Jeremi Johnson: Lardy Loser or Hefty Hero

by featherman on Oct 14, 2009 7:07 PM EDT Comment 22 comments

This is a first time post so please excuse its deficiencies. Last year, among the various offensive problems we had, was the lack of a fullback (don't give me that "what about a converted tight end playing fullback"). Did everyone notice how our QB got pummeled and the running lanes were a tad narrow? I'm not saying that there were not other huge problems-like the lack of a professional center- but I think Jeremi Johnson's contribution's to protection and running the ball have been underestimated. He was getting a lot of heat (and rightfully so) for being out of shape but I think he has been coming through in a big way-IMO.

Poll

Does Jeremi deserve some love?

No,he's still a lardass

10 votes

yes-he's playing better all the time

47 votes

I don't care

8 votes

65 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

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Comments

Other than two dropped passes including a TD

He’s played very well, and the weight doesn’t appear to be an issue. He’s even carried the ball a couple times for positive yardage this year which is unusual.

by St. Esiason on Oct 14, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Coats dropped the passes

CB85

by TennBengalfan on Oct 14, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 td passes dropped by Coats, wide open at that

CB85

by TennBengalfan on Oct 14, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jj dropped one too

Pretty sure it was on the first drive. He fell on the ground, but it still bounced off his big belly.

by brandone on Oct 14, 2009 10:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

RE:

Yep. Against the Ravens. Might have been a little low tho.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Oct 14, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. It was low for a FB. I would have been more upset if it was a WR that dropped it.

by smoormandiddy on Oct 15, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was one of the biggest pushers for them to drop Johnson and use Pressley. I guess this shows why the team hasn’t hired me as a consultant yet. I’m very impressed with the lanes he has opened for Benson. As far as the drops, that’s just typical FB hands.

by smoormandiddy on Oct 14, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

me too

I like what JJ has done. I wouldn’t want a question mark at an unheralded position like fullback. Sure he drops passes but that’s not his primary goal on this team.

B. Clifton Burke

by Mojokong on Oct 14, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

JJ deserves considerable ...

credit for Ced’s success. By end of season I expect him to be one of the League’s top 10 fullbacks again.

by Timzilla on Oct 14, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I still wonder

If pressley couldn’t do just as well. I mean the kid broke a facemask.

by brandone on Oct 14, 2009 9:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

RE:

On the bright side, the kid is still on the practice squad, and by extension, on the team. He’s ours for at least three years, if not another five, provided they don’t release him. He’s going to grow. JJ, I believe, is doing the job. Mr Breaking Facemasks could be doing the job by this time next year and several years after that.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Oct 14, 2009 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so, the kid is an absolute monster!

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Oct 15, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

It’s probably best that Pressley spends a year learning the system. Jeremi Johnson has done a spectacular job slobber-knocking LB’s to allow Benson the opportunity to at least fall forward, if not stumble for a few extra yards.

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Oct 15, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He could also

Get signed off the practice squad and we’d lose him. I agree jeremy is doing the job an I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we were horrible at running the ball last year and he wasn’t here. I just really would like a fullback that can also catch on occasion.

by brandone on Oct 15, 2009 10:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

But isn't it a great time to be a bengals fan

When our biggest gripes really are our long snapper and upgrade at fb

by brandone on Oct 15, 2009 10:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by smoormandiddy on Oct 15, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Pressley is gone

Some one, maybe the Saints or Tampa Bay, I am not sure signed him earlier this week I think.

" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran

by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 29, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

every game JJ has got better and in better shape

He played outstanding last game. i have rewatched the game at least 4 times now, He was great! not understating, he was god in the blocking game.

"Ghiaciuc's play was a distraction"

by firstPick on Oct 15, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeremi Johnson has always been a solid blocker

Johnson got in lewis’ doghouse over his weight issues. He got hurt then released. It hurt our line last year. Nobody in the backfield picked up the blown blocks and blitzers. Johnson has made our line better every time he steps on the field. he improves our running game too. Being a fullback in today’s NFL is a low profile job when done correctly. Johnson has been one of the best fullbacks in the NFL for most of his career. This year isn’t anything new, its just JJ doing his job. Like he always does.

by palewook on Oct 17, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jeremi Johnson should have been cut........

Why in the world we dump guys like Fui Vakapuna and Chris Pressley for a guy like Johnson is beyond me.

This guy has come into training camp year after year overweight and out of shape. Every year! Why we don’t keep guys like Fui is beyond my understanding. Afterall….I said it before…..We have Benson and Scott at HB……so putting Leonard and Fui or Leonard and Pressley as our FB, makes a deadly combo in the back field. And with Leonard’s hands…..makes it even more potent…….

I just don’t get how guys get cut that belong and others that should have been kicked to the curb, hang around……….Jeremi Johnson has had a few drops and can’t outrun my grandmother and her walker…….so he’s just a turd taking up space on the team.

by Whodey4life88 on Oct 17, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

fbs in todays nfl

block.

the number one requirement of a successful fullback in the nfl today is to block. the days of the 70s fullback are over. So you have to consider how well a fullback performs the job requirement before calling them, “a turd taking up space.” johnson is one of the better blocking fullbacks in the nfl.

as for fui, sucks he didn’t make the team. good college career and noted for some of his blocking. got to the nfl and jim anderson didn’t see fui making the cut. in jim we trust, he’s says fui ain’t got the attitude or ability for it, and he don’t.

last time i checked, fui still wasn’t on an active roster in the nfl. he’s stitting on arizona’s practice squad. if fui had the talent you claim belongs on an nfl roster, surely one of the other 31 teams would have put fui on their active roster.

by palewook on Oct 18, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs