ECU's Chris Johnson Named 1st Team All-America

[TheCount]

there's a difference between saying he could play WR than he has to move to WR because he's weak

I don't think they are saying either of those things.

Not that I agree at all, but they are saying that some teams are considering moving him to WR. Not that they think his receiving skills are so good he could excel at WR or that his running skills are so poor he'd have to play WR to have a chance in the NFL.

 

[dbair1967]

u didn't answer my question

did you ask one?

David

 

[SDogo]

If we were looking for a full time replacement for Marion Barber I would be concerned with picking Chris Johnson but the matter of the fact is we are looking for a compliment back which you can get with Johnson. The added dimension is the threat he gives you catching passes, splitting out at WR and returning kicks. It's an added dimension this offense lacks. There are arguably 2 open RB positions. You can take the luxury of drafting Johnson and still find a "true" RB later.

 

[DFWJC]

Yes he needed some press because during the combine ESPN only talked about Dmacs 40 time i don't even think they showed CJ run at all.

Oddly, this is partially true. They actually cut to commercial on both of CJs runs....which was just crazy. They went on and on about Dmac the entire program (but he DMac did deserve some press). However, toward the end they starting giving CJ some love and after the combines were over, Johnson got a crazy amount of press....which he too, deserved. But yes, during the show, Dmac was getting all of the love. Hey, he is the top rated back afterall.

 

[DFWJC]

there's a difference between saying he could play WR than he has to move to WR because he's weak

That's right...huge difference. One is a complement on skill level and the other is a bit of a dis.

 

[jterrell]

And how good a rb is he now?
That's the point.
Similar skill set and similar size.
Similar production...both led the nation in all purpose yardage in thier last year of college.
Plus you have Chris Johnson's forty time as the ultimate X-factor.
If anything Westbrook's success is a bigger reason to draft Chris Johnson higher.

Westbrook has made 1 pro bowl and he did so in a season where he caught 90 passes.

Westbrook is probably a best case scenario for CJ and that's why he needs to go to a WCO.

I'd like him here just not at the cost of a first round pick. A 10 carry a game, 3 reception a game kick off returner just isn't worth a first rounder.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Westbrook has made 1 pro bowl and he did so in a season where he caught 90 passes.

Westbrook is probably a best case scenario for CJ and that's why he needs to go to a WCO.

I'd like him here just not at the cost of a first round pick. A 10 carry a game, 3 reception a game kick off returner just isn't worth a first rounder.

That's the one right there.

The Eagles spent what? A 3rd on Westbrook...

Blowing a 1st on Johnson is just goofy, but it could be argued that it would be goofy spending a 1st on any running back.

 

[DFWJC]

If we were looking for a full time replacement for Marion Barber I would be concerned with picking Chris Johnson but the matter of the fact is we are looking for a compliment back which you can get with Johnson. The added dimension is the threat he gives you catching passes, splitting out at WR and returning kicks. It's an added dimension this offense lacks. There are arguably 2 open RB positions. You can take the luxury of drafting Johnson and still find a "true" RB later.

I'm grudgingly with you on this. Still, I really like Johnson for many reasons and because he is known to be pretty disiplined in the workout room, I see him getting stronger still at the next level. By year two, he could be playing at his same speed but weighing 210. He already benches 350, so he has plenty of strength. Right now, I just would like to seen him somewhere were he can play to is strengths--which is in space.

I've said it before...I see his upside as possibly Wille Parker but with better hands. Hey add just a little more strength and he looks a bit like J Addai. To get real crazy, his size and running syle even look like ...gasp...TDorsett. I'm just not sure I would use a 1st round pick on him due to depth of RB class, potential real downside, etc.

Face it, CJs one of those guys that many on the board have agreed to disagree about. You can find reasons to like or dislike damn near any back in this draft. I've seen it both ways with CJ. For instance, using his schedule--which was slightly better than average nationally--is just looking for a reason to not like him (afterall L Tomilson played a weaker schedule when he was in school...as did many others).

But saying he should go at 22 is really pushing it (I'd even say pick 28 is pushing it slightly)....and saying that he has the same skill level as Westbrook may be a leap too. They do both catch the ball well, CJ is so much faster, and BW seems to have a diffenent style altogther...relying on great footwork. You see that in a lot of backs that are not super fast--otherwise they do not make it. Exceptions that have both "A" speed and "A" footwork are LT and B Sanders. But that is another discussion altogether.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Having a guy here with the return ability of a Devin Hester(Charlie Casserly said this on NFL path to the draft) and the versatility of a Brian Westbrook(my words) is definitely worth a 1st rd pick. Especially one(#28) that is 3 picks away from being a 2nd rder.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Having a guy here with the return ability of a Devin Hester(Charlie Casserly said this on NFL path to the draft) and the versatility of a Brian Westbrook(my words) is definitely worth a 1st rd pick. Especially one(#28) that is 3 picks away from being a 2nd rder.

I think you're making a lot of assumptions about Johnson's ability.

