A desert gem?

[Black&BlueBubba]

I didn’t pay attention to this signing in the offseason.  But after further research we could possibly have a gem uncovered from the desert in Arizona.  Dorian Johnson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 draft. He was originally expected to go in the high 2nd round but a liver issue was uncovered during the medical checks prior to the combine. There were multiple reports that teams didn’t know how to handle or evaluate the liver issue that late in the draft process. At 6’5” and 315 pounds, he was higher ranked than our beloved Taylor Moton but slipped in the draft due to medical concerns.   He was the #3 rated guard in the entire 2017 draft. It was expected the he would go to Arizona and start from day one at guard. That didn’t happen. I can’t really find in my research so far what the problem was but he performed poorly in the preseason for Arizona. So much so he was finally cut. We picked him up this January which is why the news has been so quite about this.   I’m not sure what the actual problem was. I do know this much, Matsko has made starters out of players with far less talent than Johnson. 

My hope is that he has the talent and is healthy enough to take over the LG void to allow Moton to be groomed for a Tackle spot in the future. Whether that be at left or right tackle. I’m sure Moton would do fine at the LG spot. But the massive influx of guards like Sirles, the 3 UDFA’s, Zach Banner and Dorian Johnson waiver claims, and all the talk about Larsen and Van Roten leads me to believe that they have other plans for Moton in the future. I think it is hopefully a motivating factor for Johnson to take advantage of his second chance.  It’s hard to find tackles in the NFL.  And if they think Moton is a tackle of the future you don’t move him to guard. Period. If Johnson could slide into that LG spot it gives us leverage in the Williams free agency talks next year. But If there’s is a possibility that he could play LT I would do backflips.  Then we could sign Williams at RT and have Moton take over the LT spot and cut the current underwhelming ultra expensive speed bump called Matt Khalil after this season.  I think that may be a reach for Moton, he may be better suited to RT like he played in college.

Lets hope that we uncovered a desert gem in Dorian Johnson and not just a dusty piece of glass. It could be the key to having a excellent and less expensive offensive line that could allow us to use our resources elsewhere for a run at a SB ring.

 

Dorian Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh    Selected: Round 4, Pick 8, Overall Pick 115 by Cardinals

Name: Dorian Johnson  College: Pittsburgh     Number: 53 Height: 6-5   Weight: 300  Position: OG  Pos2: OT  Class/Draft Year: Sr/2017 40 Low: 5.17  40 Time: 5.27   40 High: 5.36  Projected Round: 2   High: 2nd   Low: 3rd  Stock:  Rated number 3 out of 180 OG's     63 / 2751 TOTAL

Combine Results		Pro Day Results
Combine Invite: Yes Height: 6045 Weight: 300 PD3X AKA "Official" 40 Yard Dash (ET): 5.27 40 Yard Dash (HH): 5.25 20 Yard (ET): 3.01 20 Yard (HH): 3.00 10 Yard (ET): 1.79 10 Yard (HH): 1.80	225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21 Vertical Jump: 30 Broad Jump: 09'06" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.09 3-Cone Drill: 8.39 5.20/+.07	Dates: 03/22/17   Hand: 10 7/8  Arm: 35 1/4 Wingspan: 83 Height: 6045 Weight: 300 40 Yard Dash (HH):  20 Yard (HH):  10 Yard (HH):	225 Lb. Bench Reps:  Vertical Jump:  Broad Jump:  20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.02 3-Cone Drill:
		Shuttle & Pos Drills Only.

Data Scout Notes:  2016: 1stC...POutland...2015: 2ndC/2ndM...2014: NAM...2013: NAC/NAM

Dorian Johnson/Pittsburgh football Videos

 

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Header   Dorian Johnson OG Pittsburgh Panthers #53 6045 300 5.02 Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon Area High School

