Chiefs Beat Chargers: Derrick Johnson Earns His Starting Job
Before last night, the last time we saw LB Derrick Johnson on the field in a regular season game he was scoring two touchdowns off of interception returns against the Denver Broncos in the Kansas City Chiefs blowout win in week 17 of the 2009 season.
That, along with his solid offseason, earned him the starting nod over Demorrio Williams after one of the most intense position battles of training camp.
On Monday night, and into Tuesday morning, DJ demonstrated why Todd Haley made the correct choice starting him. He led the team in tackles with 12 and generally seemed to have Tamba Hali-like energy consistently being around the ball.
All that was nice but it was one play that made the difference in the game.
San Diego Chargers RB Ryan Mathews took a handoff up the middle and broke into the secondary causing some people -- like me -- to think, "Here we go again..."
"He kinda slipped out on us and broke for about a 30-yard run," DJ said, "and I had to do something to help the defense out."
That something was ripping the ball out of Mathews' hands to have it recovered and returned near the Chiefs goal line by CB Brandon Carr.
"it was a good play. A great play."
Indeed, it was a great play -- and a huge one for the Chiefs momentum. Matt Cassel and the Chiefs offense would go on to punch it in from 12 yards out giving the Chiefs a seven-point lead they wouldn't relinquish.
And you can tell DJ has bought into the team concept the Chiefs are preaching because he credited the strong effort from the defensive line. "They did a great job. I told them the whole time they gotta help me out because when they make plays that's when they do good. My hats off to them."
You root for guys like DJ because you know he busted his you-know-what to be in the position he's in. There may not be a Chief who has had to go up against more than DJ. It seemed that the cards were stacked against him from the get-go but he was, for the most part, positive about his role on the team. He never stopped looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and he rewarded Haley for making the right decision.
Listening to him over the last year, you always heard him say his goal was to start. That was always the goal and he never took his eyes off of it.
You think DJ keeps his starting job next week?
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He was awesome. I only counted one missed tackle on Gates' pass completion.
Otherwise, he was in hot pursuit and playing smart football. Awesome start to the season.
by SupremeChief on Sep 14, 2010 11:03 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
yeah, and he was slip-sliding around on that play
He was having a hard time staying with Gates as he shifted around… then he just couldn’t get his hands on him.
I can’t get too down on DJ for that one – he was stellar just about everywhere else.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
also gates attributed to him missing.
give him some credit too :)
Other Arenas wish they could be like Arrowhead Stadium and when rivals think they are going to be fine on an island of Flowers, they will get hit by what feels like a Carr. Ultimately, they will never be able to eat a Berry ever again.
by worc on Sep 14, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely
Gates is like Gonz – even when you know it’s going to him, he’s hard to stop. You can only hope to contain him.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Did you see the play
where gates was lined up in the slot and the Chiefs had him triple teamed off the line?
Yes... there were almost always 2 guys on him
I remember the commentators calling it out – “look at the 3 guys on Gates”
I can’t remember who it was… probably McGraw, Vrabel and someone else. I don’t know if they all stuck on him when the snap came, I think 1 of them peeled off. But still – we were certainly giving him a hard time.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately...
one of those triple-coverages led to one of the easiest TDs you’ll ever see in the NFL.
I think
That was more blown coverage by Berry (he bought a fake by Rivers) than a planned triple team.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Oh, I agree...
I was just sayin’.
I don’t even know that the last triple-coverage was planned, in that if the receiver hadn’t slipped, it very well could have been a TD.
They definitely have some things to clean up, but it’s a lot more fun cleaning up things after a win, rather than after a loss.
by Tarkus on Sep 14, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
DJ had a good game, no doubt.
The big question is…can he (or will he) do it consistantly? What a difference that could make in our season, if he does.
10 + wins in 2010. Chiefs SHOCK the NFL!!! Mark it down.
he definitely starts next week ... anything even close to resembling last night's game and he's a lock to start til at least mid-year
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Come back, Jason!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Agreed
He was finally using that athleticism to get where he was supposed to be faster than everyone else, rather than just trying to freelance.
