Vikings want to retain free agent DT Tom Johnson in reduced role
INDIANAPOLIS — Tom Johnson entered last season with a chip on his shoulder. The 33-year-old veteran watched as the Vikings signed Datone Jones in free agency, converting the ex-Packers top pick to play Johnson’s position. Then the Vikings drafted Jaleel Johnson in the fourth round.
When all was said and done, it was Johnson who proved to be the Vikings’ best defensive tackle alongside Linval Joseph. He outlasted the competition and was third on the line of the league’s No. 1 defense with 675 snaps. He made a leap as a run defender, helping to shed the ‘pass rusher’ label he disliked.
So the Vikings want to retain Johnson, a pending free agent who turns 34 years old in August, but in a reduced role.
“I think Tom has some left,” head coach Mike Zimmer told the Star Tribune. “But I think we got to use him in the right way. He wanted to prove he could play the run — and he did. I think it took a toll out of him. I think his best thing is if he’s just used on certain passing downs, try to limit his reps to 30ish, you know, a game. Maybe 25, I think that would help.”
Zimmer said that extended playing time may have limited Johnson’s effectiveness as a pass rusher. Overall, the Vikings’ pass rush didn’t play as well at the end of the season.
“Maybe it was because Tom Johnson played too many plays, maybe we didn’t play Linval enough,” Zimmer said. “There’s a lot of things that we talked about that we have to look at. But we have to do a better job. That’s one of the things. I’ve got like six areas on both sides of the ball that we need to address.”
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-want-to-retain-free-agent-dt-tom-johnson-in-reduced-role/475649333/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Johnson did do a nice job against the run, but it was very clear that the DL wore down as the season went on. Bringing him back in a reduced role would be nice, but it's pretty clear that DT needs to be a priority through FA or the draft.
Yeah, who picks up the slack? If TJ goes back to 3rd down specialist who takes over for him? J. Johnson?
Once you get past the 1st round, the DT picks look pretty average to me. I'm not holding out hope that we get anybody substantial this year.
@"Tyr" said: Johnson did do a nice job against the run, but it was very clear that the DL wore down as the season went on. Bringing him back in a reduced role would be nice, but it's pretty clear that DT needs to be a priority through FA or the draft.He's not a full time player, situational only.
Losing Floyd hurts to this very day don't it?
QB, 3t and OL all need to be settled and improved.
Crazy to say that about a team that went to the NFCCG. Yet that game exposed em in many ways too.
There are some developable DTs, like the interior guys for NC State, Or Nnadi.
I think De'Ron Payne can start. Harrison Phillips will get snaps, too.
The guy I personally like out of all of them is Taven Bryan. He is just scratching the surface of what he's gonna be. Phillips is a solid player as well, but Bryan looks like he could turn into something special.
With DL and OL Interior Depth being what they are in this draft, maybe The Vikes should take a look at a Muhammed Wilkerson, or Dontari Poe in FA?
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