Curtis Johnson

[SilverStarCowboy]

Good observations by the original poster! Not only does Johnson seem to be making a lot of plays, but he is doing so against many of our first teamers.

I saw he beat Bennett twice in the above reports, and also beat Free and Barron. It's one thing if he's having his way with 2nd and 3rd teamers, but he seems to be playing well against everyone. Definitely a name to keep an eye on for sure!

If he continues to make plays before he season then you have to find a way to let CJ see time on the field.

 

[7footer]

If he continues to make plays before he season then you have to find a way to let CJ see time on the field.

I agree. I recently replied to a post about why I enjoy watching preseason games, and how Travis Bright was the guy who came from nowhere and really impressed me last season.

Curtis Johnson may be in the running to be the preseason breakout player of this year...I'll be keeping an eye on him for sure.

 

[Alexander]

Just read on article written on an interview done with Spencer where he was asked which of the young LB's was impressing him the most and the first and only name he mentioned was Octavien.. stay tuned for the preseason! haha

It would not shock me if Johnson has a nice preseason and gets hailed as the next Kalen Thornton by fans.

Octavien is the forgotten man. He is a very solid special teams player.

For that matter, so is Butler. That is why I would keep him over Curtis Johnson, who I think made several penalties when he actually did play on the unit last year.

Now, that said, I hope Johnson keeps playing well and flashes a little in preseason. I would not mind having a few players we can deal shortly before final cuts for a few low round draft choices or needed depth players, particularly at CB. There are a few teams that either are or will be hurting for depth at 3-4 OLB, like Miami, Denver and possibly New York. It is a good problem to have.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Octavien is the forgotten man. He is a very solid special teams player.

For that matter, so is Butler. That is why I would keep him over Curtis Johnson, who I think made several penalties when he actually did play on the unit last year.

Now, that said, I hope Johnson keeps playing well. I would not mind having a few players we can deal shortly before final cuts for a few low round draft choices or needed depth players, particularly at CB. There are a few teams that either are or will be hurting for depth at 3-4 OLB, like Miami, Denver and possibly New York. It is a good problem to have.

Thankfully, only forgotten by a few fans and mediots, not the coaching staff or players around him. I honestly wouldn't mind keeping all of them. They all have potential and you can never have enough pass rushers in the 3-4, and OLB is the "pass rushing position" if you will. They all bring something to the table. I say 6 OLB's and 4 ILB sounds good to me. Might be one more than usual to keep but i think its worth it.

 

[Alexander]

The Cowboy outside linebackers are the dogs that eat up an opposing team's offense. If they are being let loose and reeking havoc, then this defense will match or better their level of shutting down opponents as they did last season.

I would also exercise a little caution when feeling too good about the group. I think we have two excellent starters and two with potential to be a good backups in Williams and Butler. These are low contact practices, so if we see big plays from the likes of Johnson in live action, I will start to believe.

 

[LucaBrasi]

I still have not seen him make a tackle in a real game

what Butler had three sacks last year

Including an absolutely huge shoestring of McNabb in the first Philly game last season.

CuJo might be flashing and I know the coaching staff seemed to be down on Butler at points last year but I like a guy that shows up and makes plays in spot duty like Butler.

 

[Alexander]

I say 6 OLB's and 4 ILB sounds good to me. Might be one more than usual to keep but i think its worth it.

That would not be impossible, but it would be a luxury. It might come down to five OLB, or even four depending on what else happens. The third QB, sixth WR, tenth/eleventh OL, fifth CB and even possible extra kicker will have an effect. I keep Octavien regardless as I think he could also go inside if necessary, where we were planning to work him. And again, he's got the special teams mentality and does it well.

Like I said before, I hope they all play lights out and we have some chips to put in play late in the preseason when teams start fishing for talent.

 

[superpunk]

I think this is most likely. All three have brought pressure at times, and I think that will keep them around.

I think in Wade's defense, you'd almost have to be comatose to NOT get pressure from the OLB position.

 

[Alexander]

I think in Wade's defense, you'd almost have to be comatose to NOT get pressure from the OLB position.

Very true, and he collects them like trading cards.

 

[Bluefin]

Octavien is the forgotten man. He is a very solid special teams player.

For that matter, so is Butler. That is why I would keep him over Curtis Johnson, who I think made several penalties when he actually did play on the unit last year.

Steve Octavien's ticket for the 53 is special teams, but the coaches not using him on defense will work against him.

Victor Butler and Jason Williams are currently running first team on specials, Octavien and Curtis Johnson are not.

Brandon Williams is projected to be the relief rusher behind the starters, so he should be a lock for the game day 45 provided health, but everyone else hoping to be active will need to bring it in the third phase to do so, IMO.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

That would not be impossible, but it would be a luxury. It might come down to five OLB, or even four depending on what else happens. The third QB, sixth WR, tenth/eleventh OL, fifth CB and even possible extra kicker will have an effect. I keep Octavien regardless as I think he could also go inside if necessary, where we were planning to work him. And again, he's got the special teams mentality and does it well.

