Undersized Johnson big on talent
Canadian receiver enjoying breakout sophomore season with Lions
When it comes to modelling his game after others, Shaq Johnson throws out some big names: Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants and Geroy Simon, one of the best receivers to play in the Canadian Football League.
No, the Lions’ director of U Sports scouting wasn’t looking over the shoulder of Johnson, the team’s fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, at the time of his comments.
Still, Brown and Beckham Jr. represent two incredibly gifted pass-catchers in the NFL game, despite each being under six feet tall, which is similar to Johnson, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and only 178 pounds.
Johnson doesn’t have the same height advantage of other Lions receivers, but other receivers have found themselves in similar situations and have been able to thrive in the CFL.
What Johnson lacks in that physical element, which he has made up for with athletic ability and has helped him to a promising sophomore campaign with the struggling Lions.
“Those are just receivers that I like to watch and look at their highlight tapes to see how they move on the field,” Johnson said Tuesday. “See if I can imitate that and just put that into my game somehow.”
Simon posted big numbers throughout his Hall of Fame career with the Lions and did so with deceptive speed, which could suddenly sneak up and hurt opposing defensive backs tasked with trying to cover him.
After impressive showings at the U Sports level and Canadian junior football, Johnson ran a 4.39-second time at the 40-yard dash at a regional CFL combine before being selected by the Lions. But he can see similarities to Simon in how both reach that top speed.
“That’s how I grew up. If you look at my tape, I don’t spring out super fast to you off the edge. It’s more my stride length,” said Johnson. “I really gain on you once you see me face to face rather than watching me on film. That’s what I’ve been told. I’ve just started believing that I’m a sneaky strider.”
In a season short on positives for the Lions after a promising 5-2 start dissolved into a 6-9 record by the middle of October to put them on the brink of elimination from playoff contention heading into Saturday’s home contest against the Edmonton Eskimos, one of the few bright spots has to be the development of Johnson.
He spent most of 2016 on the practice roster before playing in only two games, failing to record a catch. He was expected to watch and learn as a rookie, getting to know the professional game, before coming into training camp this year and getting an opportunity to earn a starting spot, especially with the retirement of fellow Canadian Shawn Gore.
Through 15 games, Johnson has 27 catches with 501 yards and two touchdowns.
His yardage total is a distant third to what teammates and fellow receivers Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham have been able to post this year, but Johnson has gone from the sidelines to a contributor in the offence in one year, providing a deep threat on certain occasions.
The Lions also have another Canadian receiver in Danny Vandervoort, the third overall pick in 2017 currently going through a similar developmental timeline as Johnson.
With three games remaining, there is a good chance Johnson’s numbers improve.
Of course, he’d take a win over personal stats. The Lions need three of those in a row, coupled with three straight Saskatchewan losses to have a chance to make the playoffs.
Next year, though, Johnson may not be able to sneak up on any opposing defensive backs or co-ordinators.
“I’m always working in the off-season to better my craft and better my game, so they don’t have that advantage,” he said.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenges when next year comes and I’m more of a guy they’re starting to look at and plan for to stop. It’s all fun in the game.”