Texas A&M quarterback getting a better grasp on how to be a leader
02:23 PM CDT on Monday, August 17, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – For the last 12 months, Jerrod Johnson has gotten a crash course in playing quarterback for Texas A&M and everything that involves.
Johnson enters his junior season as the established starter, who is more confident and mature after on-the-job training. A year ago, he was pushing incumbent Stephen McGee. Then McGee was injured early, putting Johnson under center and under a microscope.
"It's knowing how to deal with everything, understanding it's going to be a long process and being mentally prepared," Johnson said of his learning curve. "Experience has allowed me to deal with it a lot better."
Johnson will be one factor in determining whether A&M can improve and better a 4-8 record from last season, which are two distinctly separate issues. Until defenses catch up to the high-powered Big 12 South offenses, teams will have to produce points to win.
Beyond the 10 consecutive starts to close 2008, Johnson received advice from one of his predecessors. During weekend summer trips to Dallas to visit receiver Jeff Fuller, Johnson worked out with Kevin Murray, who put his stamp on the quarterback position at A&M, going 25-6-1 as a starter in the 1980s.
"Just leadership, toughness out there," Johnson said when asked what he learned from Murray. "He told me, 'You've got to direct the troops. It's your job out there. You're kind of controlling everybody. Take the reins and lead them where they need to go.' "
Johnson has already shown leadership skills beyond waking his teammates for early-morning passing drills.
Late in the Aggies' spring practice, Johnson's grandmother, Edna Johnson, died in the Houston area. Coach Mike Sherman gave Johnson permission to miss the annual Maroon and White scrimmage, which was the same day as the funeral.
Instead, Johnson paid his respects and returned to play the same day.
"It was tough for me, tough for my family," Johnson said. "I wanted to be back with the guys. I think I owed it to them. They put in a lot of time for me. I think it's only right that I was there for them."
Johnson enters the season as the only projected starting South quarterback not on the preseason Davey O'Brien watch list.
Aggies senior safety Jordan Pugh of Plano West thought Johnson belonged and went much, much further in his endorsement.
"I know he's a teammate, and I don't want it to sound biased," Pugh said, "but I think Jerrod is the best quarterback in the Big 12. That's just my opinion, because of what he brings. He can run, he can throw, he's smart."
Time will tell if Johnson should be mentioned with Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy at season's end.
Sherman, true to his NFL past, isn't giving Johnson a free pass.
He's promised sophomore Ryan Tannehill, who morphed into a productive receiver last season, a chance to win the quarterback job in preseason camp. But Tannehill missed spring camp with a shoulder injury. Even Sherman admitted Tannehill would have had to deliver a "knockout punch" to have a chance. On Saturday, Sherman praised both quarterbacks after practice and declined to name a starter.
There were times last season when Johnson looked like he was ready to permanently claim the job, no questions asked.
In a four-game span last season against conference rivals Kansas State, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Colorado, Johnson completed 67.3 percent of his attempts with nine touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Of course, six interceptions followed in lopsided losses to Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas to close the season.
Sherman outlined what he needs to see from Johnson this season.
For one thing, he wants fewer turnovers.
"The other development that I'm looking for him is he has to play faster," Sherman said. "Last year, he was processing everything, as any quarterback would do in his first year in the system.
"This year, he has a lot more familiarity with what we're doing and has a greater comfort level and feels good about it. I think we'll see a guy who's playing faster and more aggressive."