Andy Reid has an update on Jim Johnson

[WoodysGirl]

June 11, 2009 5:38 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

The most important thing from Andy Reid's news conference Thursday was his update on defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's health. For the first time, Reid alluded to the fact that Johnson might not be available for the start of the season.

"Some days are good days, and some days are not-so-good days," Reid said. "He's receiving pretty intense chemotherapy. There are just some days that stuff gets you, and there are other days that he feels pretty good. I have a chance to talk to him about every day. He's a battler."
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Reid also talked about how secondary coach Sean McDermott's experience with Johnson should serve him well as he takes on the interim role as defensive coordinator.

"If that's how it is in the fall, then at least [McDermott] had a little bit of exposure to it," Reid said, voicing for the first time the possibility that his young assistant might have to start the season as defensive coordinator. "If Jim comes back, I think Sean's even better for (the experience)."
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[Longboysfan]

Does not sound good.

 

[theebs]

Does not sound good.

I hope he gets better.

Even if he doesnt, that defense is still going to be good.

 

[Bluefin]

Does not sound good.

Cancer is not a good thing and Chemo is pure torture on your body to attempt to get rid of it.

I hate the Eagles, but wish Jim Johnson all the best in this fight.

 

[RCowboyFan]

I will be glad when Jim Johnson is not coaching anymore, but I hope it is due to him getting ready to retire and not because of health.

Having said that, I hope he comes back and if Cowboys beat Eagles, want no excuses from Eagles that if Jim Johnson was there, Eagles would have beaten cobwoys.

 

[JoeyBones31]

Cancer is not a good thing and Chemo is pure torture on your body to attempt to get rid of it.

I hate the Eagles, but wish Jim Johnson all the best in this fight.

The cure is worst than the actual disease, with that said, this guy ( Jim Johnson) is arguably the best D coordinator in the business, and I wish him well. Without him guiding that defense, they'll struggle with aggressive play as has been their staple for a long time.

Brian Dawkins will be missed and they( Eagles) can sugar coat it anyway they chose to, but those two losses on the defensive side of the ball will hurt them in more ways than they think.

God speed Jim, get well soon. As far as the dreaded Eagles go......Die a quick and painful death ASAP. :laugh2:

 

[Apollo Creed]

I hope he gets better.

Even if he doesnt, that defense is still going to be good.

I always thought that his timing was always incredible, especially when he dials up that myriad of blitz schemes that we never seem to be prepared for.

If he's not calling their plays there will be a slight drop off. But you're right, they are going to be a solid D regardless.

 

[burmafrd]

Johnson is a great DC and without him the eagles D will drop off more then slightly. Don't anyone kid yourselfs about that. They will still be very good but his knack for calling blitzes is something that is just not transferable to anyone else.

Chemo is horrendous. I have family that went through it and its every bit as bad as portrayed. They do have anti nausea drugs now but its still nasty.
It drains you of all your energy and lasts for months after its over. The eagles are out to lunch if they think he can be back to anything like normal this year. Maybe by december possibly- but even if the chemo ends in the next month or so the effects will linger for several more. He probably will not even be able to coach at games until october at the earliest= at least not in any substantial way.

 

[Bleu Star]

Man... That sucks. I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Johnson is a great DC and without him the eagles D will drop off more then slightly. Don't anyone kid yourselfs about that. They will still be very good but his knack for calling blitzes is something that is just not transferable to anyone else.

I agree with that. It's happened too many times that even the experienced assistant who runs the exact same system gets far worse results than the proven old vet did.

Combine that with the loss of Dawkins and I bet they do fall off some.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I agree with that. It's happened too many times that even the experienced assistant who runs the exact same system gets far worse results than the proven old vet did.

Combine that with the loss of Dawkins and I bet they do fall off some.

What kinda drop off do you expect from the G-Men with Spags gone?

They added Canty, Rocky Bernard, and Michael Boley. And dont forget Osi getting healthy.

They lost Renaldo Wynn, James Butler, Sammy Knight, and Sam Madison.

I think they will be vulnerable through the air, but I have a lot of faith in Coughlin in keeping the system in place.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I will be glad when Jim Johnson is not coaching anymore, but I hope it is due to him getting ready to retire and not because of health.

^^^This^^^

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What kinda drop off do you expect from the G-Men with Spags gone?

They added Canty, Rocky Bernard, and Michael Boley. And dont forget Osi getting healthy.

They lost Renaldo Wynn, James Butler, Sammy Knight, and Sam Madison.

I think they will be vulnerable through the air, but I have a lot of faith in Coughlin in keeping the system in place.

I don't think they will suffer as much because, frankly, I think they have better players. A really great D-line can cover up a lot.

But even there, they probably will suffer some. Especially with a team that blitzes a lot, there's just a knack for calling the right defense at the right time, and few people have that. Spags is young, but he might be one that has it. (Although for some reason I don't see him being a great success in St. Louis.)

 

[burmafrd]

you would think someone who claims to be a fan would really know from the Boys experience alone how much coaching can make a difference.....

 

[5Stars]

Good luck, Coach...