Thomas Johnson is not starting because........

[GP]

Someone help me out here.

Thomas Johnson comes in and destroys blockers, knifing through and basically doing whatever he wants on each play.

Why is he not starting?

I know he was manhandling 2nd or 3rd stringers out there, but still...he looked better than all of our dlinemen IMO.

Kubiak needs to give this guy a chance. Reward good play, please.

We all talk about how Kubiak says nobody's job is given to them, but why does it feel like that isn't the case when it comes to the defense...particularly the dline?

[texasterror312]

Who is Thomas Johnson?Are u talikng about Travis?

[B420tx]

Thomas Johnson is another Defensive tackle we picked up last year during the season and helped fill in for our often injured DTs. Good for rotation.

[B420tx]

Maybe when Kubiak yells "Johnson, get in there!" Travis kicks Thomas in the nads and runs in instead before Kubiak realizes it's the wrong Johnson...

Thats is a good question however....


Lets hope Travis does it to opposing O-Lines too, he might get a penalty but I bet you they would be alot slower off the ball after one of those.

[GP]

Who is Thomas Johnson?Are u talikng about Travis?

That's exactly what I am talking about. I knew someone would say "Are you talking about Travis?"

Thomas Johnson is getting hosed, IMO--A lot of people probably saw JOHNSON on the back of his jersey last night, and just thought it was Travis Johnson.

He was rotated into a few plays last season, and did a great job.

But for some reason, he isn't getting a chance with the 1st teamers.

I don't know if it's a Richard Smith thing or what. Weird. But maybe someone else here has some inside info as to why he's being held back. We're at the stage of the game where a complete "no-name" guy should be rewarded even at the expense of looking stupid for placing such a high premium on the current dline starters. This is how we went 5 years with David Carr at QB...it was an inability to say "We made a mistake..."

[B420tx]

Because Thomas Johnson was brought in to plug holes in the running game, which he is pretty good at, but I thought the consensus on this board was that our D-Line was not getting enough pressure on the QB, and while Thomas is good at stopping the O-Line from getting down field on running plays he's not exactly a force in the passing game and can easily be steered away from the QB.

[GP]

Because Thomas Johnson was brought in to plug holes in the running game, which he is pretty good at, but I thought the consensus on this board was that our D-Line was not getting enough pressure on the QB, and while Thomas is good at stopping the O-Line from getting down field on running plays he's not exactly a force in the passing game and can easily be steered away from the QB.

Ummm...in the game I saw last night, he was doing exactly what you theorize that he cannot do: He sacked a very mobile QB who was running circles around the other guys.

He was getting through the line on most pass plays. It was actually embarassing, IMO, to see a no-name guys doing this...with the first string guys sitting on the bench after not even getting close to Leinart who is definitely about as immobile as it gets.

Not trying to get into a war with you on this, but everyone here needs to watch the last few minutes of the game when Thomas Johnson was wreaking havoc on a consistent basis. It was the best dline effort I have seen in the past two games.

Again: I understand it was against the scrubs. So maybe I am getting amped up a little too much on Thoams Johnson. But...I'd like to see him start at least one of the remaining preseason games.

[Vinny]

I thought it was a mistake by Kubiak and the staff to "gift" Okoye the starting job based on draft slot....Okoye has been manhandled and TJ is showing he is making some plays. For the record I think Kubiak knows better than I do...but I was curious about the automatic slotting of Okoye in as a starter before he earned it.

[mancunian]

as far as Thomas Johnson is concerned he had a couple of chance last year and if I remember rightly gave away several costly penalties.

[Vinny]

btw, his name is Travis Johnson. ;)

[mancunian]

this is a confusing thread - too many Johnsons!

I was talking about this guy

http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=254

but I get the feeling Vinny you were pulling my plonker

[Grid]

I dunno where our Dline is going to be in a few years.. but I expect that Williams and Okoye will eventually reach their potential.

In the meantime.. I think that Kubiak should bite the bullet..and just put our 4 best performers out there.

Babin, Maddox, Johnson, Kalu

Lets see how those 4 perform against a first string offense. Im starting to think Mario needs a bit of time out of the starting position to get his head on straight and remember what he did to get that #1 overall draft spot..and Okoye.. I have alot of faith in his ability to become a great player.. In the end I dunno if his position will be DT or DE..but I think he can contribute in a big way.. but maybe he isnt quite ready yet. He is so young..he hasnt even fully developed physically.

We need a pass rush right now though..and Babin, Maddox, (Thomas)Johnson, and Kalu are the best choice to provide that right now (imo).

(BTW.. I always thought Maddox was a DE. I admit I dont spend alot of time watching the Dline unless I have something specific im looking for.. so really I have only noticed Maddox when he makes a big play..never stopped to see where he lined up.. according to the webpage though..he is a DT.)

[Vinny]

this is a confusing thread - too many Johnsons!

I was talking about this guy

http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=254

but I get the feeling Vinny you were pulling my plonker
nah, I'm just dizzy sometimes.

[painekiller]

Maybe when Kubiak yells "Johnson, get in there!" Travis kicks Thomas in the nads and runs in instead before Kubiak realizes it's the wrong Johnson...

Thats is a good question however....

That made me laugh!