BILLS NICKEL CB TARON JOHNSON EXCITED TO SEE THE EVOLUTION OF HIS POSITION
In his media session this week ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, slot cornerback Taron Johnson was asked about the evolution of his position as a nickel cornerback. Recognized now as one of the best nickel defenders in professional football, Johnson’s enthusiasm was evident — about the way the league has changed over his six seasons in the NFL.
“It’s changed a lot,” Johnson said, adding that Buffalo has been playing nickel defense in heavy sets his entire tenure, but now other teams are following suit. “I see it on tape that other teams are trying to do the same thing. It’s definitely becoming more — I don’t want to say popular, but I guess that’s what it is.”
Johnson said that the trend is moving toward teams having a nickel cornerback on the field closer to 85% of the snaps as opposed to 65% like it was when he first entered the league. “Having that nickel out there playing basically the whole game.”
When asked what he felt was the one skill he brought to the field that set him apart at his position, Johnson said it wasn’t physical, but mental. “One of the reasons I feel like I’m a good player is because of my mindset,” he said. “Just having that kind of mindset where it doesn’t matter how small you are. It’s like people say this all the time, but it’s really about your heart for real.”
As for what it’s like for other guys on the team, specifically Ja’Marcus Ingram, to switch between a traditional boundary cornerback position and Johnson’s nickel spot, the 28-year-old cornerback laughed. “I haven’t played corner here. Like literally never. I don’t even know what it’s like to be switching back and forth. I’m sure it’s tough though,” he said. “It’s a tough defense. I’ve only been here (with the Bills), but hearing from other guys that come here, this is one of the more challenging defenses. So, if you are switching positions, you have to make sure that your mind is on that position.”
Johnson was also asked about the changing climate of leadership among defensive players after the departure of veterans like Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. His answer: it’s a work in progress, but training camp offered helped.
“I feel like Rochester helped us a lot making us have to be with each other even in our free time, having dinners outside of the facility together. Just bringing the group together,” he said, referring to the Bills’ tradition of hosting training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY rather than at the team’s facilities in Orchard Park, NY. “I feel like it’s extremely important for us to continue to have that chemistry and I see guys stepping up really across the board. It’s definitely going to take maybe a little bit more time, but we definitely have those guys in our rooms.”
One of those guys Johnson referred to is safety Taylor Rapp who’s in his sixth year in the league but just his second in Buffalo. “I like how T-Rapp is leading those safeties. I feel like he’s a quiet, reserved kind of guy, but I hear him being more vocal and just making sure that everybody is having the knowledge that they need to have to perform at a high level,” Johnson said. “He’s been here. He knows the system maybe a little better. Guys are watching him. Guys are asking him questions trying to make sure that they can figure it out.”
Johnson, and Rapp if there are enough other safeties healthy enough to step on the field, won’t be in action this Saturday when the Bills host the Panthers to close out this summer’s preseason. Head coach Sean McDermott said earlier this week that the Bills’ starters will be sitting this one out. For Johnson, he says it’s exciting to watch other guys living out their dream, but he’ll still be wishing he was out there.
Further cementing the reality that he won’t suit up on Saturday, during McDermott’s Thursday press conference he pointed out that Johnson is currently dealing with quad soreness.