ALBANY, N.Y. -- I know it’s early (cough, cough, Vince Anderson last year, cough), but second-year corner Bruce Johnson has gotten off to a terrific start to training camp. He starred again this morning with an interception and a few plays on the ball, including a tenacious pass break-up of a ball intended for wide receiver Derek Hagan.

“He’s been good, he’s looked good,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He’s been spry, he’s guessed well, jumped a couple of routes and looked really good. I was kidding him about his punt return in cover drill yesterday – it wasn’t much. But yeah, he’s done pretty well.”

Johnson seems to be adjusting to the new schemes of defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who is asking his defensive backs to often play off the ball.

“Well, he’s reading the quarterback,” Coughlin said. “In zone situations, he’s read the quarterback well and really shown an ability to break.”

Johnson said he played a lot of man coverage in his first few seasons in college at Miami. It wasn’t until his last year with the Hurricanes he was asked to play off the ball. The 5-11, 182-pound Johnson, as a smaller, quicker cornerback who isn't built to jam receivers, could benefit greatly from the new scheme.

"I'm just going off instinct," Johnson said.

Johnson played all 16 games last season and made five starts. He had two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown in the Week 2 victory against the Cowboys. Johnson did have a few shaky moments where he struggled to locate the ball, but overall it was an impressive season for the undrafted free agent who was forced to take a ton of extra reps in camp because of injuries at cornerback.

This camp, Johnson is getting the proper amount of reps, so he's more rested. So far, it's showing.

"I feel very comfortable, I feel more relaxed. I'm not out there scrambling all over the place," Johnson said before adding with a grin: "I know how to kind of work it now."



(nj.com)

For an undrafted free agent, New York Giants' cornerback Bruce Johnson had quite a productive rookie season in 2009. He played in 15 games, picked off two passes -- including one against Dallas's Tony Romo that he ran back for a touchdown, forced two fumbles, defended seven passes and made 30 solo tackles.

All of this while playing a lot more than anyone could ever have anticipated, after injuries made Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery unavailable. Johnson played so well, in fact, that the Giants made no effort to keep Dockery this off-season. He eventually signed with the St. Louis Rams.
Johnson took some time out of his off-season to answer some questions for me. Our conversation is below.

Big Blue View: You came to the Giants as un undrafted free agent. The team had drafted cornerbacks in the 6th and 7th rounds, yet you chose New York anyway? What made you think that was the right situation.
Bruce: The reason I felt it was the right situation for me was because the NY Giants actually wanted to sign me, instead of having me come just work out to see if they would like me, like the other teams. Right then and there I knew that was the best situation for me, and it was on my shoulders to make the most of it.

Big Blue View: You played more than many people anticipated. Assess your rookie season.
Bruce: When people think of undrafted free agents, they usually think it's someone who is not "game-ready" or as talented as the other guys on the team. I wasn't going to let that "undrafted free agent" label limit my will and drive to make the team. Instead, I used it as a form of motivation. Overall, I would have to say my rookie year was exceptional.

Big Blue View: Your thoughts on the unfortunate Chad Jones situation and, to a lesser extent, Mathias Kiwanuka's motorcycle crash. Do things like that make you re-consider how you spend your time away from the game?
Bruce: When I first heard about Chad, I was mainly concerned with his health and well being. It was a relief to find out that he would be able to walk again. Unfortunately, it was a bad accident that could of happened to anyone. I try my best to stay healthy and out of harm's way.

Big Blue View: What is the biggest thing that surprised you about the NFL?
Bruce: The biggest thing that surprised me about the NFL was actually playing along side or against the top-notched athletes that I watched growing up. Another thing that surprised me was how much of a job this was instead of just a game.

Big Blue View: How much difference is there coming into camp with a year of experience? Do you still feel like you are fighting to make the team?
Bruce: Oh yes! I still do feel like I am fighting for the team, but I am really fighting for my respect most of all, because I still feel like I haven't earned enough. The difference between camp rookie season and this season is now I know how to manage my time better, as opposed to last year when I came in blind and didn't know what to expect.

Big Blue View: A lot of players I have talked to during the off-season indicate that there seems to be a more determined attitude around the ballclub, and around the workouts. Do you sense a difference this season?
Bruce: Yes I do sense a difference. It is fun because there are so many competitors in our locker room who won't settle for anything less than hard work. Everyone puts forth their best efforts for the team. Every time I talk to a teammate, the conversation always ends on a football note, and how ready we are for the season to start. Should be a very interesting season.

Big Blue View: Other than working out, have you done anything to get away for a while during the break between mini-camp and training camp?
Bruce: Yeah, Mon!!! Actually, I just traveled to Jamaica. It was nice to get away and get reenergized before camp starts. I really needed that! Beautiful scenery, great food, great people. Definitely an experience that I won't forget.



(bigblueview.com)

For the first time in three years, the Giants player who received the most in performance-based pay was not Michael Johnson.

But it was a Johnson. Bruce Johnson, to be exact.

The rookie cornerback, an undrafted free agent who made the final roster and saw plenty of duty this past season because of injuries to Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery, received $270,766 in PBP, according to NFL Players Assoociation records. Not a bad payday, considering his salary for his rookie season was only slightly more at $310,000.

The league hands out PBP checks to players whose playing time exceeded expectations (i.e. those players who were bargains because of low salaries and high amounts of playing time). The top of the list is usually dominated by low-round picks and undrafted free agents who found their way into starting or supporting roles. I'm hearing Vikings C John Sullivan, a former sixth-round pick who started every game this past season, had the highest payout in the league, though I'm not sure how much he received.

The National Football Post reports Sullivan indeed led the league with $397,555.

Michael Johnson, who is now likely out of a starting job after the Giants signed Antrel Rolle to start alongside Kenny Phillips (if healthy), received the second-largest PBP check on the team with $235,445.

Coming in third was TE Kevin Boss ($221,100), followed by CB Terrell Thomas ($207,125) and recently released S Aaron Rouse ($193,598).



(nj.com)

We’ve run down a long list of players who have had offseason surgery and it continues to grow. Add DT Rocky Bernard and CB Bruce Johnson to the list.

