A chat with the Rams' Todd Johnson
09/07/2007
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As a sports writer, you can never tell what kind of attitude athletes are going to have when you sit down to interview them. Some interviews are routine and uneventful, while others are tense and uneasy. But when you get an athlete who just enjoys talking sports, it makes your job a hell of a lot easier and it reminds you why you got into the business.
I definitely had an experience like that when I recently interviewed Todd Johnson, former Florida Gator and current St. Louis Rams special teams ace and safety. There aren’t too many athletes out there who are as respectful and humble as Johnson, and it was a pleasure to sit down and talk with him for almost a half hour. In an era where a lot of athletes are all about individual accomplishments, it was nice to talk to a guy who loves sports as much as the next guy.
Among other topics, I asked Todd about playing in Super Bowl XLI with the Chicago Bears last year, who he thinks will be the Rams’ offensive and defensive MVPs this season, as well as his thoughts on if the Gators can repeat as national champs. He also enlightened me on which NFL player is the toughest to bring down (no surprise), as well as which Ram is flying under the radar and is set to have a breakout year (this one will surprise you).
Bullz-Eye: Todd, first and foremost I just wanted to thank you for sitting down to chat with us.
Todd Johnson: Not a problem.
BE: Well, my first question would have to be about the Super Bowl. If you could just talk about the experience you had down there with the Bears, you know, what was it like with that being your first time?
TJ: Yeah, it was my first time and it’s obviously something hard to put into words. You know, it’s no holds bar, no expense held back – they do everything first class and top of the line. It’s just two weeks of hype building up to the game and just an overall thrill. It was a dream come true for me with it being just three hours away from my hometown (Sarasota, Florida) and my family was able to come and take part in it with me. So, you know, it was something real special.
BE: What was the atmosphere like for you and your teammates? Because, you know, you hear about some teams coming out of the big game and they admit that the hype sucked them in. Did that happen to you guys or did everyone remain focused?
TJ: Nah, I think everybody was focused. You know, we did enjoy it leading up to the game, but then you realize that you don’t get into that situation very often and you have to take advantage of it. Once we got into our game plan and regular practice we took it pretty much like we did every game.
off to a fast start in the Super Bowl.
BE: And then what’s going through your mind when Devin Hester takes that opening kick back for a touchdown?
TJ: Yeah, I mean it was the right way to start it. He’s a special player and it was a great way to start the Super Bowl. I just wish we could have finished a little better.
BE: It had to be absolutely wild though, nonetheless.
TJ: Yeah, it was definitely exciting. The thing about the Super Bowl is, like I said, everything leading up to it is so big. There are so many different media people from all around the world. You’ve got people interviewing you that don’t even speak your language. There was just so much hype building up to it. But once you got into the game, it was truly just reacting and playing football like it’s any other game.
BE: Now I know you visited with the Dolphins this offseason and you’re from Florida, so what sold you on the Rams? Was it the recruiting part of it or the opportunity to play under (defensive coordinator) Jim Haslett?
TJ: It was really a little bit of everything. I was kind of looking at their season last year, seeing how close they were to getting into the playoffs and having a really successful season…and you know, seeing some of the changes that they were making during the offseason and the direction they were heading in…it just seemed like a really good fit as far as what they do on special teams and as far as what they do defensively, as well as what they have in the defensive backfield.
BE: I understand that reaching the Super Bowl is always an expectation heading into every season, but what else is in store for the Rams this year? What can we expect?
TJ: (The expectation is) always (the) Super Bowl, but you know, we truly believe with the weapons we have on offense, you know, with Torry Holt and Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson and getting Drew Bennett – we truly believe with all these weapons that we have a legitimate shot to win it all. If we can prove it a little on defense and special teams and just make some corrections, we got a legitimate shot as long as we stay healthy. But we’re definitely excited about it.
again for the Rams.
BE: Well, give me your offensive and defensive MVP’s for the Rams this year.
TJ: (thinks) Um, probably Steven Jackson if you had to look at it, because of the amount of touches he’ll get and with how productive he was last year. You got to think that he’s going to be a huge part of our offense again. Defensively, you probably have to go with one of the linebackers, either Will Witherspoon or Pisa (Tinoisamoa) since they’ll be involved in a lot of blitzes. They just seem to have a nose for the ball and are always making plays, so one of those guys.
BE: What do you think of Tye Hill? I think he’s set for a big year at corner.
TJ: Yeah he is, man. I’ve been really impressed with his skills since I’ve gotten here. He competes for every ball and knows how to cover. He’s a pretty good lockdown corner.
BE: I was impressed last year with his speed coming out of college and I think if he can put it all together, this could be his breakout year.
TJ: Yeah, he’s had a great preseason and I kind of agree with you – I’m expecting big things.
BE: Who’s another guy that we should keep an eye on this year who’s sort of flying under the radar?
TJ: (thinks) The one guy that I’ve been super impressed with and sort of surprised by – who is actually suspended for the first four games (for violating the league’s substance abuse policy) – is (cornerback) Fakhir Brown. Man, the guy is just good. I don’t know, he’s quick, he’s fast, and he just has a nose for the ball. He really knows this defense…he’s been in it for four or five years, so he knows what’s going to happen with each defensive call. He just makes plays and I expect big things from him.
BE: Well, it appears that if you guys can get a lift from the secondary, you’ll have a phenomenal chance this year.
TJ: Yeah, that’s kind of the way we feel about it. We’re confident in that we can get it done.
BE: What’s your transition been like from Chicago to St. Louis both on and off the field?
