Duke Johnson-RB-Miami | Page 5 | 49ers Webzone Forum

Phoenix49ers · 2014-12-10T15:13:15-08:00

I made this thread before, and the entire forum went FUBAR, so let me try this yet one more time. Speed and playmaking is something that pretty much everyone seems to agree that this offense is lacking. Johnson would be a great step towards answering those concerns. Smaller, explosive, has drawn some comparisons to Jamaal Charles, Johnson would present a terrific contrast to Carlos Hyde and the 49ers could be replacing one tremendous Miami Hurricanes RB with yet another. Its unknown whether he'll be coming in 2015 but if he does, then he certainly becomes an intriguing option. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000239219/article/dynomite-explosive-duke-johnson-best-miami-rb-ever Vision The mark of a great runner is the ability to spot and explode through creases at the point of attack and beyond. Johnson certainly falls into the category with his superb instincts and vision. He routinely finds seams in the middle of congestion, and displays exceptional stop-start quickness bursting through cracks. Looking at tape from Johnson's freshman season, he frequently acted like Houdini making multiple defenders miss with hard cuts before scooting through holes for big gains. Last week against Florida Atlantic, he continued to display extraordinary vision by slithering through traffic to turn a pair of routine runs into 40-plus-yard jaunts. Johnson's 53-yard touchdown run, in particular, showcased his ability to find a seam in traffic, as he exploded through creases and eluded multiple defenders on the way to end zone. The Hurricanes' running game has gone from good to great since his arrival. Power Gone are the days of 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust football, but offensive coaches still prefer running backs who are difficult to bring down in traffic. While most observers view Johnson as a scat back-type based on his remarkable stop-start quickness and elusiveness, I see a hard-nosed runner with deceptive strength and power. Johnson routinely runs through arm tackles in the hole, while also displaying the aggressiveness to finish runs with authority. His willingness to take on tacklers at the end of runs is uncommon for a back that weighs fewer than 200 pounds. Although slamming Johnson between the tackles against loaded boxes isn't an ideal tactic, his toughness, competitive zeal and power make him a legitimate threat as a workhorse runner in a pro-style offense. Explosiveness Offensive coaches covet runners with home-run speed, but most play-callers would prefer a runner with a combination of explosive agility and stop-start quickness. The game is played within a 10-yard area of the line of scrimmage, which makes it invaluable to have a runner who can explode through cracks in traffic. Johnson is an exciting runner with remarkable combination of quickness, shiftiness and wiggle. He excels at making multiple defenders miss in traffic, while displaying the speed and quickness to rumble through the secondary on the way to a big gain. While gaining nearly 200 rushing yards against Florida Atlantic last week, he frequently made multiple defenders miss in the hole and displayed the acceleration to get to the second level in a hurry when the Hurricanes' front line put a hat on a hat at the point of attack. Johnson looked quicker and more explosive than he did as a freshman, which is a scary thought for defenders around the country. Big-play ability Runners capable of scoring from anywhere on the field drive defensive coordinators nuts on game day. Defensive play-callers must account for these runners' whereabouts at all times. They have to craft a scheme that keeps a defender in the gap to prevent an explosive runner from squirting through a crack for a long score. Johnson certainly keeps defensive coaches up all night, with his remarkable ability to break off big plays from anywhere on the field. He has already amassed seven runs of 50-plus yards in his brief college career and has a nose for the end zone. Although Johnson doesn't appear to have sub-4.4 speed, the fact he is rarely caught from behind suggests he is a natural playmaker with home-run potential. Factor in his exceptional kickoff-return skills (Johnson averaged 33 yards per return on 27 attempts last season), it is easy to see why the Hurricanes love getting their top playmaker the ball early and often in games. Receiving skills Johnson might be the most natural pass catcher out of the backfield we've seen in the college football in years. He effortlessly snatches the ball out of the air, while displaying underrated route-running skills on the perimeter. The Hurricanes have started to tap into his versatility and skills by aligning him in the slot, but he will also run a variety of routes from his customary tailback position. Johnson has 28 receptions in 13 career games, making him a weapon in the passing game defensive coaches must account for in the game plan. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000419752/article/miamis-duke-johnson-likened-to-walter-payton-barry-sandersCincinnati coach Tommy Tuberville told Sports Illustrated's Inside Read that Johnson's style reminds him of two of the greatest backs to ever play the game -- Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. "He kind of reminds me of Walter Payton, where he can stop and go sideways," Tuberville said. "One of those Barry Sanders-type of guys that can accelerate, hit a hole fast and change directions." » MSU, FSU top first CFB Playoff rankings Against the Bearcats, Johnson had his best per-carry average of the season, 16.2 yards, in shredding Tuberville's defense with 10 carries for 162 yards. In his next outing, Johnson posted his best game of the season (29 carries, 249 yards) against Virginia Tech, prompting longtime Hokies coach Frank Beamer to say Johnson is among the best backs he has ever seen. I think Johnson and Hyde would be a devastating duo for the future.