Bernard had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder that was bothering him all of last season, Reese said.

As for Johnson, he had surgery on his wrist, according to Reese and his agent, Tony Fleming. Johnson was recently fitted for a smaller cast and should be ready for the start of offseason workouts, Fleming said.



(nj.com)

BRUCE JOHNSON:

Rookie free agent who started off strong and finished off week. Probably ran into a rookie wall. Talented, but needs experience. In a few years, could be a really good player. Will probably be the fourth corner next year. Better to ease him in, anyway.



(giantsgab.com)

With Ross and Corey Webster sidelined, the Giants started Kevin Dockery at cornerback opposite Terrell Thomas. (Webster was ruled out on Sunday with a sprained knee suffered last week against the Eagles.) Rookie Bruce Johnson worked as the third cornerback and recorded his second interception of the season on a botched fake field goal attempt by the Redskins at the end of the first half.

“The credit has to go to Kevin Dockery and Bruce Johnson,” Coughlin said. “Both of those guys got a chance to play an awful lot against a very talented receiving corps. They did an outstanding job, along with Terrell.”

Webster’s knee sprain is not serious and he might return this Sunday against the Panthers.



(nj.com)

Q: RE: Starting on Monday night.
A: I have been playing all year so I'm just ready whenever I'm called. So it's not a sure thing if I will start or not. But if I do, I will just be ready. So I take every week like I'm going to start.

Q: In a rookie season you are always going to have ups and downs. What are the things that you really need to clean up here down the stretch, especially with a bigger role?
A: Pretty much I just have to clean up my focus. Like they say, you don't want to hit that rookie wall at this time. And I talked to a couple of the older guys and they said that they know exactly where I'm coming from because they hit it, too. I wouldn't necessarily say I hit a wall. So pretty much I just have to keep focused each week and each practice rep during practice and stay in the film room and don't get tired of it. I have to keep doing that more and more and want to learn more.

Q: You talk about the wall. Is that more of a mental thing or it is just the fact that the season is a lot longer than you are used to?
A: You could say that it is a mental thing. But like I say, you have to just take it day by day. You are right, in college the season is shorter than what it is right now. So your body is used to just stopping right around this time. You just have to keep going and know that you have a couple more games to go. And try to fight it.

Q: Did you take reps with the first team?
A: No, not with the first team. When they called the nickel group I came in, like I have been doing all year.

Q: Was Kevin Dockery in there?
A: Yeah, Kevin was taking reps, yeah.

Q: Because all of you guys have played so much, do you feel the secondary is equipped to handle the loss of those two?
A: I think so. We have been short of corners all year. We know what we have to do even with the shortage of the corners that we have already. So we have been going through this since the first game .........and we have done pretty well. So everybody knows what we have to do and where we have to fill in. Everybody knows their role and what they have to do. So we are feeling pretty good.

(giants.com)

Jonathan Goff replaced Chase Blackburn at middle linebacker, and CB Bruce Johnson got his most extensive work of the season. The changes appeared to send a clear message: It's about the team. The Giants almost seemed to admit after the game that they had gotten a little caught up in preseason hype and individual attention, and this series of moves undercut all that. Desperation, maybe, but reminding this defense that it's getting late in the season turned out to be the right move.

Johnson finished with 7 tackles, 5 solo tackles.



(pfw.com)

Something that kind of flew under the radar yesterday was CB Kevin Dockery’s replacing rookie CB Bruce Johnson as the team’s third corner. Not stunning by any means but Johnson had been playing well. This will only get more complicated when (or should I say "if"?) CB Aaron Ross returns.



(nj.com)

Former Miami Hurricanes cornerback Bruce Johnson had to endure the frustration of not being drafted after once being projected as an early- to mid-round prospect. He didn't wow anyone at the combine and he was barely a top-30 corner heading into the draft.

But when I arrived in Albany, N.Y., in August, Johnson was constantly making plays in training camp. You could tell right away that he was better than sixth-round draft choice DeAndre Wright -- and Tom Coughlin found a spot on the 53-man roster for him. With Kevin Dockery slowed by a hamstring injury, Johnson became the nickel corner to start the season. He had a forced fumble in his first regular-season game against the Redskins and he followed that up with a pick-six against the Cowboys the following week.

On the interception against the Cowboys, he lured Tony Romo into thinking he was in one-on-one coverage with Roy Williams and then he bailed out at the last second and jumped underneath an out route that Patrick Crayton was running. It was a veteran move by an undrafted rookie -- and he raced to the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown to give the Giants a 10-7 lead in the first quarter.

The Eagles have a fifth-round draft pick named Victor "Macho" Harris who's already cracked the starting lineup at free safety, but I think Johnson had made the bigger impact early in the season. Dockery has returned to the lineup, but I don't think he'll be able to hold off Johnson for long. Johnson's just a very heady player who Coughlin already has a lot of faith in.

The only thing I've seen him do wrong is get confused on a route the Chiefs ran near the Giants' goal line. On that play, Michael Boley raced back and broke up the pass. Johnson already has eight tackles, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception. I don't think this is beginner's luck.



(espn.com)

proCanes.com is continuing our “Tracking proCanes” feature with former University of Miami and current New York Giants defensive-back Bruce Johnson. Johnson played in 42 games with 25 starts for the Hurricanes and finished his career with 69 tackles, 2 interceptions, 11 pass break-ups and 3 tackles for loss. Johnson signed as an un-drafted free-agent with the New York Giants in 2009 and has played in the Giants first two games of the season logging 5 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception returned for a touchdown in week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. Johnson is the cousin of former Hurricane cornerback and current Seattle Seahawk cornerback Kelly Jennings.

