Chris Johnson - RB ECU (1 Viewer)

[ImTheScientist]

What are your thoughts on Chris Johnson. Is he just another tatum bell or does this guy have a future.

 

[Sweet Love]

Even though I live in NC, I have not seen him play. My first question when I went to look up his stats is that in his Jr. year, he only had about 200 yards rushing and as a frosh and sophomore he had over 1000 yards combined in rushing. He played in 13 games his Jr. year, so why the drop off. Did someone on the team unseat him as the starter for the year?

 

[ImTheScientist]

Per NFLdraftguys.com

Chris Johnson (East Carolina 4SR) 5'10" 195 Combine Invite: YesAfter bouncing between slot receiver and RB in 2006, Johnson got off to a sporadic start as the featured runner this season. Once in the Conference USA schedule, he began to settle in and produce as a rusher more consistently. He had 147 yards rushing and 2 TDs on 24 carries in a win at Houston on 9/29/07. The next week he set a school record with 372 all-purpose yards and scored four TDs in a win against Central Florida. He had 89 yards and 2 TDs on the ground, five receptions for 89 yards as a receiver, including a 72-yard TD, and almost 200 yards on 4 kick returns, including a 96-yard return for a TD. He followed that up with his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season in an OT win at UTEP. Johnson and ECU struggled against what had been a poor Wolfpack run defense. He managed just 63 yards on 19 carries and lost a fumble that was converted to a TD in the loss. He bounced back with 79 yards and a score on 15 carries in an easy win against UAB. At Memphis the following week on 11/3/07, Johnson had the crown jewel of his breakout season. He shredded the Tigers with TD runs of 16, 44, 70, and 50 yards on his way to a career-high 301 yards rushing (just over 15 ypc). Out of a single-back set he went untouched until in the end zone on an off-tackle left he bounced outside for the 16-yard run in the first quarter. Up 14-3 early in the second quarter, Johnson ran the same play to the right and weaved through traffic before breaking away for the 44-yard score. After an early TD in the fourth quarter by Memphis kept hope alive, put the game away with just over five minutes left. In an I-formation, he took a handoff right and while QB Rob Kass committed to finishing a fake end round to the receiver, Johnson raced untouched 50-yards to seal the victory. He added 12 yards receiving and 95 in kick returns for another career best of 408 all-purpose yards, breaking the school record he set earlier in the year against Central Florida. In a loss at Marshall the following week, he was limited to 12-72-1 and 2-45-0. After a bye week, Tulane and the conference's best run defense came to Greenville. Johnson ran over them for 155 yards on 27 carries, including scores on runs of five and seven yards. He also caught four passes for 85 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass. ECU drew #24 Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl where Johnson flashed all his skills for a rare national audience. His first impact came with the Pirates down 7-3 in the first quarter as he lined up to the right of the QB in a shotgun. Johnson took the handoff left turned up through the line bouncing off a couple defenders before taking off down the left sideline and gaining separation from pursuers as he raced to a 68-yard TD. He then took a screen 18 yards for a TD reception in the second quarter to help the Pirates build a 21-point lead. With a seven-point lead late in the game, ECU recovered a fumble and looked in position to run out the clock with less than two minutes to play. However, Johnson had the ball knocked out on his second run of the series and it was returned for a TD to tie the game. After a 30-yard return by Johnson on the subsequent kick gave ECU decent field position, they were able to drive for the game-winning FG. Johnson finished the game with 223 rushing yards, 32 receiving yards and 153 yards on six kick returns for an NCAA Bowl record 408 all-purpose yards, tying his total from the Memphis game. Johnson had the misfortune of playing in the same conference with the two top statistical rushers in FBS (Tulane's Matt Forte' and UCF's Kevin Smith), so despite finishing with 236-1,423-17 rushing and 37-528-6 receiving, he was only a second-team RB on the C-USA All-Conference team. However, having set multiple team and conference records as a returner, he was also recognized as the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year. Johnson got an invite to the Senior Bowl, but hurt his left shoulder in the second practice and was done for the week. He is expected to be fine for the Combine. Johnson was a poor man's Devin Hester heading in to the 2007. He showed elite speed (the team timed him at sub-4.3 in the 40 last year) to create game-breaking plays and was already a top kick returner, but lacked a true position. After breaking out as the conference's All-Freshman RB of the year in 2004, his productivity as a runner declined in 2005. Last year he was primarily a receiver, which led to my original exclusion of him. However, he emerged as a feature RB this year and finished the season leading FBS in all-purpose yardage. Johnson lacks the fundamentals and instincts of an RB, getting by on his athleticism, but has improved this year thanks to an excellent work ethic. His obvious improvements as a runner include running low with good pad level through the line and bouncing off arm tackles. However, he tries to bounce everything outside to hit the home run, which won't work at the next level. He has good hands and has been successful as a receiver, but runs a bit too clunky in routes. Ball security has been a consistent problem, not helped by unusually small hands. He lacks ideal size for a feature RB, but is stronger despite a lean frame. An elite kick returner, he is the perfect prospect for a change of pace back with potential to emerge as more. Johnson should have a 'wow' effect on scouts and front office personnel not familiar with him at the Combine and continue rising up draft boards. When you consider his return ability with promising, if raw, skills to be more, I can't see him going later than the second round.

