'14 FL LB Jakob Johnson (UT Signee 2/5/14)

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#1,951
#1,951
FWIW I think part of why our staff wanted JJ is because he's versatile and could end up at a few different positions in the front 7 depending on how he develops and what we need.

All the debate on here about where he ends up adds a little credence to his versatility IMO. It's obvious he fits SOMEWHERE, we're just not sure where yet and that's not necessarily a bad thing at this point in his career.
 
#1,952
#1,952
Darth_Shiveman said:
FWIW I think part of why our staff wanted JJ is because he's versatile and could end up at a few different positions in the front 7 depending on how he develops and what we need.

All the debate on here about where he ends up adds a little credence to his versatility IMO. It's obvious he fits SOMEWHERE, we're just not sure where yet and that's not necessarily a bad thing at this point in his career.
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If you believe madkins, coaches believe he's a top MLB in the whole country. If so, that's where he'll end up.
 
#1,953
#1,953
MikeVol44 said:
Sorry--yes, there are slow, tall people, too. But not many 6'4" SLOW people are recruited to be MLBs in the SEC.

My point--poorly worded as it was--was to emphasize that it will not be hard for Jakob to be faster than AJ--who looks like Tarzan, plays the run inside the tackles like Tarzan (most of the time), but runs like Jane.

It's no secret that I think AJ is one of THE most overrated guys to ever play the position at UT--2nd only to Fuad's son of a few year's back--and I'm not trying to be over-critical--just factual.

I'm just excited about the athleticism and abilities of our LB recruits for 14 and the possibilities in the '15 class. GREAT LBs are like Porsches in the SEC--NO SUBSTITUTE! :salute:

flame away.......
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So, All SEC is over rated. Got ya Copernicus.:crazy:
 
#1,956
#1,956
delfonic said:
There aren't a whole heck of a lot of 6'4" and 240 lbs kids out there who manage to stay that size on a college nutrition and strength program.
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Not necessarily, his regiment could be designed for him to maintain his weight. S&C programs are designed for kids to shed weight just as much as put it on.

240 is pretty adequate size to play MLB at. If that's where they see him, I don't think they'll require him to beef up even more, it could risk him losing some quickness.
 
#1,958
#1,958
Tennkook said:
Factual? Nah. It's your opinion, that is fine. But your opinion should never include words like "fact" or "factual".
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Just watch the tape of AJ's play--it doesn't lie. There's a reason he is staying--he's been informed that his skill set probably doesn't translate into anything earlier than a late 4th to early 5th round draft choice.

The FILM doesn't lie--and the FACTS are that He can't cover--and he gets lost many times against the teams with speed--looks like he's running in mud.

The sad FACT is that most don't know the difference because we've been so bad at the position for so long...

And--making tackles 5-8 yds down the field may pad your stats, but it doesn't make you good.

In FACT--just go back to last years interviews BEFORE the season with AJ to find out what our OWN coaches were telling him.

I'm glad he's staying to help teach our new recruits--but the TRUTH is that almost EVERY LB recruit we have this year is already BEYOND AJ's ability and skill set. :salute:

And like I said--FLAME AWAY....
 
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#1,960
#1,960
MikeVol44 said:
It's no secret that I think AJ is one of THE most overrated guys to ever play the position at UT--2nd only to Fuad's son of a few year's back--and I'm not trying to be over-critical--just factual.
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I will provide you with some facts regarding opinions.

FACT- When you include words such as "I think", that makes it your OPINION.

FACT- Personal OPINIONS are not FACTS.

Football related fact- In 2012 AJ had 138 total tackles / 63 of which were solo. This lead the sec. (followed by a respectable 106/60 in 2013)

*So...in the defensive dominate SEC, he was the leading tackler for 2012...yet is over rated?

*Many scouts and coaches told him that he would be best served to play college ball for another year...but he is over rated?
 
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#1,961
#1,961
MikeVol44 said:
The FILM doesn't lie--and the FACTS are that He can't cover--and he gets lost many times against the teams with speed--looks like he's running in mud.
As close as this point may be, it is still an opinion.

The sad FACT is that most don't know the difference because we've been so bad at the position for so long...
This is very obviously your opinion, I won't go any further, you and I both know this is not fact.

In FACT--just go back to last years interviews BEFORE the season with AJ to find out what our OWN coaches were telling him.
This is not really a fact, nor an opinion. You are simply giving me a command.
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I am not sure you know the definition of "fact".
 
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#1,964
#1,964
FWIW - AJ is only over rated on VN. The scouts rated him as a 5th round or lower pick. It is obvious why. He is not a cover LB. He is strong, but slower than most of his peers. He does not have good tackling technique or get through the gap at the point of attack well. He does not blitz often or well when he does. He pursues very well, which accounts for many of his tackles behind the LOS because our defenses have been horrid for the last several years at containing the edge. The NFL has more interest in SAM types even at Mike now because of the need for speed and versatility. The extra season will help AJ improve on his weaknesses, but there are several more talented LBs joining the roster in this class than AJ.
 