Bruce was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule after the Giants’ week 2 win against the Dallas Cowboys and in between signing a lease on a new apartment and preparing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to speak with us. Read below to see how he went from being an un-drafted free agent to returning a Tony Romo interception for a touchdown in week 2.
 
proCanes: So have you started to settle down in New York?
Bruce Johnson: Yes Sir. I just finished signing a lease yesterday for an apartment.
 
pC: Let’s start with after you graduated from the University of Miami, you were supposed to be the only Hurricane draft pick yet you ended up going un-drafted, talk about that.
BJ: It was a little nerve racking but I also knew anything could happen. I was just sitting there watching and I was a little upset but I sort of wasn’t. It just became more motivation for me when I got here [New York Giants] and when I got into Rookie Mini camp, OTAs, Mini Camp and Training Camp. I wanted to show them that I was supposed to be a draft pick and that’s been my goal ever since I got here. So far it’s been pretty good, but I still feel like I have a lot to prove.

pC: So you weren’t that surprised instead of you being the Cane sole draft pick it was Spencer Adkins?
BJ: I think that either one of us could have gotten picked up. Congratulations to Spencer, I really like how he got picked up in the draft. I’m not upset about it or anything. Stuff happens like that. I just had to take it and move on from it and that’s what I am doing now.

pC: I would assume you had a couple of teams to choose from in terms of signing a free agent contract.
BJ: I got a call from my agent and he told me that New Orleans, Tamp Bay and the Giants wanted to have me come in for a tryout. Then he called me back five minutes later and told me that the Giants wanted to sign me, so I took that and went with it and I’m here right now.
 
pC: Were you pretty confident that you were going to make the squad when you went up for Rookie Camp and OTAs?
BJ: I was pretty confident because that was my whole goal when I came up here. I had something to prove the whole time I was up here. No matter how many plays I made or what I did right I felt I had to improve even more. They don’t really give you feedback when you do a couple of things or you think you’re doing something good. That’s what has kept me going and kept me trying to do the best I can. I was trying to get a reaction, just to keep doing my best to get a reaction and see where I was. You know, you never get a reaction and I’m still trying to get a reaction [laughter]. That is what is still driving me to be the best.

pC: If you have a good day in practice they don’t tell you?
BJ: They’ll say something like ‘good job’ or you did this good, but it won’t be like they are praising you. There are certain guys who, I wouldn’t say have a certain leeway, but they may not have to worry about too much. I am trying to get to that point where they won’t have to call my name so much for certain things, and I can just go out there and play and do what I have to do. I ‘m progressing each day, I just have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully after a couple of years I can be that guy.

pC: What has been the toughest part about from going from college to the pro’s?
BJ: In college, I started for like my last two years and I played a lot before that. Coming in and being un-drafted and being on the bottom of the totem poll [was different]. You’ve got a guy ahead of you who’s got years of experience. I am just trying to prove what I can do. They already have their money invested in someone and penciled in as the starter, so the hardest adjustment was that I have to continuously prove what I can do. It was hard for me because I knew they had the guys in there that they probably wanted in there already, but just trying to show them and keep working because you never know what is going to happen week in and week out.  During mini camp and stuff like that you never know if you’re going to be cut or they’re going to bring somebody else in. I wouldn’t say it’s the worrying but just the fact that you could be cut the next week or even the next day.

pC: What was the one part of your game you had to work on?
BJ: The one part of my game I had to work on was just taking every receiver like they’re the best. In college you play a bunch of different teams and not every team you play is up to the caliber of Florida or Oklahoma. Every practice I went in, I had to approach every receiver like he was Randy Moss or T.O. [Terrell Owens] because everyone is good. Just staying focused on the receiver that I was going against and studying more was the main thing for me.

pC: You’re playing most in the nickel formation, are you playing more in the slot or the outside?
BJ: I’m playing on the outside when they have three receivers, so that’s not too big of a change from my UM days.

pC: Talk about having former Hurricanes Sinorice Moss, Kenny Phillips and Jeff Feagles there. How have they helped you being up in NY.
BJ: When I first got signed Sinorice called me and told me he was proud of me and just told me to come in and be ready to work. When I got there they took me in and showed me the ropes and they’ve been looking out for me ever since. I work against Sinorice almost every day. He doesn’t take it easy on me and makes sure I get good work, and I make sure he gets good work. He tells me that he’s proud of me and to just keep working hard and he’s going to work me. I talk to K.P. [Kenny Phillips] and he just tells me to keep doing what I’m doing and just make plays. When I first got here I sat down with K.P. and went over some of the coverages and formations and everything. Jeff Feagles is actually my mentor on the team and that’s pretty good. So, I just came and it was like I didn’t miss a step. Coming from the University of Miami they just took me in and showed me the ropes and they have been doing that ever since.

pC: I’m sure that helped your transition.
BJ: Yeah that helped my confidence a lot. Having those guys here was a big boost for me.

pC: Did you expect to play as much as you have in the first two weeks?
BJ: To be honest with you, this is what I came in to do. I didn’t know I was going to play this much, but I told myself that if I did get the chance I would make the best of my opportunity. I’ve been having my chance so every chance I get, I just make sure that I make the best out of it to help this team and help myself out as well.

pC: Week 1, you force a fumble and week 2 you have a huge pick 6. Talk about the pick 6 and how you played it and what you saw.
BJ: Basically during that whole play we were in a cover 3 coverage and Romo saw something in our defense and checked off. When he did that Antonio Pierce, the quarterback of our defense basically, checked off into a cover 2 and switched the whole defense around. I have to give props to him because if it wasn’t for him I probably would have been somewhere else that I wasn’t supposed to be, [laughter] so I give him a lot of props for that. When Pierce checked, it put me in a totally different mindset of how I had to play my coverage and what I had to do. Once I jammed the receiver and he was going in, I passed him off to the nickel back and once I was about to go to the other receiver I just see the ball up in the air and caught it and then all I was thinking was that I just have to get to the end zone before anyone touches me. That gave me a good opportunity to show my speed. Some people kind of questioned my speed around the combine so that was a great opportunity to show my speed. I was just making sure that I didn’t get caught before I got into the end zone.

pC: Talk about your transition of going up and living in New York.
BJ: When I first came up, it was my first time coming up to New York. To be honest with you, we’re based out of New Jersey, but I have been to the city and it is a lot different from Miami. You see a lot more people walking, there’s a lot of commotion. When they say that city never sleeps, they’re right, it’s always going. I had to get adjusted to that because I’m not used to taking trains, cabs or anything like that. Having all those people close together on the sidewalk walking by you, I had to get used to that because I didn’t like that at first. I really wasn’t used to that. I was used to having my own space and riding in the car and it was kind of funny to see people in business suits getting on buses and doing a lot of walking. When I see people in Miami in business suits they’re in nice cars and everything. It was sort of like a culture shock to me, but since I’ve been here I have sort of gotten used to it and I’ve been just trying to make the transition.

