LB Thread (nothing about Howard here)

baronm · 04-14-2005, 02:39 PM

Derrick Johnson: (3:02 PM ET ) Hello everyone! I\'m ready for your questions!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cody Decatur Alabama: What is the thing that excites you the most about becoming a player in the NFL?

Derrick Johnson: (3:03 PM ET ) The big thing is to fulfill my dream. Just knowing all the guys I\"ve been watching all my life, I can be like them now. The NFL is the biggest level you can get to so I just want to do the best I can.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott (Eagan, MN): Hey Derrick, I really hope the Vikings take you with the 7th pick. Have you had much contact with Minnesota?

Derrick Johnson: (3:04 PM ET ) Minnesota is a possibility. They are a great team that could use a LB. But when it comes to the draft, you never know what to expect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lionbatcher (Lubbock, Tx.): DJ, who was your favorite player growing up?

Derrick Johnson: (3:04 PM ET ) Probably Derrick Brooks. He\'s a similar player to me and just a great guy on and off the field.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David: shawnee kansas: Do you consider yourself more of a Strongside or a weakside linebacker? Please come to Kansas city!!!!

Derrick Johnson: (3:05 PM ET ) More of a weakside. That\'s what I played in college. I can play all the LB positions though. That\'s just the versatility I have.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Phx, AZ): I\'m sure you\'ve had to tackle Benson quite often before. Is he the hardest running back to bring down, or is someone else?

Derrick Johnson: (3:05 PM ET ) By far the hardest. He is just so explosive. As soon as he gets the ball he can run or juke you out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin (Detroit): How did your visit to Detroit go on Tuesday?

Derrick Johnson: (3:06 PM ET ) It was good. Detroit is really excited about the Draft. They pick at 10 so if I\'m on the board, hopefully they will take me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grant (London, ON): What was the craziest question you were asked in a team interview?

Derrick Johnson: (3:06 PM ET ) Why I hadn\'t beat Oklahoma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Craig (Austin): Does it bother you that Mel Kiper states that you avoided some tackles this year. I guess he really didn\'t watch all your games last year.

Derrick Johnson: (3:07 PM ET ) I guess he hasn\'t watched to many games then. Everybody has their own opinion. I know what I can do and I have high expectations for myself.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry (Houston, TX): What number do you hope to wear in the NFL?

Derrick Johnson: (3:08 PM ET ) Probably 51, 52, 55 or 56. One of those.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil, Warren MI: What will be the hardest transition for you going in to the NFL??

Derrick Johnson: (3:08 PM ET ) Probably just the mental aspect of the game. They are going to throw so many different things at you. You will be tested but you have to take it all in. It won\'t be easy but I\'m looking forward to it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noble (Phoenix, AZ): Can you tackle Vince Young in the open field? LOL!!! How was it playing against him in practice?

Derrick Johnson: (3:09 PM ET ) Oh, man! That would be very hard! Maybe 4 out of 10 times .. maybe. Most of the time I have to funnel him into the guys around me. He is just so talented. He\'s soooo hard to tackle. Probably the hardest outside of Cedric.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris - NY, NY: What are your preferences with respect to a team, its coach, defensive scheme, location, etc.?

Derrick Johnson: (3:10 PM ET ) Moreso the defensive scheme. You can adapt to coaches, locations, etc. But you always want to know where you will be playing on the field and how effective you can be.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epsilon Williams :San Marcos, Texas: What will be your biggest fear or concern going into your rookie career?

Derrick Johnson: (3:11 PM ET ) No fears. I\'m just anxious and excited. I want to play with the big guys. It\'ll be like being a freshman all over again. No fears right now. Hopefully it stays that way.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Nice (Naples, Fl): CMon Dee, Dont you think your game is like a young Jesse Armstead...?

