Bill Johnson leads with knowledge for Saints’ D line
 

Bill Johnson should be in somebody’s classroom — make that the auditorium.

He should be pacing in front of a lecture hall filled with defensive line enthusiasts, all eager to learn the nuances of football life in the trenches.

First, he’d crack a few jokes, his way of lightening the mood. Then he’d start talking, which signals it’s time to take notes.

“He’s teaching me how to be a student,” Saints rookie nose tackle John Jenkins said. “He’s showing me the effective way of being a good defensive lineman. So it’s an honor to be under his wing right now.”

To Johnson, playing the three spots at the front of the Saints’ 3-4 defense is as much art as it is barbarism. He can examine every hand movement, step and attempt at leverage Cameron Jordan takes to get to a quarterback — from first contact with the offensive lineman all the way to the sack. The same with Brodrick Bunkley in the middle of the line as he pursues a running back near his gap.

But could you really see Johnson in a suit giving a PowerPoint presentation? He’s too lax for the academic scene.

That’s why he’s here at Saints training camp, decked out in team gear as he tries to transform a talented group of linemen who, as a whole, underachieved during last season’s horrid defensive campaign. They’re part of the switch from a 4-3 defense to 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Rob Ryan.

“I feel a lot less hesitation right now,” said Johnson, talking of the new defense. “It’s a lot more ‘Sic ’em’ and ‘Let’s go.’ ”

Hit somebody.

That’s what Johnson wants to see this fall from his defensive linemen at the snap. First contact, then react. Don’t just hold your ground against that offensive lineman. Push him into the backfield, causing havoc.

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Re: Bill Johnson leads with knowledge for Saints’ D line
 

Lets hope John Jenkins can turn out better than our last late round round DT, remember him? Al Woods?

The guy that was filmed jumping around his garden when we signed him and then was put on his back every play in preseason