Matt Miller on Tyler Johnson: Rd 6-7; He’s not fast. He’s not big. He’s not getting good character reports

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

This bozo is free to give his opinion on TJ' s NFL prospects. He is not free to throw out "character issue" comments. TJ has been a class act and a great role model for MN. The person with character issues is Miller.

Yeah I do not like that aspect.

Like if you know a guy did some shit ok fine.

But man if you don't know, it's not ok to talk shit about someone that way.

 

[Livingat45north]

Regardless of where he gets drafted I think other college football players can learn from Johnson here. He could have easily sat out the game but he decided to play and had a hell of a game. Hell of a game not just statistically as he showcased some serious athleticism not only with that TD grab but with another leaping grab across mid field.

His performance may not be a huge draft day difference, but it certainly won't hurt.

I actually think it will make a big difference. The NFL scouts won't spend time watching him play against lower-level competition, they will watch the Auburn game. Big game, high pressure, solid competition, and he was elite.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

I dont know how hast we will run or what his test scores at the combine will be, but I do know I've watched him play over the last few years and he is a player I would want on my team

 

[forever a gopher]

I thought Thielen ran a 4.45, not a 4.54 (mentioned in this article https://amp.businessinsider.com/adam-thielen-paid-250-to-try-out-for-nfl-2018-10)

Yeah, that's what I was thinking- Thanks!

 

[FredCoxRocks]

Meh. As others said, it's one guy's opinion...and he's certainly entitled to it. Seems an odd take when many other draft experts have him ranked in the top 50 prospects. Only time will tell, I guess.

I think what is getting most people upset it the character comment.

 

[Panthadad2]

I think what is getting most people upset it the character comment.

Yep. The character comment came from nowhere with no explanation and is edging on character assassination for a few clicks.

 

[Spoofin]

Yep. The character comment came from nowhere with no explanation and is edging on character assassination for a few clicks.

Luckily there is likely no one that matters that reads MM’s twitter feed or that would take it serious.

 

[dpodoll68]

Luckily there is likely no one that matters that reads MM’s twitter feed or that would take it serious.

A guy has 226K Twitter followers and you don't think a single one of them is a person of influence? Weird take, but ok.

 

[PitinoFan]

Luckily there is likely no one that matters that reads MM’s twitter feed or that would take it serious.

Scroll through his followers. There are lots of media types and current and former players. Those are just the verified ones. I’ll bet there are plenty of scouts following him too.

I’ve been following him for years, but I don’t pay a lot of attention to his feed. Teddy Bridgewater was one of his all-time favorite prospects.

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout

 

[die hard gopher]

This bozo is free to give his opinion on TJ' s NFL prospects. He is not free to throw out "character issue" comments. TJ has been a class act and a great role model for MN. The person with character issues is Miller.

To be fair, Miller wasn’t saying himself that he has bad character, he was reporting he did not receive good character reports from area scouts.

 

[Spoofin]

A guy has 226K Twitter followers and you don't think a single one of them is a person of influence? Weird take, but ok.

Not a weird take - just the wrong one, apparently.

Scroll through his followers. There are lots of media types and current and former players. Those are just the verified ones. I’ll bet there are plenty of scouts following him too.

I’ve been following him for years, but I don’t pay a lot of attention to his feed. Teddy Bridgewater was one of his all-time favorite prospects.

Seems I was wrong.

 

[1983]

TJ has had a great career here and like many young recruits, has a had a challenge or to start but will come out a graduate soon and an NFL prospect. Home grown and maybe one of the last from the "city". I believe he will go 4th round and get picked up by a good team. We can all name Hall of fame guys who were slow and small as well as great stars with those attributes who had long productive careers. TJ can play.

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

While we're playing the 'he reminds me of...' game, he makes me think of former Viking Jake Reed. Great high point, average to above average hands, crazy separation, fast 'enough' and could make a catch through contact. There's unfortunately a disappointing lack of any video of Jake out there to show the comparison.

 

[KD6-3.7]

i'd be pissed if i was t.j. if this guy was trying to harm my reputation and career based on rumor and innuendo, i'd at least be blowing up his twitter. what a douche. can we start spreading rumors that "he's a chomo or a trumpophile?" one character assassination deserves another.

 

[Word]

Thielen was 4.45.

Isn't Thielen actually pretty fast? I'm sure somebody will contradict me with a measured 40 time, but I thought I remembered what got him his original tryout with the Vikes was his speed, and he further impressed with his route running and hands.

Regardless, there's plenty of room in the NFL for a good route runner that can get more than his fair share of 50/50 balls (which Tyler is great at).

Edit: I looked up 40 times of Thielen (4.54) and Diggs (4.46).

 

[PoockItInfor6]

While we're playing the 'he reminds me of...' game, he makes me think of former Viking Jake Reed. Great high point, average to above average hands, crazy separation, fast 'enough' and could make a catch through contact. There's unfortunately a disappointing lack of any video of Jake out there to show the comparison.

This might be the best comparison out there. I didn’t put it together but agree completely.

 

[Veritas]

Everyone should go see the Clint Eastwood directed movie, Richard Jewell. Pure character assasination just to have a scope.

 

[hungan1]

TJ was plenty game fast against the Auburn defense as far as I am concerned.

 

[Word]

TJ was plenty game fast against the Auburn defense as far as I am concerned.

Agreed. I think he will be ok speed wise in the NFL.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Everyone should go see the Clint Eastwood directed movie, Richard Jewell. Pure character assasination just to have a scope.

That whole situation was horrible.

I would however caution about buying into an Eastwood film as fact even if related to actual events.

