Where's Brandon Johnson?

[walzav29]

I haven't noticed him at all. He didn't record a tackle Sunday accoring to the stat sheet. I checked the injuries and he's not listed. What am I missing?

[derekshank]

I haven't noticed him at all. He didn't record a tackle Sunday accoring to the stat sheet. I checked the injuries and he's not listed. What am I missing?

I haven't heard his name mentioned all season.

What I remember from last year was that he was a better pass rusher than Rivers. But given the amount of pressure the Bengals D-Line gets, the need for blitzing linebackers is minimal. Combine that with how well Thomas Howard is playing in pass coverage... and Johnson isn't going to see many 3rd down opportunities.

It could be something else... but that is my best guess. He's not getting much playing time because just not as good as Howard.

I guess it's kind of like asking why Skuta hasn't recorded any stats in 3 out of 4 games. He's not on the field very much. Maualuga is better.

[Kazkal]

Lasy year he was our best LB year before he was...don,t thinkwe can say that now with howard and rey back in ths middle where he belonged

[jjakq27]

He was in on special teams on Sunday.

A little depth is a nice dilemma to have for once. Same goes for Rivers. I am not sure if he displaces anyone when/if he comes back this year.

[Spor_tees]

He was in on special teams on Sunday.

A little depth is a nice dilemma to have for once. Same goes for Rivers. I am not sure if he displaces anyone when/if he comes back this year.

According to the official site:

2011 HIGHLIGHTS: Has played in Games 1-3, but has not recorded any statistics … Played all four preseason games, logging 11 tackles.

Maybe the coaches just see that there is too big of a drop off in talent to use him as a substitute and they keep him totally as a replacement in case of injury.

Maybe he has been missing practice during the week to make trips to California?

[redsbengalsbucks]

I would like to see a little more rotation with the LB's. They are rotating the D-line to keep them fresh, do the same with the LB's. Johnson and Rivers (when he is back) should get at least 10-12 snaps a game, Skuta maybe 5-6. This would keep the LB's fresher for the fourth quarter.

I'm hoping that is what they will start doing with the S position since there are more than 2 healthy now.

[Spor_tees]

I would like to see a little more rotation with the LB's. They are rotating the D-line to keep them fresh, do the same with the LB's. Johnson and Rivers (when he is back) should get at least 10-12 snaps a game, Skuta maybe 5-6. This would keep the LB's fresher for the fourth quarter.

I'm hoping that is what they will start doing with the S position since there are more than 2 healthy now.

Don't forget Moch in the LB rotation too. I made a comment in another thread about how if they continue to make the starting LB's log so many minutes they become a higher risk of injury. They are only running a 3 man rotation with the safeties which is better than nothing but it would be nice to have Mays in the mix.

[HairOnFire]

It could be something else... but that is my best guess. He's not getting much playing time because just not as good as Howard.

And FWIW he was never as good as Rivers.

IMHO Johnson's stats have always been inflated due to his primary role as a coverage LB, a role now filled by better and more complete players.

[Spor_tees]

IMO Brandon Johnson went from need, to luxury in one year, and that is good. In fact I think the only reason they brought him back this year is because of injuries. If Keith Rivers was able to start the season, Johnson wouldn't be in Cincinnati. The Bengals are too high on Moch, Skuta earned his way, and Johnson can't supplant them. Look for Johnson to be cut or someone go on IR to make room for Rivers when he comes back.

[blueridge]

IMO Brandon Johnson went from need, to luxury in one year, and that is good. In fact I think the only reason they brought him back this year is because of injuries. If Keith Rivers was able to start the season, Johnson wouldn't be in Cincinnati. The Bengals are too high on Moch, Skuta earned his way, and Johnson can't supplant them. Look for Johnson to be cut or someone go on IR to make room for Rivers when he comes back.

The obvious cut to make room for Rivers would be Vincent Rey. He's only a STs guy and Zimmer has made it clear that he's only interested in guys who who can help the defense.

[derekshank]

Reedy seems pretty confident that Rivers is going to be placed on IR when the time comes. FWIW

[cHaD711Johnson]

Yes. Reedy hasn't been optimistic at all about Rivers coming back this year.

[volcom69]

Reedy seems pretty confident that Rivers is going to be placed on IR when the time comes. FWIW

Maybe this week to get Bobbie Williams back in the lineup. Some are saying they want Bobbie to play this week.

[Spor_tees]

IMO Brandon Johnson went from need, to luxury in one year, and that is good. In fact I think the only reason they brought him back this year is because of injuries. If Keith Rivers was able to start the season, Johnson wouldn't be in Cincinnati. The Bengals are too high on Moch, Skuta earned his way, and Johnson can't supplant them. Look for Johnson to be cut or someone go on IR to make room for Rivers when he comes back.

The obvious cut to make room for Rivers would be Vincent Rey. He's only a STs guy and Zimmer has made it clear that he's only interested in guys who who can help the defense.

I wouldn't be so sure about them picking Johnson over Rey. Eventhough Rey is just a second year player, he is actually playing in the games on Special teams. in fact going into this Sunday:

Has played in Games 1-3 on special teams and leads the team in special teams tackles (three)

So why cut a guy that can continue to get better and plays on special teams versus a guy that just sits on the bench and has probably maxed out his potential for his career?

[Spor_tees]

He was out on the field today, but all he was doing was taking up space. He isn't the shell of the player he was last year, and a major drop off from Rey's ability.