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

Dude is crazy fast.... but almost every run on that video he was bouncing it outside or running through a canyon. That's the nature of "highlight" videos, I guess, but it doesn't give us a good picture of his overall abilities.

Looks like an impressive returner, for sure. He's obviously got explosive speed, and a little shake and bake to go along with it.

Intriguing prospect, a la Jerious Norwood.

 

[aposulli]

My opinion from another thread:

The first player that comes to mind in comparing Chris Johnson to an NFL talent is Devin Hester (with hands). Doesn't exactly bode well for a workhorse RB. But that's not how he'll be used in the NFL. For this reason, Johnson will be drafted higher in the NFL draft than he should be in fantasy drafts. His toughness and lack of experience running between the tackles in college leaves much to be desired. Much like a bigger back who naturally will try to bowl over defenders, he will naturally be the kind of scatback that will be trying to run around defenders, limiting his playing time in the pros. IMO, he will be a better offensive weapon than Hester because of his pass-catching ability, but his inexperience running in tight spaces will doom him to be nothing more than potentially a RB2 in a PPR league, or one that gives bonus points for Return yardage/TDs.

That was pre-combine.He did about what I expected at the combine. Comparatively, Hester had a 38 Inch Vert with a 10'4" Broad Jump. Hester ran a 4.35 40 at his Pro day, better than his Combine time.The question still remains though, can Johnson be a 3 down-RB in the NFL with that build? Weighing in at the combine at 197 did him no favors. The comparisons to NFL RBs at his Height and Weight are hard to find... well... to be honest, they don't exist. I think Johnson can retain his explosiveness with another 10 lbs, but really he probably won't get any bigger than a guy like Devin Hester is right now.He's going to need to develop an L.T./Barry-like slipperiness if he ever is to be considered a starting NFL RB, and even then, I don't believe any team will give him more than 20 offensive touches per game.All that said, he will be the second most explsoive return-man the moment he enters the NFL.

 

[aposulli]

Dude is crazy fast.... but almost every run on that video he was bouncing it outside or running through a canyon. That's the nature of "highlight" videos, I guess, but it doesn't give us a good picture of his overall abilities.,

Looks like an impressive returner, for sure. He's obviously got explosive speed, and a little shake and bake to go along with it.

Intriguing prospect, a la Jerious Norwood.

Youtube "highlight" videos are very overrated in evaluating RBs.And, even by comparison, Norwood has about 15 lbs. on Johnson! Granted Norwood's got skinnier legs.

 

[Orgazmo]

Does anyone recall how Westbrook did between the tackles at Villanova?

 

[aposulli]

Does anyone recall how Westbrook did between the tackles at Villanova?

To be fair, Wesbrook is alot thicker than Johnson. I do not recall how great he was between the tackles, but I'd imagine alot better considering he is the short, stocky type. (he was listed at 5'8" at the combine)Westbrook is a heck of a lot more slippery than Johnson is, albeit an unfair comparison since Westy's a veteran, but I do believe Johnson can be nearly as good of a weapon out of the backfield as Westbrook.

 

[Dope]

Does anyone recall how Westbrook did between the tackles at Villanova?