Overview   STRENGTHS: Unlike many interior lineman sporting 300+ pounds, Johnson carries his weight well, sporting thick limbs with no extra around the middle. He is often asked to pull in this scheme and is well suited for it, showing light feet and balance leaving his stance and locating second level targets. Johnson isn't just athletic, he's savvy. His experience shows up while blocking at the second level, where Johnson shows vision and anticipation to track and attack and greater finishing power and intensity as a senior than in previous years. His balance and lateral agility make him quite effective in pass protection, as well, as Johnson slides easily to mirror athletic rushers and shows awareness to counter stunts and surprise blitzes. Johnson has shown impressive durability over his career, starting since midway through his freshman season and missing just one game (the season opener in his freshman year) during that time. Generally plays with proper technique but is considered a player with some potential left untapped.   WEAKNESSES: Despite his experience, Johnson does not always play with the greatest of fundamentals. He is a bit reliant on his lateral agility and balance to seal off opponents, rather than latching on and controlling due to inconsistent hand placement and pad level. The game seems to come easy to him due to his natural athleticism but Johnson does not always play with the sustained intensity scouts would prefer, raising some questions as to whether he will ever fully maximize his potential.  IN OUR VIEW: Johnson was a standout from the start at Pitt and possesses the blend of size, agility and strength to earn immediate playing time in the NFL, as well. His quickness and body control make Johnson particularly well suited to a zone-blocking scheme.  COMPARES TO: Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints: Johnson has a long ways to go before warranting a comparison to Evans (a six-time Pro Bowler) but he possesses a similar blend of balance and awareness in pass protection, as well as the quickness in the running game.   --Rob Rang (1/23/17)

Analysis   The NFL can only hope that Johnson follows the same career arc as the last All-American offensive lineman from Pitt 22 years ago - guard Ruben Brown, a nine-time Pro Bowler over 13 seasons with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears.  Johnson certainly looked the part of a future NFL standout during his time with the Panthers. A local product from nearly Belle Vernon, Johnson signed amid great fanfare, earning five stars and the overall mark among offensive linemen by some recruiting sites. He played in 12 games as a true freshman, starting three times (two at left tackle, one at right guard) before making the switch to left guard as a sophomore. Teaming with left tackle Adam Bisnowaty, Johnson provided a brick wall on the left side for the Panthers over the next three seasons. He earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2015 before capping his career by allowing zero sacks and earning All-American nods from several publications in 2016, starting 40 consecutive games to conclude his career.   Agile and awareness in pass protection and nimble blocking at the second level in the running game, Johnson is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2017 draft. Whether he ultimately earns a spot among the top 32 or falls just outside of the first round, he looks like a Day One starter and future standout.

[Khyber53]

Hmmm, wouldn't it be nice to work up an LT from the scrap heap? Of course, he is coming from Arizona which had a really odd season. Hard to tell if he didn't pan out there or if he just got lost in the wash.

 

[LinvilleGorge]

I’m pretty pleased with the scrap heap OL we’ve put together out of FA and UDFAs. Hopefully one or two pan out.

[Jangler]

turquoise is cool

[Pejorative Miscreant]

It would be nice to know what the issue is.  The fact that we picked him up leads me to

believe its at least manageable when treated properly.  All that said regardl we of how he can reforms I hope the young man is or is in the process of getting healthy.  

[davos]

I wanted Dorian in that draft, remember not knowing why he was falling.  I think that medical issue was kept really hush.  

Maybe he's a find.

[caatfan]

I 

2 hours ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

I can’t really find in my research so far what the problem was but he performed poorly in the preseason for Arizona. So much so he was finally cut. We picked him up this January which is why the news has been so quite about this.

I couldn't find anything on his medical issue either, but he was signed and released by Houston as well, before the Panthers picked him up. I can see a medical report on a liver problem affecting him in the draft, but his NFL experience makes him look like just another marginal lineman. His 1st team All America and All ACC selections don't jive with his bottom dwelling on practice squads though. He obviously had talent in college.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Apparently this guy has some sort of liver issue. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

But I agree, he's go the talent to possibly make the team, if healthy. 

[Captain Morgan]

well I did not know all this, thanks to the OP.

But if Arizona gave up on a 4th round OL pick that fast, he must have been really bad.

[BigSyke]

I read that Panthers picked some other decent LT/G from Alabama named Korren Kirven who is a udfa. I think he was on the 2015 NC team for Bama.

We'll see what happens.

