2010 NFL Draft: ILB Micah Johnson of Kentucky Is a Potential Dallas Cowboys

[cowboyjoe]

2010 NFL Draft: ILB Micah Johnson of Kentucky Is a Potential Dallas Cowboys Pick by Jonathan Bales
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Contributor Written on February 16, 2010
Andy Lyons/Getty Images As we have said before, the Cowboys may be in the market for a young inside linebacker. Bradie James and Keith Brooking performed well last year, but neither is getting any younger.

The 'Boys also have Bobby Carpenter, whose role is limited, and second-year player Jason Williams, whose work ethic has been called into question.

The team certainly wants to find out what it has in Williams but surely won't pass up the opportunity to draft someone they deem to be a difference-maker at the position.

Kentucky ILB Micah Johnson may be the perfect fit. Unfortunately, Johnson could miss the NFL Combine because of a knee injury. This could be a blessing in disguise for whoever selects him, though, as he figures to provide great value.



Scouting Report

Johnson is a physical freak, appearing to have zero body fat. At 6'2", 254 pounds, Johnson has prototypical size to play inside in a 3-4, though he really fits any scheme. He also has the requisite strength to match, and he uses it to effectively take on blocks from much heavier players.

Johnson is a hard hitter yet still plays under control. He can sometimes string plays out too long instead of always attacking downhill. Still, he has good sideline-to-sideline ability, even if his 40 time isn't eye-popping. Micah has the potential to be a three-down player at the next level, a trait the Cowboys sorely need, but only if he can stay healthy.



Projection

Because of his knee injury, Johnson could drop as low as the fifth round. If he is able to work out for teams before the Draft, he should rise up boards, perhaps to the back of the third, but more likely the fourth round. Dallas would get great value if they selected him there or afterward.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...tial-cowboys-draft-pick?utm_source=newsletter

 

[Woods]

The 'Boys also have Bobby Carpenter, whose role is limited, and second-year player Jason Williams, whose work ethic has been called into question.

I have not heard this before concerning J Williams at all. I call this BS.

 

[cowboyjoe]

The 'Boys also have Bobby Carpenter, whose role is limited, and second-year player Jason Williams, whose work ethic has been called into question.

I have not heard this before concerning J Williams at all. I call this BS.

I dont know how reliable the source is,, but as Hositle says, sometimes their stuff is BS etc... I just post what I find and let you make your own determinations and thoughts.

I learned along time ago, dont judge someone, because one time they might be right or have something important to say.

 

[Woods]

I dont know how reliable the source is,, but as Hositle says, sometimes their stuff is BS etc... I just post what I find and let you make your own determinations and thoughts.

I learned along time ago, dont judge someone, because one time they might be right or have something important to say.

I'm not calling into question their evaluation of M Johnson (I have no idea if that's accurate or not), but rather their call on J Williams.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I dont know how reliable the source is,, but as Hositle says, sometimes their stuff is BS etc... I just post what I find and let you make your own determinations and thoughts.

I learned along time ago, dont judge someone, because one time they might be right or have something important to say.

in other words, what if this guy could be a steal in the lower rounds due to his knee injury;
here is some info on him;

Micah Johnson
ILB, Kentucky
War Room analysis
MICAH JOHNSON MEASURABLES
Height: 6-2 Weight: 257
40-yard dash: 4.86




STRENGTHS: Has a thick, wide build. Is a good overall athlete with good lower-body flexibility. Shows solid instincts and is productive against interior running plays. Is physical with his hands; can shock and shed from blockers. Has a short burst to close on ball carriers; can uncoil hips to run through target.

WEAKNESSES: Has marginal playing speed, lateral range and agility in the open field. Is a liability in man coverage against tight ends and running backs. Gets little depth in pass coverage drops. Has only average reactions and lacks production in zone coverage. Lacks strong rush ability. Doesn't project to being a top special teams coverage player. Struggles to break down or change direction under control in the open field.

Bottom line: Johnson is a two-year starter in Kentucky's 4-3 scheme, but he projects best to an inside position in a 3-4 scheme. He is at his best against the run, but must be more consistent in wrapping up ball carriers in the open field. He is a liability in man coverage and doesn't project well as a pass rusher. We see Johnson as a solid priority free-agent prospect by a team with a 3-4 defensive scheme. He could make it as the last linebacker on a roster, or be a developmental player on in his rookie season, but he has little upside.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The 'Boys also have Bobby Carpenter, whose role is limited, and second-year player Jason Williams, whose work ethic has been called into question.

I have not heard this before concerning J Williams at all. I call this BS.

The *only* thing I remember is Wade saying something around mid-season to the effect that he had to learn how to be a pro, but that he had done that.

I took that to mean kind of like with Ogletree -- just learning how to bring it every day in practice even when you know you aren't going to be playing in the games. But it was hardly some huge indictment of the guy.

So basically, I call BS as well.

And Micah Johnson does sound like the kind of guy we need behind Bradie. Seems like there aren't many 245-250 ILBs this year.

 

[5mics]

The 'Boys also have Bobby Carpenter, whose role is limited, and second-year player Jason Williams, whose work ethic has been called into question.

I have not heard this before concerning J Williams at all. I call this BS.

Thank goodness, thought I missed something too.

 

[Alexander]

I have not heard this before concerning J Williams at all. I call this BS.

It might be BS, but you have to admit Williams did not seem to do that well before he got hurt and did not even have the impact on special teams everyone thought he would. He did not come close to threatening Carpenter's role in the least.

As for Johnson, it does not sound like he would be a candidate for the weakside, but moreso a backup for Bradie James in more of the run stopping role. He sounds intriguing.

ILB might be a surprise choice if Williams is not progressing. We will not have Brooking for more than another year or two.

 

[cowboyjoe]

It might be BS, but you have to admit Williams did not seem to do that well before he got hurt and did not even have the impact on special teams everyone thought he would. He did not come close to threatening Carpenter's role in the least.

As for Johnson, it does not sound like he would be a candidate for the weakside, but moreso a backup for Bradie James in more of the run stopping role. He sounds intriguing.

ILB might be a surprise choice if Williams is not progressing. We will not have Brooking for more than another year or two.

Bingo, exactly, you always want to be prepared with picks in the draft for the future, leaving no stone unturned.

thats what i was thinking to when i saw the article, because of his knee injury Micah Johnson might slip and fall in the draft and you can pick him up in the 5th to 7th round and he would be a good backup for inside linebacker to backup bradie, (remember we drafted bradie in the 4th round) with him being a big physical thumper, something we havent had in dallas way back when;

in other words can you imagine a big thumper at inside linebacker like a jeremiah trotter, ray lewis or Brian Urlacher that is dominating at inside lineback on run plays and pretty decent in pass plays? Micah Johnson might be just that player, now you have to do your homework, study film of the player and see if he fits our system.

I still have hope for jason williams too, i still think he will be dynamite, just needs some more time, remember bobby carpenter, it took him over 3 years to develop. BY the end of the year, i think or could possibly be at end of training camp that jason williams kicks bobby carpenter to the curb. You have to remember jason williams played outside linebacker, and the cowboys are asking him to be an inside linebacker, takes time to develop