Chiefs Training Camp: Nothing Changes For Derrick Johnson On The First Team

The Kansas City Chiefs on their "unofficial depth chart" replaced Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays for Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher. The two groups have been regularly switching spots on the first team throughout camp.

DJ has lobbied for the starting job a few times leading up to the season indicating his desire to play. I think both sides agree that this is going to be a big year for him. He's on a one-year contract so his first/second team status does matter to his future.

That said, DJ says nothing changes now that he's on the first team. He indicted that it's something they're not really paying attention to.

"No, it's going to be the same preparation," DJ said Tuesday afternoon (Audio comes via Bob Fescoe of 610Sports.com). "I've been switching with the first and second team during practice so it's not going to be a big deal. I know how to work wtih them. I've been working with them every other day so it's a great opportunity for me to make a play."

"He's trying to be an all-around player," Romeo Crennel said Tuesday, "trying to play special teams and be a first, second and third down player."

The complete inside linebacker package includes Jovan Belcher. DJ and Belcher generally are the two that take snaps together.

"It's a good relationship [with Belcher]," DJ said. "He's a younger guy so I've taken him under my wing. He's a hard-nosed football player. He's young and will hit anything. That's what i like about him. He's got good communication with me when I'm in the game with him."

DJ was also running with the first team at times in OTAs and has done so at training camp as well. Now it's a matter of being the starter on Monday, Sept. 13.