Dan Mullen admits what we already knew about Marquis Johnson

Johnson had a few words with Mullen after the game, but not of the trash-talking variety. Instead, Mullen gave Johnson a certain validation that was genuinely appreciated.

"I went to talk to him after the game, he was like, ‘I don’t know if (Florida is) going to be throwing your way this time,’ and I was like, ‘I appreciate it, sir. You’re not doing anything but getting me better.’"

Mullen’s reference to "this time," of course, was to the Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 5, where UA and Florida will meet for the second consecutive year.

2 months ago Bamagrad 15 comments 0 recs |

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awesome...

and intelligent response mr. johnson. me thinks CNS has rubbed off a bit on you..

"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban

by LittleSis on Nov 19, 2009 12:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the good thing about DBs and WRs in regards to the draft...

…teams need so many of each, even if you aren’t drafted, getting a UDFA camp invite is a non issue. Having Saban to vouch for you doesn’t hurt either :)

Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. - Paul W. "Bear" Bryant

by TheRedTideConsumes on Nov 19, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

mariquis dug himself one hell of a hole with his performance at the end of last year...

…and i’m not talking about the fan perception. quite a few offensive coordinators saw him victimized repeatedly in the SECCG and made a mental note to try the same thing. from the start of this season, when he was on the field – he was being gunned for.

instead of wilting under the pressure, he has prospered. he must have put in a hell of a lot of effort and hard work over the off-season and it has shown in his play over and over again this season.

so while mullen’s comments must be gratifying, i imagine they fall short of seeing the look on spurrier’s face after the ole’ ball coach obstinately called fade after fade to that side of the field and watching them all go for naught.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Nov 19, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

and he nailed it

That’s the thing—he’s almost certainly going to break the pass up. Almost dang certainly. He’s just owning it.

Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world.

by gorjus on Nov 19, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I admit that I have not been a fan of Marquis...

in fact at the beginning of the year i would cringe when seeing a pass being through in Marquis direction – but throughout the year he has improved a great deal from last year and keeps getting better. kudos to Marquis for his hard work and perseverance.

by MDBSax on Nov 19, 2009 2:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Props to Dan...

For giving Marquis a well-deserved compliment. The Gators can no longer rely on taking advantage of him as one of their “Quis to Victory.” This year, those quis will lead them through a trap door.

by crimsontsunami on Nov 19, 2009 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

That was true class on Mullen’s part. When coaches can take themselves out of the win/lose mentality for a moment and contribute to an opposing player’s success on the field and in life, it’s a sign they have their priorities right as a coach. It’s good to see.

I bleed crimson and white...I puke Vol puke orange. RTR

by SugarBowl93 on Nov 19, 2009 10:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

Its not going to get any easier. Teams are still going to pick on him. Hopefully he will continue to answer they call.

Auburn fans are like slinkys... not really good for anything but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

by IHC800 on Nov 19, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I owe OTS an apology

He saw this coming early on, and MJ has really grown and become, dare I say, on the verge of being a lockdown corner. He wasn’t the first game or two, but he has been a stud ever since.

It is important to find someone who allows you to fulfill your dreams. It is luck if that person finds you, too - Isaiah Zagar

by BamaReturns07 on Nov 19, 2009 5:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree.

Johnson has made more progress than you would have thought possible. If they had an award for biggest heart he might just win it.

I hate the NCAA more than UT & AU combined. At least with UT & AU you got a fighting chance.

by 5026 on Nov 19, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, on the first pass in the Miss St. game he bit on a hitch and go with no safety help, turned his hips the wrong way, and got burned. The only reason that wasn’t a touchdown was because the ball was thrown horribly.

I’m not a Marquis Johnson hater, but trying to act like he’s Champ Bailey now isn’t exactly that truthful. He definitely redeemed himself the rest of the game, but that first error could’ve been huge.

by Bama philosophe on Nov 19, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i saw that as well...

and notice how he didn’t make that mistake again. a bad player would keep making it over and over and over. but at some point marquis seems to have decided he wasn’t going to let that be his rep. and that’s what we are applauding here.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Nov 19, 2009 6:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And I join you

in your applause. He’s had a great year. I think that most of the people decrying him seeing the field before were overreacting, so it’s nice to see him getting some respect and admiration this year. However, public opinion moves like a pendulum—it rarely ever stops in the middle.. The second he makes a big mistake everyone’s going to go back to hating him irrationally, just like before.

by Bama philosophe on Nov 19, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well, i don't think so for two reasons...

first off he’s built some serious goodwill with his effort this season.

second, and more importantly, was folks were irked at a pattern of bad play (think back to the three mistakes in the SECCG last year) and that pattern just doesn’t emerge anymore. he, like any other player, makes an occasional mistake but you never see him make it twice and sure as hell not a pattern of error a OC can take advantage of.

Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.

by kleph on Nov 19, 2009 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs