Tag: Lonnie Johnson

Texans DC Lovie Smith likes Lonnie Johnson’s position flexibility

New Houston Texans defensive coordinator Lovie Smith says one of the things he appreciates about Lonnie Johnson is his position flex in the secondary.

Lovie Smith wouldn’t say whether Lonnie Johnson would play cornerback or safety for the club’s new Tampa-2 scheme in 2021.

However, the new Houston Texans defensive coordinator and associate head coach would praise the third-year defensive back’s versatility in the secondary when he met with the Houston media via Zoom on Thursday.

“I’ll say this here, Lonnie has position flexibility,” Smith said. “You’re going to hear that word an awful lot. I think it’s safe to say, we see Lonnie as a safety right now. He feels good about that.”

Johnson produced 76 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits in 16 games, five of which he started.

“He’s got excellent size,” said Smith. “He’s got a corner skillset, too. Really feel good about him fitting into our defense. As you look at our roster right, we’ve gone through that evaluation process and if a guy’s here right now, we think that there’s a perfect role for them to fit within our system.

The Texans have depth at cornerback with Bradley Roby, Vernon Hargreaves, Desmond King, Terrance Mitchell, Keion Crossen, and John Reid. The club also has safeties they can rely on in Eric Murray, A.J. Moore, and Justin Reid. Given Johnson’s size at 6-2, 213 pounds, the Texans would like to find a way to utilize that length on the back end.

Pro Football Focus says S Lonnie Johnson was Texans’ most improved player

Pro Football Focus evaluated all 32 teams and concluded CB Lonnie Johnson was the most improved player for the Houston Texans.

The Houston Texans were an overall disappointment in 2020 finishing with a 4-12 record after two straight seasons of winning the AFC South. However, they weren’t without their improved players.

According to Ben Linsey, the most improved player on the Texans in 2020 was none other than second-year cornerback Lonnie Johnson.

If Johnson wouldn’t have shown signs of improvement in his second season out of Kentucky, his career would be in need of some life support. As a rookie in 2019, Johnson earned just a 31.7 coverage grade, allowing seven touchdowns into his coverage and picking up nine penalties on the season.

Those struggles came primarily at outside cornerback, but Johnson made the move to safety this past season. The switch brought significantly better results. His overall grade improved nearly 30 points from 36.0 to 65.5, and Johnson was called for just one penalty on the year in over 700 defensive snaps.

Of course, cornerback was where Johnson started out his career with the Texans. During his second season, Johnson transitioned to safety, a position more suited for his 6-2, 213-pound frame. Johnson played in all 16 games, starting in five, and collected 76 tackles, including one tackle for loss.

CB Lonnie Johnson says he thought Texans would hire Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson believed that his team would Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy and was surprised they hired David Culley.

Houston sports fans who were surprised the Texans didn’t hire Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy aren’t alone in their befuddlement.

According to cornerback Lonnie Johnson, who joined “The A Team” on Sports Talk 790 on Thursday, he also thought the Texans were going to hire Bieniemy, who didn’t end up even being a finalist for the Houston job.

“I didn’t know that [David Culley] was going to end up being our head coach,” Johnson said. I thought we were going to go after the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, but it shocking to see that we got the coach from the Ravens, Culley.”

Part of the reason Johnson probably thought the Texans would give Bieniemy serious consideration was due to the public support the Kansas City assistant had garnered among team leaders such as safety Justin Reid and quarterback Deshaun Watson throughout the season when asked point blank questions about the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. Additionally, Romeo Crennel was asked what advice he would give Bieniemy on getting a coaching job after being passed over during the 2020 hiring cycle.

Though the Texans did not hire a name familiar with some players on the roster, Johnson is nevertheless enthused to go to work for the fourth full-time coach in team history.

“When I talked to him, he sounded like a cool guy,” said Johnson. “He sounded like he’s ready to get to work, too. So, all we can do is give the guy a chance. He’s got the job, and I’m pretty sure he wants to earn the respect of his players, just like we want to earn his respect. This is our head coach. We got to go out there and do what we have to do.”

What Johnson’s interview also indicates is Culley is reaching out to players on the roster, which means he could be attempting to make contact with the franchise quarterback.

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Texans vs. Colts Thursday injury report: No change for Houston

The Houston Texans had no change from their injury report on Wednesday as they get ready for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.