pC: Do you go to the city often?
BJ: I’ve been there a couple of times, but I don’t go too much.

pC: What’s your schedule like during a game week if you play on Sunday?
BJ: What it is, is we’ll play Sunday and then we’ll come in on Monday we might lift and basically we’ll watch some film of the game and we’ll be done by around 1 o’clock and then we have Tuesday off as well and then we’ll come back on Wednesday and that’s pay day, so we get paid on Wednesday. Then we’ll do some preparation from Wednesday until Saturday. Saturday we’ll go to our team hotel if it’s a home game or we leave on a plane to go to an away game. If it’s a late night game like this past Sunday, we’ll eat and have little meetings on Sunday if it’s an early Sunday game then we’ll do all that the night before.

pC: Who has helped you most in your adjustment to the Giants.
BJ: Pretty much all the DBs from the safeties to the veteran corners. Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, Terrell Thomas, Kevin Dockery all of them have helped me out a lot. There are no secrets everybody is trying to help everybody. I ask all those guys questions about certain plays so I can’t pinpoint one person and the coaches are very helpful as well.

pC: You’ve gotten a lot of playing time in the first two weeks because of injuries do you know what’s going to happen when people get healthy?
BJ: I’m just going with the flow right now, only time will tell. Until then, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.

pC: Let’s Talk about the Canes right now, what do you think of their start so far?
BJ: Yeah man, they’re looking real good. I hate that they had to start when I left [laughter] but at least they started it. I’m glad to see those guys doing good because there are a lot of guys that I played with [on the team] so it’s good to see them playing well and being ranked in the top 10 right now. I hope that they can just keep it going just for themselves so they can have a better outcome when draft day comes.

pC: What do you think is the key to this week’s game against Virginia Tech?
BJ: As long the offense keeps clicking like they are and the defense keeps attacking, bringing that pressure and everybody keeps hitting I think we’ll be fine.

pC: What is the difference between last year’s defense, which you played on, and this year’s defense?
BJ: I feel like they have a lot of stability now. I think they have everything set and everything how they want it. With the coaches being set and being there for a while, that’s the big thing that they need and the players getting used to them and buying into the system and knowing what to do. Plus those guys have a lot of talent and putting the coaching and the talent together is a big improvement. Guys are also hungrier this year.

pC: Did you think Bill young was going to be there for a while?
BJ: As a matter of fact I did, but things happen and you just have to keep moving.

pC: You played in both the Orange Bowl and Land Shark Stadium. What’s the difference, did you miss the OB?
BJ: There will never be anything like the OB [Orange Bowl]. It’s tradition and it’s been with the Hurricanes for the longest. Whoever’s decision it was, we had to move and playing at Land Shark wasn’t bad, but you did miss the OB sometimes because you just had that feeling, the Orange Bowl voodoo. I did miss the OB but having a big screen too, was pretty nice. They both had their pro’s and con’s.

pC: You played under both Randy and Larry, how did things change?
BJ: Both coaches demanded greatness out of their players. I didn’t really see much of a difference. I don’t want to say they had different coaching styles but they both demanded greatness and perfection out of their players. They both wanted to win and I couldn’t really tell much of a difference between them.

pC: This week you’re going up against Kellen Winslow Jr. Any thoughts?
BJ: If I have to guard then I have to guard, just like anybody else.

We at proCanes.com would like to thank Bruce Johnson for being so gracious with his time to do this very insightful interview for our new feature "Tracking proCanes." Click here to check out our past interviews with Leon Searcy, Steve Walsh, Frank Costa, John Routh, Chad Wilson, Sinorice Moss, Twan Russell and more!

Click here to vote for Bruce Johnson for NFL Rookie of the Week. Bruce had 2 solo tackles, 1 pass deflection and an interception returned 34 yards for a TD.

S Kenny Phillips. What incredible reaction on the INT that went off Jason Witten's foot. And a very heads up play to watch the ball all the way down. You can also see him watch the ball drop to Witten's foot, which a lot of defenders don't always do. If he doesn't react the way he does -- and if he doesn't catch the ball -- maybe that doesn't get replayed and the Cowboys are ahead at the half.

CB Bruce Johnson. Kenny Palmer of The Giant Insider caught up with Johnson in the locker room and said Johnson told him one of his former coaches schooled him "to run like you stole something after picking off a pass." Looked to me like he stole a loaf of bread the way he tucked it and ran.



(nj.com)

Giants rookie cornerback Bruce Johnson, an undrafted free agent from the University of Miami, was really untested in the game.

Johnson, playing as the third defensive back in Sunday's game due to injuries to starting corner Aaron Ross and nickel back Kevin Dockery, had three tackles and forced a fumble.

The Redskins were never able to exploit the rookie, who matched up with Washington's outside receivers most of the day.

"I was really proud of the way Bruce Johnson played," Coughlin said.



(app.com)

With starting CB Aaron Ross and backup Kevin Dockery both sidelined with hamstring injuries, Giants rookie Bruce Johnson has gotten plenty of work as the team's third corner in practice this week. But that's nothing new for Johnson, who saw plenty of action in training camp and the preseason while Ross and Corey Webster were out with injuries.

"I got a little bit tired," Johnson admitted Thursday. "I don't want to say that gave me an advantage, but it helped me out a lot when the season came around. I was tired, but I had to keep pushing through. We didn't have anybody else. I'm in football shape now."

Johnson had better be in shape because he might be needed on Sunday. Coach Tom Coughlin is hopeful Dockery will be available to come off the bench, but it's uncertain how much he'll be able to play. That could mean the Giants will need Johnson, an undrafted free agent from Miami, to play a lot in his first real game as a pro.

