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This could turn out to be one of the most important player personnel moves in recent Jets history.
I’m talking about the signing of CB Trumaine Johnson.
The last couple of years, the Jets were getting by at cornerback with duct tape and baling wire.
The Jets’ cornerback situation the last two years was one of the reasons they had such a hard time getting off the field on third down.
I know the Jets aren’t loaded with elite pass rushers, but it’s hard to get to the quarterback when you have substandard cornerback play.
Recently, Cleveland defensive coordinator Gregg Williams explained why the Browns picked CB Denzel Ward over pass rusher Bradley Chubb with the fourth pick of the 2018 draft.
“The reason is our need for a press cover cornerback,” Williams told Sports Illustrated. “Denzel probably plays that position as well as anyone I’ve seen in college football in some time. We probably play the most press of any team in the league. There’s another reason. I’ve got a video of 28 snaps of Myles Garrett pass-rushes last year where he gets within two steps or less of the quarterback when the ball comes out. Basically, we aren’t covering long enough to let him get to the quarterback.”
That is quite an enlightening comment from one of the top defensive minds around.
So getting a guy like Johnson should help the Jets’ pass rush.
Todd Bowles raved about Johnson the other day, and to me, this isn’t just “coach-speak,” it’s legit praise.
“Trumaine is a good football player,” Bowles said. “He’s a good zone corner. He can tackle. He is very heady. He can see. He understands the game. And since he got here, from his workouts to what he brings on the field and the way he approaches the game has been outstanding, especially for the young guys. He’s a true pro. We are very happy to have him. He has been everything as advertised since we signed him.”
And it’s not just physical talent, but football intellect that makes Johnson so good.
“I think his football IQ makes him a heck of football player,” Bowles said. “The physical abilities speak for themselves, but his football IQ and the way he takes care of himself and approaches the game puts him right there.”
And another reason this signing makes so much sense is that Johnson played for current Jets secondary coach, Dennard Wilson, with the RAms. Wilson was the Rams’ DB coach in 2015 and ’16. And from 2012-14, Wilson was a defensive quality control coach, who was with Johnson those three seasons as well.
So not only is Johnson a very good player, but his position coach knows him like the back of his hand. Wilson has a PHD in Trumaine Johnson – his strengths, his weakness, what makes him tick, what buttons to push, and what buttons to stay away from.
While there was so much attention to the drafting of Sam Darnold in the first round, and rightfully so.
The signing of Johnson was another move of great import for the Jets during the 2018 off-season.
June 8, 2018
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