Babb: Chiefs linebacker Johnson makes a couple of big plays

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs linebacker Johnson makes a couple of big plays
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

DENVER | Derrick Johnson has been trying to tell the Chiefs all season that he’s a playmaker. On Sunday, he showed them.

Johnson, a veteran linebacker who’s a former first-round pick, has been one of Kansas City’s favorite mysteries this season after being benched during the preseason. He lost his starting job and never regained it. He said often that he disagreed with the move and wanted to become a starter. Said he was capable of better. In the Chiefs’ final game, he finally made his point.

“It’s big,” Johnson said. “I’ve been frustrated.”

Johnson intercepted two Kyle "Pro Bowl" Orton passes, returning both for touchdowns, during Sunday’s 44-24 win against Denver at Invesco Field. Johnson is one of 25 players in NFL history to achieve such a feat. It was an odd achievement for a player who isn’t even a starter.

Coach Todd Haley, who made the decision to demote Johnson, said Sunday night he was relieved that Johnson kept fighting. That he didn’t cash out after beginning 16 games on the bench and being part of no more than 20 or so plays per game.

Haley might have seen Sunday what he wanted to see from Johnson all along. Johnson, a fifth-year player, has been an annual underachiever, but the win against Denver showed that he is as dominant as anyone when his mind, body and work ethic are in harmony.

“I know what he believes of himself as a player,” Haley said. “Anytime what you believe is not what’s happening, it’s frustrating and can lead to destructive action or results. That guy has continued to come out every day.

“We just want consistent plays of the defense, do your job, and make some plays in the process. If you can do that, then you’ll have a chance to play, compete and start.”

Johnson said he wants assurances that he’ll be a starter next year. It’s debatable that he’ll get that kind of guarantee, particularly from a coaching staff that isn’t into making promises.

And there’s a chance Johnson could ask out of Kansas City if his disappointment continues. He told The Star last week that he’ll request a meeting with Chiefs officials to discuss his future. He said Thursday that if that meeting disappoints him, he might begin considering his options.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” Johnson said Thursday, “but that wouldn’t go good.”

Johnson is scheduled, for now, to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. But if the league and players’ union can’t agree on a new labor contract, then Johnson would be among 212 NFL players who would become restricted free agents. That would limit Johnson’s options and, short of asking for a trade or his release, he’d be more likely to return to Kansas City.

But Sunday left a valuable impression, if doubt remained. Johnson improvised on the second interception, twisted his body to make a tough catch, and outran Denver’s offense. He said he’s glad that’s the image the Chiefs will remember for the next few months.

“Whenever you have your chance to get out there and play, you’ve got to just seize the moment,” he said. “Do I wish I could play more? Yeah. Sometimes you don’t have to always agree. All the coaches have great intentions. It wasn’t nothing about trying to do anything bad to Derrick Johnson.

“We talked before the game. (Haley) told me, ‘Hey, get me a pick or something.’ I was like, ‘All right.’ It was talking, but it happened. … He told me when I get my chance, I need to play. That’s what I did today.”