Coughlin doesn't appear to be worried, as he told reporters the team's turning to a rookie free agent "has happened before," such as Dockery in 2005 and Curtis Deloatch the previous season.

In fact, Coughlin walked into the training room on Saturday and asked Johnson if he could trust him. That was Johnson's only indication he had made the team ahead of sixth-round pick DeAndre Wright.

"I had worked hard, but you never know," Johnson said. "So you just have to keep pressing on each day in practice until you get that final word - and I got that final word.

"And I'm not going to stop. I'm just going to keep pressing hard."

He's been doing so ever since his draft stock fell from high- to mid-round pick to a player who didn't get a call until after the draft was over.

"That was just a little bit more motivation for me that, when I didn't get drafted, I'd show them what I can really do," he said. "By me working hard in training camp and minicamp and rookie minicamp, I think I had a chance to show what I could so. That was my goal coming in. I felt pretty good about everything. I just knew I had to keep up with the system and everything."



(nj.com)

Oh, and two fights. Or near fights. The first involved cornerback Bruce Johnson and wide receiver Shaun Bodiford when they got tangled up, went to the ground and came up mauling each other WWE style.

The second also involved Bruce Johnson. I didn't see what started it, but I did see tight end Darcy Johnson take a couple of swings at him, which drew a lot of players before Brandon Jacobs stepped in to play peacemaker.

Bruce Johnson, who is fighting for a roster spot, was obviously testy today. After the two fights, he knocked a pass away from David Tyree and gave the 'throat-slash' sign, which immediately drew the ire of the offense -- and the coaching staff.



(bigblueview.com)

Biggest surprise: I thought there were a few undrafted rookie free agents that had a chance to stick, but CB Bruce Johnson wasn’t on my list. He’s on it now, though. He definitely made his share of mistakes, but the kid has a nose for the ball and is definitely a playmaker. He was making more than he was missing at the end of camp. He’s spunky and fiery, too. I’m not sure if he’ll make the final 53, but if not and he clears waivers, he’s definitely a practice squad candidate.



(nydailynews.com)

I mention most of Tyree’s drops so it only seems fair I mention a rare one from WR Derek Hagan. It’s possible CB Bruce Johnson got his hand on the ball first.

Johnson definitely got his hand on another Carr pass intended for Hagan during the two-minute drill. He did a great job sticking with the receiver as he ran across the middle. Then he did an even better job of lunging in front to break up the pass.



(nydailynews.com)

Did any of those players jump out at you while you were watching the film that you thought performed particularly well?

Tom Coughlin: If you look defensively, I think we did have a number of guys who consistently performed pretty well throughout the entire game. I thought (Clint) Sintim had a good ball game, a good physical game, a game in which he rushed the passer. I think you have to understand too, those two young corners, DeAndre Wright and (Stoney) Woodson played almost the whole second half and beyond. Bruce Johnson played a tremendous amount in the game. I was pleased to see that the numbers did not, they weren’t overly excessive even though we did have to play some people perhaps more than we would have wanted. Bruce Johnson had 42 of the 57 defensive snaps, for example, Woodson and Wright had 32, which is not bad, it’s not that far out of the realm of it.



(nydailynews.com)

Bruce Johnson: The rookie free agent is really pressing DeAndre Wright. Johnson was everywhere, batting down passes, and stopping the run. Really impressive.




(nflgridirongab.com)

CB Bruce Johnson had a very good afternoon. He did a good job of staying on top of Bodiford on a deep ball from Bomar. Bodiford has been on the short end of a lot of deep balls all camp long. Not sure if that means he's not fast enough or has just been on the wrong end of the draw on plenty of overthrown passes. He later had a ball go through his hands.

Johnson later defended a deep in and went over Bodiford's back (no penalty) to knock away a hook.

(nj.com)

Signings among undrafted Canes: Antonio Dixon (Redskins), Bruce Johnson (Giants), Dwayne Hendricks (Giants). Tryouts this weekend: Chris Rutledge (Dolphins), Chris Zellner (Bucs), Anthony Reddick (Bears), Kayne Farquharson (Saints).


(miamiherald.com)

Not much activity so far for UM on the day after the NFL Draft.

The only player to land a free agent contract is defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, who signed with the Washington Redskins. The 6-foot-2, 325-pound Dixon had just 45 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his career, but has impressed scouts with his mobility. Dwayne Hendricks signed with the NY Giants as well.

Cornerbacks Bruce Johnson and Carlos Armour, receiver Kayne Farquharson, linebacker Glenn Cook and tackle Reggie Youngblood are among those still searching. Don't be surprised to see Johnson and Youngblood wind up with the New York Giants. Also, former troubled UM linebacker Willie Williams, who transferred after his freshman season, was picked up by the Green Bay Packers.

(sun-sentinel.com)

Don't expect Bruce Johnson to feel guilty because he won't perpetuate what has come to be known among NFL Draft junkies as ''the streak'' -- 14 consecutive years of at least one University of Miami football player selected in the first round.

That burden cannot rest on one player, Johnson explained, especially when that player is the only Hurricane likely to be drafted this weekend.

''I can't help that we don't have any first-rounders,'' said Johnson, 22, who is the same age as his jersey number. He protested softly, and earnestly. ``What do people want me to do? Not play football? I don't understand why everyone wants to talk about it.

``I know it's a streak people take pride in, but after a while, I get tired of hearing about it, to be honest. As much as you talk about it and cry and complain, it's not going to change. I'm doing my best. I know this program will come back.''

Johnson, a 5-9 ½, 178-pound cornerback projected to be drafted anywhere from the fourth to seventh rounds -- and in a scenario he doesn't even contemplate, perhaps not at all -- is Miami's only hope to preserve an astounding tradition of NFL-worthy talent.

The last time the Hurricanes did not have a player taken in the draft was 1974, and before that, 1960.

Last year, safety Kenny Phillips saved the first-round streak by being taken 31st overall by the New York Giants. In 2007, safety Brandon Meriweather, linebacker Jon Beason and tight end Greg Olsen kept it going.

In 2006, Kelly Jennings, another cornerback and Johnson's uncle (the two played together when Johnson was a freshman) maintained it as the No. 31 pick by Seattle.

