Trumaine Johnson #4 rated CB going into NFL Combine

[Growler1]

I can assure you that character issues surrounding TJ are a concern for at least one NFL team. And, I assume that they are for many more. The word has it that Tru did not practice very hard, made frequent excuses to be excused from practice, and has a "me first" attitude. His off-field problems really compounded the situation.

The off-field stuff did compound issues but saying Tru didn't practice hard, especially in his junior fall camp and senior sping/fall camps (senior spring he missed Mon/Weds due to class conflict). I can't speak for practice during the course of the season as I never went to one.

This is not what I said, it was what the rap on him supposedly is. These scouts check-out the players much more thoroughly than most people think, especially if they are projected in the top 100 picks. A team can not afford to make a mistake on a 1-2-3 rounder. They make take a chance in the later rounds.

 

[Growler1]

I will take coach Williams' public comments at the start of and in the middle of the 2011 season over anything Growler and Alpha have to say about Tru. Williams was very candid about the fact that Tru's rep was not very good when he first got here as a Griz coach and he said it took some work to get Tru to be the player, leader and person he wanted him to be. He said that from the end of his junior season forward Tru has been everything Williams expects from him and he said his expectations are VERY HIGH so it was a long climb for Tru. Those words are good enough for me, since he is in fact A COACH at the UM and not a keyboard cowboy like the rest of us on here. I know Growler and Alpha will somehow say that Williams is lying or that he is supposed to say those things, and that's fine if that's what you want to believe, we'll just have to agree to disagree, but I'll take coach Williams' as a better source on Tru's character and WORK ethic than either of those two's sources they claim they have within the team or in the NFL.

You can believe anything you want, even through your maroon colored glasses. I was merely stating the report on TJ from one scout, and one team. Coaches always try to put their kids in the best possible light when their pro career is at stake. I would not expect anything less from a Griz coach when asked about one of his players. But these scouts have ways of checking out these kids. With TJ, is wasn't too difficult, because many of his transgressions were very much in the public eye.

 

[Growler1]

I will take coach Williams' public comments at the start of and in the middle of the 2011 season over anything Growler and Alpha have to say about Tru. Williams was very candid about the fact that Tru's rep was not very good when he first got here as a Griz coach and he said it took some work to get Tru to be the player, leader and person he wanted him to be. He said that from the end of his junior season forward Tru has been everything Williams expects from him and he said his expectations are VERY HIGH so it was a long climb for Tru. Those words are good enough for me, since he is in fact A COACH at the UM and not a keyboard cowboy like the rest of us on here. I know Growler and Alpha will somehow say that Williams is lying or that he is supposed to say those things, and that's fine if that's what you want to believe, we'll just have to agree to disagree, but I'll take coach Williams' as a better source on Tru's character and WORK ethic than either of those two's sources they claim they have within the team or in the NFL.

Agreed, and good info there.

This is just my observational opinion but under Hauck Tru didn't really get too cocky on the field, when Pflu came in that 1st spring camp was a mess and players like Tru got a little out of control and didn't respect authority much. It was a change over in styles of coaching, practicing, etc and I know Williams and Tru butted heads BIG TIME early on. That got smoothed out and things improved. In 2010 when Wilson showed up that brought some quick balance to the cornerbacks b/c nobody talked back to him or took plays off. Come 2011 Tru and other players had adapted and worked hard/played well.

I think what really happened with Tru is that he finally figured out that his attitude, cockiness, and off-field behavior could end up costing him millions of dollars. That usually brings a kid around.

 

[putter]

I can assure you that character issues surrounding TJ are a concern for at least one NFL team. And, I assume that they are for many more. The word has it that Tru did not practice very hard, made frequent excuses to be excused from practice, and has a "me first" attitude. His off-field problems really compounded the situation.

The off-field stuff did compound issues but saying Tru didn't practice hard, especially in his junior fall camp and senior sping/fall camps (senior spring he missed Mon/Weds due to class conflict). I can't speak for practice during the course of the season as I never went to one.

