Quotes From OTAs: Derrick Johnson and Alex Smith
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 29, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) on the sidelines before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 30-8. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
DERRICK JOHNSON
Q: First practice? How’s it feel?
JOHNSON: “Feels good. It’s about my eighth or ninth OTA. Feels the same as before. It’s one of those things, it’s a learning deal. We have a lot of young guys putting a new system in. We’re going slow. It’s cool. We’re out here, basically in our underwear just running around. It’s not a physical-type deal.”
Q: You’re putting in a new system. That’s basically for them? It’s the same as last year?
JOHNSON: “Yes, it’s the same system. It’s still fairly new to us being we’ve just had it for one year. With this Bob Sutton scheme, you never know what he has up his sleeve. He’s bringing blitzes all the time, so it’s pretty fun.”
Q: You’ve had someone different next to you, does that matter?
JOHNSON: “No, not really. This league is about change. I’ve been here some time. Now I’m going into my 10th year. I’ve probably had 10 mike-backers next to me, so it’s one of those things where the organization always gets a reliable mike-backer and Joe Mays is another guy that’s very smart. He’s been in the league. He’s a big thumper. We’re working good together right now.”
Q: Tell us what Dontari Poe is supposed to do and why he is as good as he is?
JOHNSON: “Dontari Poe is a lifesaver for inside linebackers like myself. He’s heck to deal with in the middle. Anytime he’s one-on-one, he wins. Plays the whole game. Nobody in the league does that at 350 pounds. My hat’s off to him. He’s a centerpiece to this defense. All my success I’ve had the last two or three years, he’s a big, big part of it.”
Q: What’s it like not having Justin Houston here today?
JOHNSON: “This is a voluntary minicamp, or voluntary OTAs, so it’s one of those things where you worry about the guys that are here. I’m a guy that’s been through this. It’s not a big deal.”
Q: Do you just know that when OTAs come around, some guys may not be here?
JOHNSON: “You’re never surprised in this league. You worry about the guys that are here and try to get better. When the season gets here, we’ll have everybody intact.”
Q: When was the last time you talked to Brandon Flowers or Justin Houston?
JOHNSON: “They’re friends of mine, so yeah, we talk.”
Q: So you knew they weren’t going to be here?
JOHNSON: “I can’t say that. I don’t know anything about that. We’re friends off the field, but when it comes to the business part, I stay out of that just because nobody gets in mine.”
Q: For a veteran like yourself, do you consider this time crucial?
JOHNSON: “Whenever you get a chance to get out of the field, for myself, it’s crucial. The older I get, coming in with the guys, being around the young guys, getting them acclimated to our system, it’s been working well for me.”
Q: How long does it take the veterans to get back in the swing of things?
JOHNSON: “Not long, especially the older guys like myself. This week, give me a couple days and I’ll be right.”
Q: Have you dropped some weight?
JOHNSON: “A little bit. Each year I try to drop two or three pounds. I’m about 235 now, so I’m getting it down. When I first got into the league, I was 250 pounds. I can’t move with that weight on anymore.”
Q: Does that make up for the ticks on the clock?
JOHNSON: “I don’t want to give away the secret. I’m still moving fast, so let’s just keep dropping weight every year.”