[Kansas City.com] In an effort to both get more from an underachieving player and also shore up an important position, the Chiefs moved outside linebacker Derrick Johnson into the middle for the rest of the season, beginning with Sunday’s game at Denver.
Few players have been as disappointing to the 2-10 Chiefs this season as Johnson, potentially their best defensive talent. Johnson made play after play in the preseason, giving the Chiefs reason to believe he would have a big season.
At the same time, the Chiefs haven’t received what they wanted from their middle linebackers this season. Napoleon Harris was the starter when training camp began, Pat Thomas took over in the preseason and Rocky Boiman started there the last two games.
Boiman will move into Johnson’s place on the outside.
The decision is also aimed at next season. The Chiefs will have to rebuild at linebacker, where they will seek two new starters to join Johnson.
For now, none of their other five linebackers appear to be starting candidates next season. The Chiefs seem to be more comfortable with Boiman, Thomas and Demorrio Williams as backups.
Im gonna be honest, I have been waiting for them to do this for quite some time. D. Johnson is my fav player, but he has definately had a down year.
Comment by Irv24 — December 4, 2008 @ 8:53 am
he will definately see more action there but has he ever played mlb before? i hope he can learn quick.
Comment by chefs — December 4, 2008 @ 9:42 am
let’s all be honest Derrick Johnson has been a huge BUST.I believe hes a free agent after this year unless we get him at a cheap price let him go.
Comment by chris — December 4, 2008 @ 10:03 am
I think this is a great move. Now DJ is going to be able to work behind Dorsey, who takes up two blocks every time, and actually have some space to work with. He should be able to shift over without a bump because the middle linebacker is more run-stopping intensive than the outside, which he is very good at. My only worry is whether Boiman is going to be good enough in coverage to cover tight ends for the rest of the season
Comment by Zach — December 4, 2008 @ 11:33 am
DJ really disapoints me, I thought he would be a much better player then he has turned out to be. Maybe MLB will be what seperates him.
Comment by Michael Raite — December 4, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Napolean Harris was an outside linebacker at first. We all see how that turned out.
Comment by J Rock in Texas — December 4, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
DJ has had some bad games here and there, and may be below expectations for his draft position, but I think “bust” is far far too strong a word. He’s still one of the best players on our defense, if not the best. He’s just not the star he should be with that skill set.
If DJ is a bust, then what does that make Hali? A “burst”? I guess that makes Simms a thermonuclear explosion?
Comment by VLTC — December 4, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
This is an interesting move cause I think DJ isnt used in the right manner. They dont blitz him enough and he is constantly having to make up for other peoples mistakes and give up on his assignment which probably causes a lot of confusion. I think he could be solid at MLB, he seems like someone who could rack up tackles fast. Boiman outside aint the answer either, but oh well. I hope with Tyler Thigpen at QB now, that we can address a position like this along with O-Line as the first obvious choice. Dont be surprised if Rey Maualuga is our first pick come April.
Comment by Marques — December 4, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
The reason he seems like a bust is because he plays for the worst defense in the league, one man can’t carry a team, also it means he’s not being used to his talent.
Comment by James — December 5, 2008 @ 12:21 am
Good point James. I rememeber Ray Lewis complaining about how O-Linemen were always in his face and he couldnt make tackles because the D-Lineman didnt hold the O-Lineman up. That seems to be the case with DJ. Since he’s been drafted, we’ve always had problems with D-Lineman and couple that with not putting pressure on the QB and you will have one of the worse defenses in the NFL. You can look up and down the Chiefs defense and you will see that NO ONE has been consistent all year long. DJ is just getting the blame because he has been there longer and was drafted by the Chiefs. Put him on a defense like the Pats, Ravens, or Steelers and this guy is a star.
Comment by JRock in Texas — December 5, 2008 @ 3:50 am
didnt DJ play mlb at TEXAS? i think this is a damn good move DJ is a pretty good cover backer and will help cover the middle of the field on pass plays PLUS now he can roam free sideline to sideline
Comment by mike41 — December 5, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Exactly mike41, Ive been waitin for someone to say that exact thing…. He did play MLB at Texas. Just put him in the middle and turn him loose.
Comment by Irv24 — December 5, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
It must be miserable to be so angry and negative all the time!! James called it my friends, one man can not carry a team, evidenced by Jared Allen (God love ‘em) last year. I’m so damn proud of ‘em for proving some nay-sayers on this website wrong: 0-16, until the Denver win, “mark my words, that’ll be the last win”.
Bah-humbug Scrooges and Go Chiefs!!
Comment by Tammy H — December 6, 2008 @ 10:43 am