''I do remember the calls I got about how I saved the streak,'' Jennings said. ``But to be drafted in any round is a huge honor. I think Bruce is a great talent. He might not have had the year he wanted, but any team that gets him will be fortunate. He has great passion and a positive attitude that set him apart.

'Some guys say, `Woe is me.' Bruce pushes through adversity and overcomes it.''

Johnson has had a career marked by highlight reels and forgettable moments. At times, he was brilliant. At times, he struggled.

Johnson started 11 of 13 games last season, eight his junior year and a handful his first two years combined. In 2008, as part of Miami's seventh-ranked pass defense (by far the best UM team statistic), Johnson was the second-leading tackler among defensive backs with 29. He got his second career interception against Florida State and recovered a fumble toward the end of regulation at Virginia, where Miami won in overtime.

As a junior, he had a team-leading six pass breakups.

SMALL PACKAGE
He is small and known for his speed and catch-up acceleration, despite a slow time of 4.49 seconds at the combine in February in Indianapolis. He weighed 168 that day after a stomach ailment and said he couldn't keep anything down. He has since gained 11 pounds. Less than a week after Indianapolis, Johnson increased his speed to 4.40 at UM's pro timing day.

''He ran well, but not phenomenally,'' ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. ``He had a decent career, not a great career. But when you look at this kid, he has some skills. He could be a nickel-, dime-type of back in the league. He could be a fourth- or fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, that could make a team.

''But, unfortunately, the streak comes to an end,'' Kiper added. ``And it shouldn't be surprising, considering the way Miami has played. Usually, your talent reflects your won-loss record. Miami is a slip downward, and now they're trying to bring it back up with the young players that [coach] Randy [Shannon] is recruiting.''

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock described the Hurricanes as being ``off the map right now. I fully expect them to come back and be a lot more productive. Things are cyclical. USC is the place now that Miami used to be as far as star power on Pro Day.''

Mayock projects Johnson to be drafted ``mid to late on the second day. He's not real big, obviously. I think bottom line is that he's going to go late, if he goes at all.''

The size factor, or more accurately, lack of size, is something Johnson has heard for years. Jennings played at 175 pounds this season for the Seahawks, and was smaller than Johnson as a Hurricane.

''I laugh about that because it's the same thing I heard about myself,'' Jennings said. ``We're all men in the NFL. Regardless of size, if you use what God has blessed you with, you overcome.''

Last week, former UM first-rounders Santana Moss and Willis McGahee worked out near Johnson in the UM weight room. Both scoffed at the streak mania, and insisted it's not where you are picked, it's how you produce.

''I don't think it's disappointing,'' said Moss, who was drafted 16th overall by the Jets in 2001 and now plays for the Redskins. ``Everything comes to an end sooner or later, but the one thing this school can hold on to is that everyone we put in the NFL will be at least worthy of, or even better, than the round in which they were drafted.''
As a UM senior, Moss' height and weight were almost identical to Johnson's.

''Doing well has nothing to do with size,'' Moss said. ``Speed is everything in this game. I'd hate to be on the end of the stick Bruce is on because they always try to find something to bring you down. I went through the same thing. All you can do is show them. It ain't about how big or small you are, it's about putting up numbers and performing.''
McGahee, a Baltimore Ravens running back drafted 23rd overall by Buffalo in 2003, said ''all that matters'' is that Johnson gets drafted. ''He'll be successful,'' said McGahee, who nonetheless made it a point to show Johnson the tattoo on his bulging biceps that reads ``BOSS.''

''Bruce is a little cocky,'' an approving McGahee said. ``Kelly was all quiet, no talk. Bruce goes out there and puts down swagger on the field. You have to have confidence to be successful.''

Johnson -- gregarious, enthusiastic and polite to a fault -- is as candid and likable a Hurricane as you will find. He treats others with respect and answers questions thoughtfully, usually with a big smile.

SOME TOUGH TIMES
Early in his career, he was suspended for being late to study hall and a team meeting. He also was suspended for taking part in the brawl against Florida International in 2006. But he seems to have grown up dramatically the past couple years, and is on pace to graduate next month in sports administration.

''Yes, ma'am, I've matured,'' Johnson said. ``I started off with a little rocky start. Now I don't let little things escalate into big problems. I need that degree to fall back on, especially with the state the economy is in. I want to start what I finish, and I'll be very proud to get my degree.''

Johnson's mother, Cassandra Gerberich, is Jenning's older sister. Johnson moved in with his grandmother -- Jenning's mother, Ruby -- so he could attend Live Oak Suwannee High School. Suwannee is 23 miles from Johnson's hometown of Lake City, a place ''in the country,'' he said, ``with dirt roads, raccoons, possums, snakes and lots of open space.''

STARTING YOUNG
Johnson started playing flag football when he was 5, and he spent almost every night with a football tucked next to him while he slept.

''He would lie on his back and toss the football up in the air, even when he was watching television,'' said Gerberich, 43, a dental assistant. ``That was his baby.

'Kelly was the painfully quiet, humble one. Bruce was the free spirit, go-getter, showboater. They called him `the human highlight' in high school because he could make something out of nothing on kick returns. Kelly sits back and lets his work speak for itself. But they have the same heart, same motives and same morals. And they both have enough manners for 10 people.''

Johnson will spend draft weekend with a few close relatives at his uncle's home in Orlando, the place where Jennings heard his name called.

''The moment has come, and now it's time for him to step up and grab the dream,'' Johnson's mother said. ``His size doesn't matter. It's what he can do. Bruce is about to be somewhere a lot of guys would love to be.

``We'll say a prayer and have faith that God will put Bruce in the right place.''

Said Johnson, his eyes twinkling: ``Instead of talking about Deion [Sanders] all the time, maybe kids will talk about me one day.

``Shoot, I just want to be drafted and keep improving. Then, everything will work out for the best.''

(miamiherald.com)

This story appeared in the April 20 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

After finishing his final 40-yard dash attempt, Miami cornerback Bruce Johnson lets his momentum carry him to the far end of the Hurricanes' practice field. There, in the shadow of a parking garage, he glances back at the school's pro day setup. What he sees are the unmistakable signs of the end of an era. Aluminum bleachers, once bulging with 100 scouts reeking of rental-car living, are not even half full on this late-February afternoon. The large section roped off for agents contains only seven people, four of whom are university employees. In the nearly deserted area behind the end zone—which most years overflows with family, friends and students—a woman with her back to the field talks on her cell about her cousin's canine-allergy medication. The VIPs, once a who's who of NFL royalty, are limited to a pair of big-name former Canes: Panthers linebacker Jon Beason and Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, who wrapped Johnson in a hug before the day began and implored him to "represent the U."

As Miami's best pro prospect, Johnson, 22, does in fact perfectly embody the state of the Hurricanes, who have gone 12—13 since 2007. Undersized (5'9") and a step slow (40 time: 4.42), the soft-spoken Johnson is ranked as the draft's 25th-best corner by Scouts Inc. and will likely be a late-round pick. That means that for the first time since 1994, the program dubbed NFLU won't have a player taken in the first round, ending a streak that changed both college and pro football. The last year a Hurricane wasn't selected in one of the first three rounds? Try 1986. "I guess it's kind of a sad day," Johnson says after his workout.

In many ways, Miami is a victim of its own success—it became so good at producing NFL players that everyone stole the school's formula. Dennis Erickson, who took over for Jimmy Johnson, cranked up the pipeline while winning national titles in 1989 and 1991. The coach wooed players to his program by promising what they really wanted: a paved path to the pros. Unlike most college teams then, Miami became NFL-friendly, giving scouts ample access to game film, prospects and facilities.

That open attitude most noticeably manifested itself in a souped-up pro day that had the intensity of a bowl game and the star power of South Beach. While the Canes performed the same drills and underwent the same measurements as prospects elsewhere, they did them in front of stands packed with family, recruits and ex-players. The day was a can't-miss event rather than an obligatory exercise. Allured by the hoopla and wealth of talent, all 32 NFL teams sent their GM, their coach or often both, and a few dispatched up to seven scouts. "It was like a festival, a celebration," says Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt. "You knew there'd be so many good players you might discover someone you weren't even looking for."

The results are staggering. Over the past 14 years, Miami produced more first-round picks (33) than any other school, beginning with defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who went 12th overall to the Bucs in 1995. (Ohio State ranks second, with 25 over the same period.) The following year, picking 26th, the Ravens selected Ray Lewis. The pipeline reached its peak after the Hurricanes won the 2001 national championship. Over the next three drafts, 23 players from the title team were selected, including 11 in the first round. It was a group of players—featuring safety Ed Reed, wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Clinton Portis—who set new standards for speed, attitude and pro-level preparedness. "You knew what you were going to get with a player from Miami," says Giants GM Jerry Reese. "Tough guys who played hard and loved football."

There are whispers in the scouting community, punctuated by Vince Young's breakdown in Tennessee, that players at many high-profile programs are coddled, soft and illprepared for the next level. That was never a concern with the Hurricanes, and it's one reason why no school had more players on NFL opening day rosters last year than NFLU (44). Under Miami's system—one that Reed has called The Crucible—hardened players from rough urban high schools are pushed to the limit, not just by coaches and teammates but by past generations of greats. In the main hallway inside the team's facility is a massive wood display that has the feel of an altar, honoring all the former Canes now playing in the NFL. Many of those alums, like Reed and Portis, work out at the school during the off-season and make a habit of staying in touch and mentoring the current Canes with tough love. Word is passed down that there are no promises or guaranteed roster spots at the U. Each week the best play—period.

Few players represent the self-perpetuating, competitive furnace better than Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey. As a Cane, if he ever felt practice lacked proper pop, he'd run downfield and cheap-shot a defensive back, sparking a brawl. Drafted 14th overall by the Giants in 2002, Shockey pushed himself hard in order to live up to predecessor Bubba Franks (taken 14th by the Packers in 2000), while setting a good example for Kellen Winslow (sixth by the Browns in 2004). "That's why we're NFLU," says Johnson. "If you don't make plays, they will sit you, forget you and move on to the next guy, just like in the NFL."

Of course, as Johnson has discovered, the scouting game is just as ruthless. As Miami waned, so did interest in its players. The burnout started when coach Butch Davis took his scouting smarts to the NFL after the 2000 season. Although successor Larry Coker led the team to title games in 2001 and 2002, he ultimately couldn't restock his ranks quickly enough to keep up with all those Canes going pro. By the time the team fell out of the national rankings four years later, several key components of its can't-miss recruiting formula were no more. The crumbling Orange Bowl no longer impressed prospects; the school instituted much tougher admissions standards; a focus on national recruiting cost the Canes their monopoly on talent-rich South Florida. Perhaps most critical of all, there's nothing unique about Miami's pro day or scout-friendliness now. It's the standard. "The playing field leveled," says Lions coach Jim Schwartz.

That's made Miami an optional stop, not a must-see, on the scouting calendar. Only a dozen or so teams showed up for this year's pro day, including reps from the Lions, Giants and Titans, all of whom have shown interest in Johnson. Even late in the draft, a prospect from NFLU is a worthy choice.

And Johnson, even at 167 pounds, represents what teams are looking for in a second-day pick. He plays with fluid hips that allow him to change direction and accelerate with power in the open field, where he craves contact. "That's the dog in me," he says. "That fight, that's the U right there."Sitting on a high-jump pad, Johnson slowly unties the fluorescent-green cleats he wore during his workout. As is the Miami tradition, he plans on passing the shoes to a younger teammate, maybe even one of the recruits in the Hurricanes' freshman or sophomore class, who are expected to restart the school's first-round streak in 2011 or sooner. Finally, it appears, third-year coach Randy Shannon is turning the program back around.

A linebacker on Miami's 1987 title team, Shannon has put together three straight top-10 recruiting hauls the Erickson way, by focusing on local talent. In fact, eight members of the 2008 class, widely considered the nation's best, played for prep power Northwestern High, located just a few miles from Miami's campus. "The future is bright," Miami AD Kirby Hocutt said in January.

