Herman

Johnson

Clearly, teams didn’t think Johnson was a tackle tackle. A guard at LSU, Johnson shed weight all winter and spring to get down to 6'7/356 by Pro Day, but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps if he drops some more weight Russ Grimm will give him a look at right tackle with Levi Brown moving to the blind side, but Johnson needs to spend time on the bike and bench first.

Arizona is trying Johnson behind RT Levi Brown because of his massive dimensions, but he’s more likely to end up as a versatile tackle/guard backup in the long run. Johnson will likely struggle to dress on game days this year.

Johnson, at 6'7/350+, could project outside eventually if he continues to shed weight. He’s a better bet a guard -- his college position -- at the moment. Johnson is currently third on the depth chart at right tackle.

Matt Leinart’s blindside is at right tackle, so this isn’t a big change. More problematic, though, is that raw second-year player Herman Johnson and 2008 seventh-rounder Brandon Keith could compete for the right tackle job. There aren’t going to be a lot of options in free agency either.

The coaching staff is high on the 2008 seventh-rounder, and Keith has the size (6'5"/343) and athleticism to protect lefty Matt Leinart’s blind side. Veteran Jeremy Bridges and project Herman Johnson are around for insurance should Keith struggle in his first year as a starter.

The behemoth 6'7", 360-pound Johnson was a guard at LSU, but the Cardinals have been giving him plenty of practice at right tackle. He’ll likely swing between guard and tackle this year, with a shot to take over one of the spots in 2011.

A fifth-round pick of the Cardinals in 2009, struggles with weight have prevented Johnson from ever playing an NFL down. There’s little reason to believe he’ll do so this season.

Johnson worked mostly at guard with the Cardinals, and the Bears tried to develop him at tackle. Offensive-line coach Pat Flaherty will be charged with tutoring the mammoth former LSU star.

Johnson, who measured 6'7/382 at the Senior Bowl, struggled there when asked to pass protect in practices. The college guard realizes that tackle is a more valuable position and is likely hoping the weight loss helps his agility.