Dirk Johnson

Last updated
Dirk Johnson
Dirk Johnson Eagles.jpg
Johnson in January 2007.
No. 6, 8, 10, 9
Position: Punter
Personal information
Born: (1975-06-01) June 1, 1975 (age 48)
Hoxie, Kansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College: Northern Colorado
Undrafted: 1998
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:382
Punting yards:15,914
Average punt:41.7
Longest punt:63
Inside 20:110

Dirk Johnson (born June 1, 1975) is a former American football punter. He is most notable for his four season tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. After playing college football at Northern Colorado, Johnson signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998. Johnson was also a member of the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He now is an assistant coach for Montrose High School in Montrose, Colorado.

Contents

College career

Johnson played college football as a punter and defensive back at the University of Northern Colorado. While there he was a three-time All-American selection (as a punter in 1995, as a defensive back and punter in 1996 and as a defensive back in 1997). He helped lead the UNC Bears to two NCAA Division II national championships (1996 and 1997). Johnson finished his college career ranked 2nd on the school's all-time list with a 40.8-yard career punting average. He was first-team All-North Central Conference at safety in 1997 and at punter in 1995 and 1996.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Johnson was signed as a rookie free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on April 28, 1998. He was released on August 25, 1998.

New York Jets

Johnson signed with the New York Jets on April 7, 1999. He was released on August 21, 1999.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Johnson on May 4, 2001. They released him on August 27, 2001.

New Orleans Saints

In 2002, Johnson played one game with the New Orleans Saints. In the spring of that same year he played with their NFL Europe team, the Rhein Fire, and appeared in the World Bowl.

Philadelphia Eagles

In 2003, Johnson was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, beating out Kyle Richardson and Lee Johnson to win the starting punter job. [1] Johnson played in all sixteen games during each of his first two seasons in Philadelphia. The team would go to back-to-back NFC Championship games, with an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX. Following their Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, Johnson underwent sports hernia surgery during training camp. [2] He returned in time to start the 2005 season, but aggravated the injury and missed the second half of the season, [3] in what was an overall injury-plagued, down year for the defending NFC Champion Eagles. Reggie Hodges was signed to replace Johnson for the remainder of the season.

Entering the offseason as a free agent, Johnson re-signed with the Eagles to a one year contract. [4] Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Johnson signed a new five-year extension, [5] as he was given additional duties of placekick holder for David Akers. [6]

Though he played all sixteen regular season and both playoff games for the Eagles that season, the team brought in Saverio Rocca to compete with Johnson in training camp and through the 2007 preseason. Johnson was released on the final day of cuts. At the time of his release, Johnson was the Eagles all-time leader in net yards per punt (which has been a recorded stat since 1976).

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears signed Johnson on September 16, 2007 to temporarily replace veteran punter Brad Maynard, who sustained a minor injury in the previous week. After 4 punts with a 49.8 yard average and 60 yard long punt, Johnson also sustained an injury, and was replaced by place kicker Robbie Gould.

On September 24, 2007 the Bears released him.

Arizona Cardinals

Johnson was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on March 5, 2008. He appeared in 12 games for the Cardinals that season, punting 40 times for a 41.8-yard average. The Cardinals released him on December 1 in favor of Ben Graham, this became the second time Johnson has been cut in favor of an Australian punter.

Washington Redskins

Johnson was signed by the Washington Redskins on March 5, 2009 to compete with Zac Atterberry for the team's punting job. However, he was released on April 23, 2009 after the team signed Hunter Smith.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Johnson was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 1, 2009. He was released on June 12, 2009.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Johnson was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 13, 2009 after a hip injury to Josh Bidwell. Johnson was placed on injured reserve on November 30, 2009 due to a hamstring injury. He was released on March 4, 2010.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Rossum</span> American football player (born 1975)

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

The National Football League playoffs for the 2002 season began on January 4, 2003. The postseason tournament concluded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, 48–21, on January 26, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Galloway</span> American football player (born 1971)

