Mosley: Hashmarks: Where to Next Tank? (suggests Dallas)

[JonCJG]

PFT

POSTED 6:20 p.m. EDT, June 26, 2007

COULD COWBOYS BE INTERESTED IN TANK? by Michael David Smith

Add the Cowboys to the list of teams that could have an interest in suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who was waived by the Chicago Bears Monday.

Matt Mosley of the ESPN Hashmarks blog reports that a member of the Cowboys organization told him that Johnson would be a "perfect fit" in new head coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. The Cowboys apparently consider it a positive that Johnson has spent his entire three-year career playing in a 4-3 defense, as they think 4-3 tackles have the kind of versatility to make them good fits for Phillips' defense.

Per Mosley, the Cowboys see Johnson as a versatile enough player to line up at nose tackle or at either of the defensive end spots. And Mosley notes that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't afraid of taking chances on troubled but talented players.

Johnson is certainly talented. As Gil Brandt noted before the 2004 draft (in an item that, so far as we know, he wrote all by himself), Johnson was the fastest defensive tackle in that year's draft class, running a 4.69-second 40-yard dash -- an excellent time for a guy who weighed 304 pounds.

That kind of talent is hard to overlook, but so is a looming eight-game suspension that could be lengthened depending on the outcome of Johnson's most recent run-in with the law. It seems unlikely that Johnson will play in the NFL in 2007, but there's apparently some
interest around the league.

​

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

PFT​

POSTED 6:20 p.m. EDT, June 26, 2007​

COULD COWBOYS BE INTERESTED IN TANK? by Michael David Smith​

Add the Cowboys to the list of teams that could have an interest in suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who was waived by the Chicago Bears Monday.​

Matt Mosley of the ESPN Hashmarks blog reports that a member of the Cowboys organization told him that Johnson would be a "perfect fit" in new head coach Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. The Cowboys apparently consider it a positive that Johnson has spent his entire three-year career playing in a 4-3 defense, as they think 4-3 tackles have the kind of versatility to make them good fits for Phillips' defense.​

Per Mosley, the Cowboys see Johnson as a versatile enough player to line up at nose tackle or at either of the defensive end spots. And Mosley notes that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't afraid of taking chances on troubled but talented players. ​

Johnson is certainly talented. As Gil Brandt noted before the 2004 draft (in an item that, so far as we know, he wrote all by himself), Johnson was the fastest defensive tackle in that year's draft class, running a 4.69-second 40-yard dash -- an excellent time for a guy who weighed 304 pounds.​

That kind of talent is hard to overlook, but so is a looming eight-game suspension that could be lengthened depending on the outcome of Johnson's most recent run-in with the law. It seems unlikely that Johnson will play in the NFL in 2007, but there's apparently some
interest around the league.​

Tank is soft....

 

[tunahelper]

Sign Him Up!

 

[adamknite]

Tank Johnson is awesome we should sign him.

 

[WoodysGirl]

As much as I'd hate it if it happened, I wouldn't put it past Jerry to sign him. Never thought they'd sign TO, but they did. Before some TO fans get their panties ruffled, not comparing the two, just that as unlikely a move as the TO signing was to me, Tank being signed is not impossible.

 

[BouncingCheese]

He certainly would fit a 3-4 DE, but we can use him as a NT in this defense since Fergy isn't exactly getting any younger.

I think he was too weak to handle being a DT in the 4-3, but maybe in the 3-4 he can play differently.

I like the guy talent-wise, but I am sure glad I am not the GM to have to make the decision of bringing him in.

 

[theogt]

As much as I'd hate it if it happened, I wouldn't put it past Jerry to sign him. Never thought they'd sign TO, but they did. Before some TO fans get their panties ruffled, not comparing the two, just that as unlikely a move as the TO signing was to me, Tank being signed is not impossible.

I never understood why people thought TO wouldn't happen. Seemed so incredibly obvious at the time, I thought. With this, the smoke is just filling the nostrils.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I never understood why people thought TO wouldn't happen. Seemed so incredibly obvious at the time, I thought. With this, the smoke is just filling the nostrils.

About as obvious as it seemed they were going to take Joey Porter and they took Quincy instead. Or as obvious as them supposedly going to take Stephen Jackson and they trade out... or when they took Ware over Merriman.

Nothing is ever as obvious as it seems. But I get your point.

 

[Big Dakota]

About as obvious as it seemed they were going to take Joey Porter and they took Quincy instead. Or as obvious as them supposedly going to take Stephen Jackson and they trade out... or when they took Ware over Merriman.

Nothing is ever as obvious as it seems. But I get your point.

When i first heard the TO runors i though, NO WAY. But it certainly looks like Jerry has backed off on the character thing. So Tank could end up in Dallas, even though i'd worry about the guy leaving us high and dry by doing something stupid. I'd also hate to become the team that picks up all the garbage, ala the Raiders. I still have to wear Cowboys colors(and i wear my cap every day just about) so i don't like guys making smart remarks about the Boys like they did in the 90's.

