Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT?

06-14-2014, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by blackangold

Looks like we are trying to fit a round peg in a square hole...

I don't know where you are coming from with that. It's not like they're putting him at nose tackle or something. Foster played pretty much the same role last year and he's roughly the same size as Rufus.

jeanpierre · 06-14-2014, 09:14 AM

Rufus size and frame should allow him to bulk and add depth at the five and three tech and with his short area burst/quickness he could have more success in that role than out in the open as a 34 OLB...

Danno · 06-14-2014, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Rufus size and frame should allow him to bulk and add depth at the five and three tech and with his short area burst/quickness he could have more success in that role than out in the open as a 34 OLB...

This^

Its difficult to find guys his size with such quick short area burst. Its why the coaches decided to keep him around. Its also similar to what we did with Junior Galette and that worked out very well for us. He's just a slightly bigger version.

I think his ideal spot is either a 4-3 DE, or even 3-4 DE if he adds a few more biscuits.

blackangold · 06-14-2014, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

This^

Its difficult to find guys his size with such quick short area burst. Its why the coaches decided to keep him around. Its also similar to what we did with Junior Galette and that worked out very well for us. He's just a slightly bigger version.

I think his ideal spot is either a 4-3 DE, or even 3-4 DE if he adds a few more biscuits.

I like Rufus and was a supporter of his, so my comments aren't meant to slam the guy. However, I think we have so much talent on the team this year he wont make the 53 man roster because (although he has the physical ability) he will be behind learning a new position. I believe this is the 4th position he has been slotted for in the last 2 years.

Also, its not as easy to bulk up and maintain quickness. If he does bulk up to 280 he may lose that sudden burst the coaches liked so much...

Cruize · 06-14-2014, 03:03 PM

Tweener from a small school. Long shot to make the squad.

Jack Vegas · 06-15-2014, 02:31 AM

Galette was a tweener from a small school too. Also we have a semi-glaring lack of depth on the defensive line at this point. In fact my money's on Rufus beating out Tyrunn Walker for a backup DE spot. If he can flip back and forth between DE, OLB and 3-tech pass rusher that makes him even more valuable.

Beastmode · 06-15-2014, 03:28 AM

Galette however is relentless, he will keep the pedal to the floor every play and that's how he makes money. He can get abused 10 plays in a row but the 11th one look out. Rufus is not that kind of player. Think the writing is on the wall for him unfortunately.

the-commish · 06-15-2014, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

DT in a 43 line up sure thing

That's right... has to be a 4-man line. He is not going to move inside and play NT... he's not bulky enough.

I really think Rufus' best chance to make the ballclub is as a situational pass rusher playing DE in a 4-man line. He might even be able to play DT and apply inside pass pressure in that configuration (Cam Jordan LDE, Rufus Johnson LDT, Akiem Hicks RDT, Junior Galette RDE). Neither John Jenkins nor Broderick Bunkley would be playing in that setup, since they are not known for pass rushing skills.

Rugby Saint II · 06-15-2014, 03:40 PM

I feel for the guy. The coaches are switching his position again.........I'd say no.

" I'm just learning this position and getting good at it."

He's always fighting for a spot against the up and coming players or
rookies.

dizzle88 · 06-15-2014, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

I feel for the guy. The coaches are switching his position again.........I'd say no. " I'm just learning this position and getting good at it."

He's always fighting for a spot against the up and coming players or
rookies.

I don't think saying no is an option, if he did he'd end up on the waiver wire faster than kenny stills can grab an 80 yard TD

06-14-2014, 08:15 AM	#11
Threaded by Jack Vegas 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,254 Rating: (0 votes - average) Originally Posted by blackangold Looks like we are trying to fit a round peg in a square hole... I don't know where you are coming from with that. It's not like they're putting him at nose tackle or something. Foster played pretty much the same role last year and he's roughly the same size as Rufus. jeanpierre likes this.
Views: 5926

06-14-2014, 09:14 AM	#12
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Rufus size and frame should allow him to bulk and add depth at the five and three tech and with his short area burst/quickness he could have more success in that role than out in the open as a 34 OLB... Danno likes this.

06-14-2014, 10:11 AM	#13
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Originally Posted by jeanpierre Rufus size and frame should allow him to bulk and add depth at the five and three tech and with his short area burst/quickness he could have more success in that role than out in the open as a 34 OLB... This^ Its difficult to find guys his size with such quick short area burst. Its why the coaches decided to keep him around. Its also similar to what we did with Junior Galette and that worked out very well for us. He's just a slightly bigger version. I think his ideal spot is either a 4-3 DE, or even 3-4 DE if he adds a few more biscuits.

06-14-2014, 02:35 PM	#14
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Originally Posted by Danno This^ Its difficult to find guys his size with such quick short area burst. Its why the coaches decided to keep him around. Its also similar to what we did with Junior Galette and that worked out very well for us. He's just a slightly bigger version. I think his ideal spot is either a 4-3 DE, or even 3-4 DE if he adds a few more biscuits. I like Rufus and was a supporter of his, so my comments aren't meant to slam the guy. However, I think we have so much talent on the team this year he wont make the 53 man roster because (although he has the physical ability) he will be behind learning a new position. I believe this is the 4th position he has been slotted for in the last 2 years. Also, its not as easy to bulk up and maintain quickness. If he does bulk up to 280 he may lose that sudden burst the coaches liked so much... Beastmode likes this.

06-14-2014, 03:03 PM	#15
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Tweener from a small school. Long shot to make the squad.
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457

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06-15-2014, 02:31 AM	#16
Jack Vegas 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,254	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Galette was a tweener from a small school too. Also we have a semi-glaring lack of depth on the defensive line at this point. In fact my money's on Rufus beating out Tyrunn Walker for a backup DE spot. If he can flip back and forth between DE, OLB and 3-tech pass rusher that makes him even more valuable.
Jack Vegas 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,254

06-15-2014, 03:28 AM	#17
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Galette however is relentless, he will keep the pedal to the floor every play and that's how he makes money. He can get abused 10 plays in a row but the 11th one look out. Rufus is not that kind of player. Think the writing is on the wall for him unfortunately.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

06-15-2014, 12:49 PM	#18
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Originally Posted by hagan714 DT in a 43 line up sure thing That's right... has to be a 4-man line. He is not going to move inside and play NT... he's not bulky enough. I really think Rufus' best chance to make the ballclub is as a situational pass rusher playing DE in a 4-man line. He might even be able to play DT and apply inside pass pressure in that configuration (Cam Jordan LDE, Rufus Johnson LDT, Akiem Hicks RDT, Junior Galette RDE). Neither John Jenkins nor Broderick Bunkley would be playing in that setup, since they are not known for pass rushing skills.

06-15-2014, 03:40 PM	#19
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? I feel for the guy. The coaches are switching his position again.........I'd say no. " I'm just learning this position and getting good at it." He's always fighting for a spot against the up and coming players or rookies.

06-15-2014, 03:49 PM	#20
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,358	Re: Rufus Johnson - LB, DE and now DT? Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II I feel for the guy. The coaches are switching his position again.........I'd say no. " I'm just learning this position and getting good at it." He's always fighting for a spot against the up and coming players or rookies. I don't think saying no is an option, if he did he'd end up on the waiver wire faster than kenny stills can grab an 80 yard TD Rugby Saint II likes this.

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