Is Ronald Johnson's Roster Spot In Peril?
by David Fucillo on Aug 28, 2011 2:00 PM PDT
in 49ers Roster
Email
PrintA generally poor performance Saturday night left a variety of players with slipping stock. One player who's stock took a bit of a serious tumble was rookie wide receiver Ronald Johnson. He got a good number of snaps but during that time he was not able to do much with them. He fumbled two punt returns, losing one of them, and could not haul in any passes.
As a draft pick Johnson has a certain amount of cache, but with the number of veterans potentially ahead of him it's difficult to tell where he now stands. We've had plenty of discussion about how much the team will factor in game performances versus practices. However, even if Coach Harbaugh views preseason games as nothing more than a chance to do some situational work, RoJo's performance cannot be all too inspiring.
One of the drawbacks with the new coaching regime is that it's hard to tell where anybody really stands when it comes to roster spots. From an outside perspective Johnson would seem to be in peril. However, we could find out by week one that it was not remotely the case. Given this rather cloudy set of circumstances, I don't really know how best to analyze it. Thoughts?
77 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Given our other options at WR
I honestly can’t see how he could land a spot on the team. He certainly won’t (or shouldn’t) be a kick return man.
by BuffaloNinersPhreek on Aug 28, 2011 2:09 PM PDT reply actions
I never thought he had a spot on the 53 this year
so I don’t think his spot is in peril, his chance at earning one though is gone.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 28, 2011 2:10 PM PDT reply actions
I did a projection of a 53+8
I only kept 5 WRs on the 53, but kept both Jurovich and RoJo on the PS
After all was said and done, a lot more got said than done.
WR
I feel that DZ deserves a spot on the 53 due to his consistant play down in and down as he has the best hands behind Nate Byham, plue when ever he comes in it’s usally 3rd down and they throw to him all the time and he gives the team a first down. He is tall and runs a crisp route and works very hard every practice and game……BOTTOM LINE-HE IS A KEEPER!!!!!!! Your 5 WR’S are?
BOB 'BEETLE' BEILHARZ
If he is practicing well, it makes sense for him to go on the practice squad.
If not, then he will be released.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
Yeah, basically this. I was expecting much more from Johnson with a more expanded role.
He’s making me look awfully silly at this point.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I
Sure would like to have Virgil Green right about now.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Of course... If we did take him
Fangio would probably say he’s useless because it would take too long to coach him up.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Lets see if Robert Quinn can make me look silly...
Hope its me and not Anthony Davis or Staley instead
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think you were wrong.
I went back and watched some of his stuff at USC. But at this point, I think he’d be completely safe on our PS this year. He needs to get his head straight and then….maybe…
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
It will be Edwards-Craptree-Morgan-Ginn-Williams
End of story.
And hopefully the 9ers also give waterbug Williams more kick/punt return opportunities too.
I have the same five but I'd place them in different order.
I thought Ginn would be cut but after watching yesterday, he “seems” better. I still think he will drop passes that will make us all angry.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
how many drops did he actually have last year
i just remember one, but the throw was horrible so I didnt blame him
These are the first five WRs ... if they keep a sixth, I hope that it will be Ziegler; then, Jurovich and RoJo on the PS.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 28, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Lance Long is a guy who has earned his stripes.
He needs to be on the PS over a guy like Jurovich.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
By the way...on a scale from 1 to 5
with 5 being very impressive, how do you rate our rookies including F/A ’s so far from what you have seen?
I've really liked Dobbs(5). Guy looks great out there, very high motor, like Justin. I love Tomsula, he's such a great coach.
Hunter(4.3)’s another who has looked pretty damn good. He runs really well and blocks decently, but could stand to improve a bit there.
I think Kaepernick(2.5) is doing well enough considering the circumstances. Protection was embarrassingly terrible against the Saints and the Texans, and he wasn’t asked to pass much against the Raiders. He’s a rookie with a lot to learn, and he looks it. Should be pretty awesome once he’s coached up though.
Aldon Smith(3) is someone I’d like to see more from. He had a good game against the Saints, was less productive against the Raiders, though he was double-teamed several times, and did basically nothing against the Texans, as far as I could tell.
Culliver(4) seems to be picking up this whole “playing corner” thing fairly well.
Kilgore(4) was great in the Raiders game. I’ll admit I wasn’t really keeping an eye on him in games one or three, so I’m not sure how he did in those games.
I’d give Johnson(1) a zero if your grading scale allowed it. Not sure how the Saints game went for him, but he looked like garbage in the Texans game, dropping passes and punts like he thought it was his job. Guy makes Ted Ginn look sure-handed. Hope he can be coached up, but can’t see him making the roster this year.
