was very dissapointed in his ability to move anyone. And as far as all the double teams...sorry not all game long. He got doubled on some plays, but many he did not and when he wasn't he got hardly any push at all.

So I say to you...go back and watch the game before you make blind statements.

 

[BARRYRAY]

Well come on you can't get these kind of players without some kind of hickie on their resume, otherwise they would have been signed and I want to give a big amen to those who say Spears is a bust, only thing you didn't do was use all caps he's a BUST!! Besides come on a guy named tank you gotta love the moniker..

 

[TunaFan33]

It sounds like he's a pass rusher but not a run-stuffer. Sorta like what you have in Ratliff now, so why spend more money, go through the pains of him adjusting and possibly getting suspended and all that??? You need a huge body to tie up blockers, not somebody who looked good because they played aside one of the best, if not the best, DTs in the game.

Then again, I don't have a better option...

We nonetheless need some depth though.

Was over on the Chargers' MB the other day-they got a scare when Jamaal Williams had an injury, and they got worried b/c if HE goes down, they have nill depth at NT.

Hey-it's not like we're the only team that's having our share of problems.

 

[AdamJT13]

Ummmm...I did go back and watch the game! I spent 3 hrs watching and rewinding over and over. Focusing mainly on Spears, Canty and Spencer.

Canty played well I thought and had more pressure then anyone is giving him credit for.

Spears on the other hand simply does not have a motor. He gets stone walled consistantly. I was very dissapointed in his ability to move anyone. And as far as all the double teams...sorry not all game long. He got doubled on some plays, but many he did not and when he wasn't he got hardly any push at all.

So I say to you...go back and watch the game before you make blind statements.

I charted every defensive play and came away with a much different opinion of Spears' performance than you did. I marked him down for pressure three times, which is as much as I did for Ratliff and more than I did for Spencer (twice). Canty (four) had only one more than Spears, but three of his came in the final 3:10. Ware had the most, with six. Hatcher had none.

 

[Future]

I charted every defensive play and came away with a much different opinion of Spears' performance than you did. I marked him down for pressure three times, which is as much as I did for Ratliff and more than I did for Spencer (twice). Canty (four) had only one more than Spears, but three of his came in the final 3:10. Ware had the most, with six. Hatcher had none.

Rather than going back and watching the game, I'll just take Adam's word for it