ROOKIE LINEBACKER A QUICK HIT

Rukdafaidas · 09-15-2005, 07:05 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12647827.htm

ROOKIE LINEBACKER A QUICK HIT

Sudden impact

Johnson makes big plays without making big waves

By ELIZABETH MERRILL

The Kansas City Star

The biggest change is the shoes. Sneakers, in social settings, are now a fashion faux pas for Derrick Johnson. He’s kicking in a pair of black shiny numbers at Circuit City, signing autographs, eyeballing a half-eaten pizza on the counter. He’s talking about the strangest autograph request since he’s come to Kansas City. A girl asked him to sign her Chihuahua.

“That was crazy,” Johnson says.

Johnson is in his sixth hour of PR trips and radio shows, and a guy plunks down at least eight hats. Johnson signs them all.

Nothing has changed for Derrick O’Hara Johnson. Just look at him. Last weekend, the day before his NFL debut, the Chiefs’ rookie linebacker picked his mom up in a limo, whisked her to the Peach Tree restaurant, then took her to his new townhome on the Plaza, which is still under construction.

Johnson wants her to decorate the pad.

“He’s the baby,” Beverly Johnson says.

In a lot of ways, mother and son are alike. They never get too excited about things. Beverly’s a middle-school math teacher in Waco, Texas, and on Wednesday, one of the football coaches there stopped in and wondered why she was so calm, why she wasn’t bragging over her son’s nine-tackle performance Sunday against the New York Jets. Johnson also got a sack and stripped the ball from quarterback Chad Pennington.

Rookie linebackers don’t really do that kind of stuff in Kansas City, let alone anywhere else in the NFL. A few days after the game, Johnson graded his performance somewhere between a B-minus and a C-plus.

But he did call his mama, and he told her that he’s up for rookie of the week honors.

Derrick didn’t tell many people this, but that big breakfast was not sitting well in the hours before Sunday’s kickoff. Johnson had a serious case of butterflies. He’d never been to an NFL game, never hit a collection of football players as big and fast as the Jets.

By the third defensive play of the game, when Johnson stuffed Curtis Martin for a 2-yard loss, those nerves were gone.

“The pressure of a game doesn’t really … I’m not saying it doesn’t bother him — it doesn’t affect him negatively,” coach Dick Vermeil says. “He does some of the same things instinctively that he did in college. He goes to tackle a guy and takes his right hand and tries to get the football. Now, we coach that all the time, we can coach some guys to do that and they’ll never do it. It just doesn’t fall into their instincts at that time, their thinking pattern.

“I saw him do four or five things like that. He can make mistakes and still run and catch up and make up for it.”

He’s level-headed. That’s what Christie Burgner says as they scramble around town Tuesday doing promotional work for Vonage, a broadband telephone service.

He’s sore. Johnson says he woke up Monday with more than the average aches and pains he had after a college football game.

But he lifted and ran on the Chiefs’ day off, and he occasionally drifted back to the couple of times Sunday when he “messed up on my coverage.”

“Some people look at it like ‘Oh, that’s nothing,’ ” Johnson says. “But I’m the type of person who tries to be the best. I’m pretty hard on myself. I expect to do great things.”

On a defense that ranked 31st last year, Johnson already has made an impact. By Monday morning, NFL analysts were raving about the Chiefs’ revamped defense. Johnson helped Kansas City hit the quarterback 14 times Sunday and come within 29 seconds of a shutout.

He’s spotted in shopping malls and on the Plaza now, and Johnson says he’ll always stop for an autograph. His mom noticed the high volume of No. 56 jerseys being worn at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. She didn’t expect that type of quick following for a rookie.

Then again, Johnson isn’t your average 22-year-old. He used to see his mom nearly every week when he played at Texas, even though home was about 100 miles away. She’d always pull a $100 bill out of her purse and ask whether he had enough gas and groceries.

Now, Johnson’s paying his family back, and the limo ride has just begun. Before every game, Beverly’s baby used to scan the crowd and look for his mom. It made him feel better knowing she was in the stadium. It still does.

