De'Andre Johnson
- Thread starter Ihawk209
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Raziel
Well-Known Member
I really think De'Andre Johnson was a steal. Check out this kids videos:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QO129J8NiY]YouTube - DEANDRE JOHNSON JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xLR8-ww5yk&feature=related]YouTube - MIAMI PACE DEANDRE JOHNSON vol 3[/ame]
The guy has great vision and makes really crisp cuts. His running style reminds me of Shonn Greene.
I think the combination of him and Coker give Iowa a great 1/2 punch at RB in the future. I just hope his knee is fully recovered and he has no further problems with it.
If we are able to sign two of Gordon/Coe/Miller, we are going to have a special backfield going forward for the next four years.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QO129J8NiY]YouTube - DEANDRE JOHNSON JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xLR8-ww5yk&feature=related]YouTube - MIAMI PACE DEANDRE JOHNSON vol 3[/ame]
The guy has great vision and makes really crisp cuts. His running style reminds me of Shonn Greene.
I think the combination of him and Coker give Iowa a great 1/2 punch at RB in the future. I just hope his knee is fully recovered and he has no further problems with it.
If we are able to sign two of Gordon/Coe/Miller, we are going to have a special backfield going forward for the next four years.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
In the long term, that will probably remain an option. However, in the short term, he's needed more at RB.
Anyhow, with White back over at safety, I think that Nielsen and White give our group of safeties more depth than many folks suspect. Furthermore, in a pinch, Bernstine would make an excellent safety. Lastly, I've heard some pretty positive things said about Donatell, among others. When you add Hitchens and Miller to the mix, our depth at safety isn't as terrible as some folks fear.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Agreed Homer...I think Bernstine moves to safety next year regardless if he beats out Hyde for the other corner position this year. From what I understand from comments the coaches have made, and other players, Hyde is proving to be a difficult out for Bernstine at corner this year. The guy has amazing cover skills and quickness. Bernstine projects better at safety than corner with his size. This is easily the most interesing battle on the defense right now. Can't wait to see how this plays out over the course of the camp.
BALDIES7980
Well-Known Member
Man I want to see JB smash some runners.
De' runs really low. I want to see what this kid can do once Doyle puts some time into him. Very good feet.
Wow before I even looked at the other comments, I watched the highlight video and thought, Shonn Greene.
He has some shiftiness and is a crafty runner with that spin move that tacklers never see coming. May not have the breakaway speed, but I think he's more like Greene in that he's deceptively fast. I didn't see him outrunning guys as much as I saw him going through guys, which can be just as good especially for Iowa's offense.
Looks like a great find for the Hawks and hopefully they can mold this kid into something special.
He has some shiftiness and is a crafty runner with that spin move that tacklers never see coming. May not have the breakaway speed, but I think he's more like Greene in that he's deceptively fast. I didn't see him outrunning guys as much as I saw him going through guys, which can be just as good especially for Iowa's offense.
Looks like a great find for the Hawks and hopefully they can mold this kid into something special.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure I agree with the Greene comparisons for a couple reasons: 1. Johnson looks like he runs more upright (like Adrian Peterson), even when going between the tackles. Greene always kept his pad level low, and that multiplied his power by giving him greater leverage. And 2. This is like the 4th guy either on the roster or that we're recruiting that "looks like Shonn Greene". They can't ALL be like that lol.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I frankly think that Iowa fans overuse the Shonn Greene comparison.
However, to address your remarks, rewatch Shonn Greene's running style against Ball State back in 2005. He ran too upright back then ... he also didn't really run like he was comfortable with all the weight he had gained either. It's a good thing that by the time he was a JR, Coach Jackson and Erb had gotten him to run with pretty good form.
SeattleHawkeye
Well-Known Member
First, the only position I'd play him at is RB, unless his safety skills are unbelievable. I like that he plants his foot in the ground, makes a cut and heads upfield, too. He doesn't seem to waste much energy or motion when goes north and south, and I think he may end up being a fantastic fit for the Hawks' zone blocking scheme, in which I think our best RB's have been guys that read a seam, cut and get north and south quickly and explosively.
TheManTheMyth
Well-Known Member
He made some great cutbacks, also took time to read the blocking, but there were times he juked right into a tackle
. Our depth at RB is better than it has been for quite a while even with BW status unknown, especially if Coker is back in a week or two.
. Our depth at RB is better than it has been for quite a while even with BW status unknown, especially if Coker is back in a week or two.ajones1996
Well-Known Member
he looks good, he looks the part...its just adjusting to the college game......that stuff that worked in high school wont in college
It's the time of the year when every blip on the radar is taken like its going to sink the ship. If we came out of a mid season game with a couple of dings to back up running backs it wouldn't be taken as the sky is falling. I know there are those that see BW as the #1 back, but I personally think Hampton ultimately wins that job.
We're getting enough depth at most positions where we won't see a huge drop off if a starter goes down. It could be argued other then perhaps Reiff/Stanzi we could lose a starter on offense and not see much of a decline. We've got nice defensive backfield depth, some good competition at linebacker, and a couple of nice backups for the defensive line. Obviously we like the starters better, but we can survive the typical bumps and bruises and still field a very competitive team.
This running back thing IMO has gotten way too much play for this time of the year
By game two I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us back at full strength. If we can't easily beat EIU without these kids we've got a lot bigger issues to address.
If we have Robinson, De'Andre and Paki healthy and ready for game 1 I think we're good to go.
We're getting enough depth at most positions where we won't see a huge drop off if a starter goes down. It could be argued other then perhaps Reiff/Stanzi we could lose a starter on offense and not see much of a decline. We've got nice defensive backfield depth, some good competition at linebacker, and a couple of nice backups for the defensive line. Obviously we like the starters better, but we can survive the typical bumps and bruises and still field a very competitive team.
This running back thing IMO has gotten way too much play for this time of the year
By game two I wouldn't be at all surprised to see us back at full strength. If we can't easily beat EIU without these kids we've got a lot bigger issues to address.
If we have Robinson, De'Andre and Paki healthy and ready for game 1 I think we're good to go.
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