TJ: You know what, I’ve been very lucky. A former roommate of mine from the University of Florida (Aaron Walker), who was actually my first roommate there – we came from the same recruiting class and I was roommates with him every year except one – he actually played tight end for the Rams, so he’s been here and was able to show me around and just get me introduced to the team and the city. So that made the transition a lot easier and a lot smoother. And then actually, another roommate of mine – Brock Berlin, a quarterback that also played (collegiately) in Florida at Miami – (the Rams) signed him shortly after they signed me. So he’s been here too and it’s been a real easy transition.
BE: Good! And talk a little bit about the transition you had to make from a Lovie Smith/Ron Rivera defense to a Jim Haslett defense. Because, you know, you played in a Cover 2 or “Tampa 2” defense in Chicago and now you’re playing something almost completely different under Haslett.
TJ: Right. It’s been a little bit tougher defensively just because the “Tampa 2” is one of the simplest or less complicated defenses in the league. And then to go to this defense that’s a lot more involved and a lot more terminology to get down. But it’s been going good, you know. With all the offseason and preseason work, it’s given me a good chance to feel comfortable heading into the season.
BE: I saw that you had six tackles against Kansas City in your final preseason game. Are you going to see some dime and nickel packages outside of your special teams responsibilities?
TJ: I don’t really know. I’ve always said that if you’re on an NFL roster you’ve got to be ready to play, because it’s just such a long and physical season. And when you’re 200 or 210 pounds running into 250-pound backs or 300-pound linemen, you’re bound to get dinged up or sore, or unable to play a snap here or there. So you’ve definitely got to be ready to play and realize you’re going to be in the game sooner probably rather than later.
BE: Yeah, that’s true. You see injuries constantly, especially with the way the current players are bigger and faster nowadays.
TJ: Right.
Tomlinson.
BE: Well, since you brought up bringing down 250-pound running backs and whatnot, who is the toughest NFL player to bring down in your opinion?
TJ: (Pauses) Well, LaDainian (Tomlinson) is probably the toughest – he’s got it all. You know, he’s got the speed, he’s got the quickness, he’s got the power and when you get a combination like that, that’s not fun to see him coming at you.
BE: I can only imagine.
TJ: Yeah, but probably the most physical guy I ever had to take down was Jerome Bettis.
BE: (laughs) Really?
TJ: He was just so big, man. He’s got good feet and I don’t know – he’s just so physical.
BE: Well, even though he’s all about bad press nowadays, you guys played the Falcons last year. Did you get on the field against Michael Vick?
TJ: Did we play Atlanta last year? I thought that was two years ago.
BE: It was a Sunday night game and it was absolutely freezing in Chicago.
TJ: Yeah, I thought that was two years ago? Was it last year?
BE: Yeah, I was there and I froze my ass off.
(Editors note: Todd was right, it was two years ago. Anthony must have frozen some brain cells while watching the game.)
TJ: Okay, yeah, it was like ten below?
BE: (shuttering just thinking about it) Oh yeah – it was nasty!
TJ: (sounding almost disappointed) Yeah, I didn’t get a chance to get a hold of Vick, but I remember (Brian) Urlacher running him down a time or two.
BE: Okay, well, what about the hardest hitter you’ve seen? You played with some pretty nasty defenses in Chicago, so maybe it was one of your former teammates or somebody else in the league….
TJ: Yeah, I know I’ll be kind of a homer on this one, but Urlacher was just so big and fast and explosive that when he hit people, you could really tell that it was him and not anyone else. He was just so powerful when he hit running backs….
BE: Not that I would know, but I’m not going to argue with you.
TJ: Yeah, he’s a different animal.
Johnson's book.
BE: I don’t get it, it seems like there are some pundits every year that call him overrated or say his play is overrated. Can you explain to me what I’m missing, because the guy looks phenomenal to me?
TJ: You can’t. It’s just somebody looking to create something to talk about. Anyone who watches film and sees what he does…all you have to do is put on that Arizona game from last year and see that he’s one of the best defensive players in the league.
BE: Definitely. Well, you said you were a Florida guy – what do you think about the Gators’ chances this year to repeat? And don’t be a homer!
TJ: I’m not going to be a homer, but I truly think we’ve got a legitimate shot. Obviously we have one of the toughest schedules in the country, but with the weapons they have on offense this year, man….
BE: What do you think about (quarterback) Tim Tebow?
TJ: I think he’s perfect for this offense, as long as he learns to not try and run over every 300-pound defensive lineman that he faces. I think he’s going to have a great year.
BE: (laughs) Right!
TJ: You know, I think it’s going to be a lot harder this year with the target that’s on their back, but going to Florida and being a Gator, you’re used to that anyway.
BE: What’s the key to another championship?
TJ: Staying healthy and winning the couple road games (that are) going to be tough.
BE: Yeah, they got LSU and Georgia on the road and although it’s at home, you can never tell what Tennessee might do with Fulmer at the helm.
TJ: Yeah, right.
BE: Plus with the way Michigan got knocked off by Appalachian State, you just never know.
TJ: Yeah, I know, that was crazy, man!
BE: I was actually there, it was nuts.
TJ: Were you really?
BE: Yeah. Honestly Todd, I was waiting for people to jump off the back row of the stadium.
TJ: (laughs) Yeah, I bet.
BE: Well, I’ve got one more question for you and this is kind of a light one – where in the world did you get the nickname T-Low?
TJ: (laughs) You know what, a coach named me that when I was in the ninth grade just because I was quiet and didn’t say too much. It just kind of stuck with me throughout high school and then when I got to college, I had people from Sarasota come up to Gainesville and it just kind of caught on. Even my family calls me that now.
BE: Nice! Well Todd, I really appreciate you sitting down and spending so much time with us. I wish you a ton of luck and I’m looking forward to watching you this year.
TJ: All right Anthony, I appreciate it bud. Take care.
Questions or comments? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.