Him and Belcher both played well, which, as DJ himself said, was aided a great deal by our D-line (especially Dorsey) playing well above expectations.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
by MNchiefsfan on Sep 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes he was
He keeps that up and we’re looking at a borderline Pro Bowl season from him.
Man, I love making predictions way earlier than I should!
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Belcher was quietly very good as well
Gotta prove it again next week tho….
Yep
I wonder how much of a letdown it’s going to be going into play one of the worst teams in the league. Hopefully these guys still have a good memory of what happened last year.
Predictions:
This year will be better
I say Belcher relaying the plays
to the defensive unit several times last night. Always good to see a guy like him in there.
The picture is a Chiefs pumpkin, yeah that is right a Chiefs pumpkin.
by jrcnc on Sep 14, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
A few more years in this system
and I think we found a defensive captain. Real remarkable that an UDFA in his sophmore campaign is calling the plays in the huddle
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
and you know
Vrabel and all the guys that have been drafted and played for years have to love seeing something like that happening along side them!
The picture is a Chiefs pumpkin, yeah that is right a Chiefs pumpkin.
Yeah
When he jerked the ref out of his way!! I was like omg Belcher is for real haha
"One of the teams asked me a running back question," McCluster said. "They said when you have the ball, do you focus on the guy who's in front of you or the next guy.
"I told them 99% of the time, I'm going to make that first guy miss. Then, I'm onto the next."
by Matt_Grbac on Sep 14, 2010 11:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
For the first time in awhile...
Shuffle’s tagline makes perfect sense right now :) Denver game ’09, SD game ’10…
If we’re having this conversation again, regularly, in the next 3-5 weeks it’ll be time to hammer that extention out.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 14, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
by KansasCityShuffle
Real remarkable ; just the details !
by 65tosspowertrap on Sep 14, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Some good hits...
that collision with Tolbert around the line of scrimmage was pretty hard-core – Belcher couldn’t wrap him up but he sure stopped his momentum.
I’m liking this Belcher/DJ combo.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
belcher:
He popped that fat little toad Tolbert in the fourth quarter and cooled his chilli. Guy was prancing around and flexing after a big 1st down and the next play – he gets to the line and BOOM his head whips back and he’s down. And that was it
by tenacious rdc on Sep 14, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
But he has to lose that kneck pad.
He looks downright goofy with that billboard flapping around behind his head. A good old-fashioned kneck roll would look better; makes players look bigger and meaner.
by Chiefs4Life on Sep 14, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Or a NECK pad...
J/K C4L, had to be done. But yeah, I often wonder why he wears that. Is it really doing anything more for him? If it was, you’d think everyone would be sporting those things…
2010 Chiefs are on the rise. This is the most excited I've been since 'Nam...
by kcchiefsfan72 on Sep 14, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow..
Over the past couple of years, it has been so frustrating watching the Chiefs defense. Last night had the energy and feeling of the old Chiefs dominating defense. We are faster, stronger and for the first time in a long time we can finally tackle the guy with the ball.
“CHIEFS WILL”
"Oh I'm Sorry I Thought This Was AMERICA"
by porkchop_sandwiches on Sep 14, 2010 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
DJ tore it up
Like SupremeChief said – he only missed one tackle, and the entire night he was flying around the ball laying the wood. This defense needs DJ and I think Romeo understands that. I didn’t see DeMorrio hit the field the entire game (not saying he wasn’t in – just didn’t see him). You gotta keep DJ & Tamba on the field at all times. You just gotta.
D.J. #56 - Pay The Man & Play The Man
by KansasCityShuffle on Sep 14, 2010 11:13 AM CDT reply actions
Remember the "team sack"?
Demorrio was in on that…
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Sep 14, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Just like the sig says...
Pay the man, play the man
I'd rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave
by ArrowDread on Sep 14, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Any news on Tyson Jackson.
I’m hoping that he only pulled a hammy, and that he doesn’t have some tear in his knee.
