The Browns will bring in an XFL linebacker for a closer look
The Cleveland Browns have taken massive strides to improve their roster this offseason. From landing upgrades like Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency to finding tremendous value in the 2023 NFL draft, the Browns have turned over every stone to find ways to add talent to their 90-man roster. And they are not turning those stones over as they are even taking a look at XFL talent as well as they have invited linebacker Deandre Johnson to camp.
There is not a ton of clarification on which camp, but given that he would need a contract to come to training camp we can assume this is an invitation to rookie minicamp. Johnson joins the XFL Defensive Player of the Year Pita Taumoepenu as players who have earned workouts with the Browns.
The Seattle Seahawks have linebacker problems, to put it mildly. Starting inside linebackers Cody Barton and Jordyn Brooks have both struggled so far this season and Seattle can’t seem to find what they’re looking for in regard to backups. As for the OLB rotation, Uchenna Nwosu is thriving and we named him our first-quarter defensive MVP, but nobody else is stepping up. On Thursday they brought in yet another group of free agents at this position for work outs. As of yet none of them have been reported to be signing.
On top of those moves, the Dolphins also placed cornerback Mackensie Alexander and fullback John Lovett on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
Alexander is the most surprising transaction here, as he was just brought in after the first preseason game to replace Trill Williams, who was also placed on injured reserve. Now, Miami’s looking even thinner at cornerback.
Lovett had been not participating in practice or games during the last two weeks, so this move wasn’t all that shocking, especially considering Alec Ingold had a guaranteed roster spot.
Hofrichter, like Lovett, was in a battle with a veteran that basically won the spot already. He was really just in there to limit Thomas Morstead’s punt attempts while he was dealing with an injury.
Johnson was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason to compete in a rather deep battle for outside linebacker/defensive end reps. While he flashed at times, he had an outside shot to make it.
Let’s talk the second-level, from Jerome Baker to Cameron Goode.
The Miami Dolphins rookies are set to return to the facility on Tuesday, July 19, with the rest of the team reporting Tuesday, July 26. From that point, Miami will begin their first training camp sessions under head coach Mike McDaniel before his first season with the organization.
This time is important to discuss the state of the Dolphins’ roster and assess each position before they get a chance to hold true competitions.
Johnson announced his transfer destination Saturday. He will conclude his collegiate career at Miami.
“The past couple of weeks I have been debating whether I should prepare for the NFL draft or return to school,” the 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior said last month. “After a long and thoughtful conversations with my family I have decided that I will enter the transfer portal and become a graduate transfer.”
KNOXVILLE, TN – AUGUST 19, 2020 – Linebacker Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2020 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics
Johnson appeared in 41 games for the Vols since 2017.
He totaled 58 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and forced five fumbles while at Tennessee.
The University of Tennessee football team concluded its 2020 season Dec. 19.
Following the season coming to an end, senior edge rusher Deandre Johnson has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Johnson made the announcement on Twitter, but has since deleted his tweet. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior said
“The past couple of weeks I have been debating whether I should prepare for the NFL draft or return to school,” the 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior said. “After a long and thoughtful conversations with my family I have decided that I will enter the transfer portal and become a graduate transfer.”
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 06, 2020 – Linebacker Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics
Deandre Johnson’s targeting altered Tennessee’s LEO defense against Georgia.
Tennessee senior Deandre Johnson has made an impact on the Vols’ defense this season.
He has totaled eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, forced one fumble and has recorded one quarterback hit. He won SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following the Vols’ season-opening win at South Carolina.
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 – Linebacker Deandre Johnson #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Last week, Johnson was disqualified for targeting against Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.
His disqualification at JACK linebacker altered Tennessee’s defense for the remaining of the game with its LEO scheme, a position that is being used within the Vols’ defense this season.
A LEO is a tweener of a defensive end and a linebacker and can apply pressure on the quarterback as an edge rusher. The position can allow for a 3-4 scheme to have 4-3 tendencies with the same personnel. A LEO is usually on the boundary-side.
South Carolina quarterback Collin Hill (15) looks for an open receiver under pressure from Tennessee defensive lineman LaTrell Bumphus (88) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. Tennessee defeated South Carolina 31-27. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
In Nickel formations, the SAM/BUCK goes to the field-side, however when a LEO is used, he goes to the weak-side and the bigger defensive end, LaTrell Bumphus, will go to the strong-side.
The JACK typically plays on the boundary-side, while the SAM is on the field-side. This is when the LEO takes place of the JACK, which was Johnson in the Georgia game before being sidelined.
Having a LEO position against a team like Georgia and Todd Monken’s offense can help defend when the Bulldogs are in pro-style sets and when they use Air Raid passing attack concepts.
Tennessee’s Will Brooks (35) and Deandre Johnson (13) converge on South Carolina quarterback Collin Hill (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Vols’ defense wants ‘to keep being aggressive’ and ‘could be dangerous’ as season continues.
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee (1-0, 1-0 SEC) opened the season with a 31-27 victory at South Carolina (0-1, 0-1 SEC).
The Vols held South Carolina to 89 rushing yards. Tennessee’s defense was able to be a presence in the Gamecocks’ backfield last week, totaling four sacks and nine tackles for a loss.
Johnson views the Vols’ defensive unit as one that “could be dangerous” as the season goes along when they are at full strength.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior mentioned he moved back into a dorm ahead of the 2020 campaign. One reason he did so was to improve on learning Jeremy Pruitt’s defensive scheme. Johnson said being back in a dorm has “helped out in a big way” focusing on football.
“For the summer, I just wanted to focus on my body, focus on understanding the scheme more, so moving back to the dorms, it kind of settled me in, it got me back grounded and I’m thankful,” Johnson told reporters on a Zoom call Tuesday.
Johnson mentioned that things began to come natural for him in Pruitt’s defensive system around the second week of fall training camp.
“One of the biggest things, I had to focus on was understanding why we call certain plays, what we’re trying to give the offense and what scheme we’re trying to accomplish with that play called,” Johnson said of what he focused on during the offseason. “Just figuring that out, it’s helped me big time. About the second week of fall camp I started to get in the groove, and from there on out I haven’t looked back.”
Tennessee’s Henry To’o To’o (11), Trevon Flowers (1), Deandre Johnson (13) and Kenneth George Jr. (5) celebrate an interception return for a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Vols Wire previously detailed Pruitt’s split safety coverage defensive scheme and how it operates. In the scheme, it is important for the defensive unit to communicate together pre-snap, making the correct calls and being in the right position.
“Everybody understands why they’re doing what they’re doing and when you look to the left and look to the right, you just know that guy is going to get his job done,” Johnson said. “It makes it easier on yourself. Everybody is playing fast, everybody is playing smarter and we want to just keep being aggressive.”
Below is Pruitt’s split safety coverage defensive scheme in detail and how it operates.
BIRMINGHAM — The Southeastern Conference announced its weekly awards following Saturday’s season opening games.
Tennessee edge rusher Deandre Johnson has been named as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week following his 2.5 sack performance against South Carolina.
Tennessee’s defensive front was able to pressure Gamecocks’ quarterback Collin Hill all game, sacking him four times. This is the first time Johnson has won SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.
