Hey, Denver, How Do You Like Our Johnsons?

Goose: The list is long, but distinguished.

Slider: Yeah, well so is my Johnson are our Johnsons.

- “Top Gun”

Fortunately, I developed writer’s block last week and didn’t write a scathing article about the lackluster performance of the Chiefs‘ Johnsons against Atlanta. Derrick Johnson had one tackle and often was a spectator to the action. Larry Johnson seemed totally disillusioned about playing, particularly with the Thigpen!!

Oh, what a difference a  week can make. Goats become heroes and heroes become victims to the law of averages. Football is a game of the wills and is often a contest of who wants it the most.

This brings us to the Johnsons. Their superb efforts on Sunday brought a much needed victory for a desperate franchise, coaching staff and city. Although the Donkeys (to borrow a phrase from big, bad Bob Gretz) have a suspect defense, LJ ran with reckless abandon, actually caught passes and pass blocked. In return he left the field with a smile, not a scowl, and received a hug from King Carl.

DJ was all over the field making tackles, a spectacular interception and forcing a fumble which lead to an easy TD for Larry. He played not like a prior chief named Derrick, but more like a current Buccaneer named Derrick–Derrick Brooks.

In building an NFL franchise it is essential that number one picks become starters and high number ones, such as Derrick, become impact players. Larry’s value has been well documented, and it was great to see him wipe off the dust from last year. Let’s hope what we saw from the other Johnson was not an aberration, but rather a true reflection of his will.