I know there was a post on him earlier in the week, but he deserves some more love. He's waited patiently for his turn with a lot of people calling him a 5-star bust, but the o-line has played great since he's been inserted in the lineup. I don't think that's a coincidence.

I think he's bringing an excitement and nastiness to the line like Maurkice did last year.

I agree. OL made a hole many times on the left side of center when running. Also, I haven't seen any LSU players coming through between LG and C. He was awesome in two games in a row and deserves this thread.

Johnson has been amazing, and since they have called his number the offensive line has been blowing people off the ball. I'm glad he's finally getting his chance and making the best of it! He should be a starter the rest of the way!

AGREE. Since the 4th qtr of the Ole Miss game the line has played better and with an attitude. I believe that he has taken that 5-star bust label and shoved it up someone's behind.

I dont think Jim Tartt will be getting his starting job back.

quote:

Originally posted by Urban4Pope:
I dont think Jim Tartt will be getting his starting job back.

Tartt has to win his old job back in practice.

Another poster already posted this link but read it for an interesting tidbit

Link

Tebow went behind Carl Johnson's block on that 3rd and 3.

Carl Johnson has not missed a block in two weeks. Not only that, he moves defenders out of the way. Tebow ran off Johnson on the crucial 3rd and 3 in the 3rd quarter after LSU had brought the score to 20-14. Clean hole for 4+ yards.

I have watched both games on replay (Sunday morning), focusing on Johnson on every play. He's playing like a monster.

No penalties either. No holding. No false starts.

And he's only a sophomore!

quote:

Originally posted by xenythx:
I know there was a post on him earlier in the week, but he deserves some more love. He's waited patiently for his turn with a lot of people calling him a 5-star bust, but the o-line has played great since he's been inserted in the lineup. I don't think that's a coincidence.

I think he's bringing an excitement and nastiness to the line like Maurkice did last year.

In 2006, we landed four 5-star players:

Tim Tebow
Percy Harvin
Brandon Spikes

...and Carl Johnson

He is a load and may be one of the best OL on our team the way he has been manhandling his opposition.

I just don't understand why Gilbert was in there ahead of him on the depth chart. Can somebody enlighten me?

quote:

Originally posted by oxrageous:
In 2006, we landed four 5-star players:

Tim Tebow
Percy Harvin
Brandon Spikes

...and Carl Johnson

What a class, a Heisman winner, the most electric player in the country, and two probable first round picks (I know its early to make claims like that for Johnson, but what the hell).

quote:

Originally posted by G8trGr8t:
He is a load and may be one of the best OL on our team the way he has been manhandling his opposition.

I just don't understand why Gilbert was in there ahead of him on the depth chart. Can somebody enlighten me?

I don't like to question UM and the coaching staff but...i think one mistake he makes is that he rewards seniority to a fault. He likes to put more experienced players ahead of young, talented kids.

For example, Johnson should have been getting some PT once the O-line was having trouble. Also, I think Ahmad Black has been playing well for us but I could see Will Hill doing just as well back there if not better. Throw in Torrey Davis not starting and you see the trend.

This O-line still has James and Ronnie Wilson to throw in to the mix too....

WOW...just WOW.

I doubt we will see much more of Tart this year, after 3 surgeries on the same shoulder and having problems with it all season I think he is done. Tart has been a rock for us on the line and I hate for his career to come to a close this way.

Johnson has really turned a corner for us and seems to be on his way to a stellar season,

quote:

Originally posted by Urban4Pope:

quote:

Originally posted by G8trGr8t:
He is a load and may be one of the best OL on our team the way he has been manhandling his opposition.

I just don't understand why Gilbert was in there ahead of him on the depth chart. Can somebody enlighten me?

I don't like to question UM and the coaching staff but...i think one mistake he makes is that he rewards seniority to a fault. He likes to put more experienced players ahead of young, talented kids.

For example, Johnson should have been getting some PT once the O-line was having trouble. Also, I think Ahmad Black has been playing well for us but I could see Will Hill doing just as well back there if not better. Throw in Torrey Davis not starting and you see the trend.

Gilbert and Johnson were in the same recruiting class. The reason Johnson was redshirted is because he had some injury problems, but prior to this season, Gilbert only had a few snaps of experience over Johnson, if that (Johnson got some PT as a backup last year, just like Gilbert).

A few thoughts on your post:

Davis and Johnson have both been mentioned by Meyer as guys with potential, but with effort issues.

The knock against Johnson has been his weight(which is a daily effort problem). Apparently he has slowly overcome that and now he's getting a chance to play. Not necessarily because of his age.

Davis also has off the field issues(once again a daily effort). Quite honestly until he gets those straightened out I don't care if he ever sets foot on an intramural field. Also, his effort from play to play has been knocked. With McCarney saying that he had "4 good plays and two bad ones"(something to that effect) in the Ark game.

Safety is the last line of defense and I'm sure Meyer is apprehensive about letting a freshman be his last line of defense. However, any time we get a reasonable cushion #10 is out there getting game reps. So obviously Meyer wants him to play, but he also doesn't want to rely on him until he proves himself a little more.

Johnson is playing well - and much better than Gilbert - but he graded out the lowest on the line this week (79 I think). Watkins was in the 80's I think, and the Pounceys and Trautwein were at 97 each.