Derrick Johnson: (3:12 PM ET ) Yeah, I\'ve been compared to him before. He\'s another good guy who has had success. Hopefully I can do what he has done, or even better.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil NYC, NY: Derrick... what\'s the first thing you are going to get yourself as a reward for all the hard work you\'ve done with that first pro paycheck/signing bonus?

Derrick Johnson: (3:13 PM ET ) Probably a candy red Hummer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott (Princeton,NJ): Have the cowboys expressed any interest in you at all and how would you feel about playing in Texas

Derrick Johnson: (3:13 PM ET ) A little bit, yeah. They are looking so it\'s a possiblity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob (Il): Derrick, Choose one. Christina Millian, Megan Goode, Beyonce, Ciara, or Ashanti ? Thanks

Derrick Johnson: (3:13 PM ET ) Golly that\'s hard. I would have to go with Beyonce though.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John (Columbus, Oh): DJ, Why Candy Red? Why not Longhorn Burnt Orange?

Derrick Johnson: (3:14 PM ET ) That\'s a possibility too. That would be real nice

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky ((New Waterford)): How do you feel about playing in the 3-4 for Romeo Crennel?

Derrick Johnson: (3:15 PM ET ) Oh, definately. I can play all the positions. The 3-4 I could play outside as a rush end or inside. I could be a good blitzing LB.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bryant (slidell): who would you like to tackle in the nfl?

Derrick Johnson: (3:15 PM ET ) Michael Vick .. if I can get my hands on him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan (Friendswood,Tx): Do you think your gunna stay in Texas? Would you like to stay in Texas?

Derrick Johnson: (3:16 PM ET ) I would love to stay in Texas if the opportunity was there. I have been here my whole life.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jerry (ferndale, michigan): Did you get to catch up with Roy Williams while you were here in Detroit and what were your thoughts of playing here.

Derrick Johnson: (3:17 PM ET ) Yes, I talked to him for a bit. I was only there for a day but we talked real quick.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dave (austin, tx): do you think you\'re gonna be drafted before Cedric?

Derrick Johnson: (3:17 PM ET ) I\'ve always said no. But I guess there is a chance. I\'ve always put him in front of me though. RBs are a little more needed than LB. Either way, we\'ll both get drafted high.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hunter Austin, TX: DJ, where are you going to be on draft day?

Derrick Johnson: (3:18 PM ET ) I\'ll be at home in Waco with my family.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff (Austin): Why weren\'t you a bigger factor in the Rose Bowl? Was Michigan really focusing on avoiding you?

Derrick Johnson: (3:18 PM ET ) A little because of that. They had plays designed to cut me off. You can\'t make all the plays all the time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austin: Fresno, Ca.: DJ- What are you going to miss most about U of Texas and the city of Austin?

Derrick Johnson: (3:19 PM ET ) Just the coaching staff and the players. It was a real family atmosphere. I\'ll always cherish that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Raleigh, NC): Hey Derrick. How r u? Have the Carolina Panthers shown any interest and what would you think about playing for them?

Derrick Johnson: (3:20 PM ET ) Yes, they have. They\'ve shown a lot of interest. I visited them recently. If I were to slip down they would definately pick me up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dolan (Austin Texas): You gonna visit Austin after you go big-time?

Derrick Johnson: (3:21 PM ET ) Definately! I\'ll always visit Austin. It\'s a place everyone wants to be! I\'d love to come back. Austin treats me real good.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jason (dalton): you think you can make an impact as a rookie?

Derrick Johnson: (3:21 PM ET ) Definately. My expectations are high. I just want to soak up as much info as I can and be the best rookie I can be.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jay (Amarillo): What do you think of your former teamate Rickey Williams?

Derrick Johnson: (3:22 PM ET ) I never played with Ricky so I don\'t know too much about him other than he was a heck of a football player. Phenomenal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mack (Fairfax, VA): Do you think Texas can finally get over the hump and beat OU this year?