The Houston Texans released their Thursday injury report ahead of their Week 13 encounter with the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

There was no change from the Wednesday injury report for the Texans. Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock and running back C.J. Prosise did not practice for the second straight day with an illness, and fullback Cullen Gillaspia was out with a back injury.

Punter Bryan Anger had limited participation with a right quad injury. Safety Lonnie Johnson also was limited again with a knee injury.

For Indianapolis, tight end Jack Doyle did not practice as he was getting rest. Quarterback Philip Rivers was limited, an upgrade from Wednesday, as he deals with a toe injury. Tight end Trey Burton and defensive end Justin Houston returned to practice in full after a day of rest. Receiver Zach Paschal was a full participant after being limited Wednesday with a knee injury.

For the latest on the Colts’ injury situation, check out the Colts Wire.

Texans vs. Colts Wednesday injury report: DT Ross Blacklock misses with illness

The Houston Texans had five players on their injury report for Wednesday, Week 13, and DT Ross Blacklock did not practice with an illness.

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The Houston Texans released their Wednesday injury report as they gear up to play the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

The Texans had three players who did not participate in practice. Fullback Cullen Gillaspia was out with a back injury, while running back C.J. Prosise and rookie defensive tackle Ross Blacklock were each out with an illness.

Punter Bryan Anger had limited participation with a right quad injury. Safety Lonnie Johnson was also limited with a knee injury.

The Colts had eight players who did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, including quarterback Philip Rivers.

For the latest on Indianapolis’ injury situation, check out the Colts Wire.

Texans CB Lonnie Johnson to see more playing time with S A.J. Moore on injured reserve

Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson is expected to play more with safety A.J. Moore on injured reserve, according to DC Anthony Weaver.

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s heart aches for third-year safety A.J. Moore, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and will miss his first game after 35 consecutive played.

“He’s put in a tremendous amount of work to get to the point that he’s been at and I know how much it kills him to not be able to go out there and help us,” Weaver told reporters on Thursday.

However, in the NFL when one player is unable to go, it opens up an opportunity for another. Similarly, Weaver is enthused about the chance second-year cornerback Lonnie Johnson will have to contribute to the Texans’ secondary.

“Lonnie undoubtedly will absolutely play more,” Weaver said. “He’s a guy that is gaining more confidence at the safety position every single day he’s out there. I think it means more than just more Lonnie Johnson. I think everybody in that secondary needs to step up when you lose a guy like A.J. Moore.”

Though Johnson, who has had 95 defensive snaps in the past three games with seven combined tackles, will see more playing time in the absence of Moore, Weaver is also counting on other personnel in the secondary to contribute.

“We need Phillip Gaines probably to step into a role,” said Weaver. “John Reid, perhaps. Everybody needs to pick up their game just so we can make up for the loss of that guy.”

The Texans take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 at NRG Stadium in a battle between two 0-3 teams. The Vikings have a dangerous pair of receivers in Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson, who torched the Tennessee Titans for seven catches for 175 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Titans barely held on with a 31-30 win. Houston may not be so lucky if they are similarly porous in the secondary.

Texans vs. Chiefs final injury report: WR Brandin Cooks questionable

Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks was listed as questionable for the team’s Week 1 game at the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Houston Texans released their final injury report ahead of their Week 1 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

While there was no practice Wednesday, the injury report is based on an estimation of a full practice.

Receiver Brandin Cooks, who had been dealing with a quad issue, was listed as questionable. Cooks was a limited participant on Monday, did not participate on Tuesday, but had limited participation again on Wednesday.

Joining Cooks as questionable was fullback Cullen Gillaspia (hamstring) and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (ankle). Both also were limited participants in practice.

Defensive end J.J. Watt was a full participant in practice (not injury related). Cornerbacks Phillip Gaines (hamstring) and Lonnie Johnson (hip).

The Chiefs did not have any players declared as doubtful or questionable. TE Travis Kelce (knee), DT Derrick Nnadi (ankle), DE Alex Okafor (calf), S Juan Thornhill (knee), RB Darrel Williams (hamstring), and TE Deon Yelder (groin) were all full participants in practice.

Cornerback is highly competitive for the Texans

The Houston Texans cornerback group has fielded plenty of competition that will make the unit stronger and the roster decisions tougher.

One the strongest units on the Houston Texans defense by the end of training camp could be cornerback.

