5th Round Draft Choice: Herman Johnson - OT - LSU - 6′7″ 365 lbs.
Did you say Big? No, I’m not talking about Big, as in Leonard Davis, but this man is BIG. First thing is we need to come up with is a nickname for Herman Johnson, it is only befitting we do so. He makes Big Leonard look like someone who needs to add some bulk. Maybe Herman “House” Johnson? Come to find out, he already has had that nickname since high school. Finally the cycle is broken, the buck stops here and the Cardinals take an offensive player again after round 1.
It all starts in the trenches, wars and won and lost in the trenches. It’s no different in the NFL. It all starts with the Offensive and Defensive lines. The offensive line needs improvement especially on run blocking, I’m talking about blowing people off the ball and eating up real estate. We need better running lanes for our running backs, no doubt. So, that’s why Herman Johnson was taken in the 5th round to help in that area.
2009 NFL Combine Results:
40 Yd dash: 5.51 sec
Bench Press: (225 lbs): 21 reps
Herman be nimble Herman be quick. For a big man, Herman Johnson is known for being very quick on his feet, that is a great attribute to have on the offensive line and for having that size, well, it’s hard to teach something like that. He had 16 downfield blocks while at LSU to back that up, pretty impressive. He also brings a natural explosive first move off of the ball and uses his arms to jack up the opposing D-Lineman and has the ability to set back down in a lower position for superior leverage. People don’t realize just how much leverage comes into play at this level, but it makes or breaks you as far as player development.
Credit: Louisiana State University Atheletics
Another thing I like about Herman Johnson is he’s also a pretty good pass blocker and has good lateral movement and balance. His straight ahead drive blocking is scary at times and with his huge set of hands he just locks and “holds” onto people. But at this level he is going to still have to work on and develop technique wise, and Russ Grimm is the tutor, one of the best. The big question is, where are the Cardinals going to see a fit for him on the O-line? Offensive tackle or guard, left tackle or right tackle. That is yet to be seen and like I just said it will depend on his maturation and development. But just by his size and height you would think tackle, in my opinion.
He’s has a reputation for being mentally tough and still plays hard in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals need players like that, it’s all part of the Ken Whisenhunt vision and plan. You build a tough team with tough and mentally strong players. In this his third season with the Cardinals, Coach Whiz is slowly getting rid of the players who don’t have the fight till the end mentality. Yeah, I agree, couldn’t agree more on that. We don’t need any more of those Monday Night meltdowns around this town. I just can’t see it….
I couldn’t imagine Coach Whiz on a podium and saying, “We lost the game to the Seahawks and they were who we thought they were!” Those times seem like a long time ago.
