Top 10 Belichick-Era Patriots Busts: #2 Bethel Johnson

by Greg Knopping on Apr 18, 2011 11:41 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

[Editor's Note: For the month of April leading up to the draft, Bud Light will be sponsoring the NFL blogs here at SB Nation. Each day, we'll count down the top 10 Bill Belichick era Patriots "busts" and "booms" in the NFL draft." -Greg

Belichick-Era Patriots Top 10 Busts #2

Name: Bethel Johnson

College: Texas A&M

Drafted: 2nd round, 45th overall, 2003

Position: Wide receiver / kick returner

Years with Team: 3

Where is he now? Out of Football

Comments: Bethel Johnson was one of the biggest disappointments in Bill Belichick's drafting history with the Patriots. In his rookie season, Johnson showed tremendous potential as both a kick returner and deep threat. His kick returns against the Colts in the "Longest Yard" game and his two big catches against the Titans (one a deep touchdown, the other a tremendous run after the catch on a screen for a big first down) in the playoffs sticking out in particular. In 2004, while he had some long catches and another kick return touchdown, he never developed into the every down receiver the Patriots thought he would. In 2005, he regressed as a kick returner and failed to make any major contributions on offense, part of which may have been due to poor conditioning and general attitude problems. He was shipped to the New Orleans Saints in the offseason, ending a career plagued by unfulfilled promise.

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Comments

is #1 Chad Jackson?

if it is Greg Jennings better not be a reason why

by pats4life on Apr 18, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions

I think Jackson's got it locked up without Jennings' help.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 18, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

who came afterwards in the draft is irrelevant though

and I hate when people bring that up as a “hey Belichick screwed up, look” well duh he screwed up he is human

by pats4life on Apr 18, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Jackson flat out sucked.

They had to redesign the offense to try and get him in good positions, and he couldn’t do it.
He was huge coming out of college though. He had everything. I think everyone missed on him.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 19, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

He was a raw route runner...

…and so was Bethel Johnson, which makes me surprised that they chose Tate (raw route runner who hasn’t shown much) and Price (raw route runner). Wondering if they’ve realized that trend…

Pats Pulpit | @Follow Me On Twitter

by Richard Hill on Apr 19, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Vs. Welker who is the quintessential route runner.

You may be on to something.

by A Guy on Apr 19, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Interesting point, but I wouldn't throw Tate in the "raw route runner" category

by Greg Knopping on Apr 19, 2011 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions

“A bit raw as a route-runner. Relies on his athletic ability in this area, rather than precise footwork.” Which sounds about right. He doesn’t run crisp routes and seems to be off and having to play catch-up with his speed to compensate.

Pats Pulpit | @Follow Me On Twitter

by Richard Hill on Apr 19, 2011 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

It doesn't help that Brady throws to spots, not receivers.

Route running is a lot more important if you’re playing with a guy like Brady as opposed to say, Favre (may God rest his career) or Rivers. These guys might have seen more success if they spent their early years with a QB whose style didn’t dictate precise route running.

by nbradley07 on Apr 19, 2011 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Johnson’s attitude played a big part in him leaving. You cannot play for a team like the Patriots and think that you are going to loaf around. You’d better bring it.

by Patriots12 on Apr 19, 2011 1:31 AM EDT reply actions