Charles Johnson Not Surprised By His Success In 2014

If you’re like me, you probably weren’t expecting Charles Johnson to establish himself as the Vikings go-to target towards the end of the 2014 season. To the man himself, however, it was only a matter of time.

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The 6’2″ 215 pound speedster out of Grand Valley State, a division II school in Michigan, was drafted by Green Bay in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. The Packers placed him on their practice squad until the Browns swooped in and signed him at the start of the season. His rookie campaign was cut short by an ACL Tear discovered mid-October. Johnson was healed up for the 2014 preseason when the Browns inexplicably dropped him to their practice squad, a move that left head coach Kyle Shanahan “dismayed” with Cleveland’s front office. Nineteen days later, the Vikings signed Charles to their 53-man roster.

Johnson had his breakout performance in week 11 against the Bears. He finished with 6 receptions for 87 yards. It was the start of a stretch of 5 games in which he caught 20 balls for 355 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Norv Turner said that it wasn’t until that Bears game that the Vikings found their identity with Teddy Bridgewater. Turner told the Star Tribune that Johnson deserves a lot of credit for the turnaround.

“Part of that was we started playing Charles Johnson, which gave us a different guy on the outside to attack,” Turner said. “It created some differences in how people defended us. I think we became a much more efficient offensive football team and put ourselves in position to win games. We won some and there were some that a year from now, put in the same situation, we’ll be ready to handle it and be ready to win.”

The chemistry between Johnson and Bridgewater was apparent, and that’s a good sign for both of their careers. Most great quarterbacks have a number-one threat at the receiver position. Johnson has a great chance to emerge as that.

In a recent interview with CBSsports.com, Charles was asked if he was surprised by his own success in 2014.

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“Surprised, no. I knew my ability. I knew what I could do in this league. I knew I could be a great player in this league. And I still have a lot to prove, but in this world it’s all about opportunity. You don’t know what anyone can do in any field or any type of occupation unless they are given the opportunity. My opportunities were limited in my first year because of (ACL injuries). I like to say that when hard work meets opportunity you can create your own success. I always worked hard and now I’m finally getting an opportunity. Now let’s wait and see if I can create my own success.”

What Charles Johnson does with his opportunity is one of the most interesting storylines going into next season for the Vikings. His efforts should be enough for a great shot at a starting role in 2015.

Next: Vikings Score Well In NFC North Rookie Grades

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Charles Johnson (12) gets tackled in the second quarter from the Chicago Bears linebacker

Shea McClellin

(50) at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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