APJim Johnson
Why is the loss of Jim Johnson being met with such sadness?
We have lost a masterful defensive football coach; everyone knows that. More important, we have lost a gem of a man who was adored and admired for his direct and refreshing manner. Having been around the Eagles for the past six months, the impact of Jim’s presence, and now his absence, resonates throughout the building.
In the rough and tumble world of coaching and its testosterone-laden machismo, Johnson had a presence that did not require that bravado. He was well respected and perhaps even loved by every employee and player I have talked to. It’s easy to see why.
The words that continue to be used to describe Jim are “a coach’s coach” and “a man’s man.” Others can go on about his coaching prowess; I witnessed it firsthand with the Packers over nine years as he frustrated our offensive game plans with his constant pressure. Beyond the coaching, it was his honesty, directness and care for other coaches, players and team employees that resounded throughout the office and community.
Too often in professional sports, coaches are like many friends and agents of players: They tell players what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. This enabling behavior may keep players happy for the moment but provides no lasting benefit. After talking to Eagles players, it’s clear that Johnson was not an enabler. He told players the direct and honest truth, pulling no punches about what they needed to hear.
Having been around him at the Eagles facility for a few months before he could no longer come to work, it was obvious Jim was hurting. However, he wanted no special treatment or assistance and no sympathy for what he was going through. I recall one day when I was near him as he lost his balance and was about to fall. I helped prop him up and assisted him back to his office. He apologized profusely and was genuinely sorry that I had to do that. He felt bad for me. Amazing.
Again, my time around Jim Johnson was brief compared to people who truly knew him. It didn’t take long, however, to realize the impact his presence had around the NovaCare facility in South Philadelphia.
As I continue to work on the Jeremy Maclin contract today for the Eagles, the passing of that elegant man in the office down the hall puts it all in perspective. Jim Johnson was an Eagle that truly soared.
APBrett Favre
Why did Brett Favre decide to stay retired?
That’s the Brett I know and love. Just when he and old friend Bus Cook, two smart men who play the role of unsophisticated country boys and are anything but, have the entire sporting public thinking Brett is coming back to play for the Vikings – whether for the money, because he can’t give it up, to spite the Packers, whatever – he does what no one expected and says he’s staying retired. The reason given is the physical and mental grind of the season, this after having avoided any potential grind from offseason workouts and mini-camps.
Brett is someone I have known for 10 years, and I’m still amazed by his ability to pull people back in just at the brink of pushing them away. Even with his enormous talents and accomplishments, there is insecurity in him that can make him both difficult and endearingly human at the same time.
The Wally Pipp factor was omnipresent with Brett. In Green Bay, he was well aware of how he got his job – an injury to Don Majkowski – and that was always in the back of his mind when a rising young player such as Matt Hasselbeck or Aaron Rodgers came along. And although he had limited relationships with teammates beyond a couple of close friends, he was a true friend to the “back room guys” at the Packers – the equipment managers, security officers, trainers and other assistants. He treated those people like gold.
We’ve been dealing with the “will he or won’t he” with Brett for the past decade. That’s part of the package. And it’s hard to believe that we’ve seen the end of it.
As I’ve written many times, I always had the impression that Brett wished he could do what Roger Clemens did in baseball -- stay “retired” until midseason and pick a team to join for the stretch run. He loves playing the games; he hates the meetings and the regimented minutiae of the season. Unfortunately for Brett, he lives in a sport that requires schematic design and repetition. It’s not like a pitcher walking to the mound to go one-on-one with a hitter. Clemens could do what he did, and had the leverage to do so. Favre does not -- or at least not yet. Stay tuned.
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Andrew, I predicted three months ago (see http://wienerlog.blogspot.com) that Favre might still make a comeback with the Packers. Suppose the Packers are having a great season, on track for the playoffs and maybe even the Superbowl. Then Rodgers goes down in the middle of the year with a season-ending injury. Flynn could fill in for a game or two, but he couldn't keep the Packers in contention.
Enter Favre to save the day! He knows the offense and the players, so he can step right in for the final few games and the playoffs. Sure he'd be a little rusty at first, but he'd also be fresh. He'd have the opportunity to lead the Packers to another Superbowl victory and regains his hero status in Green Bay. It would be the story-book ending he wants to his career.
What about the bad blood between Favre and Thompson? It would be in both their interests to paper it over in a very public reconciliation. I certainly don't see it as a barrier to the above scenario.
In reality this is a huge win for the Packers. Favre has royally screwed up the Vikings' season. And now the Packers have a Hall Of Fame quarterback waiting in the wings as a potential backup in case anything happens to Rodgers. While he waits, the Packers don't have to pay him a salary and he doesn't count against their roster limit. What's not to like?
Brett just wants a resolution to the Williams Bros legal and suspension issues before he commits
He knows it took Brett + Reggie to win a Super Bowl and his chances sans the Williams Wall are slim
If / When those guys are cleared, he will be back in the discussion again.
Sorry, I don't know why it double-posted my comment.
Andrew, please give me your take on this. I've felt since the day Bretts dad died he has been a very insecure guy. His dad kept him in line and guided him more than anyone else. I think Bus Cook is no more than the front man and has no idea what Brett is thinking. I really don't know if Brett knows either. Cook has done great things money wise for Favre but he needs to stay out of the media. Never miss you when you talk to the radio guys on weekday afternoons here in G-B
Well said, Andrew. Jim Johnson was not only a great coach, but a great man. I know that the hearts of, not only Philadelphia fans, but football fans nationwide, are with his family during this difficult time. He will be missed.
Daniel
So a guy stays out of camp and workouts. Has bad knees and sore ankles plus a suspect shoulder and he is going to be prepared to play after two weeks of Matt Flynn? And then you woke up, right?
Give it up. He's gone. He isn't Roger Clemons because you can't take steroids in the NFL and get away with it.
What will be mind boggling is if he keeps playing with that high school team beyond this week. What he ought to do is be a volunteer coach for the season for them
Favre isn't coming back to the Packers. I don't care who gets hurt. That's fantasy.
And I don't think I could visit the wiener blog. Rename it the bratwurst blog and I'm in, though...with kraut.
Hey Jack. How many superbowl rings do you have? and how many have you played in?
Mack,
By October Favre's knees and ankles and shoulder will probably be fine. He's going to be sitting around watching games on TV and again fidgeting and wanting to play. If Rodgers happens to suffer a major injury, I think it's a slam dunk that Favre will be back as the Packers' quarterback.
Will he be rusty at first? Of course. But given a choice between a savvy, experienced Favre and a still-very-green and untested Flynn, it's a no-brainer. Favre knows all the plays and terminology, he knows where Driver and Jennings will be and how they'll adjust their routes, he can still fake the handoff and audible and rifle the slant pass,etc. The fans would demand Favre's return, and Thompson and McCarthy would jump at the opportunity to salvage the season.
Am I hoping it happens? Nope. I much prefer that Rodgers stays healthy and has a great year. I also hope that Flynn keeps improving and develops into at least a serviceable backup. But I like having Favre out there as a fallback option. And I'll stand by my prediction that he'll be back in Green Bay if Rodgers goes down for more than a handful of games.
Having never met Jim Johnson, I could only contribute the words others who did know him have offered, and I've never heard a negative word. I can, however, speak to the fact the man knew his craft like no other. Teams knew he was going to bring the house on almost every play, yet there was precious little they could do to stop it. Some succeeded in slowing down his teams, but there weren't many games where his players got manhandled. They went to battle for the man. My sincerest condolences to JJ's family and friends.
"As I’ve written many times, I always had the impression that Brett wished he could do what Roger Clemens did in baseball"
...enjoy an extraordinarily unusual late career rebound after starting to use PED's?
dlukoski, why do you ask? Did you want to make an ad hominem attack to refute my on topic criticism?
Daniel,
I just can't agree with you there. The Packers would bring me into QB before Brett Favre...too much bad blood between Favre & Thompson. I doubt there is any chance for any public reconciliation - I could see Thompson being more open to it than Favre but the probability of that happening is astronomical
"He loves playing the games; he hates the meetings and the regimented minutiae of the season." (Andrew B. wrote)
Exactly.
That's one reason why he makes silly errors based on lack of judgment and/or under preparation in knowing the schemes of other defenses -- a major example of which was the OT INT vs. the Giants in the 2007 NFC Champ. game when Favre threw into triple coverage.
In total, and as a previous commenter mentioned, Brett doesn't win big games any more because he's not prepared, ala Andrew's comment above.
"...and I’m still amazed by his ability to pull people back in just at the brink of pushing them away."
Not sure who you're referring to, Andrew, but I can speak for myself and everyone else I personally know from Wisconsin...we've had it with Brett. Anything short of the far-fetched scenario proposed by Daniel is not going to bring me back in to loving him again. His not signing with the Vikings only meant that I gave my Favre jersey to Goodwill rather than burning it and putting the video footage on youtube. The guy and his antics lost me long ago.
Ron - I don't think you know many people from Wisconsin then. Including myslef, a native & current resident.
Brett Favre's behavior is a cypher, and his inability to see through his emotions to make a clear, calm decision about his future is baffling, and frustrating. But anyone who's been a packer fan for Favre's entire career -- and ESPECIALLY those that suffered through what came before him, the Forest Gregg years, with all the rape charges, etc -- and cannot appreciate and cherish what he has done for our team, despite all the off-field crap ... they are an ingrate.
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Jul 29, 2009
02:28 PM
"He loves playing the games; he hates the meetings and the regimented minutiae of the season."
Which helps explain why he choked so consistently in the playoffs.