Jim Johnson Loses Battle with Cancer: A Giant Fan's Perspective

The NFL lost yet another one of its great sons.

Jim Johnson, former defensive coordinator of the legendary Eagle defenses of this decade, has died at 68. He is survived by his wife, Vicky, two children, and four grandchildren.

Jim Johnson spent 22 years in the NFL as an assistant, never taking the next step to becoming a head coach. However, that does not in any way taint his legacy.

Johnson will forever be known for the continued evolution of today's defense. His blitz packages and defensive schemes propelled the Eagles to five NFC championships and one Super Bowl.

He entered the league as a defensive line coach and held that title for Arizona for four years. He then held the position of secondary coach, where he excelled and made a name for himself.

In 1994, he became the linebackers coach for the Colts before eventually becoming interim defensive coordinator in 1996. The Colts finished last in the AFC East and he and the rest of the staff were fired.

He first saw a measure of success when he took over as the Seattle linebackers coach. The Seahawks scored 10 defensive touchdowns, including eight interception returns, which is the second most in NFL history for a season.

Before the Seahawks could promote him, Andy Reid snatched him up in 1999, and the rest is history. The two would see seven playoff appearances, and the playoff success is noted above.

Andy Reid gave him complete control of the defense, showing how much respect he showed for Johnson.

As a Giants fan, I have the utmost respect for the man and coach. Every time the Giants played the Eagles, the two would battle it out and Johnson always had something new to throw at the Giants.

I almost have to thank Jim Johnson, for Steve Spagnuolo was one of the main reasons the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007. Spagnuolo mentored under Johnson from 1999-2006 before taking over the defensive coordinators job in New York.

Earlier this week, the Eagles named Sean McDermott as the defensive coordinator for the 2009 season. When asked what impact Johnson had on his life, he had this to say:

"What haven't I learned from Jim?" McDermott said. "I don't think it would be fair to Jim, in this setting, to try and limit in one statement, one press conference, the effect that Jim has had on my life."

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin did not know him personally, but had this to say about him:

"He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order," Coughlin said. "His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him. It is a sad day for the National Football League to lose somebody the quality of Jim Johnson. It is a sad note on which to start the season."

It is a sad day for the NFL. While the Eagles and the NFL will not forget Johnson, they are forced to move on without him.

Johnson's impact will not be forgotten by anyone, including this Giants fan.