Michael Johnson Speculation Is Now Michael Johnson Buzz

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (93) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Viking fans have been playing connect-the-dots on Michael Johnson since the second Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach.

Goes like this: Michael Johnson played for Zimmer in Cincinnati. Zimmer now coaches the Vikings. Johnson is a free agent. Johnson will want to sign with Minnesota and play for Mike Zimmer again.

Pretty obvious.

Apparently, this dot connecting habit does not just exist among fans. It’s also big among people hanging out at the combine.

What’s the difference between fans tracing lines between dots and “media insiders” doing it?

When fans do it, we call it “speculation.” When “insiders” do it, we call it “buzz.”

So because Michael Johnson got mentioned in connection to the Vikings within earshot of Tom Pelissero, there is now “buzz” about Michael Johnson signing with the Vikings.

Again, we have no idea if the Vikings are pursuing Johnson. No idea if Johnson wants to play for the Vikings. No idea if Zimmer as coach factors in to Johnson’s thinking at all.

We just assume the Zimmer factor matters, and that the Vikings are naturally high on Johnson’s list of potential landing spots.

The people guessing about Johnson at the combine don’t really know any more than we do. But because their speculation is happening at a big event with reporters around who may then go tweet about it, it’s buzz.

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