Plain name, flashy hair -- John Johnson finds star role on Rams' loaded defense

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BonifayRam

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By Lindsey ThiryESPN

http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/po...standing-out-amid-a-defense-filled-with-stars

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- John Johnson III might have a common name, but he hardly blends into a crowd.The 6-foot, 209-pound Los Angeles Rams safety sports braided bleach-blond hair in contrast to his jet-black beard."Easiest color to spot," Johnson said when asked what inspired his hairstyle. "Same reason why cabs in New York are yellow."

Through two games, Johnson and linebacker Cory Littleton are leading the Rams (2-0) in tackles. Johnson had a team-high seven in a shutout against the Arizona Cardinals (0-2). Yet, as several Rams players stood in the locker room conducting media interviews last Sunday, Johnson stood alone as he quietly gathered his belongings.

Flashy hair and all, it's difficult to stand out, let alone gain outside attention, when playing on a defense that includes reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and All-Pro cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib.

But Johnson's productivity is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and it likely will be on display again Sunday when the Rams host the Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
"He's brought a lot," Rams coach Sean McVay said about Johnson. "He's been really, really good."

In a Week 1 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Johnson initially struggled when matched up with tight end Jared Cook. But Johnson adjusted and, in the second quarter, changed the momentum of the game when he slid in front of Cook and intercepted a deep pass by quarterback Derek Carr in the end zone. The turnover was converted into a field goal in the 33-13 victory.

"Great instincts, great communication, great awareness and he's an excellent tackler," McVay said. "He's a complete safety, and I think he's really started to take a leadership role, especially with just his command of the defense, the understanding." Last Sunday, in a shutout over the Cardinals, Johnson almost single-handedly shut down the Cardinals' opening drive with four tackles in six plays as the Rams' defense limited the Cardinals to 137 total yards of offense.

"Really assignment football, I read my keys and go and just make plays," Johnson said. "But aside from that, different packages I'm used as kind of a linebacker, so they move me around a lot, and I think it's because I have it up top, mentally, and I just have to roam around and make plays."

It didn't take Peters, who was acquired in an offseason trade and has an NFL-best 20 interceptions dating to 2015, long to recognize Johnson's talent."He's gonna be an All-Pro soon," Peters said a week into training camp. "That dude got some knowledge to him, he knows how to play football, he plays fast. That's what you want out of a safety."

The Rams selected Johnson out of Boston College with a third-round pick in 2017. By Week 5 of his rookie season, the team felt comfortable enough with his progress to cut veteran Maurice Alexander and start Johnson alongside Lamarcus Joyner.

Johnson finished the season ranked 17th among all safeties, according to Pro Football Focus. He had 56 tackles, 11 pass deflections and an interception. He was considered a force in both stopping the run and in pass coverage.In defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, Johnson's responsibilities are plentiful. In the base defense, he's either in man-to-man coverage or in the run game. He's a safety, but he also plays a role similar to a linebacker.

"That safety position, specifically where he's playing, requires and entails a lot of communication based on what the offense is in personnel grouping-wise," McVay said. "You see the versatility that he provides us."

In two games this season, Johnson also has three pass deflections to pair with his interception and 16 tackles. Given the talent Johnson is surrounded by, it's likely he'll have the opportunity to continue to stand out, regardless of his hair color. "Teams are going to try to come at me," Johnson said. "I guess they don't want to go at them, so they're going to come at me, and I just got to keep making plays."
 

XXXIVwin

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Yeah, he’s killin it this year. Pass breakups, sure tackling, versatility... and more swag
 

RamDino

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Didn't understand the pick when it was made... happy to be eating crow. JJ is great and still growing.
 

IBruce80

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He has turned put to be a promising player amongst an all star defence.
He's really stepping up.
 

Jacobarch

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I have to take off my hat to the Rams FO. They have been killing it with later round picks in the draft. Blythe, Johnson, Littleton. I can't say enough for our scouting department.

Johnson is straight up ballin.
 

BonifayRam

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
It's only been 2 gms played,...... but it sure appears to ne that JJ III is outplaying our Franchized Tag (near $11.3 million) deep safety Lamarcus Joyner. Our future safety cadre from this point on.......

#1).Lamarcu Joyner 27-5 5-8/191 - UFA 2019
#2).Blake Countess 25-3 5-10/191 - RFA 2019
#3).Marqui Christian 23-3 5-11/207 - UFA 2020
#4).John Johnson 22-2 6-0/210
#5).Steven Parker 22-R 6-1/210

......Looks to be in decent shape even with the highly probable departure of Joner when this season ends. JJ III game by game improvement is said to have leadership skills & the 23 yr old Marqui Christain abrupt entry onto the field in NIckle & Dime defenses is a wonderful surprise.

Not sure who will be in line to replace Joyner but if I had to make the call at this time JJ III would slide into Joyner spot & Christian would get insert into JJ III position. I would think a safety will be added with one of our 3rd or 4th rd selections.
 
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Rams43

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Wade couldn’t stop smiling for 2 days after they gave him the JJ pick in that trade down. Lol.

We now see why.
 

Tano

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Right there with ya.
I was so ticked at this pick.

There were a ton of "possible" excellent CBs (who I felt we really needed) over a safety that might play back-up to Joyner and Alexander. I felt that was definitely a big mistake on their part.

Well...

upload_2018-9-19_15-39-42.jpeg
 

Memento

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Totally happy to eat crow on JJ3. He's really stood out this season so far.
 

So Ram

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Wade couldn’t stop smiling for 2 days after they gave him the JJ pick in that trade down. Lol.

We now see why.

Yeah - Les Snead worked his Magic !!

McVay being the TE coach he was got Gerald Everett who I believe was going to be the pick all along.
Then to get a free in John Johnson was pretty amazing. Just knew the report afterward that Wade meet Johnson while with the Broncos because of teammate from BC.

What I saw with Johnson last week was pretty awesome covering a WR man to man on the outside. To know that he was 3rd in tackles last season while not starting until after week 3.

McVay also changed the rookie training camp this season because of Johnson getting hurt the year before.

I see Johnson playing at almost a pro bowl level & a core defensive guy that basically cost The Rams nothing .
 

UKram

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Hope his ceiling is on par with Adam Archuleta.
Man id have loved to have seen Arch in ths hybrid linebacker/SS role we have now ... he coulda been all pro
 

Ram65

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Great pick in round three. Hard to beat a safety with great instincts, solid coverage and tackling abilities. He will be a future leader on defense.
 

Adi

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Great player ,I see why they let mo Alexander walk . Wade is a great talent evaluator and he has a way of finishing these really good defensive players later in the draft .
 

Karate61

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I was screaming at the top of my lungs, at the tv, "Pick Johnson; Pick Johnson!"
 

Corbin

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Loved the pick and loved watching him develop! JJ3 is becoming a damned beast and is going to see a lot of action with the two Ballers we have on the edge. Something tells me his season is going to be big!