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LSU lineman has size for NFL, but strength needs work
By CHAREAN WILLIAMScjwilliams@star-telegram.com
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Getty Images
Herman Johnson, who played right tackle in the Senior Bowl, is projected as a second- or third-round pick in the NFL Draft. Getty Images Related Tags
LSU guard Herman Johnson has been big his whole life.
He is believed to be the biggest baby ever in the state of Louisiana, weighing 15 pounds, 14 ounces when he was delivered. He was 23 1/2 inches long.
He was 411 pounds when he showed up to LSU as a freshman, and then-teammate Marcus Spears began calling him "House" because Johnson was "as big as a house."
Johnson created some oohs and aahs from scouts when he stepped on the scales at the NFL Scouting Combine. He weighed 364 pounds, 30 pounds lighter than he had two months earlier.
Johnson began working with Houston-based fitness trainer Danny Arnold the day after his collegiate season ended.
Arnold, who also trains other big men such as Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers, told me Johnson had been eating two super-sized meals a day. A nutritionist now has him eating smaller portions five or six times a day, and Arnold said Johnson will hire a personal chef when he gets to the NFL.
"He’s still got a ways to go," Arnold said. "I don’t mean so much necessarily loss of weight, but more the sense of just improving. He’s a kid that has a whole upside. He’s got a lot more talent in there."
Johnson played right tackle at the Senior Bowl, and with the longest arms of any prospect at the combine, he could play tackle in the NFL. But whether he plays guard or tackle, Johnson will have to get stronger. He had only 21 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press, or four fewer than USC kicker David Beuhler.
"There’s a lot of defensive tackles that are like 350, 360 [pounds]," Johnson said. "I know I’ve got to lose weight, but you just can’t go in there and be real light and not have any kind of strength, because these guys are a lot quicker and faster and stronger in the NFL. In college, you have some guys with potential, but in the NFL, it’s a whole other story."
Johnson is projected as a second- or third-round pick.
Where does Crabtree go?
Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree needs surgery to repair the stress fracture in his left foot. He might not run the 40-yard dash before the draft, leaving lingering questions about his speed.
Still, many mock drafts have him going to Seattle at No. 4. (Although, the Seahawks could address the receiver position in free agency.)
Seahawks coach Jim Mora said at the combine that he hasn’t yet evaluated Crabtree.
"From what I’ve seen on TV — from television watching the games — …he certainly looks the part," Mora said at the combine. "He’s a physical-looking kid. He’s made big plays in big games. He’s had tremendous production in college, but I don’t know him personally, and that’s a part of the puzzle, getting to know him and finding out what makes him tick."
Chiefs are in need
New Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley was asked to assess the 2-14 team he inherited.
"I know we have a pretty good punter right now," Haley said at the combine.
Dustin Colquitt averaged 44.4 yards per punt last season, with a 39.2 net.
Try and try again
Sage Rosenfels is the seventh veteran quarterback Brad Childress has had since he became the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach before the 2006 season. That doesn’t count Drew Henson, who was on the Vikings’ practice squad for a time.
Minnesota gave up a fourth-round choice for Rosenfels, the third time they have traded a draft pick to acquire a quarterback. In 2006, they traded defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and a seventh-round choice to the Jets for Brooks Bollinger; in 2007, they gave the Philadelphia Eagles a sixth-round choice for Kelly Holcomb.
The Vikings also have swapped picks to move up to take quarterbacks. In 2006, they sent two third-rounders to the Pittsburgh Steelers to take Tarvaris Jackson in the second round. Last year, they traded a fifth-round choice and a seventh-rounder to the Green Bay Packers to select John David Booty in the fifth round.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
By CHAREAN WILLIAMScjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Related Content
Getty Images
Herman Johnson, who played right tackle in the Senior Bowl, is projected as a second- or third-round pick in the NFL Draft. Getty Images Related Tags
LSU guard Herman Johnson has been big his whole life.
He is believed to be the biggest baby ever in the state of Louisiana, weighing 15 pounds, 14 ounces when he was delivered. He was 23 1/2 inches long.
He was 411 pounds when he showed up to LSU as a freshman, and then-teammate Marcus Spears began calling him "House" because Johnson was "as big as a house."
Johnson created some oohs and aahs from scouts when he stepped on the scales at the NFL Scouting Combine. He weighed 364 pounds, 30 pounds lighter than he had two months earlier.
Johnson began working with Houston-based fitness trainer Danny Arnold the day after his collegiate season ended.
Arnold, who also trains other big men such as Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers, told me Johnson had been eating two super-sized meals a day. A nutritionist now has him eating smaller portions five or six times a day, and Arnold said Johnson will hire a personal chef when he gets to the NFL.
"He’s still got a ways to go," Arnold said. "I don’t mean so much necessarily loss of weight, but more the sense of just improving. He’s a kid that has a whole upside. He’s got a lot more talent in there."
Johnson played right tackle at the Senior Bowl, and with the longest arms of any prospect at the combine, he could play tackle in the NFL. But whether he plays guard or tackle, Johnson will have to get stronger. He had only 21 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press, or four fewer than USC kicker David Beuhler.
"There’s a lot of defensive tackles that are like 350, 360 [pounds]," Johnson said. "I know I’ve got to lose weight, but you just can’t go in there and be real light and not have any kind of strength, because these guys are a lot quicker and faster and stronger in the NFL. In college, you have some guys with potential, but in the NFL, it’s a whole other story."
Johnson is projected as a second- or third-round pick.
Where does Crabtree go?
Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree needs surgery to repair the stress fracture in his left foot. He might not run the 40-yard dash before the draft, leaving lingering questions about his speed.
Still, many mock drafts have him going to Seattle at No. 4. (Although, the Seahawks could address the receiver position in free agency.)
Seahawks coach Jim Mora said at the combine that he hasn’t yet evaluated Crabtree.
"From what I’ve seen on TV — from television watching the games — …he certainly looks the part," Mora said at the combine. "He’s a physical-looking kid. He’s made big plays in big games. He’s had tremendous production in college, but I don’t know him personally, and that’s a part of the puzzle, getting to know him and finding out what makes him tick."
Chiefs are in need
New Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley was asked to assess the 2-14 team he inherited.
"I know we have a pretty good punter right now," Haley said at the combine.
Dustin Colquitt averaged 44.4 yards per punt last season, with a 39.2 net.
Try and try again
Sage Rosenfels is the seventh veteran quarterback Brad Childress has had since he became the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach before the 2006 season. That doesn’t count Drew Henson, who was on the Vikings’ practice squad for a time.
Minnesota gave up a fourth-round choice for Rosenfels, the third time they have traded a draft pick to acquire a quarterback. In 2006, they traded defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and a seventh-round choice to the Jets for Brooks Bollinger; in 2007, they gave the Philadelphia Eagles a sixth-round choice for Kelly Holcomb.
The Vikings also have swapped picks to move up to take quarterbacks. In 2006, they sent two third-rounders to the Pittsburgh Steelers to take Tarvaris Jackson in the second round. Last year, they traded a fifth-round choice and a seventh-rounder to the Green Bay Packers to select John David Booty in the fifth round.
Charean Williams, 817-390-7760