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#1,965
#1,965
MikeVol44 said:
Just watch the tape of AJ's play--it doesn't lie. There's a reason he is staying--he's been informed that his skill set probably doesn't translate into anything earlier than a late 4th to early 5th round draft choice.

The FILM doesn't lie--and the FACTS are that He can't cover--and he gets lost many times against the teams with speed--looks like he's running in mud.

The sad FACT is that most don't know the difference because we've been so bad at the position for so long...

And--making tackles 5-8 yds down the field may pad your stats, but it doesn't make you good.

In FACT--just go back to last years interviews BEFORE the season with AJ to find out what our OWN coaches were telling him.

I'm glad he's staying to help teach our new recruits--but the TRUTH is that almost EVERY LB recruit we have this year is already BEYOND AJ's ability and skill set. :salute:

And like I said--FLAME AWAY....
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I got blasted a few weeks ago for saying the same things. I absolutely agree with you. AJ is a good guy and I like the way he has comported himself, but a great LB he is not. I also think it has been so long since we have had a great MLB, that people have forgot what one is. Great MLBs put a hurt on ball carriers, they do not just grab them and hang on till they fall down. :good!:
 
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#1,966
#1,966
MikeVol44 said:
Just watch the tape of AJ's play--it doesn't lie. There's a reason he is staying--he's been informed that his skill set probably doesn't translate into anything earlier than a late 4th to early 5th round draft choice.

The FILM doesn't lie--and the FACTS are that He can't cover--and he gets lost many times against the teams with speed--looks like he's running in mud.

The sad FACT is that most don't know the difference because we've been so bad at the position for so long...

And--making tackles 5-8 yds down the field may pad your stats, but it doesn't make you good.

In FACT--just go back to last years interviews BEFORE the season with AJ to find out what our OWN coaches were telling him.

I'm glad he's staying to help teach our new recruits--but the TRUTH is that almost EVERY LB recruit we have this year is already BEYOND AJ's ability and skill set. :salute:

And like I said--FLAME AWAY....
Click to expand...

Although I generally agree about AJ, scouts misinterpret film all the time. It's a big reason there are so many busts and so many guys overlooked in the NFL draft.
 
#1,967
#1,967
volinexile17 said:
Although I generally agree about AJ, scouts misinterpret film all the time. It's a big reason there are so many busts and so many guys overlooked in the NFL draft.
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There are so many reasons for that. You can't blame it 100% on scouts. Scouts only tell the GM what they see.

Yes, AJ is only average, but that's alright he can improve.
 
#1,968
#1,968
Burger said:
There are so many reasons for that. You can't blame it 100% on scouts. Scouts only tell the GM what they see.

Yes, AJ is only average, but that's alright he can improve.
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AJ has also played in 3 defenses in 3 years. It makes you even slower to react to plays when the defense is both bad, and you haven't had the same system to learn and become natural with.
 
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#1,969
#1,969
Wolfeman_Vol said:
AJ has also played in 3 defenses in 3 years. It makes you even slower to react to plays when the defense is both bad, and you haven't had the same system to learn and become natural with.
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You're right. It sucks for him, but in any other situation in vol history, he would of been a DE. He would of been a great one. He's only a average MLB.
 
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#1,970
#1,970
MikeVol44 said:
And--making tackles 5-8 yds down the field may pad your stats, but it doesn't make you good.
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Among SEC linebackers, A.J. Johnson was 6th in tackles for loss with a respectable 8.5. Considering how bad our defensive line was and how good our opponents were, that's a very good number.

I actually think A.J. Johnson might make a better N.F.L. linebacker than what he's been here at Tennessee. In my observation, Johnson is a large run-stopping specialist in the mold of a Brandon Spikes or Jeremiah Trotter. Put him on the right defense, and he'd be a solid two-down starter at MLB. Unfortunately, our terrible defense and the quality of our opponents (especially spread teams like Oregon and Auburn) exposed weaknesses in AJ's lateral agility and pass coverage skills. If he gets drafted by a defense in a run-heavy division like the NFC North or AFC North, however, I think those weaknesses could be masked or mitigated.

Although he's a physical specimen, I don't think Jakob Johnson will be ready to play SEC football next year. If we question AJ's coverage skills, how could JJ possibly be better when he's barely familiar with basic rules and zone assignments? AJ returning is huge because it provides some continuity in our defense and allows the newcomers at LB (especially JJ) time to learn before just getting thrown out there like he was.
 
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#1,971
#1,971
Burger said:
You're right. It sucks for him, but in any other situation in vol history, he would of been a DE. He would of been a great one. He's only a average MLB.
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I doubt that. If he was a natural DE, NFL teams would be looking at him as a DE. I haven't heard anything but MLB. He doesn't have a great first step and he struggles using his hands to get off blocks. AJ would get manhandled if he had to play tackles every down.
 
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