Go Chiefs!!!!
looked like a knee to me - but I don't think it was a tear.
I’m hoping it’s just a sprain or strain – he did seem to be walking off ok, not really limping badly.
I don’t think it was a tear, when you’re that big you don’t just walk off with a torn ligament or tendon.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Herm?
“He’s got a knee”
Yeah, Herm, we know. He actually has two knees. But what is the nature of the injury?
lol, sorry Ocho, not picking on you, but the second I started wondering what happened to T-Jax, I couldn’t help but thinking about Herm’s injury statements.
...And as the roar of 80,000 red-clad great plains warriors fills the hallowed halls of Arrowhead, it will strike fear into the hearts of lesser men. For on that field, individual men toil for something greater than individual honors. They toil as brothers-in-arms, as 53 spirits striving towards a single purpose and driven by a single goal: The glory that comes with vanquishing your foes. They will achieve their birthright, they will be champions.
by Sudden on Sep 14, 2010 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
hahahah
That’s perfect! And that’s exactly what Herm would say.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
No news yet.
From what I saw and the fact that he was bearing weight, I’d say a light to moderate MCL sprain. Depending on the severity… It looked like the 4 week variety.
I've been rapping for about seveteen years okay? I don't write my stuff anymore I just kick it from my head you know what I'm sayin? I can do that. No disrespect but that's how I am.
Did you sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night, Doctor Soybon?
Just messing w’ ya ;)
Predictions:
This year will be better
Several players on D looked sharp
Flowers – in the early part of the game, he was amazing. Great open field tackles, great coverage. He seemed like he was showing up on every play.
Dorsey – saw him in the backfield several times and even logged 1/2 a sack. Another guy that just seemed to always be around the ball. This was probably the most impressive game I’ve seen by Dorsey – I can’t think of another that compares.
Carr – holy shit! Carr seemed to be up on his game. He did a great job on Floyd for the most part. He had some perfect pass break-ups (no Pass Interference thank you). The fumble recovery and return… he just had a great game.
I haven’t heard anything – does anybody know if Jackson’s knee is ok? I haven’t seen or heard a thing about it. I don’t recall seeing him come back in the game after he went down.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I didn't see him come back either...
watching the replay he did the splits, and looked like it might be a hamstring pull… (at least that is what I’m crossing my fingers for.
Go Chiefs!!!!
Here's a surprise...
T-Jax played well enough that we’re worried about his injury.
A few days ago people would’ve likely been saying, “well, at least this let’s us give Gilberry a chance.”
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
by MNchiefsfan on Sep 14, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Glad Gilberry is serviceable
It’s a good thing this happened at a spot where we have a decent backup. I don’t think he’s out for long if at all – but it was scary to see him go down. He did seem like he was stepping it up.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Dare I say it...
but there were a couple of plays where T-Jax looked like he was getting downright NASTY. The Predator (T-Jax) and the Swamp Thang (Dorsey) played that game amped and looked like they got a healthy dose of NASTINESS in them. Damn I loved seeing that.
...And as the roar of 80,000 red-clad great plains warriors fills the hallowed halls of Arrowhead, it will strike fear into the hearts of lesser men. For on that field, individual men toil for something greater than individual honors. They toil as brothers-in-arms, as 53 spirits striving towards a single purpose and driven by a single goal: The glory that comes with vanquishing your foes. They will achieve their birthright, they will be champions.
by Sudden on Sep 14, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Oh yeah
Very impressed with Dorsey! He was banging around all over the place. He was diving and grabbing and crawling….dude was a beast!
Showing his true draft position!
"One of the teams asked me a running back question," McCluster said. "They said when you have the ball, do you focus on the guy who's in front of you or the next guy.
"I told them 99% of the time, I'm going to make that first guy miss. Then, I'm onto the next."
by Matt_Grbac on Sep 14, 2010 11:27 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Nice, and rec'd at the thought...
of having two beasts on the front line…
TJax

Dorsey

2010 Chiefs are on the rise. This is the most excited I've been since 'Nam...
by kcchiefsfan72 on Sep 14, 2010 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Funny that you say that....
