LJ Promoted with Bucs

[isu_oak]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers promote undrafted cornerback Leonard Johnson - Tampa Bay Times

His comfort level was the result of being picked to work on a separate field — with the team's draft picks — during the three-day rookie minicamp that ended Sunday.

"I came in not knowing what to expect, and here I am with the drafted guys," said Johnson, a former Largo High quarterback. "So we all blend in now. Someone told me (Saturday), 'It's not how you get here. It's what you do once you're here.' And that just said it all. So I'm excited."

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Not surprised. Dude deserved to get drafted. He should have a really good shot at making the team.

 

[R1975P]

He could started this year with the Vikes.

 

[ItsCyence]

I was bummed Minnesota didn't get him in round 7.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

He could started this year with the Vikes.

The vikings secondary is bad, but not that bad. I mean he might have an outside shot but Cook, & Winfield are locked into starting spots and the 3rd will come from a group of veterans and draft picks (they took Josh Robinson in the 3rd).

 

[RING4CY]

If he moved up his way to working with the draft picks, when they drafted 2 defensive backs (1st & 6th rounds), he should have a good shot of making the team.

 

[Hawkfan44]

Just me but I think LJ is a great hitter. Could make it to start out as a gunner on the kickoff team! I know I wouldn't want to return a kick with him coming down the field! LOL!

 

[flander1649]

Are Sims and Franklin still with the Bucs weren't they both on the practice squad last year?

 

[demoncore1031]

Are Sims and Franklin still with the Bucs weren't they both on the practice squad last year?

franklin is still with tampa. played in 2 games last year... sims is with the browns

 

[CapnCy]

I read a couple articles on LJ...the Bucs have basically said, "we have no idea why others didn't take him, but glad we had a shot."

I hope he can stay injury free and stick...and hope some preseason games make it on our airwaves.

 

[brett108]

The vikings secondary is bad, but not that bad. I mean he might have an outside shot but Cook, & Winfield are locked into starting spots and the 3rd will come from a group of veterans and draft picks (they took Josh Robinson in the 3rd).

The fact that Winfield is still locked into a starting spot says it all. He was one of the best corners in the league. 7 years ago.

 

[tazclone]

LJ's forty time and lack of INTs killed him. Absolutely killed him. I have no doubt he will make the team and ply in the NFL. Guy is physical and a great cover corner.

Unfortunately, this is a reputation issue. ISU does not have a reputation for putting guys in the NFL so our players drop. This will need to change. We need guys like LJ, Tuba, KO, Lattimer, Hicks, etc to make teams and contribute. Once that happens, we get more guys getting drafted and attract higher rated recruits

 

[19210]

LJ's forty time and lack of INTs killed him. Absolutely killed him. I have no doubt he will make the team and ply in the NFL. Guy is physical and a great cover corner.

Unfortunately, this is a reputation issue. ISU does not have a reputation for putting guys in the NFL so our players drop. This will need to change. We need guys like LJ, Tuba, KO, Lattimer, Hicks, etc to make teams and contribute. Once that happens, we get more guys getting drafted and attract higher rated recruits

I've heard this before and have a hard time believing it has anything to do with the ISU label. Shoot guys from lesser schools get drafted. The NFL scouts don't pass up talent and their jobs are dependent on finding the best guys out there.

 

[IcSyU]

It's not an issue at all with ISU's reputation. It's that he's a slightly above average corner who didn't get many shots because he had the likes of Kennard Banks and Jeremy Reeves across the field. No need to throw towards him with those two on the other side.

He made some great plays, and he made some really boneheaded plays. He's not a great corner and that's why he wasn't drafted. Of course they're going to say they're glad he fell out of the draft so they could give him a shot. They aren't going to throw one of their players under the bus.

 

[Cydkar]

For LJ it was his lack of speed and height that dropped him. Simple measurables that are weighed quite heavily even though he was effective at the college level.

 

[CLONECONES]

he was a steal as a free agent

hope he does well

 

[Cyclonepride]

Yeah, not a reputation issue. If guys are getting drafted from NW Montana St (theoretically), being at ISU is not going to be a problem, especially with our level of competition. LJ was able to prove himself against some of the best in the country, but evidently people got hung up on the 40 time, etc.. He's about to prove that that was a mistake.

 

[Clones85']

It's absolutely a reputation issue. If Leonard had this type of success at Oklahoma, but than ran a 4.75 forty at the combine, he would still have gotten drafted. That's not a debate, that's a fact.

Guys that get drafted from NW Montana State get drafted because they generally run fast or do something that sets them apart to have a team give them a shot or take a flyer on them.

 

[BringBackJohnny]

What!!! Did he really run a 4.75 !!! :shocked: Tell me that isn't real.

 

[bringmagicback]

If he is good enough he will make it regardless of where he's from or his measurables.

I have a friend from a much smaller program that wasnt on anyones radar that made an nfl team just by happening to know a coach that invited him to camp and proving he was beast mode.