Derrick Johnson: (3:23 PM ET ) I think they will. We\'re going to have another great team. Every year you have to believe you can beat them. Hopefully this year they can.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurt (Detroit): Whats your favorite team in Madden NFL?

Derrick Johnson: (3:23 PM ET ) I use the Eagles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
farnsworth (austin, tx): What did you think of the movie \"Man of the House\"?

Derrick Johnson: (3:24 PM ET ) I didn\'t see that one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vishal (Austin): What has been your favorite part of the draft process??

Derrick Johnson: (3:25 PM ET ) Probably the combine. Seeing all the coaches and running in front of all the coaches. It just was just fun to meet all those guys.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max (Pittsburgh, PA): If you could play any other sport other than football what would it be?

Derrick Johnson: (3:25 PM ET ) Basketball or track. I would play basketball first.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen (Flower Mound, TX): DJ, what rap do you listen to?

Derrick Johnson: (3:26 PM ET ) Yeah, I listen to rap. I like 50 Cent. And a little Flip.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Minneapolis): What are you best defending: running plays or passing plays?

Derrick Johnson: (3:27 PM ET ) I can do both. I wouldn\'t rate one over the other. My game is very balanced on both sides.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey (Austin, Texas): Derrick, how about when you launched Adrian Peterson upside down in the air in the OU game? How did that feel?

Derrick Johnson: (3:27 PM ET ) Ha! It feels good! Felt good to get him down on the ground. Nice to see him on his back.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike (Philly): Would you be upset if you aren\'t drafted in the top 10?

Derrick Johnson: (3:28 PM ET ) I wouldn\'t be upset. I just want to go to a team and fulfill my dreams. If I go 15 or whatever, I\'ll still be grateful.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky (Nashville): When did you first start using your patented fumble causing move?

Derrick Johnson: (3:29 PM ET ) I just started it in practice and then started using it in games. I can do it without even thinking about it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith (Austin): Who\'s better, you or Shawn Merriman?

Derrick Johnson: (3:30 PM ET ) I don\'t want to compare myself to another player. But I have confidence that I\'m the best def. player in the draft. But Shawne is a great player.

Derrick Johnson: (3:30 PM ET ) I don\'t want to compare myself to another player. But I have confidence that I\'m the best def. player in the draft. But Shawne is a great player.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian (New Canaan, CT): How hard to tackle was Mike Hart in the Rose Bowl?

Derrick Johnson: (3:31 PM ET ) It was pretty hard. He stays very low to the ground and has thick thighs. You have to wrap him up pretty quick.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith (Front Royal VA): Any thought on DT Luis Cattillo admitting he took steroids or the 2 Wisconcin Badgers who failed for marijuana?

Derrick Johnson: (3:32 PM ET ) I haven\'t heard of too many people using steroids in college football. I\'m the type of person that thinks if you can play you can play and if you can\'t you can\'t. Taking steroids is just plain cheating.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
casey (stl): Are you leaving a possible Heisman Qb in Austin ?

Derrick Johnson: (3:33 PM ET ) Definately. No question. I recommend him to the Heisman voters!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zach (austin): if you were on the other side of the ball what position would it be?

Derrick Johnson: (3:34 PM ET ) I think I could play receiver!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max (Pittsburgh, PA): If you didn\'t go to Teaxs where would you go?

Derrick Johnson: (3:35 PM ET ) Oklahoma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aron (Youngstown): Would you rather get a sack or INT in your first NFL game?

Derrick Johnson: (3:35 PM ET ) Interception!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray (Vegas): What do you think is the most important aspet of becomig a dominant defensive player and how is it accomplished?

Derrick Johnson: (3:36 PM ET ) You just have to realizse that everyone around you is just as big and fast. The edge is the mental part. You have to know everything about the guy in front of you.

Derrick Johnson: (3:37 PM ET ) Thanks for the questions and thanks for supporting me throughout my career! Watch on draft day for which team selects me and then start rooting for them! Take care!