LB Thomas "Pepper" Johnson (All B1G, All-American, 5x Super Bowl Champion)

[Buckskin86]

Former Ohio State linebacker Thomas "Pepper" Johnson, center, greets son Dionte Johnson during the Senior Day ceremony at halftime of the Illinois game Saturday. Pepper Johnson served as honorary captain.

Pepper's career has meant he has not seen many of Dionte's games in person. The two communicate often by phone and text message, and they usually take a vacation or two together in the offseason.

Pepper routinely goes to the Ohio State game that falls on New England's bye week. The Patriots' bye this year serendipitously coincided with last Saturday's game against Illinois: Senior Day.

Pepper served as honorary captain and soaked up every second.

"Oh, it's been fantastic," he said of Dionte's career. "It's like we're living my career here all over again; he's just doing a lot better than what I did."

Those words aside, father and son both are competitive. And when Dionte passed Pepper three gold pants to two, Pepper had a comeback ready.

"He said, 'I have five Super Bowl rings,' " Dionte said. "So he threw that back at me. I can't win yet."

Reminded of those words, Pepper laughed heartily.

"Oh yeah, I kill him with these," he said, holding up his hands, a ring flashing on each. "Hey, hopefully next year he gets started (in the NFL) and starts his campaign to pass me up there, too."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Tradition upheld: Dionte Johnson

 

[osugrad21]

Link

[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif] FOOTBALL: Pats' Johnson mum on possible UVa move
[/FONT] [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Jay Jenkins / [email protected] | 978-7250[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]January 30, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]First came questioning from a friend.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Then came inquisition from a reporter with the Boston Globe.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]In a matter of hours on Tuesday, Pepper Johnson was asked twice about the potential desire that the 43-year-old might have in becoming the defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia. It would be a move that would reunite the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker with UVa coach Al Groh, his former position coach with the New York Giants.[/FONT]
[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The position has been vacant at UVa since Jan. 19, when Mike London was introduced as the head coach at the University of Richmond, his alma mater.[/FONT]


[FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Cont...
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[Buckskin86]

Pepper Johnson gives Patriots' defense a healthy dash of Big Blue history
BY HANK GOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, January 31st 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The Giants' two Vince Lombardi Trophies may rest in the glass case in East Rutherford, but the bloodline from those two great defenses runs through Foxborough.

It's not just Bill Belichick. Pepper Johnson, who played linebacker on both the '86 and '90 champions and has followed Belichick almost everywhere, coaches the Patriots' defensive line. When the tapes start rolling in his classroom, they are often of Lawrence Taylor, Leonard Marshall, et al.

"Yeah, I have the tapes," Johnson said. "It's kind of hard not to look at them. I'll tell my guys we've been playing defense like this forever so they'll ask for it, 'Show me how you did it,' and we'll put it on. Like Jarvis Green, he always asks me to see how Leonard Marshall rushes the quarterback."

"You learn from the best," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "And those guys were the best."

Pepper Johnson gives Patriots' defense a healthy dash of Big Blue history

 

[Buckskin86]

SUPER BOWL: Pepper brings intensity to Pats' sideline
By Josh Egerman
Standard-Times sports editor
February 01, 2008 6:00 AM
What Bill Belichick saw in Pepper Johnson was leadership.

What Johnson saw was something a little different.

In coaching Johnson for six years as the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and three more as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Belichick saw his headstrong linebacker as future coach material.

"There was one game in particular where they were running the ball against us and I called the team over and I said, 'OK, look, we're going to play a little more Cover 3 and bring the safety down into the front to help us in the running game,' and Pepper said, 'No, no. You don't do that. You keep those safeties back there. We're going to take care of the run. We don't need any help.' That's a great attitude to play the game."

SouthCoastToday.com: SUPER BOWL: Pepper brings intensity to Pats' sideline

Pepper Johnson not optimistic about race in NFL
Johnson has an iconic place in Giants history. He was one of the young players stomping around midfield at the Rose Bowl after the Giants beat the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. He also won a ring with the Giants four years later.

Johnson said he doesn't have a soft spot for the Giants even though he won those two titles with them. He's also been on staff for the three recent Patriots titles, so he has more success with New England than he did with the Giants. "It's where I'm at and who's paying the bills, pretty much," he said.

Now, as a coach, Johnson uses the lessons taught to him by Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick to instruct a new generation of players.

"A lot of things have changed, a lot of rules and stuff have changed, definitely faces," Johnson said of the differences from his time as a player - he retired after a 13-year career in 1998 - to now. "But it's still blocking and tackling, so it's a matter of how can you best get yourself in a position to make a play for us."

