Stamps’ monster in the middle aims to shut down Argos’ offence
Johnson an immovable run stuffer who terrorizes CFL quarterbacks
If Micah Johnson had his way, he might never have become the CFL’s most dominant defensive tackle.
Luckily, Calgary Stampeders defensive co-ordinator DeVone Claybrooks can be a persuasive guy.
When Johnson first signed with the Stampeders after a couple of years spent chasing his NFL dream, he came to Calgary expecting to be utilized as either an outside linebacker or defensive end.
Claybrooks saw Johnson’s future differently.
At Thursday’s Grey Cup Media Day, Claybrooks recalled the heated confrontation that led to his all-star tackle accepting his new position.
“He was like, ‘Coach, you don’t want me here, just cut me right now, don’t just move me positions, you don’t want me here’ and acting like he was going to flip the desk over,” Claybrooks said.
“I was like, ‘Look son, if you trust me I’m going to make you a lot of money. You have the skill set and the tools I’m looking for at this position. If you trust me, you’re going to be one of the best in the league.’ ”
Claybrooks might not have been so eager to share that story if his instincts hadn’t proven correct. But, boy, was he ever right.
Johnson has emerged as a perennial all-star at defensive tackle and was inarguably the CFL’s most dominant player at the position this season. Opposing teams just can’t run through the middle against the Stampeders when Johnson is at tackle, and the 29-year-old terrorizes opposing QBs as well, finishing the season with nine sacks.
“When he first got here, he wasn’t too excited about playing defensive tackle, let alone on the d-line at all,” said defensive line coach Corey Mace. “But he’s come into his own and in my opinion, he’s one of the hard guys to defend.
“He’s got power, he’s got speed, he’s got athleticism and he plays with an edge. For me, he’s the best defensive tackle in the league and they’re zoning him now. It’s still fresh to him, but he’s eager to learn and scarier things are to come from No. 4.”
The idea that Johnson is still improving should be terrifying to the rest of the CFL, but it’s easy to see how it could happen.
The University of Kentucky product has only been playing defensive tackle since joining the Stamps in 2013, and has only really come into his own at the position over the past couple seasons.
With the Toronto Argonauts supplying the opposition for the Stamps in the Grey Cup game on Sunday, Johnson and his defensive linemates are licking their lips at the prospect of chasing down quarterback Ricky Ray, who both Johnson and defensive end Charleston Hughes described as the easiest quarterback to sack in the CFL.
If the Stamps can make life difficult for Ray on Canadian football’s biggest stage, it’s going to earn Johnson a level of notoriety few defensive tackles in the CFL get.
And that’s going to be an adjustment.
“Honestly, I’ve kind of had to get back used to (media attention),” Johnson said.
“Bouncing around the NFL like I did for those three years, you get used to being a bottom of the roster, practice squad guy.
“In essence, you don’t really matter. People around the facility don’t know your name, so it’s kind of an adjustment. I just want to get back to playing ball. I’m glad for the year I’ve had, but I’m just getting started. It’s my second full year playing D-line, so I’m ready to win a Grey Cup this year and come back even stronger next year.”
There were plenty of people — this reporter included — who wrote off Stampeders first-round draft pick Randy Colling at mid-season.
The defensive tackle hadn’t made much of an impact after starting training camp with an injured knee, and it took ages for him to get in a game.
He did play in the West final, though, suggesting the Stampeders aren’t giving up on him and still think he can make a difference.
“I think with him, it was an adjustment to the different type of game than he’s been used to in the U.S.,” Mace said. “He was still coming off a bit of an injury early in the season, but he’s coming into his own. He’s a big cat, tough to move. He’s getting his hands right and he defends the run fairly well, he’s been getting to the ball when he has an opportunity.
“He’s a guy who this organization is excited about the direction he’s heading.”
He’s got power, he’s got speed, he’s got athleticism and he plays with an edge. For me, he’s the best defensive tackle in the league.