I’m loving Bruce Miller(5). I’ll be really surprised, and very confused, if Norris is still on the team when Week One arrives. Miller has looked great for someone who has never played the position, and has looked pretty damn good disregarding that qualification. Rathman is doing a great job of coaching him up.
What are your thoughts?
"Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer "extortion." The "X" makes it sound cool." - Bender Bending Rodriguez
Eleanor Rigby - "Greatest Song" or "The Greatest Song"?
Kaepernick is some kind of Montana/Young/Roosevelt hybrid, and will absolutely ruin the NFL experience for the other 31 teams and their few fans.
Tomsula should be our Defensive Coordinator
He coached us to a smashing over Arizona and he knows his guys. Hopefully when Fangio starts sucking it up Harbaugh lets him go and promotes Tom.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 6:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's an idea.
I do love Tomsula. I disagree with you regarding the quality of Fangio past performances, but I would like to see Tomsula get a shot at being a Defensive Coordinator, if he wants one.
"Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer "extortion." The "X" makes it sound cool." - Bender Bending Rodriguez
Eleanor Rigby - "Greatest Song" or "The Greatest Song"?
Kaepernick is some kind of Montana/Young/Roosevelt hybrid, and will absolutely ruin the NFL experience for the other 31 teams and their few fans.
I like that he turned our team loose on Arizona
Complete opposite of Simpletary
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
quite possibly... But I have a feeling that Harbaugh has made 1 major mistake
and that was promising Fangio a chance here.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
He's been less than impressive in 11 years worth of D Co work before
And I haven’t seen anything to change my mind at this point.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Hmm
I think he did quite awesome in developing new franchises. I think he is perfect for the job and I love his, “get after the QB” mentality. That’s why we were a very good defense in the NFL in 2009. We have the personnel, that’s for sure.
I think we’re going to see sacks across the board for our LB’s…
I’d even go as far as to predict:
Ahamad Brooks: 9-13 sacks
Aldon Smith: 5-8 sacks
Patrick Willis: 5-10 sacks
Navorro Bowman 4-8 sacks
Parys Haralson: 4-8 sacks
Random others (Grant or Applewhite): 4-8 sacks
I think this team can have in between 40-50 team sacks, easily this year under him.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
I can see Aldon getting 6 give or take.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 29, 2011 3:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I am not sure about Aldon, I think the only way he gets on the field enough to get 6 sacks is to take Parys off the field for most pass rushing situations. I don’t see Brooks coming off. So if he gets 6 Parys probably has 2 to 3 or vice versa. Also I am not sure how Bowman is getting 4 to 8. He seems like more of a run stopper not a blitzer.
I hope we blitz alot and get a ton of sacks I am just not sure that this defense is quite there yet or that some of the personnel (Parys) are really all that we brag them up to be. I just don’t see 5 linebackers combining for almost 30 sacks (and that is one the low end of Drews guesses).This is not the only Saints defenses where we are sending 4 linebackers to the pro bowl in the same year.
Fangio will not "suck it up"
If anything, he’ll leave the Niners for a HC job.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
And....who is dis-appointed in our left tackle Joe Staley?
The 9ers “supposed” leader and best O-lineman.
staley iupati
were total disappointment.. it was sad watching yesterday.. we in for a long season.
Through three preseason games Staley has looked abysmal, fantastic, and then so-so. So I dunno what to think at this point.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I would think that we shouldn't be having this conversation
about Staley. One of last years rookies, sure, one of the centers sure, Rachal, okay — but not Staley.
But we are.
I feel the same way. I will reserve judgement until the regular season at this point, but the fact that he's hilarious and awesome isn't going to save him with Harbaugh.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I have to agree we will keep the same 5 WRs as mentioned above. As unimpressive as Ginn has been, no way Johnson should take his spot. Johnson is PS material at best.
by mdsmooth on Aug 28, 2011 2:38 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
Huh , from all accounts from the staff he's had a heck of a camp , had a nice catch and then made a great effort in trying to get two feet down on the other .. Ginn makes the team ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
Rojo had no Mojo against the Texans , should of had Jurovich out there ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
Rojo had no Mojo? Oh boy ...!!
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I deserve that , this heat is browning my brane ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!
With Crabtree's and Williams' histories of injury
Niners may carry 6 WRs with Ziggy squeezing in just before the door closes shut.
On a different note, Cam Inman’s interview of VD in this weekend’s Mercury News was interesting in that he dissed Terell Owens for having a bad influence on young Niners players.
http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_18766300
Also, Spencer mentioned in an interview in passing that he was preparing for the opener. I think the coaching staff is busy game planning for the first few games of the season and “ignoring” the preseason games altogether. Little do they realize how emotionally invested some of the fans are in these preseason games :)
Not surprising
What the 49ers should be doing. The 1st three games are winnable and if they honestly want to compete for the division they need to win two them. The team can take their lumps in the middle of he schedule since they aren’t likely to pull out to many wins. If they can have 4 wins by Week 10 they at least have a shot at beating the division late in the season going 8-8.
