Bruce Almighty
Matt Mosely takes a look at the rookies making an impact in the NFC EAST. The rookie surprise for the east? None other then the Giants own rookie free agent Bruce Johnson. Johnson was once considered an early to mid round prospect coming out of THE U, but poor combine numbers and a decline in Miami’s program (newly renewed) lead to Johnson’s undrafted status. As Mosely points out it was clear from early in camp that Johnson was better then 6th and 7th round corners De’Andre Wright and Stoney Woodson. Coughlin found room for Bruce on the roster and due to injuries to Kevin Dockery and Aaron Ross, Bruce has found himself as a mainstay in the Giants secondary.
As the nickel Johnson has 8 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception returned for a touchdown and one forced fumble. Not bad for an undrafted rookie. My guess is the next time Mosley runs this piece we might see Hakeem Nicks’s name mentioned, although I’m not so sure it would be a suprise at this point. All this is a testament to how will Jerry Reese and company do their jobs in the front office. Some late round picks and undrafted rookies that are worth mentioning (some of these guys come from accorsi as well) Chase Blackburn (undrafted), Kevin Boss (5th round), Mario Manningham (3rd round), David Diehl (5th round), James Butler (undrafted), and Ahmad Bradshaw (7th round).
