The Johnny Langan Appreciation Thread

Oct 19, 2010
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I've been looking over the play-by-play and think there was only one play he didn't convert - an incomplete pass on the Temple 1 yard line on first down. 4th quarter & RU up 47-14.

8 touches, 7 positive and 1 incomplete pass. His execution is especially important since he is often behind the center near the goal line or crucial 3rd/4th down situations. 2 4th down conversions, 1 third down conversion and 2 short yardage TDs.

Surprisingly, his first touch was in the first quarter on the first play of the third drive. 5 yard pickup on the ground. Solid start to the drive.

He follows that up with two straight short yardage TDs that helped put the game out of reach.

Next was a 7 yard completion to Cruickshank on 4th down. Langan later caught a 2nd down Vedral pass near the line of scrimmage and ran the ball down to the Temple 1 (I loved that play - cannot find a replay).

There was one incomplete, followed up by a pair of runs that converted for first downs. One was a third down play, the other 4th down.

What a performance. He's the real Jabu.



 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,550
16,368
113
 
Dec 30, 2017
763
753
0
Johnny "Taysom Hill" Langan.

Funny story. One of my best friends grew up in Colorado. Her mother's maiden name is Langan. Johnny is her moms first cousins son. So whatever that makes him to her idk but pretty cool
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
8,413
4,670
66
With all due respect to Langan and his effort, he’s not at all a “Leonard” kind of player. Leonard was a freakish talent/athlete. NFL skill position athleticism. Nor is Langan a “Swiss army knife” player. His role is limited. Hes very good at converting short yardage.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,550
16,368
113
With all due respect to Langan and his effort, he’s not at all a “Leonard” kind of player. Leonard was a freakish talent/athlete. NFL skill position athleticism. Nor is Langan a “Swiss army knife” player. His role is limited. Hes very good at converting short yardage.
My respect for Langan is like what I had for Leonard , accepting their role on the team and doing it to the best of their ability.
As for "Swiss Army Knife: type : in the red zone if a player goes in to throw the ball, run the ball or receive the ball on any given play, that might be considered a "Swiss Army Knife" type of position
 
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bryanjints

Senior
Oct 15, 2007
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576
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If Langan plays the whole season like he did week 1 I have no doubt his lore will match that of Leonard. Johnny just has something about him that makes it impossible to not root for him. Hope he gets to play somewhere after this year.
 
Feb 5, 2003
10,980
9,384
113
I don't think anyone feels Langan is as talented as Leonard. The comparison is more about accepting whatever role is best for the team. Leonard went from featured back to fullback when Rice emerged, and his focus was always more about TEAM than me. I recall him redirecting Rice from the TV cameras on the sideline during a game, mentoring him on bring focused on what matters. Langan won't be on my Rutgers Rushmore list as one of the all time top four, but he is a great Scarlet Knight.
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
8,413
4,670
66
Nothing against the guy, but what else was he going to do when he lost the QB job ? When things didn’t go his way at BC, he left.

He’s very good at his particular role. He beat Purdue mostly on his own. Nice player. Glad he’s on the team.

But Did we love DC Jefferson any more after his switch to TE ? No.

Every player gives 100%. No more and no less.
Let’s not see something that isn’t there.

the title of this post is fine. we should absolutely appreciate him. But in terms of talent and also effort and commitment he’s not a special player.
 
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RutgersRockies

All-Conference
Jul 7, 2017
1,454
1,998
0
When Johnny enters the game, you get a high confidence level that we will achieve a TD or 1st down. He is a tough and good team player! We are fortunate to have him. He has an excellent chance to score over 12 touchdowns this year.
This^

I used to dread having him in the game, but this week I thought, "Oh yeah! Easy yards!" He is a nice short-yardage player, and I suspect one day he will pass the ball for real instead of a pop pass (I'll be holding my breath when that happens, I'll be honest).
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,925
86,926
113
Nothing against the guy, but what else was he going to do when he lost the QB job ? When things didn’t go his way at BC, he left.

He’s very good at his particular role. He beat Purdue mostly on his own. Nice player. Glad he’s on the team.