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Bolt/Panthers-sign-offensive-lineman-Korren-Kirven-117887067

[heel31ok]

7 hours ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

I didn’t pay attention to this signing in the offseason.  But after further research we could possibly have a gem uncovered from the desert in Arizona.  Dorian Johnson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 draft. He was originally expected to go in the high 2nd round but a liver issue was uncovered during the medical checks prior to the combine. There were multiple reports that teams didn’t know how to handle or evaluate the liver issue that late in the draft process. At 6’5” and 315 pounds, he was higher ranked than our beloved Taylor Moton but slipped in the draft due to medical concerns.   He was the #3 rated guard in the entire 2017 draft. It was expected the he would go to Arizona and start from day one at guard. That didn’t happen. I can’t really find in my research so far what the problem was but he performed poorly in the preseason for Arizona. So much so he was finally cut. We picked him up this January which is why the news has been so quite about this.   I’m not sure what the actual problem was. I do know this much, Matsko has made starters out of players with far less talent than Johnson. 

My hope is that he has the talent and is healthy enough to take over the LG void to allow Moton to be groomed for a Tackle spot in the future. Whether that be at left or right tackle. I’m sure Moton would do fine at the LG spot. But the massive influx of guards like Sirles, the 3 UDFA’s, Zach Banner and Dorian Johnson waiver claims, and all the talk about Larsen and Van Roten leads me to believe that they have other plans for Moton in the future. I think it is hopefully a motivating factor for Johnson to take advantage of his second chance.  It’s hard to find tackles in the NFL.  And if they think Moton is a tackle of the future you don’t move him to guard. Period. If Johnson could slide into that LG spot it gives us leverage in the Williams free agency talks next year. But If there’s is a possibility that he could play LT I would do backflips.  Then we could sign Williams at RT and have Moton take over the LT spot and cut the current underwhelming ultra expensive speed bump called Matt Khalil after this season.  I think that may be a reach for Moton, he may be better suited to RT like he played in college.

Lets hope that we uncovered a desert gem in Dorian Johnson and not just a dusty piece of glass. It could be the key to having a excellent and less expensive offensive line that could allow us to use our resources elsewhere for a run at a SB ring.

 

Dorian Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh    Selected: Round 4, Pick 8, Overall Pick 115 by Cardinals

Name: Dorian Johnson  College: Pittsburgh     Number: 53 Height: 6-5   Weight: 300  Position: OG  Pos2: OT  Class/Draft Year: Sr/2017 40 Low: 5.17  40 Time: 5.27   40 High: 5.36  Projected Round: 2   High: 2nd   Low: 3rd  Stock:  Rated number 3 out of 180 OG's     63 / 2751 TOTAL

Combine Results		Pro Day Results
Combine Invite: Yes Height: 6045 Weight: 300 PD3X AKA "Official" 40 Yard Dash (ET): 5.27 40 Yard Dash (HH): 5.25 20 Yard (ET): 3.01 20 Yard (HH): 3.00 10 Yard (ET): 1.79 10 Yard (HH): 1.80	225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21 Vertical Jump: 30 Broad Jump: 09'06" 20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.09 3-Cone Drill: 8.39 5.20/+.07	Dates: 03/22/17   Hand: 10 7/8  Arm: 35 1/4 Wingspan: 83 Height: 6045 Weight: 300 40 Yard Dash (HH):  20 Yard (HH):  10 Yard (HH):	225 Lb. Bench Reps:  Vertical Jump:  Broad Jump:  20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.02 3-Cone Drill:
		Shuttle & Pos Drills Only.

Data Scout Notes:  2016: 1stC...POutland...2015: 2ndC/2ndM...2014: NAM...2013: NAC/NAM

Dorian Johnson/Pittsburgh football Videos

 

*Automated search based on player first/last name, college team name, football, 3 loading panels, click video to view in full size on this page,
watch or fast forward one full video, or open player with red arrow to choose more cuts at the bottom of the big video screen.
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Header   Dorian Johnson OG Pittsburgh Panthers #53 6045 300 5.02 Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon Area High School