Pepper Johnson not optimistic about race in NFL -- Newsday.com

Clifton Brown
Once a Super Giant, Pepper now a Pat hand
Posted: January 31, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Some of Pepper Johnson's friends will root against him in the Super Bowl.

Johnson won two Super Bowls as an inside linebacker with the Giants. He now is the Patriots' defensive line coach.

Many of Johnson's friends are Patriots fans. Many of Johnson's friends are Giants fans.

If you want to be Johnson's friend this week, you had better be rooting for the Patriots.

"Some of my New York friends are saying, 'Pep, you're killing me,' " said Johnson, now in his eighth season as a member of Bill Belichick's staff. "They root for me any other week. This week, some of my friends are still rooting for the Giants. They say their loyalties are divided. Mine aren't divided. I know who I'm rooting for."

SportingNews.com - NFL Football Teams, Scores, Schedules, Standings, Playoffs, Super Bowl

Pepper worth his salt
By Dan Ventura
Friday, February 1, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The similarities between this year?s Super Bowl and the one played by the Giants and Bills are remarkable.

Much like the current Patriots [team stats] team, the Bills were considered to have an unstoppable offense. The no-huddle attack, featuring Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, James Lofton and Andre Reed, scored 428 points during the regular season, then belted Miami (44-34) and the Los Angeles Raiders (51-3) to advance to Super Bowl XXV for the first time in franchise history.

Pepper worth his salt - BostonHerald.com

 

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Johnson's perspective on job just super
By Mike Reiss
Globe Staff / February 4, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Pepper Johnson took part in his sixth Super Bowl last night, the experiences coming from two distinct vantage points.

Johnson's first two were as a player with the New York Giants, coming away victorious in the 1986 and 1990 seasons. The view was different for the last four, as he watched from the sideline as a Patriots assistant coach (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2007), tasting defeat for the first time last night in the team's 17-14 loss.

When it comes to the most challenging part of making the transition from playing to coaching, Johnson doesn't hesitate. He misses wearing a helmet and that scintillating feeling of running onto the field. That's why he laughed when recalling an incident from the 2002 season, as the Patriots were playing the Jets and Chad Morton was running toward the New England sideline before his momentum carried him into the bench area.

"I guess everyone expected for me to run away and I stuck up my elbow," Johnson said with a chuckle. "Two weeks later, you see that FedEx [with the fine]. That's a problem. With my salary, I can't afford that."

The energetic Johnson did not intend to become an NFL coach when he approached Bill Belichick in 2000, shortly after Belichick was hired as Patriots coach.

"I wanted a little insight on coaching, as I was trying to go back to my high school and coach," he said. "I felt like I could coach, but I didn't know from the organization standpoint the dos and don'ts, how I should handle meetings. They allowed me to come in and join in training camp with the guys and it just went from there."

Johnson's perspective on his position with Patriots is just super - The Boston Globe

 

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Scout.com$

All-Time Greatest No. 40: Pepper Johnson.............Pepper was a 2-time team captain. Earned All-American as a senior and totaled over 140 tackles each season in his junior and senior years.

 

[Buckskin86]

25 Years Ago: Pepper Johnson
By Joe - July 24th, 2009

It is not often that the Buckeyes manage to pull a blue-chip recruit out of the state of Michigan. First of all, that state does not have nearly as many good major college prospects as Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Florida. The great ones that do come out of Michigan are typically snapped up by That School Up North, or else they end up signing with one of those teams that OSU fans love to hate.

Yes, he can still kick your tail.But when a player from there decides to anger his entire state by coming down to play for Ohio State, it?s usually someone pretty special. Younger readers might immediately think of the guy we at 11W affectionately call ?the gun show? . If you?re still celebrating OSU?s 2002 BCS Championship team, your thoughts might turn to a certain molecular genetics major. But if you attended OSU in the 80?s like I did, you are probably thinking about a guy who was an All-American in college, a Pro-Bowler and 2-time Super Bowl winner as a pro, and part of 3 other Super Bowl winning teams as an assistant coach. Of course I?m talking about Ohio State?s leading tackler in 1984 (and 1985), Thomas ?Pepper? Johnson

25 Years Ago: Pepper Johnson | Eleven Warriors

 

[Jaxbuck]

Not enough SnG in this thread.

 

[Buckskin86]

Pepper Johnson

As a Buckeye: Four-time letter-winner (1982 to '85) stands fourth at OSU in career tackles with 379. He was the team's defensive MVP as a junior and senior, made All-Big Ten each of those years and was an All-American as a senior.

