Cornelius Johnson stays

Submitted by Ezekiels Creatures on January 15th, 2023 at 9:19 PM

 

https://twitter.com/JoshHenschke/status/1614809041326202881

 

 

Bo Harbaugh

January 15th, 2023 at 9:39 PM ^

Nice.  Correct me if I'm wrong,  but between all these returning starters, young players that received significant snaps, and additions through the portal -

the only obvious hole/unknown on the team right now is a second boundary corner?

Neither Gemon nor Turner would be considered lockdown and most think Johnson was already an emerging star this year and would have surpassed both by next year as CB 1, but we don't really know about a CB2 and both Gemon and Turner were solid to good throughout their careers.

Pretty amazing to be going into a season with so many proven players....loaded roster.  

I'll be hoping that McBurrows can step up to play CB2 and Jyaire Hill can develop as quickly as Johnson did - even though he doesn't have quite the same elite recruiting profile.

Bo Harbaugh

January 15th, 2023 at 10:45 PM ^

Mikey is our nickel, not a boundary corner.  Would make no sense to move him after he played so well there last year.  He's also auditioning for his future NFL role, which will no doubt be at nickel.

Need to do right by him and the team and have him play his best position.

That said, after his seamless move from WR to nickel, maybe he goes full Woodson if moved to boundary corner at this point - seems anything is possible with that guy at this point.

rob f

January 16th, 2023 at 12:14 AM ^

I was going to refer to him as "Corn Dawg" (not my original but a nickname some of the younger folks in our tailgating group have pinned on him), but "CoJo" is good too.

Either way, glad he's coming back and happy that we're seeing proof our NIL program is functioning very well to retain players another season or two.

AlbanyBlue

January 16th, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^

Yep, they probably let people know they were out for sure, otherwise they would have been pictured for sure.

But both of them peace-ing out hurts. We have what might be a serious hole in a defense that is otherwise projected to be top-notch.

Are there still portal possibilities at CB, or has that ship sailed for the year?

matt1114

January 15th, 2023 at 9:40 PM ^

Eh, I don't think I'd say a lifetime. We have a decent shot to have highly rated QBs for the next several years with Davis and then Underwood I believe(out of Michigan).  We have signed some highly-rated players on both sides recently. Moore, Sabb, Morris, Clemons. Loveland is a beast, and he was the 14th-ranked TE according to 247. 2023 hasn't been spectacular, but there are still PLENTY of highly-rated guys out there we can get. I'm hoping Hill can have an immediate impact like WIll Johnson is. 

Blinkin

January 15th, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^

Out of the 4, I was most confident CJ would come back. With Ronnie Bell leaving there will be more opportunities to go around for the veteran WRs. Welcome back!

91wolverine

January 15th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^

Clemons, Cornelius, and roman in the slot with Morris filling in. Wow that’s potential right there. Not to mention Sam Webb is all over Amarion walker..

outsidethebox

January 16th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^

Well, wasn't Walker practicing some at corner-maybe he is playing the "other" corner. But I an not worried about the "other" corner-lot and lots of young talent on this roster. Zeke Berry needs to see the field next year-at corner, safety and/or nickel-or RB for that matter...the young man is a football player.