Feb 17, 2015 at 7:23 AM

#61

LumpiaJeff
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Posts: 51,513

standup kid. would love him in a niner uni

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:01 PM

#62

Big_Daddy
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Posts: 1,808

Great stop-start speed.

Seems a little small tho. We do play in the NFC west after all

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:05 PM

#63

Kolohe
Hall of Fame
Posts: 66,767

Originally posted by Big_Daddy:
Great stop-start speed.

Seems a little small tho. We do play in the NFC west after all

Duke Johnson 5'9" 205

Frank Gore 5'9" 210

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:11 PM

#64

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,701

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Duke Johnson 5'9" 205

Frank Gore 5'9" 210

I think Gore is a little closer to 220 nowadays and Johnson is probably more like 5'8" and 200 pounds. There's definitely a bigger size difference but I don't see that as an issue, especially with Hyde as the feature back. Johnson is pure lightning, a guy who can take it the distance from pretty much anywhere on the field. Not at all concerned with his build as long as they don't try to give him too much of a workload like the Cards did with Ellington.

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:23 PM

#65

Phoenix49ers
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All images from draftbreakdown.com

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:26 PM

#66

Kolohe
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Posts: 66,767

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Duke Johnson 5'9" 205

Frank Gore 5'9" 210

I think Gore is a little closer to 220 nowadays and Johnson is probably more like 5'8" and 200 pounds. There's definitely a bigger size difference but I don't see that as an issue, especially with Hyde as the feature back. Johnson is pure lightning, a guy who can take it the distance from pretty much anywhere on the field. Not at all concerned with his build as long as they don't try to give him too much of a workload like the Cards did with Ellington.

True, we don't know what the actual Combine numbers are just yet. But I agree size shouldn't be an issue especially he has managed to be successful against NFL talent anyway.

Feb 17, 2015 at 3:27 PM

#67

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,701

If the 49ers do move to a zone blocking scheme, Johnson would be a great fit for that. One cut and go, dude will be about 6 or 7 yards upfield before anyone makes contact with him, if not further. In a scheme like what Baltimore ran last season, Johnson could rack up an insane amount of yards on the ground.

[ Edited by Phoenix49ers on Feb 17, 2015 at 3:27 PM ]

Feb 23, 2015 at 1:04 PM

#68

NYniner85
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Posts: 118,903

Thought he was gonna have a faster 40

Feb 23, 2015 at 3:14 PM

#69

JustinNiner
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Posts: 6,762

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

All images from draftbreakdown.com

dang he plays just like gore. Fantastic vision and ability to get low

Feb 23, 2015 at 3:19 PM

#70

random49er
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put him with our OSU back and we're set for years to come.

Feb 23, 2015 at 5:40 PM

#71

LifelongNiner
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Posts: 24,634

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Thought he was gonna have a faster 40

Be glad he didn't. Greater chance we can get him in the third. Regardless, I don't care what the combine stopwatches say. We know the guy has game speed.

Feb 23, 2015 at 5:52 PM

#72

NYniner85
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Posts: 118,903

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Originally posted by NYniner85:
Thought he was gonna have a faster 40

Be glad he didn't. Greater chance we can get him in the third. Regardless, I don't care what the combine stopwatches say. We know the guy has game speed.

That's how I feel about devin smith

Apr 30, 2015 at 9:21 PM

#73

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,701

Make it happen Baalke!