Chauncey Gardner-Johnson plays the game of football like no other. He’s fierce. Sometimes, he can be downright nasty. His play on the field parallels his smack talking ways. In other words, if he’s on the field, listen for the pads to pop. Watch him engage with wide receivers. He’s been able to master the art of getting players thrown out of the game or at least lose their composure.
He’s been able to not only talk the talk but backs it up with big hits and electrifying plays. If there was only a way to have someone come in to play off of. In other words, having a sidekick to double the intimidation. Someone to not only keep the fire burning but spreading it like a defensive wildfire.
Actually, there is one player in this years upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. He’s none other than safety Paris Ford from the Pittsburgh Panthers. Ford is the younger version of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. He’s nasty!
Drafting Safety Paris Ford Elevates the Saints Secondary To Elite
Ford Hits Like a Linebacker
Ford is a throwback hard hitting wrecking ball with crazy cover skills. He loves contact. In 2019, he lead Pittsburgh with 97 tackles and picked off three passes. Everywhere the ball goes, Ford goes with it. His instincts or simply off the charts. That’s something you can’t teach. And his physical tenacity along side this makes a lethal combination.
He’s also a man who likes to disrupt plays. Whether that is in the secondary or in the backfield — Paris Ford will make you pay. The motor on him runs super hot. Always bubbling over with a boiling water heater inside — sometimes the over aggressiveness can come back to bite him at times. Toning it down can be something he can work on. Coaches surely would prefer to have to be able to teach lowering the temperature a bit versus the opposite.
And Ford’s rise to first team all-ACC safety was a journey from working day in and day out to being great. Ford got offers to play for Alabama, Ohio St. and Florida just to name a few. In total, he received 28 offers altogether yet he wanted to stay close to home to play in front of family friends.
Momentum Game Changer When the Game Heads To the Fourth Quarter
The one thing standing out for him is changing the whole momentum of a game. This game changer mentality is hard to find. Not to mention, the Saints haven’t been able to have someone late in the game (see playoffs) to take over a game. Ford has the potential to bring the lumber for 60 minutes and beyond. And if he’s asked to play special teams with Justin Hardee — brace yourselves.
He’s a cage rattler. Ford has the rare ability to come out the blocks — foaming at the mouth looking for his rare meat to pounce on. All in all, paired in the secondary with CGJ would be a danger zone.
He’s a rebirth of the Ronnie Lott factory. I don’t say that lightly. Furthermore, he can run about a 4.4 40-yard dash to put even more smoke on a burning fire.
Experts have him going late first or early second. Make no mistake, Ford is a future all pro with a limitless ceiling. He’s Cujo unleashed without any degree of holding back. Also, having a duo of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Paris Ford would make the New Orleans Saints secondary one of the best in the NFL.
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