Michael Johnson (defensive end)

Michael Johnson

refer to caption

Johnson with the Bengals in 2011
No. 90 Cincinnati Bengals
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Date of birth: (1987-02-07) February 7, 1987
Place of birth: Selma, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight: 280 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school: Plantersville (AL) Dallas County
College: Georgia Tech
NFL Draft: 2009 / Round: 3 / Pick: 70
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2016
Total tackles: 278
Sacks: 36.0
Interceptions: 3
Forced fumbles: 8
Fumble recoveries: 4
Player stats at NFL.com

Michael David Johnson (born February 7, 1987) is an American football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Bengals in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Early years

Johnson played high school football at Dallas County High School in Plantersville, Alabama. Playing tight end, Johnson was the team captain and MVP for coach Richard Bush. As a junior, he had 25 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He caught 42 passes for 650 yards and six touchdowns as a senior while making 92 tackles and 14 sacks on defense. Johnson was also an outstanding basketball player, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds as a junior. Johnson Graduated valedictorian of his class.[1]

College career

As a senior at Georgia Tech, Johnson, in 2008, ended the regular season with Recorded 46 tackles (28 solos) as he led the team and finished third in the conference with nine sacks and 17.5 stops for losses and two forced fumbles. He was voted as an AFCA coaches First-team All-American with the likes of Brian Orakpo and Terrence Cody.[2] He also garnered first team All-ACC honors as well as numerous other accolades.

In 2007 Johnson played in 13 games and started one. He had 21 tackle (11 solo) and six went for losses. He had four sacks and forced three fumbles and recovered one. He also blocked two kicks. The previous season, 2006, he played in and started all 12 games and had 34 tackles (25 solo) and six were for a loss. He recorded five sacks and forced three fumbles and broke up two passes. In 2005, as a true freshman, he played in 11 games and had 5 solo tackles and one assisted for a total of six tackles, one going for a loss. He also recorded one sack and forced one fumble.

On May 2, 2015, after six seasons in the NFL, Johnson officially earned his degree from Georgia Tech.[3][4]

Professional career

2009 NFL Combine

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BPWonderlic
6 ft 7 in 266 lb 4.69 s 1.54 s 2.66 s 4.37 s 7.42 s 38.5 in 10 ft 8 in 28 reps27
All values from Central Florida Pro Day.[5]

Cincinnati Bengals

Johnson was not selected in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft where many analysts predicted he would go, instead falling into the 3rd round and being picked up by the Bengals. During an interview, Johnson was mentioned by head coach Marvin Lewis as maybe being "one of the best pass rushers he has ever worked with."[6] Before the 2010 season, the Bengals announced that Johnson would be moved to outside linebacker.

In 2012, Johnson accumulated 52 tackles, 35 solo, and 11.5 sacks. He also had one interception and one force fumble.

The Bengals placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on Johnson on March 1, 2013.[7][8]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Johnson signed a five-year, $43.98 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 11, 2014.[9] Johnson's debut season for the Bucs was marred with injuries consistently the entire year. His 2014 season stats are 27 Combined tackles, 4.0 Quarterback sacks, and 2 forced fumbles which was disappointing after having an 11 sack campaign with the Bengals prior to joining Tampa Bay.

On March 11, 2015, exactly one year to the day he signed with the Buccaneers, Johnson was released.[10] The move saved $2 million in cap space despite the loss of $7 million in guaranteed money that the team still had to pay.

Second stint with Cincinnati Bengals

On March 15, 2015, Johnson re-joined his former team, signing a four-year, $24 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.[11]

References

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