 

[gimmesix]

I think this is true. He is a perfect fit as a player.

I also think he's not worth the risk. Some players are. He isn't IMO.

It depends for me. If Johnson can keep himself out of trouble for the duration of his suspension (which is unlikely) and if he's willing to sign for the vet minimum (no bonus) for the rest of the season, I don't think the risk is too great.

Of course, it would also be a question of whether we need him at that point and whether we can open a roster spot without losing a player (either by sending a player to the practice squad or putting one on injured reserve).

That's a lot of stars to align.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

He certainly would fit a 3-4 DE, but we can use him as a NT in this defense since Fergy isn't exactly getting any younger.

I think he was too weak to handle being a DT in the 4-3, but maybe in the 3-4 he can play differently.

I like the guy talent-wise, but I am sure glad I am not the GM to have to make the decision of bringing him in.

Last time I checked a 3-4 NT is constantly double teamed and is primarily used to eat up space. You have to be stronger, especially in the lower body to play at 3-4 DT than in a 4-3. It is more wear and tear on the body.

It is a fact. Speaking of factoids, Brady Quinn be will in the pro bowl in 3 years.

 

[Big Dakota]

Last time I checked a 3-4 NT is constantly double teamed and is primarily used to eat up space. You have to be stronger, especially in the lower body to play at 3-4 DT than in a 4-3. It is more wear and tear on the body.

It is a fact. Speaking of factoids, Brady Quinn be will in the pro bowl in 3 years.

Wade scheme and Tuna's scheme are much different. In Wades scheme the NT will be shooting gaps and asked to be a lot more active than the "tie up defenders" NT Bill used. You really should read up more on the Cowboys and Wade's D. It's good stuff.

 

[Clove]

Please, no more 'selling your soul' to win another game or two......

:bang2:

What soul have we sold? We have a team full of saints "outside of TO" and we've done jack. This religious team is working out great.

 

[jobberone]

If he fails his BAT then he's gone for a year. If not then all he was doing was doing 40 in a 25. Even at 3AM. He needs a sponser that will be on him 24/24 for the next year or more. He's not without redemption. But if the BAT is high then he won't play at all next year.

Be careful JJ. Whoever takes a risk here could get a player for nothing but trouble. If it's only annoying trouble then it will be worth it. If he can't stay clean then JJ will get a bloody nose. I don't think Tank is going to do the things Pacman did. But that's an assumption.

 

[Alexander]

Please, no more 'selling your soul' to win another game or two......

:bang2:

:laugh2:

"Selling your soul?"

:laugh2:

I so love the colorful and dramatic analogies.

It is called taking risks.

No fire.

No brimstone.

No evil red men with horns.

No signing contracts with blood.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Wade scheme and Tuna's scheme are much different. In Wades scheme the NT will be shooting gaps and asked to be a lot more active than the "tie up defenders" NT Bill used. You really should read up more on the Cowboys and Wade's D. It's good stuff.

It doesn't matter if you are stunting, shooting gaps, or doing backflips. Playing NT in ANY 3-4 you have to be stronger and more physical than most 4-3 DT's. You really should read up more on a 3-4 defense or watch/play in a game were a 3-4 is utilized instead of reading into propoganda.

 

[Stash]

:laugh2:

"Selling your soul?"

:laugh2:

I so love the colorful and dramatic analogies.

It is called taking risks.

No fire.

No brimstone.

No evil red men with horns.

No signing contracts with blood.

Glad you feel 'entertained'.

You can call it 'taking risks' if it helps you feel better.

I call it like I see it.

Sacrificing your own standards by picking up another team's 'turd' with the hope that he'll make your team better.

And I'm hoping that Jones has learned from past mistakes.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

If Jerry even considers this I may have to fly my evil agent to his office to give him....

THE LOOK

 

[WoodysGirl]

Money would be the primary reason why Jerry would consider this. As would other teams.

per John Clayton

Tank for sale ... cheap

posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 | Print Entry

The phones initially will be quiet for former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson, but he may be able to land some kind of a job by the time training camp starts. For that to happen, Johnson would have to find a team confident enough to think it will be in the playoff race.

After being stopped by police in Phoenix at 3:30 in the morning last week for having the appearance of being impaired, Johnson will have to sit out eight games, figuring commissioner Roger Goodell won't let him back after six.

Still, Johnson is a valuable player at an important position and will come cheap. He was only scheduled to make $510,000, so the team willing to take the chance on him will get him for around $240,000 for a playoff run. Buffalo and New Orleans could be candidates.

 

[burmafrd]

Jerrah has pretty much sworn off guys that have a serious rap sheet. TO may be a real headache, but he has NOT had problems with the police.
THAT is the big difference many seem to miss. There is a huge difference between primma donna's like TO and THUGS like tank.