Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > March > 20 > Entry
Bengals sign 1 more ex-Arizona LB (Johnson, of course!)
FOUR PLAYERS NAMED ‘JOHNSON’ ON CURRENT ROSTER
The Bengals continued their quest to beef up the linebacker corps by signing Arizona Cardinals free agent Brandon Johnson to a one-year contract on Thursday, March 20.
Johnson’s arrival comes six days after Cincinnati signed another ex-Cardinal linebacker, Darryl Blackstock, to a one-year deal. The Bengals lost Landon Johnson to the Carolina Panthers on Friday, March 7, so they had to, just had to, get another played named “Johnson.”
By signing the trio of Blackstock, Johnson and Roy Manning, the linebacker unit gets better depth and the special teams coverage units improve immensely.
Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 224-pounder from Louisville, was listed on the Cardinals’ depth chart as the No. 2 weakside linebacker behind starter Karlos Dansby in 2007.
Johnson is a third-year NFL veteran who was Arizona’s fifth-round draft pick in 2006. He played in only nine games in two seasons with the Cardinals, logging eight special teams tackles, including six in 2007 when he saw action in six games.
Johnson’s Arizona contract expired after the 2007 season and he became a free agent on Feb. 29 when the Cardinals chose not to tender him with a contract offer.
Johnson played, but didn’t record a tackle, in Arizona’s 35-27 victory over Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium on Nov. 18, 2007.
The number of current players named “Johnson” remains at four —- Chad, Jeremi, Brandon and Rudi.
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
March 20, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Seems like the Bengals are stacking up 2nd and 3rd string linebackers like cord wood. The team is really getting a 4-12 vibe about it, especially if all the impact defenders are off the board by the #9 pick in the draft.By Wease
March 21, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
If the bengurls were smart they would trade that #9 pick drop down in the 1st round, and try to get more picks….That pick will be hot this year………By Wease
March 21, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this
If the bengurls were smart they would trade that #9 pick drop down in the 1st round, and try to get more picks….That pick will be hot this year………By jeff L
March 21, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
wow, am I excited…can’t wait to send my thousand for the season tickets…these ‘backers have me stoked! NOT!!!By ms
March 21, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Yippie!!! Another Arizona Cardinals Back-Up…Playoffs here we come…Hey Chick,,,I’ll trade you all 4 Bengals named Johnson for one guy named Albert Hainesworth….Since you are Marvin’s new “Safety Coach”…Can’t you put in a request??