Top Moments of the 2009 Season: Marquis Johnson vs P.J. Fitzgerald

a liability to a strength, and see it manifested in this series, was extremely satisfying.

Fitzgerald made a terrific tackle, especially considering he’s a punter, but the returner would’ve picked up 10-15 more yards at most.

Anyone see how Fitz shoots up instead of dancing laterally in hopes that someone else will get him. That’s one heck of an aggressive tackle for anyone, but especially for a punter.

The mj plays were nice but two of the passes were overthrown and to see our punter tackle one of “fastest” return guys was great. That play got me pumped.

For a player as maligned as Marquis to taste the sweet joy of retribution? Gotta go with that.

Watching the P.J. clip (got my vote), I was reminded of how absolutely terrible these guys are.

Vern: “Fitzgerald the punter saved the catch…. and then headed left…” he then seems to trail off into silence trying to uncover what mystery he has built in that last statement.

Not to be outdone, or underdone, Danielson chimes in:
“If Richards doesn’t make this tackle, James scores.”

Bravo for the dramatic emphasis Danielson, but you’re still a damned idiot.

…especially with all the heat he has taken, but he was only doing what he was supposed to do. P.J. did something that most players at his position wouldn’t have done.

Beyond those breakups, MJ played a hell of a year and completely changed my opinion of the kid. However, PJs tackle was legit on many levels. Even though MJ deserves some love, I gotta go with PJ.

and we know what our kick coverage has looked like this season. If James would have scored, as Verne implied, we would have been down 10 – 9 and may have changed the momentum.

Johnson had an amazing season, but PJ’s tackle was jump-out-of-your-seat-and-yell-at-the-top-of-your-lungs kind of awesome. Bet he gets to the finals…

after all the flack that Johnson has taken over his career, I have to go with the 3-in-a-row!

…I still haven’t decided

…every one of these has been tough. I had to got with Johnson’s defense on this one. However, I was still very impressed by “Richards’” tackle.

I have to give it up for one of those awesome SECCG plays, so I’m giving it to PJ.

But I have to say I was impressed with Marquis Johnson almost all year. I’ll admit I was hard on him coming into the year but he showed a TON of improvement.

Ma J, drew the ire of many alabama fans last year, and to watch this guy, not just here, but all year, prove the doubters wrong was pretty phenomenal. Here, however, he did so at the expense of the little demon biatch, steve spurrier, which makes this series so awesome. I loved watching spurrier’s plan of picking on the “weak link” go completely awry. defining moment for our defensive secondary this year. proving again that we were a complete team all year long. roll tide

as Crimson37 said…
“I was happy for Johnson to cover his assignment”

Both of them were “just doing their jobs”, but it’s a rarity when a Punter does his job on this level. Also, rewatching the film reminds me that, while MJ did his job well, Coach SS did some really stubborn play calling.

…that I haven’t voted for a play from the SECCG, but P.J.’s outstanding tackle made me more relieved than anything, while watching Marquis Johnson finally grow up and making Spurrier look like an idiot at the same time made me absolutely giddy.

I am glad Marquis had stepped up his game but he had done so all year, not just in one game. This is part of Saban’s ability to get the most out of his secondary(his baby). I am very proud of Marquis and hope he continues with his success. As a single moment though, PJ’s tackle was sweet for a punter. For awhile there, until the NCG, PJ was our best passer(QB rating), runner(YPC) and tackler, heh.