A.J. Johnson Staying? (Unconfirmed)

#27
#27
gunner said:
AJ is a big hitter, but he bites on misdirection plays, and is terrible at pass coverage, especially covering a rb out of the backfield.

He should stay and improve his skills in theses areas, and after next season he stands a decent chance at getting drafted.
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I totally agree. I am really afraid that if he were to leave and go to the draft this year, he will never set foot on a football field again. I would see him maybe a very late round pick or free agent and then not make the cut.
 
#29
#29
aredfox28 said:
Shouldn't surprise anybody if he stays, constantly outta position, constantly taking bad angles, can't cover anyone outta the backfield.. another year might do him wonders..
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Wow. If this is the description of our most decorated and beloved defender, we're screwed again next year.

I think that assestment of AJ is a little much.
 
#30
#30
AJ takes a lot of criticism for his on field play but I think he's one of the best on the field. Sure there are some areas he could improve but the Vols would be even worse without him.
Hope he sticks around for his Senior year.
 
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#31
#31
Having AJ in the middle with Bates and Maggitt on the outside will provide a lot more speed. AJ's draft stock will also improve next year.
 
#32
#32
The good thing about him staying to me is that he can help guide our young guys coming in to feel his shoes. Plus I think one more yr in college could make AJ a lot better
 
#33
#33
I think having him back another year along with Bates and Maggitt will make him look even better to get drafted in 2015.
 
#34
#34
77' Vol said:
Having AJ in the middle with Bates and Maggitt on the outside will provide a lot more speed. AJ's draft stock will also improve next year.
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Don't know Weathered's speed compared to Bates or how quickly he will he grasp system/assignments but would think he has a better chance to be a starting OLB and you work Bates in on the outside and Mouhon MLB/OLB as the year goes on.

Bates speed/intelligence may make him a starter as a freshman (Johnson and Maggit did) but the two years of growth/weight etc Weathered has may be enough where we have quality Freshman RBs rotating in rather than starting and then starting next year.

Would think that is ideal but whoever gives the best chance to win and the other for depth
 
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#35
#35
BACKDOC said:
I hope he does great in the league, but if you look like you are running in molasses in college what will it be like at the next level?
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Manti Te'o looked looked like he was running in 4 feet of molasses when he played against bama, and he is in the league. I think Johnson could play in the nfl but he would probably be better off to come back for a another year and improve his draft stock.
 
#36
#36
Volunteer_Kirby said:
I did not see a thread about this so figured it was worth sharing. Positive news from the guys at VQ yesterday. They are usually money with these things.



-VQ, 12/27
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I was under the impression that The only rule about the War Room was to not talk about the War Room..I think it's just above the part that got C & P ed
 
#37
#37
I, for one, hope he stays. He brings maturity, motivation, and leadership; and, both he and Magitt will set a good tone for the up and coming younger guys.
 
#39
#39
aredfox28 said:
Shouldn't surprise anybody if he stays, constantly outta position, constantly taking bad angles, can't cover anyone outta the backfield.. another year might do him wonders..
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Covering out of the backfield may hold some merit, but one doesn't garner 100+ tackles by being constantly out of position and by constantly taking bad angles.
 
#40
#40
volfan1231 said:
AJ takes a lot of criticism for his on field play but I think he's one of the best on the field. Sure there are some areas he could improve but the Vols would be even worse without him.
Hope he sticks around for his Senior year.
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We would definitely be better off if he returns.
 
#41
#41
Generally, any junior projected to go later than the third round should consider returning for his senior year. There is a big drop off in contract pay after the third.
 
#42
#42
jimallvol said:
The good thing about him staying to me is that he can help guide our young guys coming in to feel his shoes. Plus I think one more yr in college could make AJ a lot better
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I just hope when the young guys come in to feel his shoes that nobody films it. That might be a little weird.
 
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#43
#43
AJ is a beast any way you wanna look at it. We need his play but even more importantly he makes other players on the field play with higher intensity. He's one of THOSE players. We need that leadership. He'll be a good pro whenever he does leave. For all the weakness finders, ALL players coming out of college have stuff they have to improve to get up to NFL starter level.
 
#44
#44
I hope he does come back, I believe it will be best for his NFL career hopes, obviously it will benefit our vols on the field if he stays. But most importantly I believe it helps from a leadership standpoint. He and curt are the leaders of our D. AJ. is one of the hardest workers on the team. He and curt would set great examples and lead not only our incoming LBs but our D as a whole.
 
#45
#45
supersmo18 said:
He should stay, IMO. I'm definitely no talent evaluator, but if someone like me can pick up his weaknesses just by watching it, then he'd be best served to stay another year and get better and faster.
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Sometimes, speed at the LB position is more about good instincts and play recognition. Those are the things that helped Manti Teo. NFL Scouts were shocked to learn (at the combine) that he had a very slow 40 time (think it was like 4.8). Burfict, an AZ St. LB a few seasons ago, had a ton of production, but slow 40 time as well. He's one of the best LB's in the league now...at Cincinnati.

Those are things AJ could certainly improve upon, with another year in college. I think he is probably more like a 4.6-4.7/40 runner, and that is plenty fast for a MLB. It's usually the OLB's where you want speed.

Having him and Maggit back + Weatherd will spell a nasty LB group. Going to be an interesting Spring, for sure.
 
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#47
#47
TNnative said:
Generally, any junior projected to go later than the third round should consider returning for his senior year. There is a big drop off in contract pay after the third.
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There is a BIG dropoff in pay after the top 10-15 in the 1st Rd. Chris Johnson was drafted by the Titans at 24 in the 1st Rd. Adrian Peterson was in the top 5-10. Peterson was getting paid about $7mill/yr vs CJ making roughly 1-2mill/yr.

To make matters worse, they now have the rookie salary cap. They are going to be stuck with a relatively weak salary (compared to veterans) for their first 4-5yrs...if they make it that long.

That's why it's a worthwhile investment to sharpen your game as much as possible before heading into the league. 1yr can make them millions more over that 4-5yr contract. If they just rush in, Tyler Bray style (he went undrafted), they really stand to regret it.

I think Tiny, too could have benefited greatly from another year. NFL teams tend to view players from losing teams in a different light than those of winning/successful ones. Sometimes that stigma alone can mean the difference between a round or three.
 
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#50
#50
WhatInVolnation said:
This is great news for the Vols if true. I'm disappointed for AJ that his grade is that low, but I think another year will really help him. With Maggitt back, the LB group should be better even if Maggitt moves to DE, which I'm expecting.
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I'm really pumped to see Maggitt back in action. Year before last our LB core was pretty strong with both Johnson and Maggitt on the field
 
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