Cowboys showing interest in DL Brian Johnston

[dbair1967]

Cowboys | Team showing interest in B. Johnston
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:17:06 -0700

Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports that Gardner-Webb DL Brian Johnston is receiving interest from the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL | B. Johnston receiving interest around NFL
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:13:45 -0700

Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports that Gardner-Webb DL Brian Johnston is creating a huge buzz among NFL teams. One AFC team has said they hope he is still around when they select early in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

 

[NeonNinja]

This is the first that I've ever heard of him, can anyone shed some light on this kid?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

big, pretty fast DE who's a good edge-rusher

 

[jdnoyes]

Well...I haven't seen him play and I doubt anybody on the forum has, but I can give you the retread info from the net. He's 6'5" and 274 lbs. Wasn't at the combine but threw up some great numbers at his pro day including a 4.66 40, 35 inch vertical, and a mind blowing 4.18 short shuttle (faster than every running back at the combine except Mendenhall which he tied).

Had a lot of tackles for loss and 6 sacks as a Sr. With his quickness I'd assume he would play OLB for us...of course that may be the most talented position on the team. I don't think he'd play DE unless he has a lot of room to gain weight on that frame.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

sounds like a beast

 

[Bob Sacamano]

damn, dude can move

 

[theogt]

Height: 6051
Weight: 274
40 Yrd Dash: 4.66
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
10 Yrd Dash: 1.51
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.18
3-Cone Drill: 6.96

Damn. Those are nice numbers.

 

[jdnoyes]

Oh...and I forgot to write, his 10 yard split in the 40 was the same as DMac's. (at least so says NFLDraftscout)

 

[CATCH17]

Height: 6051
Weight: 274
40 Yrd Dash: 4.66
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
10 Yrd Dash: 1.51
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.18
3-Cone Drill: 6.96

Damn. Those are nice numbers.

My gosh those are some good numbers.

4.6 @ 6'5 275... Wow

35 inch vert

Can the guy play?

 

[theogt]

My gosh those are some good numbers.

4.6 @ 6'5 275... Wow

35 inch vert

Can the guy play?

His production isn't that impressive. It's not terrible, just not impressive for the level of competition. But man, those workout numbers are hard to pass up on.

 

[Tex]

But doesn't it scare ya when the production does not match the measurements? If this guy is a beast playing against small school not big time college or Pro level competition and puts up six sacks... sorry I would have to watch a LOT of tape to convince me....... I know NOTHING of this kid ! He may REALLY be good but.. sometimes its hard to project a kid to the next level. But this is like 3 levels ahead?

I know I am going to get slammed here but....... Sometimes you get lucky when you draft on pure potential.

Look I KNOW I am about to get jerked over here but........ I would draft a FOOTBALL PLAYER that has produced all his life that might measure tenth of a second slow at the combine. Someone like zach thomas. I would gamble on football players that had produced at a high level all their life rather then numbers. SOMETIMES being a tenth of a second slower running a forty doesnt translate to the football field where you saw the play and filled the hole faster then the kid that ran a 4.5 in shorts and jumped 5 inchs higher.

Thats where I would be different as a GM I guess. If you rate them equal then get the bigger, faster kid of course. But I want guys that can PLAY FOOTBALL. I do not want to teach them. I want someone that can play now. That has shown he can do that BEFORE. Kicked b u t t all their life. They grin when they even SEE a football field.

I want someone LIKE Ray Rice. Does not have to be him. But he is the kind of guy I would target.

Tex

 

[CATCH17]

Agreed Tex but thats how we ended up with a guy like Hatcher as well.

Even Demarcus Wares draft position had a lot more to do with his measurables than college production.

 

[Big Dakota]

But doesn't it scare ya when the production does not match the measurements? If this guy is a beast playing against small school not big time college or Pro level competition and puts up six sacks... sorry I would have to watch a LOT of tape to convince me....... I know NOTHING of this kid ! He may REALLY be good but.. sometimes its hard to project a kid to the next level. But this is like 3 levels ahead?

I know I am going to get slammed here but....... Sometimes you get lucky when you draft on pure potential.

Look I KNOW I am about to get jerked over here but........ I would draft a FOOTBALL PLAYER that has produced all his life that might measure tenth of a second slow at the combine. Someone like zach thomas. I would gamble on football players that had produced at a high level all their life rather then numbers. SOMETIMES being a tenth of a second slower running a forty doesnt translate to the football field where you saw the play and filled the hole faster then the kid that ran a 4.5 in shorts and jumped 5 inchs higher.

Thats where I would be different as a GM I guess. If you rate them equal then get the bigger, faster kid of course. But I want guys that can PLAY FOOTBALL. I do not want to teach them. I want someone that can play now. That has shown he can do that BEFORE. Kicked b u t t all their life. They grin when they even SEE a football field.

I want someone LIKE Ray Rice. Does not have to be him. But he is the kind of guy I would target.

Tex

Wrong forum buddy

 

[Big Dakota]

Draft Scout Snapshot: [FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-2]DS Rating on 08/12/07: #15 DE, #157/750 Overall, Projected: Rnd 5 rising[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-2]2007: Started all year at left defensive end leading the Big South and ranking third nationally with 24 stops for losses of 115 yards…His 24 stops for losses rank third on the school's season-record list…Led the team and ranked second in the league with six sacks for minus 41 yards…Recorded 74 tackles (34 solos) and led the squad with 22 quarterback pressures…Caused one fumble and deflected three passes…Made 74 plays vs. the run, holding the opposition to 9 yards on those rushing attempts (0.12 avg) and stopped those ball carriers for no gain on five other attempts… Registered 17 third-down plays, including eight vs. the run and had four more fourth-down stops…Collected thirteen tackles inside the red zone, including eight on goal-line plays. 11 GP; 11 GS; 77 TT, 14 TFL, 8 SK, 23 QBH, 2 FF; DPOY, 1st team All-Big South in '06. 11 GP; 11 GS; 59 TT, 12.5 TFL, 5 SK, 1 PBU, 15 QBH, 4 FF, 1 BLK; A first-team All-Big South Conference selection in '05. 9 GP; 7 GS; 58 TT, 5 TFL, 2 SK, 2 PBU, 10 QBH, 3 FF; Played outside linebacker as a true freshman in '04.[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[silverbear]

Height: 6051
Weight: 274
40 Yrd Dash: 4.66
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
10 Yrd Dash: 1.51
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.18
3-Cone Drill: 6.96

Damn. Those are nice numbers.

Sounds like a nice, big OLB to me... don't think he has the bulk to play DE in the 3-4... in the 4-3, sure, but not in the 3-4... but his agility numbers suggest he ought to be able to play OLB...

 

[Bryan8284]

Sounds solid. I wouldn't mind Calais Campbell either. Canty #2

 

[tunahelper]

With Ellis up in there in age, maybe a strong side OLB is a wise pick. Especially a guy who can develop over the years behind Spencer.

 

[dogberry]

Big Dakota's post shows Johnston playing OLB as a freshman. His production looks good (most blocking dummies had better production than I had in high school).

 

[CrazyCowboy]

this is what makes the draft so fun......the experts cannot figure it all out.

 

[cowboyjoe]

ok guys i have 5 draft guides and only one really said anything about him, here it is;
Brian Johnston Gardner Webb; 6-5 276 4.84 in 40; remember now with praticing, coaching yoiu can get your 40 times down;
Positives; Converted outside linebacker who outgrew the position. Can handle additional bulk. Long arms with large hands to defeat blocks. Drags down ballcarriers and plays better on the move. Has a powerful base to hold his ground. Punches with pop and consistently generates pressure.
Negatives; Work in progress. Quick to penetrate but redirection skills are just adequate. Runs into blockers, doesnt slip or avoid. Can be late off the ball. and doesnt have a natural feel. Could flatten and bend better off the edge. Doesnt always tackle with force.
In our View; Has value as an edge rusher but wont overpower NFL offensive tackles consistently. Level of competition is a major concern and evaluators must be convinced he can be effective in the NFL and play every down.

sorry found one more, but its short in sleepeer section in another magazine;
DE Brian Johnston Gardner Webb Disruptive small school star has good size 6-4 1/2 271, and stood out at the Hula Bowl recording four tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. joe