Johnson making the most of opportunity
A starting job is within his grasp, and Roderick Johnson has every intention of getting it.
Whether Johnson emerges as the Texans’ starting left tackle in the season opener against the New Orleans Saints or winds up being a top backup, he’s firmly in the conversation as a serious and surprising candidate for the position.
The former Cleveland Browns fifth-round draft pick was extremely effective during his starting debut a week ago against the Detroit Lions. A repeat of that performance — stonewalling pass rushers and creating push in the running game — along with the continuing health problems of Matt Kalil could cement the situation for Johnson.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien has reiterated several times that Kalil remains the first-team left tackle for the first game. That status hinges, however, on whether Kalil can get and remain healthy. Those are both big ifs, considering Kalil didn’t play in a single game a year ago for the Carolina Panthers due to a knee injury and has missed multiple practices since camp started.
All Johnson can control is how he does Saturday night, when he’ll start again at left tackle against the Dallas Cowboys. Kalil is out and has been sidelined for an entire week after getting his foot stepped on during a joint practice against the Lions nine days ago.
“Every day is an audition,” Johnson said. “We always have a competitive roster, so I come out with the mindset that every day is a competition. I’m very excited. It’s always a fun time to step on the field and play football.
“It definitely bears confidence. I’ve got to do it again. Now that they have high expectations for me, I can’t let them down. That drives me.”
Since Johnson started against Detroit following a series of encouraging practices, his credibility and status have grown with the Texans. The way he protected quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Lions opened some eyes.
“Rod’s been awesome — just his spirit and his joy, just his love for the game,” Watson said. “He works his tail off to be able to earn that position, to be able to earn that opportunity to get to play with the first team and just to step on the field.
“He’s very disciplined, and he doesn’t make too many mistakes. He’s been doing a heck of a job, and I’m comfortable sitting in the pocket with him at left tackle.”
O’Brien said Johnson’s dramatic improvement is “light years” ahead of where the former Florida State standout was when he joined the team off waivers a year ago. Johnson spent the majority of last season on the practice squad.
“He’s improved,” O’Brien said. “With us managing Matt throughout training camp, he’s gotten a lot of reps. He’s definitely one of our more improved players, and the key is to keep improving.
“Last year there was some improvement, but this year I think there’s been a lot more, and he’s really worked hard to take the coaching of (offensive line coach) Mike Devlin and try to get better.”
Over the past year, Johnson has diligently worked to improve every facet of his game and has transformed his attitude. An underachiever with the Browns who was prone to injuries, Johnson is taking a more serious approach with the Texans in the weight room and watching film and applying it on the practice field.
“I’ve grown since I was a rookie in Cleveland to now,” Johnson said. “I do think I have major changes. Not only mentality-wise but physicality-wise and how I approach things in the weight room, watching film, meetings on the field. Everything has changed since I’ve been in Cleveland.”
Johnson has always had the ability.
He was a four-star recruit at Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, Mo., before enrolling at Florida State. Johnson started as a true freshman for the Seminoles before starting every game at left tackle as a sophomore and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He was a two-time all-conference selection.
“I always had a little bit of talent,” Johnson said. “It’s just different paths. As long as you get here, it doesn’t matter how you do it.
“I bring not only charisma and love for the game, but I’ve got some technique. I work on it every day and bring that to the table.”
So what does Johnson need to do Saturday night?
“Same thing. Have a solid game, complete all my goals and come out victorious as a team,” Johnson said. “Everything is possible.”
There are scenarios where Johnson either winds up as the starting left tackle or the swing tackle on the second-team offense. Regardless, he has earned a spot on the 53-man roster.
“Whether it’s swing or starting or not, to come out of the tunnel in whatever role on the team, to be here with the guys, I always have fun,” Johnson said. “I love it.”