Antonio "Mookie" Johnson hasn't had it easy, and hasn't always been lucky, but always seems to keep going and going.
From Jim Henson's hometown of Leland, Mississippi, Johnson was a high school star who did not play in his senior season. Without much exposure, he chose to attend and play at nearby Mississippi Delta Community College. He was a beast there, and was given scholarship offers from Mississippi State and Iowa State, choosing the Bulldogs. He played both nose tackle and defensive tackle in their multiple fronts, and was competent, but unspectacular.
Still, athletic 310 pounders do not crop up very often, so he was taken by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He promptly tore his ACL, and missed his rookie season. The following year, the Titans cut him, and the Colts — desperate for big bodies — signed him and pressed him into action. He's been playing as a regular more or less since.
This season, he opened camp as the team's No. 1 nose tackle, despite the presence of free agent Brandon McKinney — a more established nose tackle who had previous experience with the system. While ColtPlay at the time considered it just a tip of the hat to Johnson's veteran status, the argument was academic after McKinney tore an ACL and missed the entire season.
The spot was Johnson from then on, for better or worse.
Though not without talent, Johnson is a sloppy player who has developed just rudimentary skills as a pro. He runs hot and cold as a defensive tackle, but seemed absolutely overwhelmed at the nose, lacking effective playing strength, block-shedding techniques and quickness off the snap. The overall results were not good. Often handled by just one blocker, Johnson managed just three quarterback hits and three hurries (no sacks) in 13 starts. He did little better in the run game, managing just 15 tackles and four assists, often watching the action from a distance.
Will other teams bid for him?: Probably. Although miscast as a nose tackle, Johnson's a pretty decent defensive tackle who could earn a rotational job in the right scheme.
Chances he'll be back: Not good. McKinney is likely to be back, as will Josh Chapman, the player many observers believe is the future of the position but missed his rookie season to a knee injury. The draft could also yield a contender at the position. Colts GM Ryan Grigson seems determined to part ways with players who were on the roster before he arrived (with the exception of stars like Reggie Wayne), and Johnson is far from indispensable.
2 comments:
Why do you think his skills remain rudimentary? Coaching was deficient? Football IQ not there? Lack of interest and drive?
Bit of both. Mookie's a hard worker, but not always disciplined after the snap. And he's had so many roles in just a couple of years, it must have been difficult to adjust.
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