Dude also made Sully, and while it might be an entertaining film, the whole conflict with the NTSB in that film is entirely fictional.

 

[STPGopher]

i'd be pissed if i was t.j. if this guy was trying to harm my reputation and career based on rumor and innuendo, i'd at least be blowing up his twitter. what a douche. can we start spreading rumors that "he's a chomo or a trumpophile?" one character assassination deserves another.

Nope! Tyler Johnson just needs to keep being himself. Keeps promises? - Check. Coachable? - Check. Strong work ethic? - Check. Not affraid to be a leader and a role model? - Check. Takes full advantage of opportunities? - Check... I could go on and on. He has done everything asked of him. North Minneapolis, and the entire state should be proud of him. Everything he does is elite, and if not he doesn't quit until he reaches that level. We do not need to read some blogger to form an opinion of Mr. Johnson, we've seen and heard it up close and personal.

I am so happy he not only came to Minnesota, but didn't quit till he got his degree and played major role in the empire class! He showed that you can truly have it all right here in Minnesota!

Now I am choosing to digress for a moment.
Thanks Tyler Johnson, Kamal Martin, Thomas Barber, Sam Renner, and last but not least Carter Coughlin! You did it! You stayed home and helped elevate this program!!! Special thanks to the all of the other Seniors!!! Truly an honor to watch all of them and so glad they played for the Maroon and Gold!

We know what they did! Whether on the field or elsewhere in life, we already know they will be elite!

Hats off to thee!!!

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

Agreed. I think he will be ok speed wise in the NFL.

Dez Bryant was only 6'2" 210 with a 4.52 coming into the draft. Johnson can do well.

 

[A nonymous]

Miller is somewhat right on TJs draft stock in that he’s not likely to be drafted before the 4th round IMO. Very rarely do NFL teams draft players outside of the positional prototype in the first 3 rounds as they are mostly drafting based on anticipated “high ceiling” measurables (big, fast, strong, athlete) that they can coach up. Highly productive college players even if very strong in skills and fundamentals are rarely drafted early if they do not have some standout measurable. Miller is right that there is no one measurable that really stands out and thus he probably won’t be drafted early. But I do think Johnson will have a solid NFL career - he wins at the LOS, he KNOWS how to get open, has good body control, knows how to shield defenders with his body. And of course, he’s demonstrated he’s willing to work hard to improve his craft. IMO those are the most important traits for a receiver at any level and there are numerous examples of productive NFL receivers who exemplify this:

Keenan Allen, Adam Thielen, AJ Brown, Cooper Krupp, Diggs, Tyler Lockett, Tyler Boyd aren’t big or fast (I guess Diggs and Lockett are somewhat speedy but def not burners).

Michael Thomas is somewhat big but not fast.

heck, DeAndre Hopkins isn’t all that big or fast but he just knows how to play. I’ll take that over measurable any day of the week. Tyler will be successful and I would bet money on it

 

[Spoofin]

Dez Bryant was only 6'2" 210 with a 4.52 coming into the draft. Johnson can do well.

I will admit that at this time last year I questioned TJ’s speed for the next level. However, there were a few occasions this year (none more so than vs Auburn) where he proved me wrong. I think with some prep he will show well in the combine. He helped his stock so much by coming back this year. I’m excited to watch him on Sundays.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

A little late to this thread. As far as the "Character Issues" - here is what I can offer.

This could be guilt by association. When Johnson was at Mpls North, the Polars' football team had a bad reputation with officials for being 'dirty' or showing unsportsmanlike conduct. I personally know a guy who worked as a supervisor of officials for the MSHSL, and he told me that North was the dirtiest team he had ever watched. To be clear, he did not specifically name Johnson, just the team as a whole.

And there were grumbles from people about the way the North BB team supposedly ran up the score on teams. So Mpls North has its share of detractors, and the 'character' thing may be some blow-back from that on Johnson.

I will add that I watched Johnson play in HS, and I think he has clearly grown as an athlete and a person from his time at the U of MN. Some people need to get away from their HS buddies and get into a different environment, and that may be part of the story with Johnson.

 

[PitinoFan]

I’m going to suggest that Miller probably made up the “character” charge. Maybe he was drinking when he tweeted that. He projected him as a first round pick a few months ago. I think the large number of quality receivers in this class, and the fact that he didn’t get a Senior Bowl bid is the reason Miller cooled on him. He’s hard headed, and will go to great lengths to defend his position, rather than admit that he was misguided.

 

[GoldenGophers7]

As a Vikings fan I'd be really happy if they select TJ in the 6th round.

Yeah can’t get any worse than the treadwell pick. Johnson will have a more productive career than treadwell no matter if he is drafted or signed as a free agent.

 

[Veritas]

That whole situation was horrible.

I would however caution about buying into an Eastwood film as fact even if related to actual events.

Dude also made Sully, and while it might be an entertaining film, the whole conflict with the NTSB in that film is entirely fictional.

The thesis of Jewell is certainly 100% accurate: the media will do anything to get a scoop even without any collaborating facts whatsoever. Thus, my comparison to the Tyler Johnson comment by Miller.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

The thesis of Jewell is certainly 100% accurate: the media will do anything to get a scoop even without any collaborating facts whatsoever. Thus, my comparison to the Tyler Johnson comment by Miller.

Eh the actual depiction / details of some of the media folks in that film also has no basis in fact either.


Careful about "the media" panic. That is largely a path to just believing what you want to believe and blaming everything that doesn't jive on "the media".

 

[John Galt]

I remember Tyler making a big catch and great run after at Lincoln when he was a freshman. He got the Gophers into scoring position to win that game.

I was in Lincoln for that game. We lost 24-17.