George Johnson vs Phillip Hunt
Sep 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Simms (8) looks for an open man as he is pressured by Detroit Lions defensive end Phillip Hunt (58) during the third quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Lions beat the Bills 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
By virtue of his talent and availability George Johnson was probably the 2nd most impactful defensive lineman from the 2014 Detroit Lions Defensive Line to leave the team this off-season. Johnson created the team’s 3rd most QB Pressures in 2014 (27) and graded out as the team’s 4th best pass rusher.
As a fan I admit to being confused as to why the Lions opted not to retain Johnson’s services. As Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press astutely noted:
"“For an additional $800,000, the Lions could have made a second-round tender offer to Johnson for a total cost of $2.3 million. And if Tampa Bay still overpaid for Johnson and the Lions didn’t match and let him go, they would have gotten a second-round draft choice as compensation.”"
Aug 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end George Johnson (94) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Johnson certainly seemed worthy of a $2.3M price tag or a 2nd round draft choice. Inevitably Johnson ended up being traded to Tampa Bay in a deal that included packaging him with a 7th round draft choice in exchange for a 5th round pick in 2015.
What may have prompted the Lions to resist overpaying for Johnson is the fact he was a liability against the run in 2014. In fact, he graded out over two times worse against the run than any other Lions defender in 2014.
Austin’s defense is predicated upon run stopping and even an edge rusher has to be functional in this area. Johnson was not in 2014.
Phillip Hunt was recruited to compete for the position vacated by George Johnson, but the team hoped Larry Webster would earn the job in camp. Realizing he was playing behind a figurative 8-ball Hunt entered camp with the sole intent of making himself impossible to cut.
Hunt ended the preseason with the team’s 2nd most QB Pressures (5) and 2nd highest rating in pass rush efficiency. However, he likely solidified his roster spot by showing himself effective against the run. Upon reviewing game film, Hunt was able to use quickness and power to make plays for the defense. At 6’1 he has a natural leverage advantage against taller players allowing him to better defense the run than the 6’4” George Johnson.
While Johnson is probably the more dynamic pass rusher between the two, Hunt seems to have the more well-rounded skill set. Even with George Johnson proving a liability against the run in 2014 the Lions still finished the season with a historically good run defense. Sacks are crucial and Johnson’s 6 sacks from 2014 will be missed. While I do feel Hunt will produce some pressure I’m not sure his length or explosiveness will allow him to convert enough of those pressures into sacks.
Final Disposition: Downgrade
Next: Haloti Ngata vs. Detroit's first-round pick, 2010