Green Bay Packers Press write-up on Tru

[BWahlberg]

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/ ... e6f1b50aba

INDIANAPOLIS—Those teams looking for a big, durable and self-assured cornerback who’s comfortable playing in any kind of weather, will no doubt be interested in Montana’s Trumaine Johnson.

“Playing in Montana, I’ve played in every weather. I’ll play anywhere,” Johnson said.

Johnson, 6-2, 205, played in snowy conditions for the Grizzlies, and, of course, it snows in Green Bay, and consensus opinion is that the Packers would be in the market for a young addition to their secondary. To that end, NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks, himself a former Packers defensive back, said in a packers.com video on Thursday that Johnson is a prospect that would translate well for the Packers’ needs and wants.

“I believe I’m a true shutdown corner,” Johnson told reporters at the scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

Tuesday will be an important day for Johnson and defensive back prospects. It’s the day they’ll work out for scouts. Are they fast? Can they flip their hips? Johnson answered yes to both questions but, of course, the proof will be in his performance on Tuesday.

Johnson is projected as a second/third-round prospect, but that’s not indicative of his production. If he had played at, say, Alabama, instead of Montana, and if his 40 time was expected to be faster than the 4.5 that’s estimated for him, Johnson might be a prospect for the first round.

“I can’t do anything about that now,” Johnson said when asked about playing at a school of lesser profile than the big schools.

“Turn on the tape of Tennessee,” he added, showing a little edge for the question. “Turn that tape on.”

Johnson was recruited by the big schools in the West, including Southern Cal, Cal and Arizona State, but failed to get offers from them. He said he didn’t know why they declined to offer him. He went to Montana, where he was to be a wide receiver.

Almost immediately, he was switched to cornerback and, almost immediately, he was a success. His ability to transition to a new position as quickly and as fully as he did speaks of his athletic ability, and Johnson said he’s capable of making the same switch from cornerback to safety, should his 40 time demand such a move.

“I like to play corner, but I can play safety,” he said. “When I say anything on the field, I mean waterboy, anything you need me to do, I can do it.”

He played the boundary corner position at Montana, “mostly because of run support,” he said. “I like tackling. I like to hit.”

OK, so make that a big, durable, self-assured cornerback that likes to hit, started 46 games at Montana, a FCS powerhouse, and played with a broken arm during a significant stretch of those 46 games. Yeah, impressive, but can he run?

We’ll find out on Tuesday.

[BWahlberg]

Would love to see Tru in Green and Gold

[Baller1]

Would love to see Tru in Green and Gold

The chance to learn under Charles Woodson would be unbelievable.

Interesting note....many posters on here referred to Tru as soft or injury prone, yet NFL brass is applauding his toughness.

EDIT: Posted this link in another thread but thought I would add it here as well. Video of Tru's Combine Presser. Looks to be starting off the interview process VERY well.
http://www.stlouisrams.com/media-center/videos/Combine-Montana-CB-Trumaine-Johnson-Presser/2f97e1d0-12ae-432f-9c79-afeae96bdaf1

[PlayerRep]

He's very articulate and saying the right things in the interview in the Rams link.

[Tokyogriz]

Tru will go in the first round.

[mtgrizrule]

Well done TRU!!!!

[Griz2k]

Tru will go in the first round.

I say late second, possibly early third.

[Baller1]

Mike Mayock of The NFL Network mentioned Tru as "physically a 1st round talent" today....... His stock keeps rising.

[jcu27]

I think he'll go in the first round just so a team doesn't miss out on him. I don't see him lasting till the 3rd.

[putter]

If he runs a fast 40 the first round is not out of the question...but I would think a top 2nd round would be more realistic.

[Dillon]

Would love to see Tru in Green and Gold

Aint gonna happen! He will follow Dillon!

[BDizzle]

I'm hoping the Niners take him in the 2nd.

[PeauxRouge]

Would you really expect to hear Tru say, "I really don't like to hit or be physical at all?" Come on, it's a job interview, he's going to say what they want to hear. He may not be the most physical guy out there, but he's no Prime Time, either. He just has to learn how to wrap up better now.

[hawaiiangriz]

An agent I know (out of L.A.) told me he now expects Tru to go in the first round. All kinds of activity around Tru. Per this agent, he will go high due to the fact that good, physical corners are a rarity in this years draft and lot's of teams are needing corners and are putting them high on their lists....

Just my two cents....

[VictorG]

Would love to see Tru in Green and Gold

+1

Just hope that waste of a draft pick...flop.......the Pack made in the 3rd round a few years ago from another Montana school doesn't get held against him!

[Tokyogriz]

Pack would be good in my book. Steelers or Raiders would be depressing. Miami would be ideal for the Montana boys reunion tour.

[Growler1]

Tru will go in the first round.

I got $1000 that says you are wrong. Want some of that action?

[dupuyer griz]

I am feeling from all the reading and reports he'll go between 24 and 40, which means he'll end up on a really good team that needs to fill a hole or a real crappy team full of holes. Kind of would like to see him on a good team where he can be successful. As a Raider fan I would love to see him end up there, but I can't say he would be overly succesful there. Kind of comes down to teams with a major CB need and what is there for them. Does anyone know how many teams really need a corner more than just about anything else. CB is shallow this year but if there isn't a high need he will slip down the board. We'll see what happens on Tuesday.

[Growler1]

I am feeling from all the reading and reports he'll go between 24 and 40, which means he'll end up on a really good team that needs to fill a hole or a real crappy team full of holes. Kind of would like to see him on a good team where he can be successful. As a Raider fan I would love to see him end up there, but I can't say he would be overly succesful there. Kind of comes down to teams with a major CB need and what is there for them. Does anyone know how many teams really need a corner more than just about anything else. CB is shallow this year but if there isn't a high need he will slip down the board. We'll see what happens on Tuesday.

I predict that he ends up playing safety, wherever he goes.

[BWahlberg]

His strength and physical nature would put him in better line for safety, also his height as well. I have zero facts to back it up but I'd guess a lot of his picks as a Griz came while playing some zone defense. If he runs a 4.4 or better he'll go corner for sure as he'll be able to keep up with most NFL WRs.

[AZGrizFan]

His strength and physical nature would put him in better line for safety, also his height as well. I have zero facts to back it up but I'd guess a lot of his picks as a Griz came while playing some zone defense. If he runs a 4.4 or better he'll go corner for sure as he'll be able to keep up with most NFL WRs.

Well, I'll bet $100 THAT ain't happenin'...

[PlayerRep]

I have been saying all along that safety might be his best position. However, the NFL now has a role for physical corners who can stop the running, as well as jam a receiver hard at the line. Some NFL teams had talked to Jimmy Wilson about that role for him, and not necessarily just safety. In camp, the Dolphins were impressed with his overall corner skills and decided to keep him at corner.

[IntuitiveGriz]

This NFL draft talk is really exciting for Griz Fans and especially for Trumaine. He is such a great athlete. I am proud he played for Montana (how many kids do we get that were in talks with USC?!), and hope has a long and productive NFL career. I'd like to see him continue on a franchise that has one of the best fan bases...like Green Bay or Pittsburgh. Go Tru, once a Griz always a Griz

[GrizDDS]

His strength and physical nature would put him in better line for safety, also his height as well. I have zero facts to back it up but I'd guess a lot of his picks as a Griz came while playing some zone defense. If he runs a 4.4 or better he'll go corner for sure as he'll be able to keep up with most NFL WRs.

That's the case with most DB's as zone allows them to read the QB's eyes and anticipate more. If they're watching the QB in man defense, then they're most likely getting burned.

[jcu27]

This NFL draft talk is really exciting for Griz Fans and especially for Trumaine. He is such a great athlete. I am proud he played for Montana (how many kids do we get that were in talks with USC?!), and hope has a long and productive NFL career. I'd like to see him continue on a franchise that has one of the best fan bases...like Green Bay or Pittsburgh. Go Tru, once a Griz always a Griz

Well if they would of offered him a scholly he wouldn't of been a Griz. He went to the griz because he didn't want to play at a community college.