But Did we love DC Jefferson any more after his switch to TE ? No.

Every player gives 100%. No more and no less.
Let’s not see something that isn’t there.

the title of this post is fine. we should absolutely appreciate him. But in terms of talent and also effort and commitment he’s not a special player.
No, not every player gives 100%. Some give all. Some transfer. Some choose to sit and wait it out.
 

RUDead

All-Conference
Sep 20, 2017
3,655
3,840
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Kid is tough as nails and looked great on that route. He really knows how to find the holes on those short yardage plays. Glad to have him.
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,138
15,595
72
I’ve been saying this since watching Marco Battaglia, that a pass-catching TE is worth their weight in gold. I truly hope that Johnny is given more reps in that role, so he’ll see how valuable he can really be, not just for us but at the next level too.
 

BeantownKnight

All-Conference
Feb 14, 2008
4,674
2,023
0
I loved when he lined up as a receiver and caught the ball. I was really surprised by that (because I don't think he did that at all last year). It was a great new wrinkle and caught me - and the defense - off-guard.

My only concern is, of course, when he comes on to the field and the defense says. "Ok - this guy is going to run the ball" - and then they stack the box. Against Temple, that may not be such a big deal. But, against OSU last year, he wasn't as successful converting those short yardage situations. In those cases, the play-calling really has to be such that it keep the defense guessing.
 

Scarlet4ever

All-American
Feb 14, 2004
8,820
7,061
98
It won’t work every week, but the Johnny package definitely is a weapon. Having him on the field in other roles will make him a little less predictable.
 

RU1766

Freshman
Nov 6, 2019
36
64
18
Johnny L was a good HS quarterback and has shown here that he can complete passes against BIG 10 defenses downfield. Coach keeping a short playbook in week one of the season is expected.
The Langan package had no negative yard plays.
That package is going to be nuts in 3rd and short situations this year, I expect teams to be calling time out when Gleeson sends them out with more options than a JET sweep and a dive.
While we are talking about Brian L, please remember his senior day ended with the drive against Syracuse. Ray R came out of the game and we handed off to Brian 6 or so straight plays driving the ball down 'Cuse's throat. It was among my favorite days of Rutgers football.
 

RUPete

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
26,841
16,113
0
Nothing against the guy, but what else was he going to do when he lost the QB job ? When things didn’t go his way at BC, he left.

He’s very good at his particular role. He beat Purdue mostly on his own. Nice player. Glad he’s on the team.

But Did we love DC Jefferson any more after his switch to TE ? No.

Every player gives 100%. No more and no less.
Let’s not see something that isn’t there.

the title of this post is fine. we should absolutely appreciate him. But in terms of talent and also effort and commitment he’s not a special player.
I loved it that DC Jefferson chose us when he could have had his pick of schools nationally. I loved it that when things didn’t pan out at QB he still found a way to get on the field and contribute.

I think the reason some fans may be reacting more to Langan is that he’s from Jersey and he gets on the field with more opportunities in high leverage situations. DC had to get his touches as part of the general game plan. Bottom line, don’t pi$$ on a positive thread.
 

brookdale-soda

All-Conference
Oct 4, 2010
3,790
2,061
113
Had Ash not been fired mid-season, we may not have ever seen Johnny Langan in a game, ever. Sitkowski may not have transferred too. It's amazing how things work out.

Langan was a hidden weapon which Camp uncovered for us.
 

beaced_rivals

Heisman
Jul 18, 2004
32,005
10,324
0
Johnny L was a good HS quarterback and has shown here that he can complete passes against BIG 10 defenses downfield. Coach keeping a short playbook in week one of the season is expected.
The Langan package had no negative yard plays.
That package is going to be nuts in 3rd and short situations this year, I expect teams to be calling time out when Gleeson sends them out with more options than a JET sweep and a dive.
While we are talking about Brian L, please remember his senior day ended with the drive against Syracuse. Ray R came out of the game and we handed off to Brian 6 or so straight plays driving the ball down 'Cuse's throat. It was among my favorite days of Rutgers football.
A great day to remember.