The group has fielded multiple players who have had good camps to this point, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver singled out some names during media availability on Wednesday.

“We have competition on all levels of our defense, and I think that’s a sign that you have a pretty good football team,” Weaver said.

The first-year coordinator mentioned Bradley Roby and Vernon Hargreaves as having good camps. When asked if Lonnie Johnson and Gareon Conley were competing against each other for a spot, Weaver said the whole group is in competition with each other.

“Are those two in direct competition? I don’t know,” said Weaver. “Everybody is in competition in the secondary because we have good players back there.”

The Texans also have good coaching. First-year secondary coach D’Anton Lynn has taken the reins of the back end after spending the last two seasons as assistant secondary coach. Defensive assistant Deon Broomfield has worked with Lynn on the back end after having spent the last three seasons coaching cornerbacks at Indiana State.

“I’m just thrilled with the work that Coach Lynn is putting in with that group, Coach Broomfield and just the way that they’re gelling and coming together as one,” said Weaver. “It’s been awesome to watch.”

Regardless of who the Texans choose to start at cornerback in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, those defensive backs will have secured the privilege after facing stiff competition in camp.

“On our defense, you’ve got to show up day in and day out to try to earn the right to be on that starting unit,” Weaver said. “But what I tell the guys is I’m not concerned so much about starters, I’m more concerned about finishers. Who’s going to finish every play and finish games for us?”

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Anthony Weaver: Texans CB Lonnie Johnson looks like a linebacker, moves like a cornerback

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver says that Lonnie Johnson has the size of a linebacker, but still moves like a cornerback.

Houston Texans coaches didn’t get a chance to see the players at all during the offseason because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the NFL’s response to shutting down the offseason program.

New defensive coordinator didn’t get to see second-year cornerback Lonnie Johnson until training camp, and when he did, he knew the former second-round pick was solemn about improving as a defensive back.

“Lonnie came in here — he’s what, 6’1, 220 pounds and he looks like a WILL linebacker, but he still moves like a corner,” Weaver said. “That alone has showed me that he is motivated.”

Johnson finished his rookie season with 41 tackles and seven pass breakups through 14 games, seven of which he started. In the playoffs, the former Kentucky Wildcat returned a blocked punt for a 10-yard touchdown in the AFC divisional playoffs versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, Johnson was toasted in that game, which he started, as the Chiefs rallied from 24-0 down to outscore Houston 51-7 in one of the more ignominious playoff losses of the decade.

Johnson isn’t letting the experience drag him down.

“He’s motivated to come in and prove why he was a second-round pick and to this point he’s done nothing but show us that on the football field,” said Weaver. “It’s awesome just to see that growth and maturation in him and I can’t wait to see all of things that he’s going to do this year for us.”

The Texans have two cornerbacks in Bradley Roby and Gareon Conley who should figure to start. However, the NFL is a passing league, and defenses need to have a full cupboard of cornerbacks who can cover and make an impact on defense. Johnson has demonstrated throughout the offseason and training camp that he intends to be a big part of the Texans’ pass defense in 2020.

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WATCH: Texans CB Lonnie Johnson takes on WR Keke Coutee in footwork drills

Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson demonstrated in training camp drills how he has worked on his footwork over the offseason.

Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson has been working his footwork all offseason, pandemic be damned.

The former 2019 second-round pick from Kentucky trained in the offseason specifically to improve his footwork. Johnson’s footwork was on display Saturday during the second day of padded training camp practice.

In a video shot by the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, Johnson went against receiver Keke Coutee, who is a quick wideout, regardless of how frustrating the first two years of his career have been.

Johnson was able to keep pace with Coutee, partly because of his footwork. Another reason was Johnson has a 32 5/8-inch arm length that allows him to keep receivers in front of him and direct their routes.

Secondary coach D’Anton Lynn, who takes over in the new role, told reporters on Aug. 5 he is pleased with the progress Johnson has made in the offseason.

“As far as Lonnie goes, he had a good rookie year, great offseason, and just from a playbook-wise, maturity standpoint, you can already see the differences from year one to year two,” Lynn said. “So, we’re excited to see what he’s going to do when the pads come on.”

With pads on, Johnson was able to hold his own against a shifty receiver. If the Gary, Indiana, native can keep up the momentum, he should challenge for playing time and force the coaches to make tough decisions about who stays at cornerback on the 53-man roster.

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