Matt Johnson said health isn't an issue

[Midswat]

April, 28, 2012

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys fourth-round pick, safety Matt Johnson, endured some health issues at Eastern Washington.

Johnson missed a spring game in 2010 with a concussion and had his season cut short his senior year in 2011 with a torn biceps.

"Yes, I got a lot of questions," Johnson said, alluding to what NFL teams asked when it came to his health. "I went through the physical with every place I went and checked out my shoulder and got all of the background checks and got everything checked out and I'm ready to go."

Johnson added, "my health is the best I've felt in all of college."

Johnson visited with not only the Cowboys but Chicago and Philadelphia.

It was his visit with the Cowboys he enjoyed the most.

"My dad was a Cowboys fan," said Johnson, who grew up in Tumwater, Washington. "So I remember the first day watching them with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. I had the Emmitt Smith jersey growing up. So from the first time I can remember watching football, I was a Cowboys fan."

 

[Bob Sacamano]

So now I know not to totally trust the lists of players who visit Dallas.

 

[Rock Slamdance]

I like this pick. Fuck what the 700 scouting services say. Watching him on youtube, the kid is a football player. I trust in Rob & Jerome to coach him up. And as athletic as he is, he is an instant upgrade as an extra safety over McCray (who should only play ST) and Chruch.

 

[Midswat]

Redskins take ANOTHER runningback... after taking 2 last year.

They have no idea how to build a team.

Not like we do, anyway.

 

[dbair1967]

[video=youtube;ZE2X4YzuR20]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE2X4YzuR20&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

 

[dbair1967]

[video=youtube;gl-uGURx5mk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl-uGURx5mk&feature=relmfu[/video]

 

[Bob Sacamano]

DallasCowboys.com football analyst Bryan Broaddus, a former NFL scout of 13 years, breaks down each of the Cowboys' draft picks.

Here is Broaddus' breakdown of Eastern Washington Safety Matt Johnson, whom the Cowboys drafted #135 overall with their Day 3 pick on Saturday.

Why He's Special: Good reactions....fight off the block...physical tackler...flies to the ball...steps up to make the tackle...down hill player...drives well on the ball in coverage...takes good angles to the ball...can beat the block to the point of attack...wrap up tackler...aware to read routes up the field...can carry slot up the field...not just a strong safety type...has some flexibility to his game....works to try and create turnovers.

What Needs Work: Has no problems in the running game and covers well enough but the coaches will work on his footwork and technique to make him more of a complete safety.

How He Fits In: This is a physical player that leaves it all on the field...always around the football...love the way that he tries to create turnovers...plays with awareness and does have some cover ability....has a nose for ball.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

If you're going to draft a small school player, make sure that he played like a man among boys out there, and Matt Johnson did exactly that.

It was a freebie pick anyways.

 

[Rock Slamdance]

[video=youtube;gl-uGURx5mk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl-uGURx5mk&feature=relmfu[/video]

That field is fucking hideous.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sports Illustrated.

With the 135th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select Matt Johnson, SS (Eastern Washington). Tough run-defending safety who is best in a straight line. Effectively reads the action, directs his teammates in the secondary and forces his way up the field to make plays against the run. Squares into ballcarriers, goes for the knockout blow and is aggressive in all aspects of the game. Remains disciplined with coverage assignments in the middle of the field.

 

[Rock Slamdance]

When Matt Johnson picks of the game clinching pass against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, you fuck sticks will change your tunes.

 

[dbair1967]

Johnson said he received a call from Philly saying they were going to take him in the 4th or 5th rd.

He had predraft visits with 3 or 4 teams from what I've read

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

When Matt Johnson picks of the game clinching pass against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, you fuck sticks will change your tunes.

Just remember that I was the first on this site that was onboard with this pick.

 

[cmd34]

When Matt Johnson picks of the game clinching pass against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, you fuck sticks will change your tunes.

but why would Tom Brady be playing in the Arena League ? Money problems? Gissele is probably very demanding.

 

[dbair1967]

but why would Tom Brady be playing in the Arena League ? Money problems? Gissele is probably very demanding.

Matt Johnson is going to cause the Brady/Gisele divorce

"What a limp dick, how can you throw a Super Bowl game clinching pick 6 to some white guy from Eastern Washington??"

 

[overused]

Say what Hos

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Matt Johnson said the Eagles told him that they were going to draft him in either the 4th or 5th round

Take it for what it's worth, because I've read stories where teams have told undrafted players that they were 6th/7th round targets for them.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Gil Brandt is really high on Matt Johnson. Said if he hadn't got injured this year, he would have been a really high pick, and that the injury, which was early in the year, kinda of made people forget that he was there. A little unlikely, but there you have it.

 

[Iamtdg]

Reach.

We could have had him at least a round later.

 

[Freddie]

I personally scouted every kick this guy made and forwarded my results to the Cowboys. Hence the selection.

Any doubters want to wager $100 I'm telling the truth?


That's what I thought.