Terrence Johnson: A Deeper Looks at the Atlanta Falcons' New CB

In the wake of losing CB Brent Grimes for the season the Atlanta Falcons were quick to find a replacement in 26-year-old Terrence Johnson, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. This is one of those roster moves where an organization are putting a band-aid on a bullet would, all in a vain attempt to patch together their secondary yet again. Losing Grimes is particularly deflating because of how well the Falcons improved their secondary in the off-season. Bringing Asante Samuel into the fold served as insurance, should they lose Grimes to free agency. Now Atlanta are needing to cash in that policy earlier than intended, and their secondary remains more or less equal to last year's unit.

Enter Terrence Johnson.

Hardly a name that inspires huge amount of confidence, or from a storied background; in fact when it's mentioned that Johnson came from the Colts, it probably doesn't do the best job instilling faith in the organization for solving a problem. An undrafted free agent in 2010, Terrence Johnson comes from California, no not the school, or the state– rather the tiny 'California University of Pennsylvania', a rural campus with just 9,400 students. While attending he totaled 178 tackles, and 16 interceptions, both school records. Alas this wasn't enough, and Johnson, like most small school prospects was not drafted.

The New England Patriots signed Terrence Johnson as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and didn't make it through the first round of cuts. After waiting four months, the Indianapolis Colts signed to play out the remainder of the season without recording a statistic. Johnson was signed to a future contract, and appeared in ten games for the Colts in 2011, where he finished with 37 tackles, including stats against Tampa Bay and New England where he finished with a combined nine tackles.

Terrence Johnson is speedy, rangy, and has ability as a nickel corner. However, this is clearly a move that is intended to correct a current problem, not look for a long term answer. In a pinch he can play, but should the Falcons need to lean on him for numerous snaps this experiment could go very bad, very quickly.

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