Overview   STRENGTHS: Unlike many interior lineman sporting 300+ pounds, Johnson carries his weight well, sporting thick limbs with no extra around the middle. He is often asked to pull in this scheme and is well suited for it, showing light feet and balance leaving his stance and locating second level targets. Johnson isn't just athletic, he's savvy. His experience shows up while blocking at the second level, where Johnson shows vision and anticipation to track and attack and greater finishing power and intensity as a senior than in previous years. His balance and lateral agility make him quite effective in pass protection, as well, as Johnson slides easily to mirror athletic rushers and shows awareness to counter stunts and surprise blitzes. Johnson has shown impressive durability over his career, starting since midway through his freshman season and missing just one game (the season opener in his freshman year) during that time. Generally plays with proper technique but is considered a player with some potential left untapped.   WEAKNESSES: Despite his experience, Johnson does not always play with the greatest of fundamentals. He is a bit reliant on his lateral agility and balance to seal off opponents, rather than latching on and controlling due to inconsistent hand placement and pad level. The game seems to come easy to him due to his natural athleticism but Johnson does not always play with the sustained intensity scouts would prefer, raising some questions as to whether he will ever fully maximize his potential.  IN OUR VIEW: Johnson was a standout from the start at Pitt and possesses the blend of size, agility and strength to earn immediate playing time in the NFL, as well. His quickness and body control make Johnson particularly well suited to a zone-blocking scheme.  COMPARES TO: Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints: Johnson has a long ways to go before warranting a comparison to Evans (a six-time Pro Bowler) but he possesses a similar blend of balance and awareness in pass protection, as well as the quickness in the running game.   --Rob Rang (1/23/17)

Analysis   The NFL can only hope that Johnson follows the same career arc as the last All-American offensive lineman from Pitt 22 years ago - guard Ruben Brown, a nine-time Pro Bowler over 13 seasons with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears.  Johnson certainly looked the part of a future NFL standout during his time with the Panthers. A local product from nearly Belle Vernon, Johnson signed amid great fanfare, earning five stars and the overall mark among offensive linemen by some recruiting sites. He played in 12 games as a true freshman, starting three times (two at left tackle, one at right guard) before making the switch to left guard as a sophomore. Teaming with left tackle Adam Bisnowaty, Johnson provided a brick wall on the left side for the Panthers over the next three seasons. He earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2015 before capping his career by allowing zero sacks and earning All-American nods from several publications in 2016, starting 40 consecutive games to conclude his career.   Agile and awareness in pass protection and nimble blocking at the second level in the running game, Johnson is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2017 draft. Whether he ultimately earns a spot among the top 32 or falls just outside of the first round, he looks like a Day One starter and future standout.

All good and fine but Moton is  going to play OG...not groomed to play ot

[Black&BlueBubba]

5 hours ago, caatfan said:

I 

I couldn't find anything on his medical issue either, but he was signed and released by Houston as well, before the Panthers picked him up. I can see a medical report on a liver problem affecting him in the draft, but his NFL experience makes him look like just another marginal lineman. His 1st team All America and All ACC selections don't jive with his bottom dwelling on practice squads though. He obviously had talent in college.

Yeah I don’t think the Liver thing is part of his performance issue.  I think it’s just bad play.  But I’m hopeful.  We made Norwell. Fixed a really bad Oher, and mad a 4th round pick in Williams a pro bowler.  Hopefully Matsko can work his magic on any one of these guys so we can save Moton for tackle duty next year.  That would be huge because we have to find possibly a right tackle if Williams leaves, a center, and hopefully a left tackle to replace the speed bump.  That’s a lot to ask for in one draft. 

[LinvilleGorge]

6 minutes ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

Yeah I don’t think the Liver thing is part of his performance issue.  I think it’s just bad play.  But I’m hopeful.  We made Norwell. Fixed a really bad Oher, and mad a 4th round pick in Williams a pro bowler.  Hopefully Matsko can work his magic on any one of these guys so we can save Moton for tackle duty next year.  That would be huge because we have to find possibly a right tackle if Williams leaves, a center, and hopefully a left tackle to replace the speed bump.  That’s a lot to ask for in one draft. 

We also drafted Evan Mathis in the 3rd and he washed out with us before becoming a Pro Bowler for the Eagles. Sometimes things just don’t work out between a player/coaches/organization for whatever reason.