May 20, 2013

Robertson “getting the first crack” at the starting linebacker job

April 18, 2013 by 3 Comments

Cleveland Browns linebacker Craig Robertson appears to be the front-runner to win the starting job next to D’Qwell Jackson for the 2013 season.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal reports that Robertson and fellow second-year Brown James Michael-Johnson form a two-man race to join the starting unit. Robertson appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, recording 93 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. He earned a lot of fanfare with a solid training camp and even better preseason campaign. Johnson started eight games in 2012 before ending the season on injured reserve with a minor knee injury.

When it comes to their defensive styles, Johnson typically excels in the run game while Robertson excels in coverage. As outlined previously at WFNY, the nickel defense used by Ray Horton typically replaces a lineman with a defensive back as opposed to the standard set which removes a linebacker. Being a linebacker who thrives in the passing game will only serve to benefit how many snaps Robertson sees on a going forward basis.

[Related: Browns thoughts on the heels of the raid of Pilot Flying J]

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NFL News: James-Michael Johnson “Looks Like He’s Ready to Go”

October 6, 2012 by 2 Comments

During his Friday afternoon press conference, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur stated that linebacker James-Michael Johnson could make his first appearance since injuring his oblique in the team’s final preseason contest.

“He had a very good week,” said Shurmur of the rookie linebacker. “I watched him pretty closely because he hasn’t been out here much. He practiced fast. He looks like he’s ready to go.”

Johnson reportedly practiced at both outside linebacker spots and will offer considerable speed to the team’s linebacker corps. The New York Giants, the team’s opponent this coming Sunday, offers one of the worst rushing games in the NFL, but Johson will still be counted on to drop back into coverage as well as providing a boost to the team’s otherwise up-and-down special teams unit. A fourth-round draft pick, Johnson is listed as the reserve strong-side linebacker behind veteran Scott Fujita.

[Related: Depth Chart Demands: Is it Josh Gordon’s Turn?]

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Andy Dalton Gets Banged Up Against Colts

August 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment

From the important AFC North injury chronicles, Pat Shurmur is nodding his head approvingly that he didn’t put Brandon Weeden on the field last night. Bengals second-year starter Andy Dalton got sandwiched by a couple of Colts and trainers were attending to his elbow.

He got up after being struck by Colts linebacker Robert Mathis. Moving slowly, Dalton flexed his fingers. Later, he was sitting on the turf near the Bengals’ bench, with trainers attending to him.

The announcers explained after a commercial break that trainers were checking Dalton’s elbow. He currently is one the sidelines, and he seems to be OK.

And good for Dalton. I am not one to cheer for injuries even in a brutal sport like the NFL. 1 As has been a topic of conversation for the past week, it is a bit of a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” decision on who to play and how much they should play in the 4th preseason game.

Surely nobody will be upset with Shurmur for playing James-Michael Johnson, a rookie who suffered an oblique injury last night in the Browns’ 28-20 loss to Chicago.

[Related:Shurmur: Fourth Game Alone Won’t Decide Browns’ Back-Up QB Spot]

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  1. Maybe in UFC… [back]

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Shurmur: James-Michael Johnson Might Start for Fujita

August 20, 2012 by 9 Comments

Getting any kind of commitment from an NFL head coach prior to roster cutdowns is a miracle. This is not to criticize Pat Shurmur. There is a lot of football and a lot of moving pieces between now and the opening week against the Philadelphia Eagles. One piece that won’t be moving is Scott Fujita serving his suspension. One of the biggest questions the Browns needed to answer this training camp – even before Chris Gocong’s injury – was who would start in Fujita’s place during his three game suspension. According to Pat Shurmur today, it seems like James-Michael Johnson is on track.

