{"id":75066,"date":"2019-10-23T14:54:23","date_gmt":"2019-10-23T18:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=75066"},"modified":"2019-10-23T14:54:23","modified_gmt":"2019-10-23T18:54:23","slug":"chauncey-gardner-johnson-chances-demonstrate-ability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/10\/23\/chauncey-gardner-johnson-chances-demonstrate-ability\/","title":{"rendered":"Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Getting More Chances to Demonstrate Ability"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Orleans Saints<\/a> rookie Chauncey Gardner-Johnson<\/strong><\/a> had a nightmare moment in his professional regular season debut. With 0:37 left in the game and the score tied at 27, the Houston Texans<\/a> lined up to kick a potentially game-winning extra point. The kick<\/a> went just outside the right upright, however, Gardner-Johnson was flagged for roughing the kicker.<\/p>\n

Houston took the lead on the second extra point attempt and the rookie spent the next several minutes on the sideline in agony with a towel over his head. Fortunately, New Orleans managed to get downfield quickly on the ensuing drive and kick a game-winning field goal.<\/p>\n

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Getting More Opportunities<\/h2>\n

Quiet Start for Gardner-Johnson<\/h3>\n

Gardner-Johnson wouldn’t get many chances to redeem himself over the next five games. While the fourth-rounder continued to see a lot of action on special teams, he played just 64 snaps on defense. That’s not to say Gardner-Johnson wasn’t playing well during that span. He had been quietly effective when he did get chances on defense.<\/p>\n

During that five-week span, Gardner-Johnson was targeted only three times in coverage, yielding just two catches for 11 yards. He also made some impact as a blitzer, including a nice pass rush and hit<\/a> on Dallas Cowboys<\/a> quarterback Dak Prescott<\/a><\/strong> on the final play of the game.<\/p>\n

Gardner-Johnson’s biggest highlight<\/a> came on a strong open-field tackle on Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> running back Leonard Fournette<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in week six.<\/p>\n

The Jaguars faced a third and seven on their first drive of the game. Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew<\/a><\/strong> faced immediate pressure and checked down to Fournette, who appeared to have a clear path to a first down. However, Gardner-Johnson turned on the jets just as Minshew released the pass, caught up with Fournette, and brought him down a yard shy of the first down marker.<\/p>\n

A week later, P.J. Williams<\/a><\/strong> began serving a two-game suspension, elevating Gardner-Johnson into the starting lineup against the Chicago Bears<\/a>. The rookie certainly capitalized on the opportunity, recording seven solo tackles (three for losses), two pass breakups and a quarterback hit.<\/p>\n

Gardner-Johnson vs. Tarik Cohen<\/a><\/h3>\n

Like the previous week, Gardner-Johnson made a strong tackle on his opponent’s first possession, this time on their first play<\/a>. The Bears tried some misdirection on a handoff to running back Tarik Cohen<\/strong><\/a>, but Gardner-Johnson stayed in his gap and held Cohen to a one-yard gain.<\/p>\n

Gardner-Johnson got the best of Cohen throughout the game. On a third and two play<\/a> late in the second quarter, Chicago set up a pass to Cohen in the flat. The Bears three receivers ran inside routes to open up space for Cohen, but Gardner-Johnson didn’t take the bait and remained in his zone. He reached Cohen just as the running back turned upfield and tripped him up for a five-yard loss.<\/p>\n

Less than a minute of game time later, Gardner-Johnson dropped Cohen for another loss, this time on a punt. A Bears blocker was unable to set his feet as he initiated contact with Gardner-Johnson a few yards in front of Cohen. Gardner-Johnson easily put the blocker on skates and brought Cohen down for a four-yard loss.<\/p>\n

Gardner-Johnson made Cohen lose yardage a third time on one of the most memorable plays<\/a> of the game. Cohen caught a pass in the flat and Gardner-Johnson hit the running back hard. Cohen impressively slipped away and back-tracked, but would have been better off keeping his forward progress. Gardner-Johnson reset, kept his angle on Cohen and held on for the tackle despite a strong burst from the running back.<\/p>\n

Despite the loss of six yards, Cohen started jawing at the rookie and Gardner-Johnson proceeded to mock Cohen for his short stature. Whether it was a coincidence or not, Chicago targeted Gardner-Johnson more in the passing game after that.<\/p>\n

Mixed Performance on Late Red Zone Sequence<\/h3>\n

Gardner-Johnson had to defend three passes in a four-down red zone sequence in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

On first and goal from the seven yard-line, Gardner-Johnson followed receiver Anthony Miller<\/a><\/strong> on a quick out route from the left slot. Miller had to jump for the ball and Gardner-Johnson got his hands between the receiver’s arms to ensure he wouldn’t come down with the pass.<\/p>\n

Two plays later, he kept inside leverage on Cordarrelle Patterson<\/a><\/strong>, read the quarterback’s eyes, and nearly intercepted the pass.<\/p>\n

On fourth down<\/a>, Gardner-Johnson faced a daunting matchup as he lined up across from Allen Robinson<\/a><\/strong> in the slot. He missed his jam on Robinson and the receiver found space in the back of the end zone for a touchdown catch.<\/p>\n

It appeared that Marshon Lattimore<\/a><\/strong> was supposed to provide support over the top but he stayed on the outside with no one to cover. Still, Gardner-Johnson had to land his jam on Robinson for the Saints to have a good shot at defending the route.<\/p>\n

Every player’s rookie season is somewhat of a trial by fire and this play will likely be a valuable learning experience for Gardner-Johnson.<\/p>\n

Further Notes<\/h3>\n

By the end of the game, Gardner-Johnson had been targeted 11 times<\/a>. Receivers caught seven passes against him, but all were short passes at or behind the line of scrimmage. All 18 receiving yards allowed by Gardner-Johnson were yards after the catch.<\/p>\n

While Gardner-Johnson impressed in his starting debut, he’ll face far tougher challenges in the coming weeks and years. Chicago has the fourth-lowest passing yards per game average and the second-lowest yards per attempt average in the NFL. It was a great time for Gardner-Johnson to get his first heavy NFL action.<\/p>\n

The rookie should see plenty of action again next week with P.J. Williams finishing up his two-game suspension. He’ll face an Arizona Cardinals<\/a> passing offense that also ranks near the bottom of the league, but is more creative and explosive than Chicago’s.<\/p>\n

If Gardner-Johnson can play well again against Arizona, he could challenge Williams for the majority of snaps at nickel back. Williams is in a contract season and has struggled with consistency throughout his career. While it’s a small sample size, Gardner-Johnson is starting to look like the upgrade the Saints have been looking for at the position.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>