Derrick Johnson: Opportunistic Underachiever or Untapped Talent?

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The question has, is and will be asked, perhaps until the start of next season.

What’s the deal with Derrick Johnson?

No one seems to know. According to Todd Haley, Johnson being on the bench had more to do with Demorrio Williams playing well than with Johnson playing poorly. Still, fans were shaking their heads. Who can blame them? Johnson was a first round pick and fans rightfully have high expectations for first round picks.

Unfortunately, Johnson’s career to this point has been a disappointment. Each year the Chiefs have hoped for breakout numbers from Johnson and each year they got the same inconsistent play. Johnson would have a fantastic game in which he was all over the field making plays and then would vanish for about 4 weeks before having his name called again. Each year, fans read articles how DJ just needed to relax and play football, about how he was over thinking the defense. Following a big game, the Kansas City Star never failed to release an article, asking if DJ might finally have made it over the hump.

We’re still asking ourselves that question today.

Johnson is certainly more talented than Demorrio Williams. He is an incredible athlete and no one, not even Todd Haley, would deny that. His athleticism is what enables him to make plays like those he made in the Denver game. It is easy to remember the big plays Johnson made this season, much easier than remembering bad tackles and blown assignments. Haley liked Williams because he did what the coach asked. You can’t really fault him. It isn’t as if Williams had a bad season. He racked up 117 tackles, the second highest total of his career. The problem? Williams had no forced fumbles, no interceptions and no sacks. No impact plays.

It seemed as though Haley was trying to combine Derrick and Demorrio into one player. Williams and Mays would often be on the field for running downs and then would be replaced by Belcher and DJ for passing situations. This gave DJ a chance to use his athleticism to make big plays in big situations. He did pretty well in his limited time, racking up 3 picks, 2 touchdowns, 1 sack and a forced fumble.

The question, however, remains the same. Can Derrick Johnson play at a high level every snap, utilizing not only his athleticism but discipline and technique as well? He was given 5 seasons as a starter and the results were mixed, even disappointing, given his draft stock. Was Todd Haley required to give him a 6th shot? Is better to have a LB who can be incredible one moment and below average the next? Or is it better to have consistency?

Derrick Johnson has always given the Chiefs brass a lot to think about and that did not change this season. Johnson made the most of his opportunities this year. Whether that will be enough to keep him in the Red and Gold remains to be seen.

In the end, I hope Johnson learned from two of his Chiefs teammates this year. I hope he learned from Jamaal Charles and Larry Johnson. From Larry, I hope he learned that a player’s time in the NFL is limited and those who don’t perform will not make the cut.

From Jamaal, I hope he learned that when the opportunity to be a starter presents itself, it must be seized and seized with vigor. Derrick Johnson has had many opportunities. He has all of the tools. Let’s hope he learned valuable lessons this season. Let’s hope he is given one more chance to be the man the Chiefs need him to be.

And let’s hope, like Charles, he seizes that chance.

With vigor.