In the meantime, it's up to Johnson to represent. As he stuffs the cleats into his bag, students walking past on their way to class recognize him and yell out, "Bruuuuuuuce!"

He waves back, but without looking up. Instead, his eyes remain fixated on the tongue of the neon cleats, labeled by the manufacturer with a 40 time—4.2—that he'll never come close to running. Not that it matters.

Teams already know what they're going to get.

(espn.com)

University of Miami cornerback Bruce Johnson has been scheduled for a private workout with the Miami Dolphins on Friday, according to a league source.

Johnson ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash at his campus Pro Day workout after clocking a 4.49 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

At his Pro Day, Johnson registered a 38 1/2 inch vertical leap and a 10-4 broad jump. He improved by four inches in the vertical leap from his combine performance.

Johnson, who’s listed at 5′10,” 170 pounds, was the only Miami player invited to the scouting combine.

“I was in my comfort zone,” Johnson told Cane Sport following his Pro Day. “I turned some heads. I felt I performed real well. I think I could raise my stock up since I did well in Indy and here.”

When asked if he thought he would be drafted between the fourth round and the sixth round, Johnson replied: “I felt like they had me predicted to go low, but if I could show my ability, I could raise my draft stock up.”

Johnson, who also ran track in college,  is a relative of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Kelly Jennings.

(profootballtalk.com)

CB Bruce Johnson was again more impressive in Miami than he was in Indy.  He measured in at 5-09.75 167.  He also posted some great 40 times of 4.42 and 4.45.  His VERT was 38.5, his BROAD was 10-4, his 20 yard shuttle was 4.03 and his three cone was 6.92.  He didn’t do the bench press.

(draftzoo.com)

Former UM cornerback Bruce Johnson is learning one is the loneliest number.

He is the only Hurricanes player in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine. He's been met by surprised faces since arriving Saturday morning.

"I never thought I'd be the only one here," Johnson said. "I thought it would be a whole bunch of us. Everyone here is shocked that I'm the only one. A lot of people are like, `You're the only Miami guy here? They're used to a bunch of us being here."

Seniors Eric Moncur and Randy Phillips were granted extra years of eligibility and the Hurricanes had no underclassmen declare for the draft. Johnson received UM's only invite.

Still, Johnson is enjoying the experience. He compared the way players are shuttled around to a cattle farm. On Sunday, he had to awake at 4:30 a.m. for drug testing and spent all day interviewing with representatives from the 32 NFL teams.

"You feel kind of like a piece of meat," Johnson said. "But I'm here to hold it down (for Miami). I'm going to do my thing."

Tuesday is when most of the performance testing takes place. It will decide whether Johnson is a late-round pick or has to take the free agent route. If Johnson isn't selected, it will mark the first time a UM player wasn't drafted since 1974.

"I'm getting a lot of good feedback," Johnson said. "They haven't really talked about my draft status just yet. I'm getting a lot of good interviews with some teams. I've had a lot of positive interviews. Some teams are spending a little more time than others. It's just been real positive."

(sun-sentinel.com)

The NFL coaches were missing Friday at Greentree Field. But the dreams of the University of Miami football players working out in front of several scouts were no different from their famous predecessors.

''Either I'm going to play at the next level or I have to take up another trade,'' said linebacker Glenn Cook, one of 17 Hurricanes seniors from last season's team to take part in UM Timing Day, a day-long combine that for years had drawn every NFL head coach. ``This is an important step to the rest of our lives.''

For the past 14 years, NFL teams have drafted at least one UM player in the first round, a record streak. But this year, only cornerback Bruce Johnson is expected to be drafted, and even that is not a lock. So for the players grinding it out Friday in front of scouts from 17 of 32 NFL teams, this day might have been their only shot to turn heads.

''They always say that we're the best group in the country, and I think we held that up [Friday],'' said Cook, who noted he ran a 5.46 in the 40-yard dash. ``You always hear that one moment can change your [future] for the bad or the good. You do one thing and it may mess up the rest of your life or it may set you up for the best. It's something we should be used to, taking advantage of each moment.''

ADKINS SEIZES MOMENT
On Friday, linebacker Spencer Adkins took advantage of that moment, according to Cook and other players. Adkins played as a reserve in the middle and as a pass rusher in third-down situations, totaling 20 tackles and four sacks in 2008.

A muscular 5-11 and 230 pounds, Adkins said he was timed in the 40 in 4.43 seconds. His vertical leap was 36 inches. His shuttle-run time was 4.25 and he had 30 bench-press repetitions at 225 pounds.

''I obviously needed to show good things or my chances would be minimum,'' said Adkins, who is from Naples. ``I look throughout the league nowadays and there are a lot of dudes who didn't get drafted and are Pro Bowlers. That's the motivation I have.

'There were a couple questions about if I liked the inside or rushing off the edge. I told them, `It doesn't matter. Whatever you want me to do I'll be able to do.' I think [Friday] opened up a lot of eyes.''

ONE-SHOT DEAL
Adkins was asked if he felt it was fair that so much is put into one day's work.

''For somebody who is about to get paid a lot of money and has to do a lot of things in pressure situations, I think it is fair,'' he said.

For a couple of Canes, it must have felt extremely unfair.

Receiver Kayne Farquharson and offensive tackle Chris Rutledge sustained injuries doing drills -- Farquharson tweaked his knee during the broad jump and Rutledge injured his leg while running the 40. Both fought through the pain and completed their workouts.

Johnson, the only Cane invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, said he bettered his time in the 40 from 4.47 to 4.4, and increased his vertical jump from 34 to 38 ½ inches. Johnson is projected to be drafted from the fourth round down.

''I wanted to show them that I could do it here and [in Indianapolis],'' Johnson said, ``that I could be consistent. I feel I performed real well.''

Safety Anthony Reddick, who turned down an opportunity to apply for a sixth-year medical redshirt after numerous knee surgeries, said his main concern was to prove his knees were fine.

''I'm satisfied,'' said Reddick, who said he was told by scouts he ran ''a really low 4.5'' in the 40. ``I wasn't nervous. Nothing to be nervous about. I've been doing this my whole life.''

(miamiherald.com)