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[Orgazmo]

To be fair, Wesbrook is alot thicker than Johnson. I do not recall how great he was between the tackles, but I'd imagine alot better considering he is the short, stocky type. (he was listed at 5'8" at the combine)Westbrook is a heck of a lot more slippery than Johnson is, albeit an unfair comparison since Westy's a veteran, but I do believe Johnson can be nearly as good of a weapon out of the backfield as Westbrook.

I wasn't trying to make a direct player comparison. I just don't believe Tiki and Westy were drafted to be "the man", and I doubt Johnson will be drafted with that in mind. BUT, if their college playing experiences are similar there's hope. I just can't remember how complete West and Tiki's game was back then.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Brian Westbrooks College Stats

Brian Westbrook

SELECTED BY ST. LOUIS , ROUND 3, PICK 28, OVERALL PICK 91

RB | (5-8, 200, 4.58) | VILLANOVA | COLLEGE STATS

By Pro Football Weekly

Notes: Was not heavily recruited out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsburg, Md. because he partially tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and injured his hip while competing in a slam-dunk contest and missed most of his senior year on the football field. Was also a point guard on a very good basketball team. Wound up at Villanova in 1997, where he played in all 13 games as a freshman and rushed 97 times for 630 yards and seven touchdowns (6.5 yards per carry) and had 12 catches for 113 yards and four TD's. Team's big offensive gun in '98, when he carried 200-1,046-10 caught 89-1,144-15 and had 836 return yards (25 kickoff returns for 694 yards and one TD, and 15 punt returns for 192 yards) to lead Division I-AA in all-purpose running with 275.1 yards per game, despite the fact he was taken off the return units with three games left to prevent him from wearing down. Fell on a patch of black ice over the winter and fully tore the same left ACL that he partially tore in high school. Tried to play without having his knee completely reconstructed after rehabbing for nearly six months, but when fluid built up, he had to have the surgery. However, came back in 2000 to carry 179-1,220-15, catch 59-724-5 and return 38 kickoffs for 1,048 yards and two scores. Led Division I-AA in all-purpose running for the second time in three years with a 272-yard-per-game average. Was named the Player of the Year in the Atlantic Ten Conference and was third in the voting for the Walter Payton Trophy, which goes to the best player in NCAA Division I-AA. In '01, Westbrook carried 249-1,603-22 (6.4-yard average), caught 59-658-6, returned 17 kickoffs for 440 yards and one TD and eight punts for 122 yards. Led Division I-AA in all-purpose running for the third time and won the Walter Payton Trophy as the best player in NCAA Division I-AA.

Positives: Has dominated his league and division as both a runner and receiver who will line up in the slot at times. Is quick to and through the hole and sudden. Runs with very good vision, balance and pad level, and while a compact runner, he will surprise you with his ability to run inside. However, he is at his best when he bounces outside or fakes inside and goes wide and gets the corner turned. Will make the first man miss and, at times, will make multiple moves and make more than one tackler flail for air. Has very large hands for somebody his size and catches the ball well and can catch the ball going downfield with his hands while outstretched. Also looks very good and natural returning kickoffs and can return punts.

Negatives: Lacks size and size potential. Powerful for size but lacks the power to break a lot of tackles on the next level. Is not that fast but is quick.

Summary: Might be an every-down back in the NFL but will probably be a passing-down back and return man who also sees considerable action on first and second downs. Showed he could play with the big boys at the Senior Bowl, much like Dave Meggett did a number of years ago.

 

[Orgazmo]

Thanks Scientist. And apparently Tiki was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, so his game was probably well rounded.

I guess if I draft Chris in FF, I personally can only expect Kevin Faulk or Dave Meggett upside unless a number of circumstances fall his way.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Thanks Scientist. And apparently Tiki was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, so his game was probably well rounded.I guess if I draft Chris in FF, I personally can only expect Kevin Faulk or Dave Meggett upside unless a number of circumstances fall his way.

Another option is if your league starts DF/ST you select the team he goes to because he will be one hell of a return guy. Maybe a team drafts him expecting a Devin Hester like performance on ST.

