At 300 pounds, he's eager for a nose job
A liberal dose
September 20, 2007
Somewhere between Tank Johnson's gun charges, talking about second chances and being released by the Chicago Bears there is the matter of Tank Johnson the football player.
And specifically how Tank Johnson the football player fits with the Cowboys and their defense.
Even if he hasn't played in a 3-4 scheme, and by the time he does play half the 2007 campaign could be gone, there is a confidence that the transition to playing a new position won't take too long.
'I don't think it will be much of a transition at all,' Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. 'Knowing the assignments will be different. The calls will be different. But he plays the same technique that Jason Ferguson plays.'
Which is one of the biggest reasons why they wanted the 25-year-old Johnson. His body type should be able to stuff the run and fill up the middle easier than current starter Jay Ratliff, who is a converted 3-4 defensive end. Johnson is listed as 6-foot-3, 300 pounds or 2 pounds heavier than Ratliff.
But he's 12 pounds lighter than Jason Ferguson, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. Johnson has, however, played an interior tackle position and has the body type.
Weight difference aside, the Cowboys hope that if Johnson makes a successful transition on and off the field, they will have an interior lineman not only for a stretch drive this season, but for the next few years.
'He runs well. His size and speed when he came out of college was phenomenal, relative to how he runs,' Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said. 'So those are the kinds of things that I'm looking to, that has to be there or you wouldn't be dealing with some of the other issues to get him on the field for us.'
There is the question of when Johnson can actually play. Had Johnson not signed with a team until his eight-game suspension was over, he'd be eligible for Week 9 of the regular season, Nov. 4. But because he signed with the Cowboys, he is on their eight-game schedule, which covers a bye week Oct. 28. That would make him eligible for the Cowboys game on Nov.11 against the Giants in New York.
There is some thought, however, that the Cowboys will appeal, and that Johnson could play Nov. 4 against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Whatever the date, Johnson has no doubt he can play. And play well in a system he's not familiar with.
'The 3-4 scheme is obviously one that is different than the one [a 4-3] I ran in Chicago, but I think it's conducive of a player with my ability to get up the field and rush the passer,' Johnson said. 'I've played nose [tackle] before, and I've actually had success at it. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity, mainly because the guys around me are so skilled.'
September 20, 2007
Somewhere between Tank Johnson's gun charges, talking about second chances and being released by the Chicago Bears there is the matter of Tank Johnson the football player.
And specifically how Tank Johnson the football player fits with the Cowboys and their defense.
Even if he hasn't played in a 3-4 scheme, and by the time he does play half the 2007 campaign could be gone, there is a confidence that the transition to playing a new position won't take too long.
'I don't think it will be much of a transition at all,' Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. 'Knowing the assignments will be different. The calls will be different. But he plays the same technique that Jason Ferguson plays.'
Which is one of the biggest reasons why they wanted the 25-year-old Johnson. His body type should be able to stuff the run and fill up the middle easier than current starter Jay Ratliff, who is a converted 3-4 defensive end. Johnson is listed as 6-foot-3, 300 pounds or 2 pounds heavier than Ratliff.
But he's 12 pounds lighter than Jason Ferguson, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. Johnson has, however, played an interior tackle position and has the body type.
Weight difference aside, the Cowboys hope that if Johnson makes a successful transition on and off the field, they will have an interior lineman not only for a stretch drive this season, but for the next few years.
'He runs well. His size and speed when he came out of college was phenomenal, relative to how he runs,' Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said. 'So those are the kinds of things that I'm looking to, that has to be there or you wouldn't be dealing with some of the other issues to get him on the field for us.'
There is the question of when Johnson can actually play. Had Johnson not signed with a team until his eight-game suspension was over, he'd be eligible for Week 9 of the regular season, Nov. 4. But because he signed with the Cowboys, he is on their eight-game schedule, which covers a bye week Oct. 28. That would make him eligible for the Cowboys game on Nov.11 against the Giants in New York.
There is some thought, however, that the Cowboys will appeal, and that Johnson could play Nov. 4 against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Whatever the date, Johnson has no doubt he can play. And play well in a system he's not familiar with.
'The 3-4 scheme is obviously one that is different than the one [a 4-3] I ran in Chicago, but I think it's conducive of a player with my ability to get up the field and rush the passer,' Johnson said. 'I've played nose [tackle] before, and I've actually had success at it. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity, mainly because the guys around me are so skilled.'
posted by The Gryphon at 7:54 AM
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