Well Brint somebody (Pflu? Williams? Breske?.......I don't know) told scouts and got the word out that Tru doesn't practice hard. Scouts don't come to conclusions like this by reading news articles and message boards. Somebody gave Tru a less than stellar report because scouts do not go to enough practices to make statements like that on their own. This is just my opinion of why McShay said that.

...or they saw it with their own eyes. There are NFL scouts all all games AND practices. When my sister was in the PT program they would help at practices and she said they would see scouts at practice all the time.

 

[George Ferguson]

HAAHAA, first, i KNEW you'd call coach Williams a liar! So predictable. Second, then you turn around with your next post and say Tru has come around? WTH. All you have done all year is try to say that he HAS NOT COME AROUND!! But whatever, you say I have an agenda against you Growler, which I don't. Because If you'll notice, on the rare occasion you post something I like, and it has happened, I don't have isht to say against you. However, YOU DO have a CLEAR CUT agenda against Tru and the only thing that it can be is race. Plain and simple. But whatever, there are 32 teams in the NFL and about 500 scouts working for those teams. I guess we'll find out who's right (you're ONE nameless scout buddy), or the the other 499 scouts, Todd McShay, Mel Kiper and countless others who have TJ projected very, very high. We'll find out in two months.

 

[PlayerRep]

I can assure you that character issues surrounding TJ are a concern for at least one NFL team. And, I assume that they are for many more. The word has it that Tru did not practice very hard, made frequent excuses to be excused from practice, and has a "me first" attitude. His off-field problems really compounded the situation.

The off-field stuff did compound issues but saying Tru didn't practice hard, especially in his junior fall camp and senior sping/fall camps (senior spring he missed Mon/Weds due to class conflict). I can't speak for practice during the course of the season as I never went to one.

Well Brint somebody (Pflu? Williams? Breske?.......I don't know) told scouts and got the word out that Tru doesn't practice hard. Scouts don't come to conclusions like this by reading news articles and message boards. Somebody gave Tru a less than stellar report because scouts do not go to enough practices to make statements like that on their own. This is just my opinion of why McShay said that.

...or they saw it with their own eyes. There are NFL scouts all all games AND practices. When my sister was in the PT program they would help at practices and she said they would see scouts at practice all the time.

Scouts come to practices only occasionally. They probably weren't at all games either. The Seahawks (perhaps even a coach) were scheduled, but cancelled, coming to the game after the taser incident.

 

[PlayerRep]

HAAHAA, first, i KNEW you'd call coach Williams a liar! So predictable. Second, then you turn around with your next post and say Tru has come around? WTH. All you have done all year is try to say that he HAS NOT COME AROUND!! But whatever, you say I have an agenda against you Growler, which I don't. Because If you'll notice, on the rare occasion you post something I like, and it has happened, I don't have isht to say against you. However, YOU DO have a CLEAR CUT agenda against Tru and the only thing that it can be is race. Plain and simple. But whatever, there are 32 teams in the NFL and about 500 scouts working for those teams. I guess we'll find out who's right (you're ONE nameless scout buddy), or the the other 499 scouts, Todd McShay, Mel Kiper and countless others who have TJ projected very, very high. We'll find out in two months.

G1 is lying about what his scout buddy supposedly said. He never gets it right and sometimes just outright lies.

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

A skunk smells his own ass first.......................

Thanks for pointing that out "Runs To Sniff Jocks"

 

[putter]

The off-field stuff did compound issues but saying Tru didn't practice hard, especially in his junior fall camp and senior sping/fall camps (senior spring he missed Mon/Weds due to class conflict). I can't speak for practice during the course of the season as I never went to one.

Well Brint somebody (Pflu? Williams? Breske?.......I don't know) told scouts and got the word out that Tru doesn't practice hard. Scouts don't come to conclusions like this by reading news articles and message boards. Somebody gave Tru a less than stellar report because scouts do not go to enough practices to make statements like that on their own. This is just my opinion of why McShay said that.