It's easy to play the "Well if he's as good as player 'x' then he'll be worth the pick"...

It's quite foolish to play that game also.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I think people are over valuing our 2nd pick a little bit and are like ohs noes why can't pick CJ there. When infact thats the perfect spot to pick him up i've seen arguments like you don't waste 1st round picks on backups can some one remind when Maurice Jones Drew was picked.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think people are over valuing our 2nd pick a little bit and are like ohs noes why can't pick CJ there. When infact thats the perfect spot to pick him up i've seen arguments like you don't waste 1st round picks on backups can some one remind when Maurice Jones Drew was picked.

"Over valuing"?

Are you kidding me?

Many would say Dallas got into the mess it did around the turn of the century just because we under-valued draft picks for so many years...

-- Taking reaches (C. Carter, Tony Dixon)
-- Trading away draft picks willy-nilly (Galloway)
-- Spending high picks on special teams players (Charlie Williams)
-- Spending high picks on guys with questionable attitudes (Ross, Larimore, Bryant)
-- Drafting for need rather than letting the draft come to them (A zillion blown picks on a DE, LaFluer)

From where I sit there is no such thing as "over" valuing a draft pick.

 

[TheCount]

Having a guy here with the return ability of a Devin Hester(Charlie Casserly said this on NFL path to the draft) and the versatility of a Brian Westbrook(my words) is definitely worth a 1st rd pick. Especially one(#28) that is 3 picks away from being a 2nd rder.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

I think people are over valuing our 2nd pick a little bit and are like ohs noes why can't pick CJ there. When infact thats the perfect spot to pick him up i've seen arguments like you don't waste 1st round picks on backups can some one remind when Maurice Jones Drew was picked.

Nevermind, there's a new winner.

Here, look for yourself where Maurice Jones Drew was picked. Here's a hint, it wasn't the 1st round.

 

[DFWJC]

The Count is on a roll.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.



Nevermind, there's a new winner.

Here, look for yourself where Maurice Jones Drew was picked. Here's a hint, it wasn't the 1st round.

60th pick...


That's almost the first round!

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I love CJ too but having him as a pet cat is just as bad as having Rice or Charles as your pet cat. The only way you draft one of them early is if RBs start falling off the board like flies. Heck I wouldnt be shocked to see Mendenhall fall. Teams have repeatedly shown that they dont like drafting RBs early and reaching for a guy in the first round when there are 3 others of similar value is just ********.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I love CJ too but having him as a pet cat is just as bad as having Rice or Charles as your pet cat. The only way you draft one of them early is if RBs start falling off the board like flies. Heck I wouldnt be shocked to see Mendenhall fall. Teams have repeatedly shown that they dont like drafting RBs early and reaching for a guy in the first round when there are 3 others of similar value is just ********.

If I agree Fuzzy do I get a hug?

What the hell, I'll agree even if Fuzzy isn't so free with the hugs today.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

I think you're making a lot of assumptions about Johnson's ability.

It's easy to play the "Well if he's as good as player 'x' then he'll be worth the pick"...

It's quite foolish to play that game also.

Assumptions? Is all there in black and white. He led the nation in all purpose yards, just like Brian Westbrook did. He is a weapon in the passing game as well as the running game, just like Westbrook. He avg 28 yds as a KR and has the ability to be as good as Devin Hester. Those aren't assumptions about his talent, the numbers back me up as well as the visual evidence.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

"Over valuing"?

Are you kidding me?

Many would say Dallas got into the mess it did around the turn of the century just because we under-valued draft picks for so many years...

-- Taking reaches (C. Carter, Tony Dixon)
-- Trading away draft picks willy-nilly (Galloway)
-- Spending high picks on special teams players (Charlie Williams)
-- Spending high picks on guys with questionable attitudes (Ross, Larimore, Bryant)
-- Drafting for need rather than letting the draft come to them (A zillion blown picks on a DE, LaFluer)

From where I sit there is no such thing as "over" valuing a draft pick.

Lets see

All American KR
above average RB
amazing reciving out of the backfield
blazing speed
lead the nation in All purpose ypg

isn't 1st round talent

I thought MJD went in the first round my bad.

 

[dbair1967]

Assumptions? Is all there in black and white. He led the nation in all purpose yards, just like Brian Westbrook did. He is a weapon in the passing game as well as the running game, just like Westbrook. He avg 28 yds as a KR and has the ability to be as good as Devin Hester. Those aren't assumptions about his talent, the numbers back me up as well as the visual evidence.

Here's where your problemo is GR...

college numbers really dont mean jack when projecting how a player will translate to the NFL. It's certainly part of it, but when you factor in his low level of competition and the fact he had only one quality yr there, it makes people wonder if he is worth a high pick...I am firmly of the belief he isnt worth a 1st rd pick, and probably not even a 2nd rd pick unless its very late (like where our pick is)...if I was grading him I'd put a 3rd rd grade on him...I dont think anyone in here really has a problem taking him in the late 2nd or 3rd rd, but almost nobody would want to see us use a 1st rd pick on the guy

David