(On if James-Michael Johnson is ready to start at linebacker if they don’t have Scott Fujita)- “I think the production that he has given us in the games so far points to the fact that he may be a starter for us this year. He has a chance. Again, I don’t want to make any proclamations at this point, but I think he will continue to improve as well. I said it after the game, but I thought that young linebacking core did an outstanding job against Green Bay.”

(On Johnson has progressed through training camp)- “He’s getting better. I think you see his run fits are better. He matches up better in coverage. He runs to the ball extremely well. I think as he dives in on the match-ups of the team we’re playing, and can pick up little pointers as to whether it’s run-pass, or where they’re going with the football, he’ll even be better.”

Johnson looked good and active in the game against Green Bay. It’s just a pre-season game, but that’s great news for the Browns and Browns fans. It sure beats the alternative. Plus, if it translates well into the regular season, it would be quite a score to get such quick value from a 4th round draft pick (120th overall) in his first season in the league.

[Related: Browns Veterans Return, Continue to Praise the Kids]

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Browns Camp: Gocong Carted Off Practice Field This Morning

August 4, 2012 by 12 Comments

The Cleveland Browns have sustained another critical blow to their defensive front seven this morning. Reports out of Berea (including from our own Rick Grayshock) indicate that linebacker Chris Gocong was carted off the field after suffering an injury to his lower right leg. Some (including Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot) are speculating that due to the nature of his reaction after planting his foot to change directions that it was his Achilles. The Browns are painfully thin behind Gocong with fifth-rounder James-Michael Johnson and Kaluka Maiava being the most likely candidates. The Browns are already facing the loss of defensive tackle Phil Taylor for significant time this season as well as the suspension for linebacker Scott Fujita, so this was a blow that will certainly cripple the team defense.

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Browns Training Camp Report 7/30/12

July 30, 2012 by 18 Comments

The Browns had a rather spirited practice this morning, complete with some goal-line drills, two minute offense and even a couple of minor scuffles. A couple of rookies stepped up, while others struggled and a veteran receiver looked good.

LB James-Michael Johnson looked very good in drills and in the two minute situations. He picked off two passes, one of which was tipped. He was in the right place at the right time, and whether that was good fortune or by design he made the plays when they came to him. Including a big time stop on a goal line situation. He stood a running back straight up and held him there for his teammates to polish off. When I asked him who it was that he stood up, Johnson said “I don’t know, someone had their head down and I blew him up.” [Read more...]

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NFL Draft: Cleveland selections talk about being Browns

April 28, 2012 by 32 Comments

The Browns have made six selections to this point in the draft. They are all expected to contribute something to the team this year. Here’s what they had to say about joining the Browns. [Read more...]

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Pick #120: Browns Select ILB James-Michael Johnson

April 28, 2012 by 10 Comments

Coming into this year’s draft, one obvious need for the Browns was defensively playmakers. After a few head-scratching moves in a row, the team might have finally worked on that need with the pick of ILB James-Michael Johnson in the late fourth round.

Johnson, a long-time durable starter from Nevada, who previously was on the strong side, was a two-time team captain and is rated as having above average range and take-on skills, according to ESPN. He is rated as the No. 122 player overall on ESPN’s Big Board, meaning the Browns actually weren’t too far off on this one based on initial expectations.

Last season, Johnson had 100 tackles, including seven for loss and two sacks. He has long arms with good upper strength (23 reps of 225 at the combine) with above average closing speed (he clocked in with a 4.6 40 time). He’s rated as being average at tackling, instincts and third-down capabilities. He’s likely going to be a backup to D’Qwell Jackson and an immediate contributor on special teams.

As a reminder, this was one of the picks acquired from the Denver Broncos yesterday. The Browns acquired the No. 87 pick (DT John Hughes) and this pick  from Denver for the No. 67 selection (RB Ronnie Hillman).

The next pick for the Browns is the 25th selection in the fifth round, also previously acquired from Denver. We’ll see you in an hour or so folks, barring anything new.

[Related: Pick #100: Browns Select WR Travis Benjamin]

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