...or they saw it with their own eyes. There are NFL scouts all all games AND practices. When my sister was in the PT program they would help at practices and she said they would see scouts at practice all the time.

Scouts come to practices only occasionally. They probably weren't at all games either. The Seahawks (perhaps even a coach) were scheduled, but cancelled, coming to the game after the taser incident.

How often they are at a game or practice is debatable. They are there from time to time so it holds that they could have seen TJ attitudes for themselves and not have someone pass the word as was stated in the earlier post.

 

[BWahlberg]

Spring and Fall ball practices where there's a scout present (at least standing/sitting in an area where the rest of us that just watch the practices are at) I would say I see one maybe once or twice per week, and usually don't see the same guy more than once. This fall camp it seemed like maybe every other practice there was a fresh face there that you'd see just once.

 

[PlayerRep]

Well Brint somebody (Pflu? Williams? Breske?.......I don't know) told scouts and got the word out that Tru doesn't practice hard. Scouts don't come to conclusions like this by reading news articles and message boards. Somebody gave Tru a less than stellar report because scouts do not go to enough practices to make statements like that on their own. This is just my opinion of why McShay said that.

...or they saw it with their own eyes. There are NFL scouts all all games AND practices. When my sister was in the PT program they would help at practices and she said they would see scouts at practice all the time.

Scouts come to practices only occasionally. They probably weren't at all games either. The Seahawks (perhaps even a coach) were scheduled, but cancelled, coming to the game after the taser incident.

How often they are at a game or practice is debatable. They are there from time to time so it holds that they could have seen TJ attitudes for themselves and not have someone pass the word as was stated in the earlier post.

Brint, I and other of our friends have seen lots of practices in the last 2 years, and we didn't notice a practice problem with Johnson. I doubt that a scout who came to one or two practices would have noticed anything either.

 

[ordigger]

Here is Scout Inc's Player Evaluation - Scored overall a 83

80-89 Grade
1st Round 2nd Round Equivalent

A feature player at the collegiate level that has an impact on the outcome of the game. He generally cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. Most importantly, he shows the potential to create mismatches versus many opponents in the NFL. He rates in the top 5-to-10 at his position and is considered a second round draft prospect.

Overall Rank (50), Positional Rank (5)

Overall Football Traits

-Production 1 2008: (11/3) 21-4-4 2009: (11/10) - 54-12-5 2010: (11/9) - 44-7-4 Career (2008-'10) - 8 KORs-178-22.2-0.

-Height-Weight-Speed 1 "Rare blend of height, weight and top-end speed. "

-Durability 4 Sustained season-ending injury in 2008. Missed four games with an injury in 2009. (Missed 2009 Sacramento State game with a head injury sustained during a practice)

-Intangibles 4 Recruited to play receiver but moved to corner second day of practice. Co-recipient of team's outstanding back or receiver award in 2010. Montana head coach Robin Pflugrad said that Johnson needed to work on consistency in practice. Missed some practice time in the spring of 2011 to work on academics.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

Cornerback Specific Traits

-Instincts/Recognition 3 "Read quarterback and flashed the ability to get an early break on the ball. Step slow recognizing high-low route combinations and can drift downfield when has underneath responsibilities in zone coverage. However, overall route recognition is average. Can bite on play action."

-Cover Skills 3 Fluid hips for corner his size and fast enough to run with receivers when forced to turn and run. More than enough range to cover deep third. Footwork could be crisper and won't get away with sub-par technique in the NFL like does at the FCS level but quick enough to limit separation out of breaks. Got caught flat footed at times and could do better job of using long arms to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. Took extra step or two to gather and plant off back foot.

-Ball Skills 2 Tracks the ball well. Timed jumps well and can highpoint the ball in jump ball situations. Arm length appears to be above average on film and got hand on passes most corners would not have. Can reach in with left hand and deflect the ball without getting called for interference. Can extend arm and knock ball to the ground when has opportunity to go up with both hands and come down with the pick.

