Dontae Johnson expects Jay Cutler to test him Sunday Night

SANTA CLARA – Dontae Johnson was interviewed next to his locker Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript

Q: Going up against Jay Cutler do you expect to be targeted a little more just because you’re the rookie?

JOHNSON: Yeah, absolutely. That’s just one of the things: “He’s a rookie. Let’s see if he can play this game.” That’s one of the things that comes with being a rookie. You’ve got to be able to step up to the challenge, step up to the plate and make plays when presented to you. I prepared last week as if I was starting or as if I was coming in as the next man and I’m going to do the same thing this week and just play to the best of my ability.

Q: Was it easier not knowing the night before the game that you were going to have the big role you ended up having?

JOHNSON: I wouldn’t say that because I was involved in special teams, so I felt my role on special teams was crucial to the game. If I messed up on special teams, that could have been the determining factor in the game. My mindset was the still the same whether it be just special teams or coming in and playing like I did. That’s how I went into that week of preparation. I was on scout team. I made sure the offense got a great look. I’m going to continue to do that week to better myself and better this team anyway I can.

Q: You’ll be matched up with big receivers a lot on Sunday. Is that something you’re well suited for given your size and your height?

JOHNSON: Yeah, absolutely. With the trend that the NFL is trying lean towards – taller corners to defend taller receivers – I feel like it’s helping in my advantage. But still, you’ve still got to be able to move and do everything that a 5-10, 5-11 corner can do. By just doing that, trying to match their techniques, match my footwork and everything like that, I feel like it’s really helping me progressing my progress on the field to make plays and contribute to the team.

Q: Was there a receiver during training camp who really helped you?

JOHNSON: Honestly, our whole receiving corps did. Whether it be Anquan – physical receiver. Crabtree – physical and shifty. And then you’ve got Stevie, he’s really shifty. To Quinton Patton – speed. And Bruce Ellington – speed. Those guys all helped me just to adjust my different techniques that I can use throughout the year against different receivers with different styles.

Q: Did you go against Sammy Watkins in college?

JOHNSON: I saw him two out of the three years he was there. One year he was hurt so I didn’t see him, but the two years that we did see him, great matchup, great competitor, great size, quickness, speed, all of that. He has all the key factors to be a good receiver in this league.

Q: How did you do against him?

JOHNSON: Umm, it was one of those things where he was on one side, I was on the other so sometimes we matched up on each other, sometimes we didn’t. But then at the end of the day it was all about whether we won or lost. Pretty sure they beat us two out of the…I think it was 2 to 1 their favor.

This article has 30 Comments

    1. I hope he’s Richard Sherman’s equal on the field (and a patron saint off of it). I thought he looked very impressive for an emergency start and Fangio’s comment is particularly cool (per Matt Barrows):

      “Vic Fangio made it clear on Thursday: He expected big things out of rookie cornerback Dontae Johnson. But maybe not in the first quarter of the first game of the first season of his NFL career.

      “I did think he was going to be capable,” Fangio said. “I didn’t know it was going to be that Sunday.”

      Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/11/6699428/early-returns-rookie-cb-donate.html#storylink=cpy

    2. I’d be content with just good, solid CB play from Johnson for the next decade. If he gives the 49ers a career like Ike Taylor has given the Steelers that would be awesome. Anything above that is icing on the cake.

  1. Razor …
    while others were stating their reasons
    for coming to this blog ..
    I would be remiss, if I didn’t mention why I come here ..

    Mostly, it’s for the camaraderie and the heated debates
    among the regulars .. but .. really

    … its for the “Razor-isms” …

  2. Mr Hammer.. I noticed you’ve stated Chicago was a bad team and this isn’t really a test. (Or it was something to that nature) I was wondering why or what made you think that.
    I watched their game again yesterday and I saw Cutler throw a lot. And his passes were on the money. Chicago was moving the ball well through out the game. Now we know timely turnovers happened. But they looked pretty good throwing the ball and running it. This Chicago team looks to be a bigger test than Dallas was. IMO Dallas wasn’t ready for the start of the season. Romo had no pre season play, and is learning a new offense. That was evident. We seen him miss two wide open TD’s. He won’t miss those in the future.
    I was just wondering what you might have seen to think Chicago will be no different than Dallas was. The offense of the bears looked like a west coast ran offense. And they did pretty well with it. Except of course the turnovers. Your thoughts and knowledge?

    1. md,

      Thanks for asking. The Bears offense is ok, but the last time I checked teams also have to play defense and special teams. I’m actcually working on something right now that should answer your question.

      Hey, and no need to call me Mr Hammer. I’m pretty sure that you’re not young enough to be my son.

      1. Lol feelin the age today bro?
        I always mean it as a man to man thing.
        Yeah I should have pin pointed the offense only. Their defense isn’t to “classic bear” scary. But I think their offense will give our depleted core some problems, unless there is better play from the lb’s I thought they looked slow and out of place. I understand PW is playing the Mike, but he looked slow and don’t seam to ball hawk as much as he did prior. The front 3 held their own. McDonald was doubled the whole game, Williams did ok and of course cowboy had a nice day. Wonder what Fang has up his sleeve. I think it’s going to be a high scoring contest.

  3. I love this kid….if Cully’s out this game and its DJ and Cox and DJ performs well, I say Cully might get Alex Smithed for his starting role.

  4. Scooter ..
    that’s the best news I’ve heard about the Bow-man
    in awhile … thanx heaps !

    Leo ..

    “Alex-smithed” ..?
    Ha! … good one !

    md ..
    my uninformed opinion on how the NFCN
    finishes this season:

    1. Min
    2. Chi
    3. GB
    4. Det

    1. I got
      1 Det
      2 min/GB. Same record
      3 Chi
      I think minn will be scary by the end of season and next year.

  5. Cutler could make DJohnson look bad or make him look like an all-pro Sunday night.
    I hope it’s the latter.

    1. I’m gonna say all-pro. I don’t see much of a difference between Cutler and Romo. Both guys take calculated risks at in opportune times of the game.
      The only way we lose is if we turn the ball over more than the Bears.
      If I’m Trestman I’m running the ball all day and keeping it a one possession score til the 4th Q.
      Our pass rush is a question mark this week but I’m thinking Fangio is not worried because Cutler always finds a way to throw a costly INT.

  6. This was such a good draft with players like Johnson coming in and doing well as a rookie. Hyde, Ellington and Lynch already assuming roles on the team as well. Loving it.

Comments are closed.