I’ve never been impressed with Gillberry… (besides on known passing downs). Running plays he is absolutely putrid.
Go Chiefs!!!!
yeah, the splits were awkward
but when he went down he was grabbing his knee, not the back of his leg (which would seem more like a hammy).
I’ve got my money on a sprain – MCL maybe. I don’t think it’s that bad either, he seemed to walk off ok. Maybe we lose him for a week or three, but we might just get lucky.
by Ochophosphate on Sep 14, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
When you watch the tape,
you see that someone landed on his lower leg while he was in that splits. You can actually see the knee abduct slightly. This points to MCL.
I've been rapping for about seveteen years okay? I don't write my stuff anymore I just kick it from my head you know what I'm sayin? I can do that. No disrespect but that's how I am.
Joel mentioned after the game
That jackson was standing outside his locker. Doesn’t sound like the way the team (or he) would treat a serious injury.
I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
Looks like
Gales may get an early call up if Tyson is out.
"One of the teams asked me a running back question," McCluster said. "They said when you have the ball, do you focus on the guy who's in front of you or the next guy.
"I told them 99% of the time, I'm going to make that first guy miss. Then, I'm onto the next."
by Matt_Grbac on Sep 14, 2010 11:25 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
LOL @ matt_gales
Your mancrush is severe, my friend :D
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 14, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I wont say I told you so about DJ lol
It was nice to see the guy i have been raving about for the past month produce on the field and produce in a big way. Step #1 for me was to see DJ play consistently throughout the course of a game. He accomplished that and more last nite. Step #2 is to see him put back to back weeks of high performance together. If he does that, he’ll make my fantasy squad as a starting LB :).
Also, I know the team and fans are high on this win but we gotta be ready for the Browns. This year is all about revenge for me, and hopefully it is for the team as well. The Browns ran all over us on offense and special teams last year. I want the Chiefs to go in there and beat a team we are "supposed" to beat. Not only do I want to beat them but I want to dominate them. I want the D to give up less than 14 and the offense to execute better. This weeks game will prove a lot to me and is a needed test. If we can beat a good team and a bad team on back to back weeks, the Chiefs may be ready to compete.
by Larryemcdaniel on Sep 14, 2010 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm very pleased that DJ played like this
He was the guy we thought we were getting when he was drafted. Again, in the past DJ has had big games like this and then disappeared, but I suspect that this isn’t going to happen this time around. This whole defense looks different, with the exception of a couple of breakdowns in the secondary. This was a big game for DJ and the entire D.
I didn’t hear his comments about the D line, but that may be the best sign of all. I’m really up about this team, especially the D. I’ve been really down on DJ, especially over the last couple of seasons, but I couldn’t be happier to see him play well and looking forward to seeing more of the same.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. ~ Groucho Marx
New DJ plays > Old DJ Plays
The guy even made solid tackles in terrible weather. Kudos to the guy.
by Larryemcdaniel on Sep 14, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Poor Demorrio...
Anyone else notice that he was the last player out of the tunnel when the team was announced… and he was about 10-15 yards behind the rest of the team?
"Reach for new elevation; and see just how high we can go. Full blown determination; will take us further than we know. My own anticipation; keeps the fire from burning out, It's time for domination... no one can ever take us down" - Pillar - "For the Love of the Game"
by Red N Gold Beast on Sep 14, 2010 11:40 AM CDT reply actions
maybe he had to run back to the bathroom real fast!
I saw him get pretty pumped up after a tackle behind the line though.
The picture is a Chiefs pumpkin, yeah that is right a Chiefs pumpkin.
Did anyone else notice
on that last 4th down play when we took the timeout to set up our defense. Vrabel went over to the sidelines to talk to the coaches and who else, even tho he wasnt in the game at that time, walked right up and stood next to Vrabel, Andy Studebaker. I love it, young guy gets in there to listen and learn from one of the best
Stude also broke Dex on that punt return
should have broke Arenas as well… Glad we grabbed Stude!