“I’ve got a little bit more money to buy some ostrich shoes,” Johnson says, “but I won’t change. I know where I came from.”

Hoover · 09-15-2005, 07:13 AM

This guy is exactly what we needed.

Rukdafaidas · 09-15-2005, 07:19 AM

You wanna know my favorite part of the article?
This part:
Then again, Johnson isn’t your average 22-year-old.

He's twenty freaking two years old!!!!! Yes, I already knew that, but it sounds so great to hear anyways. I'm looking forward to watching #56 streaking from sideline to sideline stripping footballs and crushing QB's for many, many years.

Coach · 09-15-2005, 07:22 AM

I have to admit, this is one very humble kid. He is repaying back his family, stated on the article. That is very heart warming and humble.

WisChief · 09-15-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rukdafaidas

“I’ve got a little bit more money to buy some ostrich shoes,” Johnson says, “but I won’t change. I know where I came from.”

I seem to recall Larry Johnson saying something like this too. More along the lines of his daddy taught him right from wrong.

jidar · 09-15-2005, 07:25 AM

Man. This article makes him look like a mamas boy. He's going to hear it in the locker room.

Hoover · 09-15-2005, 07:35 AM

Is there another Johnson we can draft next year?

DV loves his Johnson's

Chief Henry · 09-15-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

This guy is exactly what we needed.

rep

donkhater · 09-15-2005, 08:41 AM

Being a rookie still learning the game, it won't happen this year, but in a season or two when he has the defense down pat and has established himself, his attitude and professionalism will be a heck of an example for his teammates.

**Mr. Kotter** · 09-15-2005, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Henry

rep

Heh.

**BigRedChief** · 09-15-2005, 08:54 AM

Man O Man he's the real deal. The other 14 NFL teams are idiots for passing him by. I said that he was so good and going to be such a playmaker that we should give up next years #1 to move up and get him. And even at that price its looking like a good deal.

I'm so happy he's a Chief. I want to

all the time.

09-15-2005, 07:05 AM
Rukdafaidas lifelong Chiefs survivor Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $4819900	ROOKIE LINEBACKER A QUICK HIT http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12647827.htm ROOKIE LINEBACKER A QUICK HIT Sudden impact Johnson makes big plays without making big waves By ELIZABETH MERRILL The Kansas City Star The biggest change is the shoes. Sneakers, in social settings, are now a fashion faux pas for Derrick Johnson. He’s kicking in a pair of black shiny numbers at Circuit City, signing autographs, eyeballing a half-eaten pizza on the counter. He’s talking about the strangest autograph request since he’s come to Kansas City. A girl asked him to sign her Chihuahua. “That was crazy,” Johnson says. Johnson is in his sixth hour of PR trips and radio shows, and a guy plunks down at least eight hats. Johnson signs them all. Nothing has changed for Derrick O’Hara Johnson. Just look at him. Last weekend, the day before his NFL debut, the Chiefs’ rookie linebacker picked his mom up in a limo, whisked her to the Peach Tree restaurant, then took her to his new townhome on the Plaza, which is still under construction. Johnson wants her to decorate the pad. “He’s the baby,” Beverly Johnson says. In a lot of ways, mother and son are alike. They never get too excited about things. Beverly’s a middle-school math teacher in Waco, Texas, and on Wednesday, one of the football coaches there stopped in and wondered why she was so calm, why she wasn’t bragging over her son’s nine-tackle performance Sunday against the New York Jets. Johnson also got a sack and stripped the ball from quarterback Chad Pennington. Rookie linebackers don’t really do that kind of stuff in Kansas City, let alone anywhere else in the NFL. A few days after the game, Johnson graded his performance somewhere between a B-minus and a C-plus. But he did call his mama, and he told her that he’s up for rookie of the week honors. Derrick didn’t tell many people this, but that big breakfast was not sitting well in the hours before Sunday’s kickoff. Johnson had a serious case of butterflies. He’d never been to an NFL game, never hit a collection of football players as big and fast as the Jets. By the third defensive play of the game, when Johnson stuffed Curtis Martin for a 2-yard loss, those nerves were gone. “The pressure of a game doesn’t really … I’m not saying it doesn’t bother him — it doesn’t affect him negatively,” coach Dick Vermeil says. “He does some of the same things instinctively that he did in college. He goes to tackle a guy and takes his right hand and tries to get the football. Now, we coach that all the time, we can coach some guys to do that and they’ll never do it. It just doesn’t fall into their instincts at that time, their thinking pattern. “I saw him do four or five things like that. He can make mistakes and still run and catch up and make up for it.” He’s level-headed. That’s what Christie Burgner says as they scramble around town Tuesday doing promotional work for Vonage, a broadband telephone service. He’s sore. Johnson says he woke up Monday with more than the average aches and pains he had after a college football game. But he lifted and ran on the Chiefs’ day off, and he occasionally drifted back to the couple of times Sunday when he “messed up on my coverage.” “Some people look at it like ‘Oh, that’s nothing,’ ” Johnson says. “But I’m the type of person who tries to be the best. I’m pretty hard on myself. I expect to do great things.” On a defense that ranked 31st last year, Johnson already has made an impact. By Monday morning, NFL analysts were raving about the Chiefs’ revamped defense. Johnson helped Kansas City hit the quarterback 14 times Sunday and come within 29 seconds of a shutout. He’s spotted in shopping malls and on the Plaza now, and Johnson says he’ll always stop for an autograph. His mom noticed the high volume of No. 56 jerseys being worn at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. She didn’t expect that type of quick following for a rookie. Then again, Johnson isn’t your average 22-year-old. He used to see his mom nearly every week when he played at Texas, even though home was about 100 miles away. She’d always pull a $100 bill out of her purse and ask whether he had enough gas and groceries. Now, Johnson’s paying his family back, and the limo ride has just begun. Before every game, Beverly’s baby used to scan the crowd and look for his mom. It made him feel better knowing she was in the stadium. It still does. “I’ve got a little bit more money to buy some ostrich shoes,” Johnson says, “but I won’t change. I know where I came from.”
Posts: 2,671

09-15-2005, 07:13 AM	#2
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1638179	This guy is exactly what we needed.
Posts: 17,361

09-15-2005, 07:19 AM	#3
Rukdafaidas lifelong Chiefs survivor Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $4819900	You wanna know my favorite part of the article? This part: Then again, Johnson isn’t your average 22-year-old. He's twenty freaking two years old!!!!! Yes, I already knew that, but it sounds so great to hear anyways. I'm looking forward to watching #56 streaking from sideline to sideline stripping footballs and crushing QB's for many, many years.
Posts: 2,671

09-15-2005, 07:22 AM	#4
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5938476	I have to admit, this is one very humble kid. He is repaying back his family, stated on the article. That is very heart warming and humble. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
Posts: 53,213

09-15-2005, 07:25 AM	#6
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	Man. This article makes him look like a mamas boy. He's going to hear it in the locker room.
Posts: 5,502

09-15-2005, 07:35 AM	#7
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1638179	Is there another Johnson we can draft next year? DV loves his Johnson's
Posts: 17,361

09-15-2005, 08:41 AM	#9
donkhater Brilliant!! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Indiana, USA Casino cash: $10014051	Being a rookie still learning the game, it won't happen this year, but in a season or two when he has the defense down pat and has established himself, his attitude and professionalism will be a heck of an example for his teammates. __________________ The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants
Posts: 3,994

09-15-2005, 08:54 AM	#11
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3119627 VARSITY	Man O Man he's the real deal. The other 14 NFL teams are idiots for passing him by. I said that he was so good and going to be such a playmaker that we should give up next years #1 to move up and get him. And even at that price its looking like a good deal. I'm so happy he's a Chief. I want to all the time. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 79,041