Re: Why Nick Johnson, X??????
SunTzu.v.Camus said:
X,
What do you see of Nick JOhnson that you like? I've never seen him.
Any HIghlights of the kid you may have?...post em...I'd like to see him!
I can't comment on his ability. I just like everything I read about him so far.
[textarea]Despite playing football for a non-major college, being slightly undersized and not producing eye-popping statistics, wide receiver Nick Johnson has earned a shot to make the NFL.
The San Lorenzo Valley High and Cabrillo College alum -- who tested well for pro scouts -- agreed to a two-year free agent contract Sunday morning with the St. Louis Rams.
Because Johnson switched agents within the past 30 days, he has to wait until five days after the NFL Draft to finalize paperwork. He and his new agent Jeff Garcia will officially sign Friday.
[hil]"I grew up a 49ers fan, but that's about to change now,[/hil]" Johnson said over speakerphone while driving to the mall. "If I make the team, I'll be wearing different colors. I'm excited to represent the team. In fact, [hil]I'm driving to the mall now to get a hat. I'm pretty excited."
Obviously, if he waited a few weeks, he'd probably get a Rams hat for free.[/hil]
Johnson, who is 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, is slated to report to rookie camp May 11 in St. Louis.
Johnson wrapped up his collegiate career at NCAA Division II Henderson State University in Arkansas in the fall. On Dec. 28, he left school to prepare for a possible NFL career. He moved to Costa Mesa to live with his aunt and uncle, Lisa and Sherman Cocroft, and trained relentlessly for multiple combines with trainer Lucious Smith, said Sherman Cocroft, who like Smith is a former NFLer.
"He's a late bloomer," Sherman Cocroft said. "He's completely focused, dedicated, passionate and coachable. He's just a hard worker. He has the passion. If you don't have the passion, you don't make it.
"He's got God on his side too. He's very religious. He's just a great kid with a great attitude. Now he's going to compete with the elite of the elite. He's got to work harder than everybody else. He's got to have that edge. He knows he has to show up at 5:30 a.m. for film study and stay until 6 p.m. and turn the lights off with the coaches."
[hil]Garcia, a former four-time Pro Bowl quarterback in the NFL, not only represents Johnson, he has worked out with his client.
Count the former 49ers quarterback among those impressed.[/hil]
[hil]"I believe in his ability," Garcia said. "Obviously the kid can run. He has that speed and that burst. But it's not just about that. It's can you run routes, make cuts at a high speed, be on the same page as the quarterback and complete the play by catching the ball? Catch the ball with your hands, not your body. He's real effortless with the natural ingredients of the receiver position and has the ability to run after the catch."[/hil]
Johnson gained most of his exposure at the NFL's Regional Combine in Los Angeles in January -- one of 12 supplemental combines the NFL has in conjunction with its main combine in Indianapolis -- and at the league's Super Regional Combine in Detroit last month. He also shined in his pro day at Henderson State.
[hil]In multiple tests, he ran the 40-yard dash in the high 4.3-second to low 4.4 range, ran the shuttle in 3.93 seconds in Detroit and posted a 36-inch vertical at his school's pro day. He also benched 225 pounds 16 times.[/hil]
"Not bad for a 190-pounder," he said, noting he gave up a lot of extracurricular activities in college to focus on training for the NFL. [hil]"I'm too hungry to just play around."[/hil]
On his Facebook page Saturday night, Johnson said he would report to rookie minicamp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs didn't offer him a deal of any sort though -- merely a tryout.
[hil]The Cleveland Browns also briefly expressed interest.
St. Louis swooped in Sunday morning with a better offer.[/hil]
"The Rams took more action," he said. "I feel like I'm a little higher on the totem pole with a contract."
Johnson won't get a signing bonus with his deal. He'll receive roughly $150 a day, plus meals, at minicamp.
"I've got to make the team to make money," he said.
But that's not his incentive.
[hil]"Shoot, I'll play football for free, but I'm more than happy to receive payment."[/hil]
The Rams drafted two receivers in the draft, which ended Saturday. They took Brian Quick [6-3, 220] of Appalachian State in the second round and Chris Givens [5-11, 198] of Wake Forest in the fourth. They also took two receivers in 2011: Austin Pettis [6-3, 209] of Boise State in the third round and Greg Salas [6-1, 210] of Hawaii in the fourth.
Still, Johnson likes his chances.
"The Rams drafted two receivers this year and two last year, but everybody's young, especially since they got rid of Brandon Lloyd," Johnson said. "It's all younger guys. I feel like it's a fair game. Plus there's a new coach there. It's a fresh start for the organization."
[hil]Johnson added: "I'm humble, but I'm also confident in my ability. And I've always been a person who picks up playbooks real quick."[/hil]
He produced limited statistical success while at Henderson State. In two seasons, he caught 66 passes for 750 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior for the Reddies, he also handled kickoff and punt returns. He averaged 22.8 yards on 13 kickoffs and 14.9 on nine punt returns.[/textarea]