As a pro: Played in 193 games in a 13-year career with the New York Giants, Cleveland, Detroit and New York Jets, winning two Super Bowls with the Giants. He was twice named to the Pro Bowl, in 1990 and '94.

The skinny: Another second-round draft pick, Johnson is all but attached to the hip of Bill Belichick, who was Johnson's coordinator with the Giants. Johnson followed him to Cleveland and later the Jets, and now is Belichick's defensive line coach in New England.

GameDay+

 

[Buckskin86]

With Pepper Johnson, tricky dish gets served
Ron Borges By Ron Borges
Friday, January 15, 2010

Photo by Matthew West
TOUGH CALL: With a vacancy at defensive coordinator, Bill Belichick could promote longtime assistant Pepper Johnson or linebackers coach Matt Patricia (inset).

These are stressful times for Pepper Johnson and Bill Belichick, but not for Dean Pees.

Pees announced yesterday he would not be back for a fifth season as the Patriots [team stats] defensive coordinator but insisted he was ?not fired? and said last night that, ?I cannot see myself not coaching in the fall. I?m not burned out on it.

?My wife and I are going on vacation back to the Midwest to visit my kids and grandkids. We want to take some time and see what opportunities are out there. What do we want to do? I can?t tell you. If something comes up that?s great, great.?

Pees sounded like a man at peace with his decision and one, as he said, ?maybe ready for a change of scenery.? What he didn?t sound like was someone ready for a change of occupations.cw0

Despite some thoughts that health issues - he had a summer bout with prostate cancer and a bronchial problem in the press box in Houston on Jan. 3 that led to heart attack-like symptoms - might have motivated his decision to leave, Pees insisted they weren?t an issue, either.

?To be honest, they did every test you could do in the hospital in Houston and said my heart was very healthy,? said 60-year-old Pees. ?My dad died at 57 from a heart attack, so it scared me, but it wasn?t a factor at all in this decision.?

With Pees? departure, Johnson becomes one of several obvious candidates to replace him. So, too, is linebackers coach Matt Patricia, a particular favorite of Belichick after he gave him his start as a coaching assistant six years ago.

Former Belichick associate and ex-Patriots defensive coordinator Al Groh, who was fired as coach at Virginia at the end of the college season and recently interviewed for the coordinator?s job with the Miami Dolphins [team stats], also is a logical candidate.

Yet it is the 45-year-old Johnson who finds himself in the most ticklish position. He played 13 years in the NFL, 10 of which were coached by Belichick. For the past 10 years he has coached under Belichick.

Johnson served one year as a coaching assistant before a three-year stint as inside linebackers coach and the past six as defensive line coach. During that 23-year apprenticeship as a player and coach in the NFL, Johnson has spent all but three of them working for Belichick. The result has been five Super Bowl rings (two as a player with the Giants, three as a Pats assistant), six Super Bowl appearances and his own growing feeling that he is ready to run an NFL defense.

The problem comes if Belichick passes him over for the 35-year-old Patricia, who played college football at RPI, not Ohio State, and has coached in the NFL for only six years. If he does, how will Johnson react? Does he swallow his pride and stay or does he begin sending out resumes by the truckload?

Johnson patiently sat and watched Belichick promote from within rather than reach outside the organization for fresh offensive ideas. If he chooses to go in another direction with this defensive opening, or passes him over for Patricia, the former Ohio State All-America linebacker will face a difficult choice.

As the song lyrics go, ?Should I stay or should I go?

With Pepper Johnson, tricky dish gets served - BostonHerald.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Pepper Johnson an intriguing option for Dolphins? D-coordinator post
by Brian Biggane

Johnson

As the Dolphins resume their search for a defensive coordinator this week, here?s a name to keep in mind: Pepper Johnson.

Though he?s been a member of Bill Belichick?s coaching staff in New England since 2000, Johnson obviously has close ties to Bill Parcells. He was one of the first players Parcells drafted upon joining the New York Giants in 1986, arriving as a second-round pick, and played on Super Bowl championship teams in 1987 and 1990.

Johnson has been more closely tied to Belichick, joining him as a player in Cleveland in 1993 and again in 1997 with the New York Jets. Following his retirement in 1998, he once again followed
Belichick, this time to New England, in 2000 as assistant linebackers coach. He became inside linebackers coach a year later and defensive line coach in 2004.

Pepper Johnson has been passed over for the Patriots' defensive coordinator job. (AP photo)

But Belichick has looked elsewhere twice already when time came to fill the D-coordinator post, and the expectation in New England is that will happen again this time when he replaces Dean Pees, opting instead for linebackers coach Matt Patricia.

Johnson was considered a candidate for the New York Giants? D-coordinator job that went to former Buffalo coordinator and interim head coach Perry Fewell last week.

At 45, Johnson could bring youth and vitality to the Dolphin defense. And while his D-line didn?t have the best year in 2009, it did a credible job considering the Richard Seymour trade and injuries that impacted its performance. New England ranked 13th against the run this year.

Miami Dolphins news, training updates, injury reports, trades & more – The Daily Dolphin blog ? Blog Archive ? Pepper Johnson an intriguing option for Dolphins’ D-coordinator post

 

[Buckskin86]

Pepper Johnson, Matt Patricia Likely Top Candidates for Patriots Defensive Coordinator Job
by Scott McLaughlin on Jan 19, 2010

Defensive line coach Pepper Johnson and linebackers coach Matt Patricia are considered to be the frontrunners to replace Dean Pees as the Patriots? defensive coordinator, according to WEEI.com.

The two come from very different backgrounds, but both are qualified candidates with strong resumes.

Johnson was a star linebacker at Ohio State and played 13 seasons in the NFL, 10 of which were spent under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. He won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants in 1986 and 1990 before going on to play for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and New York Jets.

Johnson retired after the 1998 season and spent just one year away from the game before joining Belichick in New England as a coaching assistant in 2000. In 2001, he was promoted to inside linebackers coach, a position he held for three years before taking over the defensive line duties.

?I think the big thing that Pepper brings to our staff that is really unique is that he?s played in this system and he's actually done it out there on the field,? Belichick told WEEI earlier this month. ?That?s been important, not just [to] our defense, but to our entire team, talking to players. He?s got a wealth of experience, and he?s very good at sharing that.?

Pepper Johnson, Matt Patricia Likely Top Candidates for Patriots Defensive Coordinator Job - New England Patriots - NESN.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: January 24, 2010
Johnson: Solid connection
Patriots DL coach popular with players for his experience, energy
By Mike Reiss
ESPN
Boston.com

When New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork talks about being coached by Pepper Johnson over the past six seasons, one of the main aspects he appreciates is the connection between coach and player.

Wilfork says he sometimes forgets that Johnson is a coach because his passionate, energetic approach almost makes it seem like he's on the field with them.

"He is a player's coach and a big part of that is that he actually played the game," Wilfork said. "A lot of things happen on the field, and because he's been in the same predicament as us, he understands exactly what we see and how blocking schemes develop. It's real easy to play for a coach like that.

"It also makes it a lot easier for a group of guys in a room, when somebody is talking to them about playing a certain technique, or a fit here, when it's coming from a guy who has done it. So those are different people -- the Xs' and O's and then somebody talking X's and O's who has played the game and understands it, like Pepper."

Johnson's coaching credentials are under the spotlight this offseason as Patriots coach Bill Belichick considers how to fill the team's vacant defensive coordinator position. If Belichick stays in-house, the two leading candidates are the 45-year-old Johnson and 35-year-old linebackers coach Matt Patricia.

AP Photo/Winslow Townson
Pepper Johnson, a Patriots assistant coach since 2000, could be ready to step up to defensive coordinator.

Wilfork believes Johnson would be a great choice after working his way up the Patriots' ranks -- first as assistant linebackers coach (2000), then inside linebackers coach (2001-2003) and most recently as defensive line coach (2004-2009).

"Playing under him, I want to see him as coordinator, I think he deserves it," Wilfork said. "He has all the tools to be one."

After his playing career concluded in 1998, Johnson tried his hand at broadcasting for one season before realizing it wasn't for him. So he went into coaching, coming to New England as part of the Bill Walsh minority coaching fellowship program in 2000.

Johnson figured that he'd pick up some helpful tips in training camp and then work as a high school coach, but Belichick kept him on staff and he's been in New England since. One additional niche that he has carved out is running the scout team defense, for which he has been annually praised by Belichick.

One of Johnson's longtime boosters is former teammate Carl Banks. In his current role as a radio broadcaster for the Giants, Banks said he studies film the same way he would as a player and he'll often run his opinions by Johnson. Through those conversations, Banks has gained an appreciation for Johnson's coaching acumen.

"One of the most impressive things to me is that his core principles for sound defense and winning football haven't been compromised, starting with solid fundamentals," Banks said. "He's going to have a unit that won't have a lot of missed tackles or blown coverages."

Banks also touched on Johnson's passion, which was often infectious in the huddle.

"As a teammate, if I was in a fight, the first person I'm calling is Pepper Johnson, and the second person is [former Giants nose guard] Jim Burt," he said. "I guarantee Pepper would be there without a doubt. He has great leadership skills, he is passionate for the game, and if you're playing for him you'll do anything for the guy."

Pepper Johnson has earned the respect of the players he's coached for the New England Patriots. - ESPN Boston

 

[Buckskin86]

Pepper Johnson won?t spray Bill Belichick
By Ian R. Rapoport / Patriots Notebook
Friday, March 26, 2010

Photo by Matthew West (file)
Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson, seen here running drills with nose tackle Vince Wilfork, says he welcomes head coach Bill Belichick?s greater involvement on the defensive side of the ball.

Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson has spent the majority of his career under the watchful eye of Bill Belichick.

So while Johnson was clear that he?d like to be a coordinator one day, he said of Belichick?s decision to go without one for 2010, ?Nothing really shocks me.?

Johnson - who attended the Mayo Bowl charity event last night in Dedham - and linebackers coach Matt Patricia were the two in-house candidates to replace Dean Pees as coordinator.

In the end, Belichick chose neither, as he will take the lead with the defense. He said titles are meaningless and that he merely wants his staff to work together to help the team win.

At first, Johnson was surprised to be asked about the coordinator job, as if he didn?t know it had been decided. Perhaps the questions caught him off-guard or perhaps Belichick left it open for one to be named later.

Yet as far as his career, Johnson said having the title of coordinator ?means a lot. The respect of it all.?

In his first comments on the subject, Johnson backed Belichick, anyway.

?With him becoming more involved, it?s a plus for me,? Johnson said. ?Now, the guy that I grew up with, the guy that was my defensive coordinator when I was in the league being more assertive on the field, I?m quite sure it?s going to show. I wouldn?t be here without Bill Belichick, so everything he does is steps to make us better and win ballgames.?

Pepper Johnson won’t spray Bill Belichick - BostonHerald.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Patriots DL coach Pepper Johnson says his phone has been ringing more and more recently

Pepper Johnson has a big few days ahead of him. On July 9, he?s throwing out the first pitch for the BlueClaws in Lakewood, N.J., then taking part in an autograph signing.

A day later, the Patriots defensive line coach and ex-Giants star will join fellow former and current G-Men in a charity basketball game against some current and former Cowboys at The Poland Spring Arena in Toms River, N.J.

With that in mind, Johnson ? whose most recent previous interview came in this blog post ? talked to Sirius NFL Radio to discuss a few topics and his upcoming appearances. I missed the beginning, so I?ll try to catch up later.

But when I turned it on, Johnson was asked, Are you becoming a more coveted defensive coordinator coaching candidate every year?

?Yes, it is getting more and more every year,? Johnson, who will exist in a coordinator-less system with the Patriots this year, told Sirius. ?You know me? I try to stay away from the sports talk shows, I try to stay away from the newspapers as much as possible because I get my hopes up and I start salivating at the mouth and then the phone is not ringing. But I?m prepared for whatever presents itself. I have to be in this world today. But over the last couple years, I?m getting more and more calls and text messages. ?Are you coming to town?? ?Are you leaving us?? I get it both ways.?

As you know, Johnson was apparently in the mix for defensive coordinator this year, both for the Giants and Patriots. Neither worked out. Perhaps next year.

The man players call ?Pep? discussed the toughest QBs he?s ever faced, saying that Broncos QB John Elway tops his list (since he couldn?t name former teammate Phil Simms.) Johnson recalled watching Elway play at Stanford and how ?he threw a ball across the field and it whizzed past my head. It sounded like a baseball.?

Johnson also said that when the Giants played QBs who could run, like Steve Young or Randall Cunningham, teammates Carl Banks and Harry Carson would run the treadmill to try to lose a few pounds or find lighter shoes. Pretty funny.

Finally, Johnson hit on defending Colts QB Peyton Manning, who he says is a ?notch? above most of the others. Mostly, there is frustration at trying to get to him.

?You?re trying to get a pass rush in his face,? Johnson said. ?To the naked eye, you see Peyton Manning and you think, ?This guy is scared of the rush. He?s stepping back, throwing the ball, he has happy feet, moving around all jittery.? You think, you can get to him.? But you are not fazing Peyton Manning. People hit him, knock him down, and he gets up, brushes himself off and continues to throw with accuracy. I?m one of those defensive guy that don?t like to give credit (to offensive players.) But I give him credit every year. I know we get to him. I know we get a rush on him. But he still figures out a way to get the ball off, brush himself off? it doesn?t faze him. If you don?t constantly put pressure on him and bring pressure on the wide receivers? If the guy doesn?t get to you in the first quarter ? or all four quarters ? he?s going to get to you in the fourth quarter."

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet? Blog Archive ? Patriots DL coach Pepper Johnson says his phone has been ringing more and more recently