The Michael Johnson Piece on .com...

[membengal]

....really, really, really, good.

When he's right, I like what Hobson can do as a writer. And that is a great piece. And Michael Johnson comes from class parents. And then some.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/tall...37-7c0a8ac3cd82

Of all the things they said about his son in the days leading up to the draft, the one that still makes Sam Johnson guffaw is that he'd have to toughen up.

Heck, Sam and Thomasene have been doing that for the last 22 years. And it started after some freak weather hit Selma, Ala., not long after Michael Johnson was born in 1987.

"I took him out in the snow," says Sam Johnson. "He was a little baby, but I wanted to toughen him up in the cold weather."

The baby has grown into what even Sam calls "a beast." The spurt came late junior high school or early high school. Sam says it was five inches in a year. Thomasene remembers three inches in about three months.

"I remember watching him walk down the hall and his pants were up to his ankles," she says. "I thought to myself, 'Didn't I just buy those?' "

At 6-7, Michael Johnson's wingspan filled up the Paul Brown Stadium doorway so impressively this weekend at the Bengals rookie camp that his shocking athleticism drew physical comparisons to the great pass rushers of every decade since the league started keeping sack stats.

Ted Hendricks in the '70s. Richard Dent in the '80s. Jevon Kearse's 14.5 rookie sacks in '99 and Julius Peppers' 70.5 career sacks this decade.

Of course, Johnson has 0.0 NFL sacks and won't wear pads in the NFL for nearly three more months, and he may end up with as many career sacks as Elrod Hendricks instead of Ted Hendricks.

But clearly the Bengals never have had a pass rusher in modern times whose specs so closely resemble the great ones like the defensive end from Georgia Tech.

Defensive line coach Jay Hayes smiled as he lined up Johnson on the edge in 1-on-1 pass rush drills. Linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald smiled as he dropped Johnson in coverage drills. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer smiled as he thought about mismatches with running backs on the blitz. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons just smiled.

"I'll put him anywhere; I've got 11 spots," Simmons says. "He's big, he can run. Those are the two things you want."

And he's got the toughness. So say the two who should know.

Marine Sam Johnson stepped on a land mine in a jungle hell somewhere south of DaNang and came back to Selma, Ala., learning how to go to work left-handed. His wife, Thomasene, had just entered high school when two weeks after "Bloody Sunday," she followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the first day of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in one of the epochal moments of the Civil Rights Movement.

At the very least, Michael Johnson is the product of some of the toughest moments the Baby Boomers have to offer.

"I stayed away from the cattle prods," Thomasene Johnson says of the police. "I was lucky. I never got hit with anything or punched. I tried to stay away from the outside. I don't remember why, but I didn't go to the one (two weeks before) where there was all the trouble.

"I saw it as a cause and all my friends were doing it, and so maybe that's why it didn't seem so (scary)."

Thomasene, who shook King's hand, was arrested three times during protests but she didn't realize it was history until years later when she explained to Michael landmarks and legends around town.

"I was always very protective of my parents; just being proud of both of them," Michael Johnson says. "I never want to disappoint them in any way."

Which may explain the inexorable run through Dallas County High School, where he finished No. 1 in his class.

"Don't tell anybody," he says with a smile. "I went to Georgia Tech and got humbled. There were 98 kids in the school. It's a small school in the country, but No. 1 is No. 1."

Sam Johnson: "Michael has always been competitive. He wants to be No. 1 in grades or in sports. Anything. Second place has never been good enough for Mike. I remember in first or second grade he wanted a four-wheel bike and I told him I'd get him one if he made all A's. I told him if he made all A's by the time he got to eighth grade I'd get him a shotgun for hunting. If he got all A's by the time he got to 16, I'd let him have a car and I gave him my wife's."

Mike Johnson didn't always want to be a pro football player. For the longest time he wanted to be a Marine.

"Right from the time he was little. I would tell him no way," Sam says. "I would tell him that he was too smart. That he should be a doctor, lawyer, or something like that. I guess when he got into high school he stopped that."

Samuel Johnson, 19, signed up for the Marines and he turned 20 in Vietnam. "I was gung-ho," he says, and Thursday is the 42nd anniversary of the day it all changed near a place called Marble Mountain.

"May 7, 1967. About noon," Sam says. "It was like one of those valleys you see out in California. A lot of vegetation. We were out on patrol. Next thing I knew, 'Wump.' I don't know how far I went, but I wasn't where I started. I was lucky. Most people lose both their legs after stepping on a mine. I was moving and I was wearing a flak jacket. If I hadn't been wearing the flak jacket ... "

Sam Johnson didn’t lose much of his right hand and foot ("I don't talk about it much"), but there was enough damage that he was in a hospital for 16 months and when he left he was using a cane mainly for support and doing most things left-handed after several surgeries.

"I was semi-ambidextrous anyway," he says. "But I don’t talk about that much. You move on."

After an honorable discharge, Sam Johnson went back home and got his degree in business from Alabama State and became a director of human resources at International Paper for 29 years before retiring a few years ago and helping Thomasene run her company that sells herbal products.

After her experience in the movement, she stayed close to home and got a business degree of her own from Tuskegee. (Mike has been taking notes. He's close to a business degree from Tech.)

The degree came through for her when Michael was a baby and he kept getting ear infections. Thomasene had heard about the power of herbs and when Mike stopped getting the infections after she tried them, she decided to open a shop selling herbs.

Thomasene will tell you about tough and her son.

"There were games he played hurt," she says. "He didn't advertise it and the school didn't say anything about it, but he went out there and played.

"It was pretty tough to hear some of the things they said about him. Especially when they don't know you and don't bother to find out."

Sam Johnson couldn't quite believe what he heard about his son in the days leading up to the draft, where the Bengals ended up taking him early in the third round with the 70th pick. After watching him become a regular for the first time, Sam watched Mike double what he'd done before in a season.

"Inconsistent, doesn't play hard all the time," Sam says. "That's not Michael. I thought he had his best year as a senior. I thought he would go in the first round. Early in the second. I was mad. I showed it. But Michael took it all in stride. He was still smiling.

"He's soft-spoken. But he's got a lot of desire. He's a competitor."

"Yeah, I guess I'm tough," Sam Johnson says. I'm 6-1, 235. But I wouldn’t want to meet Michael in a dark alley. He's one tough dude. No, I guess I wouldn't want to meet me in a dark alley, either."

Michael's mother told him when he was little that he should write down his goals and he's been doing it ever since.

"Write it down and do it," she says and when she went to his dorm room at Georgia Tech, he had his goals up on there on the wall, starting with all-ACC. She noticed they were all checked off.

"I'm sure he's going to have goals there," she says. "I know he wants to be one of the best pass rushers in the league. Whatever the records are for sacks, I'm sure he wants to get more than that."

So after meeting those two, it's really no surprise then that Michael Johnson showed up the way he did this past weekend. Talented, upbeat, soft-spoken, recharged after the draft day snub. Even Zimmer couldn't get him down when he groused early and often, "Your butt is mine."

"Yeah, yeah," Johnson says. "I don't mind that. I've played with coaches before that get in your face. I'm used to that. With him, it's not personal and he'll tell you that, and you know it's not personal. With some guys I've played for ... I never even worry about that. As long as you know everybody else is getting chewed. I want him to stay on me. Keep on keeping on me."

Johnson has embraced the part-time move to SAM linebacker even though the Bengals primarily see him as a pass rusher. But he sees it also as a way to disguise himself.

"I can see everything better; It helps me run to the ball," he says of standing up. "It's cool getting to play games with the offense and the mind of the quarterback. They don't know if you're coming or not. You can end up with one of those James Harrison plays in the Super Bowl. Those guys that can rush and drop. DeMarcus Ware. Jason Taylor. I watch those guys."

Dropping into pass coverage isn't totally to foreign to Johnson. He figures he did it 30 percent of the time at Tech, with the only difference in college he did it starting with his hand on the ground. At SAM he'll be starting from what he calls "depth."

"That's a great honor; I look forward to living up to all that," Johnson says of the names he's conjured up with his athleticism. "I know they're going to put me in a position to be successful. I just want to go out there and execute the defense to the best of my ability. I want to come in and be a part of it."

The Bengals and Johnson clicked from the moment they met back in January at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He drove the four hours from Atlanta to meet with them "and representatives from two other teams that I won't mention because they're irrelevant," he said, and the coaches were immediately taken with his demeanor and character.

It also seemed like fate. The day after the Bengals drafted Johnson, they cut Eric Henderson, another hybrid end/backer. It was Henderson that took Johnson under his wing at Tech.

Johnson can still remember that first summer when he showed up at school early to work out and Henderson threw a weighted vest at him before a run.

"It was like he was saying to me, 'This is how you're supposed to do it,' " Johnson says. "Then I started doing it on my own."

After a lot of help, he's on his own again

[ArmyBengal]

I liked the article and agree that he has some very strong parents that probably instilled a great work ethic, but what parent isn't going to say good things about their kid ??

I hope all these "I should have been a 1st rounder" guys get good and pissed off and then take out their anger upon Big Ben !!!

[membengal]

I was referring more to his parents' background and experiences growing up...

[Kazkal]

I hope all these "I should have been a 1st rounder" guys get good and pissed off and then take out their anger upon Big Ben !!! .

Ben> <Johnson

[whizzo]

talk about a "blind-side hit"

[DesperateDerelict]

I would love for Johnson to blossom into a double-digit sacks guy every year.

Unfortunately, it'll probably have to either be as a OLB on the bengals or a DE on some other team. That's due to the very regrettable fact that idiot-Mikey and boyhead friend Marvin still have Jay Hayes as a position coach. I've met the man, I've coached on his son's teams, and I can say with confidence that the man has no talent whatsoever as a communicator, motivator, or human being.

Look at EVERY DE Hayes has worked with...Jason Smith, Robert Geathers, Rucker, Fanene, etc, etc. Not only don't they ever reach their potential, but they all seem to get WORSE year after year. I see no reason to believe that Johnson can be coached up when nobody else can.

[Kazkal]

Jay hasn't had much to work with till recently and as he gets better tools the results seem better...I'm liking our Defensive tackles our ends do need improvement but once again the best End Hayes has had to work with is Justin smith who was a solid every down end & Geathers a passrush specialist who is forced in to starting because of his large contract.

[derekshank]

Geathers a passrush specialist who is forced in to starting because of his large contract.

Possibly the stupidest reason for someone to be forced into a starting position ever. I understand that they want their money's worth... but where are all those sacks he got prior to the big contract? Oh... He was fresh because he was used primarily in pass rushing downs that season.

If the Bengals want their money's worth from Geathers, it's time to stop using him as an every down DE. You will get the most production from him as a situational pass rusher - just like Johnson. If the Bengals were willing to use Rucker and Odom on rushing downs, and Geathers and Johnson on passing downs, I bet the sacks would double.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Geathers a passrush specialist who is forced in to starting because of his large contract.

Possibly the stupidest reason for someone to be forced into a starting position ever. I understand that they want their money's worth... but where are all those sacks he got prior to the big contract? Oh... He was fresh because he was used primarily in pass rushing downs that season.

If the Bengals want their money's worth from Geathers, it's time to stop using him as an every down DE. You will get the most production from him as a situational pass rusher - just like Johnson. If the Bengals were willing to use Rucker and Odom on rushing downs, and Geathers and Johnson on passing downs, I bet the sacks would double.

I completely agree with you there. Rucker needs to be starting games. He is easily our best DE against the run last season and the only question is how healthy he'll be over a full-season. If Johnson can play SLB and some snaps at DE, he's a two-for-one player and the Bengals will axe Fanene, who is vastly overpaid. I say rotate Johnson, Geathers at Odom at DE, while occasionally lining up Johnson at LB for a different look, and we'll easily have at least two players with 8-10 sacks next season.

[derekshank]

Geathers a passrush specialist who is forced in to starting because of his large contract.

Possibly the stupidest reason for someone to be forced into a starting position ever. I understand that they want their money's worth... but where are all those sacks he got prior to the big contract? Oh... He was fresh because he was used primarily in pass rushing downs that season.

If the Bengals want their money's worth from Geathers, it's time to stop using him as an every down DE. You will get the most production from him as a situational pass rusher - just like Johnson. If the Bengals were willing to use Rucker and Odom on rushing downs, and Geathers and Johnson on passing downs, I bet the sacks would double.

I completely agree with you there. Rucker needs to be starting games. He is easily our best DE against the run last season and the only question is how healthy he'll be over a full-season. If Johnson can play SLB and some snaps at DE, he's a two-for-one player and the Bengals will axe Fanene, who is vastly overpaid. I say rotate Johnson, Geathers at Odom at DE, while occasionally lining up Johnson at LB for a different look, and we'll easily have at least two players with 8-10 sacks next season.

Well... you've got more faith in Johnson than I do. I would like to see him be a one trick pony - at least this year. Send him out there in passing situations and say "Kill the QB." I could see him get close to 8 sacks this year doing that. We've already seen Geathers get in the double digits doing precisely that. Who knows? Those two players could get as many sacks as the entire team did last year.

Unfortunately the coaching staff won't use them that way - and while the pass rush will be improved, it is doubtful it will reach the potential of the talent on the field.

[HAPPYJAQ]

Geathers a passrush specialist who is forced in to starting because of his large contract.

Possibly the stupidest reason for someone to be forced into a starting position ever. I understand that they want their money's worth... but where are all those sacks he got prior to the big contract? Oh... He was fresh because he was used primarily in pass rushing downs that season.

If the Bengals want their money's worth from Geathers, it's time to stop using him as an every down DE. You will get the most production from him as a situational pass rusher - just like Johnson. If the Bengals were willing to use Rucker and Odom on rushing downs, and Geathers and Johnson on passing downs, I bet the sacks would double.

I completely agree with you there. Rucker needs to be starting games. He is easily our best DE against the run last season and the only question is how healthy he'll be over a full-season. If Johnson can play SLB and some snaps at DE, he's a two-for-one player and the Bengals will axe Fanene, who is vastly overpaid. I say rotate Johnson, Geathers at Odom at DE, while occasionally lining up Johnson at LB for a different look, and we'll easily have at least two players with 8-10 sacks next season.

Well... you've got more faith in Johnson than I do. I would like to see him be a one trick pony - at least this year. Send him out there in passing situations and say "Kill the QB." I could see him get close to 8 sacks this year doing that. We've already seen Geathers get in the double digits doing precisely that. Who knows? Those two players could get as many sacks as the entire team did last year.

Unfortunately the coaching staff won't use them that way - and while the pass rush will be improved, it is doubtful it will reach the potential of the talent on the field.

Sadly, I think this is going to be a battle between Rey and MJ to see who gives them the most while they're on the field at SLB, until Rey can beat out Dhani as the starting MLB. The Bengals have a lot of money invested in their starting DEs and we all know Mike has a lot of imput on who plays, when it comes right down to it.

Funny Marvin just tendered Jeanty at around 1.5 million, then immediately drafts two players he projects as at least part-time SLBs.

[themaninblack]

Great article.

I think the thing I like most about this draft class is that most of them have something to prove. Andre wants to prove his character concerns were overblown and that he can be a great LT, Sting Rey wants to prove he deserved to get drafted much higher and is the best LB in this class, MJ wants to prove he can be that great pass rusher and that he can be a consistent every down DE, Coffman wants to prove he's the best TE in this class and that he can be an effective blocker, Luigs wants to prove hes one of the best Centers in this class and that he can handle the big NTs of the AFCN, and Bernard Scott wants to show he can be a starter in this league and that he has matured as a person. I gotta say that I think thats a really great quality this class has as a group and I wouldn't be surprised to see most of these guys become starters during their time here.

[ArmyBengal]

Great article.

I think the thing I like most about this draft class is that most of them have something to prove. Andre wants to prove his character concerns were overblown and that he can be a great LT, Sting Rey wants to prove he deserved to get drafted much higher and is the best LB in this class, MJ wants to prove he can be that great pass rusher and that he can be a consistent every down DE, Coffman wants to prove he's the best TE in this class and that he can be an effective blocker, Luigs wants to prove hes one of the best Centers in this class and that he can handle the big NTs of the AFCN, and Bernard Scott wants to show he can be a starter in this league and that he has matured as a person. I gotta say that I think thats a really great quality this class has as a group and I wouldn't be surprised to see most of these guys become starters during their time here.

Heck, you can even add a couple of the undrafted players to that equation as well. I like having a bunch of guys that think feel they have something to prove !!!

[themaninblack]

Like this guy:

I think this is going to be amazing for us as far as Rey Maualuga is concerned. He's gonna be ready to bust some heads and its sure gonna be fun to watch us do that for a change.