-Run Support 2 Doesn't shy away from contact and filled when he read run. Violent punch and can get off blocks. Kept outside contain and funneled backs inside. Has experience lining up outside tight end and could hold own if moved to safety. Wrapped but wrapped high at times raising concerns about ability to get power backs to the ground at the next level.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

 

[WaGriz4life]

Here is Scout Inc's Player Evaluation - Scored overall a 83

80-89 Grade
1st Round 2nd Round Equivalent

A feature player at the collegiate level that has an impact on the outcome of the game. He generally cannot be shut down by a single player and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. Most importantly, he shows the potential to create mismatches versus many opponents in the NFL. He rates in the top 5-to-10 at his position and is considered a second round draft prospect.

Overall Rank (50), Positional Rank (5)

Overall Football Traits

-Production 1 2008: (11/3) 21-4-4 2009: (11/10) - 54-12-5 2010: (11/9) - 44-7-4 Career (2008-'10) - 8 KORs-178-22.2-0.

-Height-Weight-Speed 1 "Rare blend of height, weight and top-end speed. "

-Durability 4 Sustained season-ending injury in 2008. Missed four games with an injury in 2009. (Missed 2009 Sacramento State game with a head injury sustained during a practice)

-Intangibles 4 Recruited to play receiver but moved to corner second day of practice. Co-recipient of team's outstanding back or receiver award in 2010. Montana head coach Robin Pflugrad said that Johnson needed to work on consistency in practice. Missed some practice time in the spring of 2011 to work on academics.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

Cornerback Specific Traits

-Instincts/Recognition 3 "Read quarterback and flashed the ability to get an early break on the ball. Step slow recognizing high-low route combinations and can drift downfield when has underneath responsibilities in zone coverage. However, overall route recognition is average. Can bite on play action."

-Cover Skills 3 Fluid hips for corner his size and fast enough to run with receivers when forced to turn and run. More than enough range to cover deep third. Footwork could be crisper and won't get away with sub-par technique in the NFL like does at the FCS level but quick enough to limit separation out of breaks. Got caught flat footed at times and could do better job of using long arms to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. Took extra step or two to gather and plant off back foot.

-Ball Skills 2 Tracks the ball well. Timed jumps well and can highpoint the ball in jump ball situations. Arm length appears to be above average on film and got hand on passes most corners would not have. Can reach in with left hand and deflect the ball without getting called for interference. Can extend arm and knock ball to the ground when has opportunity to go up with both hands and come down with the pick.

-Run Support 2 Doesn't shy away from contact and filled when he read run. Violent punch and can get off blocks. Kept outside contain and funneled backs inside. Has experience lining up outside tight end and could hold own if moved to safety. Wrapped but wrapped high at times raising concerns about ability to get power backs to the ground at the next level.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Nothing more accurate has been posted on this site than the last 2 posts.





Game over.

 

[DuCharme]

Raiders fans hoping he's still on the board in the 3rd rd... a lot think he will not be.

http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2012/2/18/2809126/oakland-raiders-2012-draft-trumaine-johnson-cb-montana" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[putter]

Bleacher report has him going to New England in the 3rd round 95th pick...


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ick-by-pick-analysis-for-all-32-teams/page/35

 

[Tokyogriz]

man I hope he doesnt go to the raiders blah...

 

[GrizDDS]

If he's really the #4 CB in the draft, he won't last until the 3rd round.
In 2011, 3 CB's went in the 1st round, 4 in the 2nd.
In 2010, 5 went in the 1st round, 2 in the 2nd.
That doesn't include safeties, which Johnson could also probably play.

 

[GrizMusician]

He'll go early in the second round. :thumb:

 

[CatFan22]

MSU's Joey Thomas was rated pretty high for being an FCS prospect in '04. Drafted in the 3rd round by the Packers that year. Didn't really pan out so I hope Tru doesn't follow suit. Good luck to him. :thumb: