Jim Johnson Was One of the Good Guys

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for NFLSportChannel.com

Published: July 29, 2009

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... who passed away to melanoma around 5:45 this afternoon.

But perhaps Coach Reid forgot Johnson's greatest trait. The one that made him stand-out from every other defensive coordinator—fearlessness.

Jim Johnson was the most fearless football coach I've ever had the privilege to watch.

I think one game tells his story best. It was a game that Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Didinger reminded me of earlier this afternoon. A 2007 Sunday night loss to New England, one of the league's great offensive powerhouses.

For the entire season, teams played New England scared. They didn't blitz. They played a cautious, lazy defense.

But Johnson came in with his fearless approach, blitzing nearly every play. And it worked; Brady felt the pressure. The Eagles defense gave them a chance to pull the upset of the year.

It didn't turn out that way though, with troubles offensively. The Eagles lost 31-28. But Johnson's defense was of no fault.

Thoug...

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