We all dream about that one dream free agent that we know would fit perfectly with the team. The exact scenario came true when General Manager Brad Holmes persuaded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to don the Honolulu blue and sign a deal with the Detroit Lions. Gardner-Johnson was another chess piece added in a series of moves by Holmes to shore up a weak secondary. So far through camp, Gardner-Johnson is everything the organization and Lions fans have hoped for.
Gardner-Johnson plays with such veracity and intensity on the field that it is very hard to miss him. If he is not the one making a play, he will sure be trying to get inside the opponent’s heads to a point they fear coming anywhere near him because of the hammer he might bring. It was evident during the first joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he made a couple of big blows that some of the Jaguars didn’t take so kindly, but he isn’t worried about other people’s feelings.
“To be the most feared DB in the league, you’ve got to be able to tackle,” Gardner-Johnson enthused after Wednesday’s practice.
Not only does he bring the physicality, he plays a mental game where he tries to get into the opponent’s head and possibly have them make a mistake. Due to his infectious personality, it has become very easy to see his impact on and off the field with his massive intensity for the game.
“Everyone knows we can talk, but when you back it up, you can talk as much crap as you want to,” he said. “I think when I play at a high level, it feeds into my teammates.”
The Lions have encountered a great problem with the strong emergence of their second-round selection Brian Branch in the same position. The discussion through the offseason has been Branch might only see a handful of snaps a game while sitting and learning behind Gardner-Johnson. The way Branch has been playing through, it will be hard for them to keep him off the field. Gardner-Johnson recognizes game, and he can see all of that in Branch calling him a “Stud” and “Stud,” and he’s over-exceeded expectations.
Gardner-Johnson continued his dominance in joint practices making several plays today, showing his intensity and ability does not take a break. Between his play-making ability, mentorship, and overall field presence, he is the all-around encompassing player the Lions want in their organization. Every team needs someone they can feed off, and when he is on the field, you can bet he will bring the thunder and trash-talking.
“Sleep,” Gardner-Johnson responded when asked if there’s anything he doesn’t consider a competition. “Until I wake up. Like I’m cutting the car on. You’ve just got to keep going until the car run on empty. But this is the gas station, so I guess I’m fueled up every day.”
