Falcons see potential in small-school product
Arkansas State safety Johnson intrigues Atlanta

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/22/08

Major colleges weren't exactly wearing out the path to Rison, Ark., to recruit Tyrell Johnson.

"There were some smaller Division II schools in Arkansas," said Johnson, one of the top safety prospects in this weekend's NFL draft. "I wasn't recruited really heavy because I was a 155-pound running back. I wasn't real big in high school."

Tulsa recruited Johnson, but there was a coaching change at the school. He had an offer from Arkansas, but the school withdrew it.

When the dust settled, Arkansas State, of the Sun Belt Conference, was the only Division I school to offer a scholarship to Johnson, whose mother, Patricia Bell, ran track at Arkansas.

After redshirting in 2003, Johnson continued to add weight and developed into a sturdy 6-foot-1, 205-pounder. He became a hard-charging safety with vast range.

The Falcons are looking to secure their future at the safety position, so Johnson is an option.

The Falcons signed free safety Erik Coleman to a four-year contract this offseason, but veteran strong safety Lawyer Milloy is entering the final year of his contract. Coleman could eventually slide over to strong safety if Milloy doesn't continue to play after this season.

Johnson visited the Falcons last week and met with Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and Milloy during the team's minicamp.

"Actually, I met Lawyer when I was there and he's a pretty good guy," Johnson said. "He would end up showing me the ropes if I get drafted by the Falcons."

Johnson showed his ability to cover pass receivers in college and had 25 tackles in a game against North Texas in 2005. Making the jump from Arkansas State to the NFL does have Johnson reflecting on his draft status.

"I'm actually living my dream out. I think I'm good enough," Johnson said.

In addition to the Falcons, St. Louis, Tennessee, Cleveland and Kansas City have shown the most interest in Johnson.

Miami's Kenny Phillips is considered the top strong safety prospect.

"Kenny Phillips is not in the first round right now because he's still a borderline player, but there's another safety by the name of Tyrell Johnson from Arkansas State who has really moved up," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.

The overall talent level at the safety position is down this year, according to Dimitroff.

"There just aren't a whole bunch of numbers at the safety position," Dimitroff said. "Usually, you can get a number of strong and free safeties. It seems to be that there are probably more strong safeties out there in the draft than there are free [safeties]."

Changes in how safeties are used around the league also complicate the search.

"Ideally in the NFL now you are looking for two safeties that are interchangeable," Dimitroff said. "It's not, obviously, that easy to do. People make some concessions, but we've really evolved into that [philosophy] defensively where you'd like guys to be able to cover and two guys to come up [and play the run]."

The days of the big linebacker-styled strong safety are almost over.

"We are no longer looking at these safeties who are 6-2, 225, Steve Atwater-type guys," said Dimitroff, referring to the former Denver Broncos star. "We are looking at the guys that are 6-0, 200 pounds and still have the same mind-set as these big guys. They are putting their bodies through a lot of pain to accomplish the same thing."

TAKING STOCK OF SAFETIES

A look at five safeties the Falcons might select in the NFL draft:

1. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State: Had six interceptions last season and 13 in his career. Has range and will try to knock your block off. Was the strongest safety at the NFL scouting combine, and one of the fastest.

2. Kenny Phillips, Miami: If he slips past the New York Giants at 31, he could be sitting there for the Falcons to scoop up in the second round.

3. Josh Barrett, Arizona State: Was spectacular at the NFL scouting combine. Had an up-and-down year on the field.

4. Craig Steltz, LSU: Big thumper who doesn't have top-flight speed. But he has the ideal size for strong safety at 6-1, 213, and tenacity for the position.

5. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame: Former Golden Gloves fighter is a tough, hard-nosed player. Likes to hit, but has limited coverage range.

Interesting read, Dimitroff talking about evolution of the safety position.
With his shared insights, it`s easy to understand his premium placed on aquiring the right type players there.
We want fast bad asses with range, can cover and want to hit.

#5 would be my first choice off of that list.

I agree. He brings the pain when he hits someone.

He can`t hit`um if he can`t catch um.
I go for #1 or #2.