 

[aposulli]

Brian Westbrooks College Stats

Brian Westbrook

SELECTED BY ST. LOUIS , ROUND 3, PICK 28, OVERALL PICK 91

RB | (5-8, 200, 4.58) | VILLANOVA | COLLEGE STATS

By Pro Football Weekly

Notes: Was not heavily recruited out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsburg, Md. because he partially tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and injured his hip while competing in a slam-dunk contest and missed most of his senior year on the football field. Was also a point guard on a very good basketball team. Wound up at Villanova in 1997, where he played in all 13 games as a freshman and rushed 97 times for 630 yards and seven touchdowns (6.5 yards per carry) and had 12 catches for 113 yards and four TD's. Team's big offensive gun in '98, when he carried 200-1,046-10 caught 89-1,144-15 and had 836 return yards (25 kickoff returns for 694 yards and one TD, and 15 punt returns for 192 yards) to lead Division I-AA in all-purpose running with 275.1 yards per game, despite the fact he was taken off the return units with three games left to prevent him from wearing down. Fell on a patch of black ice over the winter and fully tore the same left ACL that he partially tore in high school. Tried to play without having his knee completely reconstructed after rehabbing for nearly six months, but when fluid built up, he had to have the surgery. However, came back in 2000 to carry 179-1,220-15, catch 59-724-5 and return 38 kickoffs for 1,048 yards and two scores. Led Division I-AA in all-purpose running for the second time in three years with a 272-yard-per-game average. Was named the Player of the Year in the Atlantic Ten Conference and was third in the voting for the Walter Payton Trophy, which goes to the best player in NCAA Division I-AA. In '01, Westbrook carried 249-1,603-22 (6.4-yard average), caught 59-658-6, returned 17 kickoffs for 440 yards and one TD and eight punts for 122 yards. Led Division I-AA in all-purpose running for the third time and won the Walter Payton Trophy as the best player in NCAA Division I-AA.

Positives: Has dominated his league and division as both a runner and receiver who will line up in the slot at times. Is quick to and through the hole and sudden. Runs with very good vision, balance and pad level, and while a compact runner, he will surprise you with his ability to run inside. However, he is at his best when he bounces outside or fakes inside and goes wide and gets the corner turned. Will make the first man miss and, at times, will make multiple moves and make more than one tackler flail for air. Has very large hands for somebody his size and catches the ball well and can catch the ball going downfield with his hands while outstretched. Also looks very good and natural returning kickoffs and can return punts.

Negatives: Lacks size and size potential. Powerful for size but lacks the power to break a lot of tackles on the next level. Is not that fast but is quick.

Summary: Might be an every-down back in the NFL but will probably be a passing-down back and return man who also sees considerable action on first and second downs. Showed he could play with the big boys at the Senior Bowl, much like Dave Meggett did a number of years ago.

The description does sound similar to Chris Johnson, except two things: Johnson is obviously quick and VERY fast. However, Johnson has small hands, unlike Westbrook, who apparantly has large hands.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

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[ImTheScientist]

 

[awesomeness]

If he can bulk up without losing too much speed, he should be very good.

 

[ImTheScientist]

If he can bulk up without losing too much speed, he should be very good.

Would you say the same for DMAC?

 

[EBF]

I think he stands a real chance of sneaking into the first round of the NFL draft. But is he closer to Dung Canidate or Brian Westbrook? That's the question with Johnson.

 

[aposulli]

I think he stands a real chance of sneaking into the first round of the NFL draft. But is he closer to Dung Canidate or Brian Westbrook? That's the question with Johnson.

Well no way he's Trung Candidate. He is Hester at worst. He will be a Pro Bowler one day soon, especially if he's in the AFC

 

[EBF]

I think he stands a real chance of sneaking into the first round of the NFL draft. But is he closer to Dung Canidate or Brian Westbrook? That's the question with Johnson.

Well no way he's Trung Candidate. He is Hester at worst.

So he's the best return man in the history of the league? He's got upside, but I wouldn't go that far yet. I see your point though. He's one of those dangerous players who can make something happen every time he touches the ball. Maybe it's best to describe him as a poor man's Reggie Bush. He doesn't seem to have the same skills as a runner or receiver, but he has a bit of that hybrid/twweener thing going on.

 

[cacksman]

All that said, he will be the second most explsoive return-man the moment he enters the NFL.

I think Ted Ginn will have something to say about that.