None of the young receivers deserve a roster spot
After Williams/Ginn cut the corp to 5 players.
I’d say the same thing with the linebackers, after Larry Grant no inside linebacker deserves an NFL roster spot.
Cut Norris, it will make the fans happy for a week.
Its a bit of an unbalanced roster. Have lots of good future development options at offensive line, defensive line and CB but no depth at other positions.
Are suggesting that the 49ers should only carry 3 ILB's?
Would it maybe be a good idea to take a look at other teams cuts at that position?
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
Okay, but, if there are not really any good options, then only 3?
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
Agree
If necessary we can always grab an ILB during the year for an emergency fill in. It makes no sense to sacrifice talent for the sake of a #’s game at ILB.
"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before." ~Steve Young #8
by Young_To_Rice on Aug 28, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that is a pretty huge sacrifice for developmental players. Security vs Future?
I think I go with security.
Dobbs probably has a spot …and Person, Adams, or Zeigler are all pretty expendable if you think about it. Dime a dozen in each draft.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
Keep Adams for the future and Ziggy for situational purposes (seems to have the most consistant hands and best jump ball ability)
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Person is definitely a dime a dozen though
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
OK, if I buy that, who is your fourth OT?
We will either sign an OT cut by another club (as OT #4) or put Person on the 53-man roster.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 28, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
My 4th OT is Adam Snyder
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Aug 28, 2011 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Adams
While I like him, I just think there’s 100 other DB’s in any draft that have that same “upside” and he’s going to have that injury hanging over. And if he gets beat, it’s going to be because of that. Not because of his skill-set.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
Wait a minute ... they will keep four ILBs at a minimum because they will keep Costanzo for special teams
Beyond than, they may keep five ILBs if they only keep four OLBs.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 28, 2011 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
That depends on how you view Castonzo – is he an “ILB” or is he a special teamer? If the latter, then yes, I agree, three ILB.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
He has always been identified as an "ILB" in the past.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 28, 2011 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I understand that. But it's like with Michael Robinson.
People said “We shouldn’t keep ‘x’ amount of running backs,” but he shouldn’t even count as a running back, the way we used him. He’s a special teamer (though I daresay he’d now fit into our offense pretty seamlessly)
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I don't think he'll ever play ILB unless someone gets hurt
Maybe not even then.
Kaep may become our Staubach, but Alex is our Craig Morton...
Ninjames on Anthony Dixon's Tweeting:
"He’s going for the ‘T’ key, he should probably turn to it, but he stops and checks out the ‘R’ key first, then doubles back for a look at the ‘Y’ key, then by the time he decides to go back to ‘T’ to get some words typed, he’s brought down for a two-yard loss, ending up with the ‘G’ key."
If it was just a poor performance from the returning stand-point
If I was part of RoJo’s camp, I would not be too worried, but since his time at WR didn’t go so well either, now it’s time to be worried.
Like I said, the punt reutrn fumbles are not excusable, but aare slightly a little more understanding, than his poor play at WR.
His route running was less than stellar, he dropped a couple of passes, and if I remember correctly he whiffed on a few blocking attempts.
As much as I do like RoJo’s overall potential; as of now, he would be left off of my 53 man roster.
He would most likely be replaced with either DZ or even Lance Long, who has done fairly decent.
If I really had to make the decision though I would find someway to put RoJo on the squad, strictly for potential purposes.
Two other players I am beconming higher and higher on is CJ that S,ST’er we drafted outta TCU, and someone I’ve always been high on is D.Dobbs, my personal “Hes Oour Future” pick! lol. I believe leaving these two off of the roster would be quite the mistake as both would be picked up from the PS in a heartbeat!!!
Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.
by chicagobullies on Aug 28, 2011 5:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
RoJo will be fine...
he did the same when he entered SC, but once he settled down and adjusted to the next level speed, he did well. He wasn’t brought in to be a #1 WR. once he settles his nerves, as this was really his first game with meaningful minutes, he can be a real help in the return game. as well as an option to stretch the field and short crosses for big YAC’s.
I just have to state (and I saw on this board a couple times)
that I really hate the usage of referencing Crabtree as “Craptree”, or Alex Smith as “Alice”… I really hope that the folks who are using this terminology are not older than 12-years old. Because if they are, then I’d say that’s pretty pathetic.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
by Drew Kerr on Aug 28, 2011 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Seriously....
some fans huh? Why disrespect guys who don’t deserve it. Sure, they haven’t performed like #1’s…but at least they aren’t like a lot of other players in the league (shootings, fights, rape, etc.).
Real fans support their teams in the good times and the bad….
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