Like I said before, I hope they all play lights out and we have some chips to put in play late in the preseason when teams start fishing for talent.

Gotta keep him for sure. I wish some of these spots we would cut down where its not necessary. McGee shouldn't even make this team. Keep a PS guy and don't waste the roster spot.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I think in Wade's defense, you'd almost have to be comatose to NOT get pressure from the OLB position.

Look its Prison Mike again!

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think in Wade's defense, you'd almost have to be comatose to NOT get pressure from the OLB position.

Didn't Spears say the same thing about playing DE in Wade's system?

 

[gimmesix]

I think in Wade's defense, you'd almost have to be comatose to NOT get pressure from the OLB position.

Although you're probably being facetious, I don't think that's an apt description. Phillips is going to find a way to pressure the quarterback, and that's why ILBs like Bradie James have success in the scheme, but the OLBs, for the most part, have to be able to create pressure like 4-3 DEs.

It's not like we're hearing about Johnson, Williams and Butler looping inside to come free or being left unblocked, but rather that they are beating the tackles and tight ends to get pressure.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Although you're probably being facetious, I don't think that's an apt description. Phillips is going to find a way to pressure the quarterback, and that's why ILBs like Bradie James have success in the scheme, but the OLBs, for the most part, have to be able to create pressure like 4-3 DEs.

It's not like we're hearing about Johnson, Williams and Butler looping inside to come free or being left unblocked, but rather that they are beating the tackles and tight ends to get pressure.

This is early Training camp.. you realize that's the only reason you arn't hearing about stuff like that right now?

Stunts and things like this are the wrinkles that make the 3-4 D what it is. Pittsburgh is a team that did it very well. If you keep bringing pressure from different spots, people don't know where to line up to get the matchups they want. This is textbook of how you should play in a 3-4. You don't just line Ware up on an end every play and have him rush straight ahead. You throw them different looks to keep them off balance with what we're doing.

 

[WoodysGirl]

2:49 [Comment From SId SId: ]
Keep hearing Curtis Johnson is being very disruptive, does he have a shot at the gameday roster?


2:50 Tim MacMahon (ESPNDallas): He's a long shot at best. I don't think he'll make the 53-man roster. If they keep five OLBs, Steve Octavien has the advantage of being a proven special teams performer.

 

[Bluefin]

2:50 Tim MacMahon (ESPNDallas): He's a long shot at best. I don't think he'll make the 53-man roster. If they keep five OLBs, Steve Octavien has the advantage of being a proven special teams performer.

But would we keep Steve Octavien as the fifth OLB when he would very likely be inactive for every game?

Provided health, the top four will be active. Victor Butler is running first team on specials right now while Octavien and Brandon Williams aren't.

But Williams' role as the top reserve outside 'backer has his spot secure.

Octavien didn't play as a linebacker at all last season and was active due to Jason Williams and Curtis Johnson struggling on specials.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

But would we keep Steve Octavien as the fifth OLB when he would very likely be inactive for every game?

Provided health, the top four will be active. Victor Butler is running first team on specials right now while Octavien and Brandon Williams aren't.

But Williams' role as the top reserve outside 'backer has his spot secure.

Octavien didn't play as a linebacker at all last season and was active due to Jason Williams and Curtis Johnson struggling on specials.

It doesn't matter who's playing on the first special teams units right now. This guy is a beast and he was one of our top special teams performers last year. You need backups like this on your team and he would almost certainly be active on gamedays. He has another year of knowing the defense now as well, and i've heard the coaches talk about him somewhat and Spencer just came out the other day when asked who was impressing him the most out of the young LB's and named Octavien. Can't overlook the importance of ST either.

 

[Bluefin]

It doesn't matter who's playing on the first special teams units right now.

So the coaches think so little of special teams they don't care who they have practicing it during traing camp?

This guy is a beast and he was one of our top special teams performers last year.

And the Cowboys tried to use Jason Williams and Curtis Johnson instead of Steve Octavien on specials last year. They only turned to Octavien when the other two struggled.

I don't have anything against Octavien and fully understand the value of special teams, but the Cowboys want players who can contribute on defense in addition to the third phase.

Octavien isn't viewed as a linebacker by the staff, he's just a specials player and that makes it hard to be active on game day.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

So the coaches think so little of special teams they don't care who they have practicing it during traing camp?



And the Cowboys tried to use Jason Williams and Curtis Johnson instead of Steve Octavien on specials last year. They only turned to Octavien when the other two struggled.

I don't have anything against Octavien and fully understand the value of special teams, but the Cowboys want players who can contribute on defense in addition to the third phase.

Octavien isn't viewed as a linebacker by the staff, he's just a specials player and that makes it hard to be active on game day.

If you're going to make a statement like that you should probably have some kind of evidence to back that up. Seems pretty ridiculous to me.