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Sep 14, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Stude missed that block on the Punter for one of Arenas' returns.
But really made up for it on the McCluster return.
I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
The punter was the last guy on the Arenas return too
If Studebaker makes that block, Arenas goes in for a TD as well…
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
by PVChiefsfan on Sep 14, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I bet it doesn't happen again!
Stude plays with a lot of pride….
I was mad as $#%@ when we drafted Dexter McCluster and now I'm ordering his jersey......oh the irony! Go Chiefs!
by Hail2DaChiefs on Sep 14, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah I was saying Stude SHOULD have broke Arenas wide open
He made up for it, and we won. Can’t ask for much more!
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Sep 14, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.....Can you believe it though?
We have Arenas and Dex back there every kick?! I really was pissed during the draft too LOL!
I was mad as $#%@ when we drafted Dexter McCluster and now I'm ordering his jersey......oh the irony! Go Chiefs!
by Hail2DaChiefs on Sep 14, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It's nice to have 2 returners who could break it at anytime
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Sep 14, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
And I believe it was Studebaker
that almost blocked that punt to begin with, then he gets up and puts the block on the punter
by badassz1987 on Sep 14, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Thought it was Greenwood
The 5th Dimension
#29 Eric Berry
by BAMFSpecialOps on Sep 14, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I love how we were in the dime on the last two plays
we were thinking, “Oh I dare you silly bastards to try and run it in from the 6”
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
Dj was a beast last night
But the play of the dline really impressed me. He wouldn’t have racked up those tackles if the blockers weren’t being eaten alive by Dorsey and tjax.
by SoCalChief17 on Sep 14, 2010 12:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
+1
Good point. Shows how dangerous our defense can be if our bookends live up to their draft status.
Glenn Dorsey and Tyson both played outstanding.
DJ looked great out there, but lets not get ahead of ourselves
The problem with DJ all along has been his consistency. Maybe Haley and Romeo have finally lit that fire under him that he had in college. Maybe not. Only time will tell.
I thought Jovan Belcher, Derrick Johnson, and Demorrio Williams all played like starting NFL ILBs. I think we keep the rotation going this year and make the tough decisions next offseason if they need to be made.
by Nick Britt on Sep 14, 2010 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Took the words right out of my mouth.
BUT…a motivated, fundamentally sound DJ is a thing of beauty. If we’re still talking about him like this over the next month it may be time to call in the agent for a meeting with The Don.
Belcher…is going to be so, so good in the next couple of years. I’m pumped to see where his ceiling actually IS.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
by go_saleaumua on Sep 14, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Did yall notice Shaun Smith getting majority of snaps at NT?
The guy was out there beasting and talking shit! He had Dorsey and Jax pumped up. That front 3 (if healthy) could really do damage and allow our lB’s to make plays. I love how Crennel made adjustments. Took Ron Edwards out because he was not holding his ground.
by Larryemcdaniel on Sep 14, 2010 12:54 PM CDT reply actions
Mr Nasty Shaun Smith looked good
He played his ass off last night and i think it rubbed off on a few guys .
CHIEFS fan 4 life
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Sep 14, 2010 12:57 PM CDT reply actions
Entitlement! Complacency!
/nay-saying echoes
DJ is here to stay. He won’t always make big plays, but he’s really starting to make the routine plays with the necessary consistency. I’m very, very glad to see it.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Sep 14, 2010 12:58 PM CDT reply actions
DJ
The light has come on for you ! Stay Gold !Coach Romeo is the Real Deal !
by 65tosspowertrap on Sep 14, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions
D
I have always thought #56 should be starting props to Todd for giving him the start and
that front line was great they seem to learning a lot from romeo great all around play
by the defense its really to bad t jax got injury thou who will be a good fill in for the browns game and on ? anyway keep it up #56 and all chiefs D i have to say i was really dis appointed in the offence play call and the play of some of the wr still droping ball etc
if it was not for the d for get it my they need to be much better
MDJ58

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