Cody Johnson #31

by JRBTX on Sep 20, 2008 11:56 PM CDT Comment 11 comments

Just got back from the game and I know that many on here as well as I are somewhat worried about our run game and its implementation. Seeing the horns for the first time in person, one thing that stuck out in my mind was the running of Cody Johnson. Granted it was rice and they were down the whole game, but his quickness and cutting ability for his size really impressed me. Also, his ability to run the zone stretch and see the whole as well as the cutback lane shows that there might be more to him than we thought. I dont know if he'd be the full time starter but i do believe that him and Fozzy would be a great combo of speed and size/speed. Let me know what yall think and saw.

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Johnson

was pretty much unstoppable at Waller (Class 4A school just NW of Houston), but that level of competition makes it a bit hard to evaluate a player -- a big strong guy can just overmatch linemen and LBers.

Because of the news blackout surrounding all but the seniors and elite others in UT’s program, it’s hard to know what the young guys can do.

Earl Thomas was never mentioned last year; he’s starting as a freshman. Whittaker was barely mentioned. Johnson never was; under those circumstances, the player could be a stud or a dud. Cody is proving he’s the former.

I think he can be the main man at TB, supplemented by a speedier, shiftier counterpart. But Johnson is at least a year away from being somebody you could build around. He hasn’t been tested yet against an OU or A&M.

by edsp on Sep 21, 2008 12:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

a&m??

thats a test?

by Longhorns84 on Sep 21, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha - I was thinking the same thing.

by HornPossessed on Sep 21, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two previous

comments make a lot of sense; shudda subbed Mizzou or KU for Ags, but it seems to me they’ve played pretty D the past two Thanksgivings.

by edsp on Sep 21, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, I was just about to post something like this

Honestly, I don’t think Cody Johnson is the answer. I am usually not the pessimist and maybe still have a little sour taste in my mouth from Henry Melton but I just don’t see him fitting the needs of this offense. Don’t get me wrong he looks like a great player.

That may lead you to ask the needs of this offense, well just so happens i am prepared to answer. It is quite simple really, Jamaal Charles. 2 reasons why.

1. His speed, agility and vision are perfect for the “Zone Read” (I have a couple comments on that too, later)

2. Homerun threat, with the inability to consistently stretch the field in the passing game the ability to hit it long in the running game is necessary.

And the Zone Read play, is it really a “Read” because it doesn’t look like there is ever an option. To me it looks like the play is set before the ball is even snapped making it just an off Tackle or Draw. The Brilliance of this play is the ability of the QB to know when to keep and it and when to hand it off. When the play is already decided it takes that extra option away.

Again just my opinion and i am no expert.

Also is Vondrell hurt he hasn’t looked very good since that first drive against FAU which i remember him tweaking his knee/ankle.(not sure)

Adopt-a-recruit: Devon Kennard DE
Phoenix (AZ) Desert Vista 6'3" 257lbs

by blazzinken on Sep 21, 2008 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Half right about the zone read

We usually do call either designed handoffs or draw plays from the shotgun. The way to tell a ZR from a regular run is that on a ZR one of the DEs will come into the backfield unblocked for Colt to read. If everyone is blocked, it was likely a designed play.

by Horn Brain on Sep 21, 2008 1:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with blazzinken

Johnson was solid for his first 6-8 carries. Check the gameday thread and you will see that we were all enamored with him. But, at the start of the third quarter he lost a step or three and wasn’t running as hard as he was in the first half. He can come off the bench and give us a solid series or two, but I’m not convinced that he is the physical shape to be an every possession back.

He was impressive when he was fresh, but was only fresh for a handful of plays. We really need Fozzy to get back to full health before the OU game.

by the1austin on Sep 21, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cody Johnson

IS what Texas needs. Texas needs a RB that hits the holes HARD. He hits people, people don’t hit him!

by Longhorns84 on Sep 21, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know he isnt the prototype

but he looked impressive and a lot better than mcgee. I would much rather have him running the load over mcgee if fozzy is injured. also, when fozzy is back we must not put him on the shelf as we tend to do. Think in a year if he can lose a few pounds and pick up some speed. Cody is a completely different body type than henry melton and more built for running the ball.

by JRBTX on Sep 21, 2008 12:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs