Angus
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Where to Next, Tank?
June 26, 2007 2:43 PM
Even if defensive tackle Tank Johnson is suspended for the entire 2007 season, don't think for a second that teams won't be interested in giving him another shot.
You rarely have an opportunity to pick up a 6-3, 300-pound lineman capable of running a 4.7 40-yard dash off the street, and someone will be able to stomach the obvious P.R. hit.
Don't be surprised if Cowboys owner-general manager Jerry Jones is at the head of the line. He believes in taking risks on talented but troubled players (see Charles Haley and T.O.), and I assure you he will be tempted to sign Johnson at some point.
In fact, I just talked to a member of the organization who said Johnson would be a "perfect fit" in head coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. He said the Phillips scheme actually works better with inside players who have flourished in the 4-3, as Johnson has, because it requires them to line up at different spots along the line and use their quickness to make plays.
The Cowboys would love to have someone like La'Roi Glover back because he's a better fit in Phillips' scheme. Bill Parcells brought in Jason Ferguson because he had the size and strength required to hold the point of attack in the middle of the defense. He'll still play a major role in the defense, but he doesn't have the lateral quickness that Phillips craves.
Johnson has the versatility to line up at nose tackle and either of the defensive end spots.
He had 8 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons, and has Pro Bowl talent. And that's why he'll have to work really hard to ever completely run out of opportunities.
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June 26, 2007 2:43 PM
Even if defensive tackle Tank Johnson is suspended for the entire 2007 season, don't think for a second that teams won't be interested in giving him another shot.
You rarely have an opportunity to pick up a 6-3, 300-pound lineman capable of running a 4.7 40-yard dash off the street, and someone will be able to stomach the obvious P.R. hit.
Don't be surprised if Cowboys owner-general manager Jerry Jones is at the head of the line. He believes in taking risks on talented but troubled players (see Charles Haley and T.O.), and I assure you he will be tempted to sign Johnson at some point.
In fact, I just talked to a member of the organization who said Johnson would be a "perfect fit" in head coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. He said the Phillips scheme actually works better with inside players who have flourished in the 4-3, as Johnson has, because it requires them to line up at different spots along the line and use their quickness to make plays.
The Cowboys would love to have someone like La'Roi Glover back because he's a better fit in Phillips' scheme. Bill Parcells brought in Jason Ferguson because he had the size and strength required to hold the point of attack in the middle of the defense. He'll still play a major role in the defense, but he doesn't have the lateral quickness that Phillips craves.
Johnson has the versatility to line up at nose tackle and either of the defensive end spots.
He had 8 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons, and has Pro Bowl talent. And that's why he'll have to work really hard to ever completely run out of opportunities.
http://myespn.go.com/profile/hashmarks
You and me both!