Joseph Scott Galloway is an American former professional football player who is an analyst with ESPN. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Galloway was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the eighth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, and also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The History of the Philadelphia Eagles begins in 1933. In their history, the Eagles have appeared in the Super Bowl four times, losing in their first two appearances but winning the third, Super Bowl LII, in 2018, and losing their fourth, Super Bowl LVII, in 2022. They won four out of the five NFL Championships they have been in, with the first three appearances happening in a row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lynch (American football)</span> American football player and executive (born 1971)

John Terrence Lynch Jr. is an American football executive and former safety who is the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1993 NFL draft, later winning Super Bowl XXXVII with them. Lynch also spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos before retiring in 2008 and working as a color commentator for NFL on Fox games until being named general manager of the 49ers in 2017. He made nine Pro Bowls during his career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Mark Alan Royals is a former American football punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. He played college football at Appalachian State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeSean Jackson</span> American football player (born 1986)

DeSean William Jackson is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, where he was recognized as a two-time, first-team All-American in 2006 and 2007. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft, and also played for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.

Craig Kobel is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Utah Blaze as a free agent in 2006. He played college football at South Florida.

Karl Williams is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at Texas A&M–Kingsville and was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent after the 1996 NFL Draft. Williams retired as the all-time Buccaneers leader in punt return yardage (2,565) and punt return touchdowns (5) across 8 seasons with the club; records that still stand today.

This article details the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football franchise.

Todd Robert Bowles is an American football coach and former player who is the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. Bowles has also served as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals and Buccaneers and as the secondary coach for the Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. Bowles played eight seasons in the NFL as a safety, primarily with the Washington Redskins, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXII.

The 2002 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 27th in the National Football League (NFL). It was one of the most successful seasons in franchise history, ending with a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

The 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 26th season in the National Football League (NFL).

The 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 25th season in the National Football League (NFL).

The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League (NFL), and the tenth under head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles improved upon their 8–8 record and a fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9–6–1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 26-14 in the wild-card round. Philadelphia then upset the top-seeded New York Giants, 23-11 in the divisional round to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2004 season. However, the Eagles' season would end in Arizona with a 32-25 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 48th season in franchise history

The 2008 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 48th in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Brad Childress. They won their 17th NFC North division title with a 10–6 record, the first time since 2000 that they made the playoffs with a winning record; however, they finished behind the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers and had to play in the wild card round of the playoffs. They were paired with Childress's former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who won 26–14. Second-year running back Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1,760 yards.

The 2002 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 70th in the National Football League. The team improved upon their previous output of eleven wins, going 12–4 and making the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corey Clement</span> American football player (born 1994)

Corey Joel Clement is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Wisconsin, and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He won Super Bowl LII with the team his rookie season, catching a touchdown in the game and helping execute the Philly Special.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Los Angeles Rams season</span> 84th season in franchise history

The 2020 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 83rd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 84th overall, their 54th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, and their fourth under head coach Sean McVay. It also marked the team's first season playing their home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which the team shares with the Los Angeles Chargers. This was the first season in which the Rams would share the same venue as the Chargers since 1960. They improved on their 9–7 season from the previous year after a Week 17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, returning to the playoffs after missing out last season. The Rams' strong defense finished the year with just 296 points allowed, the fewest in the league.

References

  1. ↑ Skolnick, Ethan J. (27 August 2003). "THINK PUNTERS IMPROVE WITH AGE?". Sun-Sentinel.com.
  2. ↑ "Eagles' punter Dirk Johnson underwent Surgery on Friday to repair a sports hernia".
  3. ↑ Brookover, Bob (31 May 2007). "Eagles tight end L. J. Smith undergoes sports hernia surgery". inquirer.com.
  4. ↑ "Eagles Re-Sign Punter Dirk Johnson". Philadelphia Eagles.
  5. ↑ "August 2006 Archive of NFL News, Football Rumors - RealGM". football.realgm.com.
  6. ↑ "P Dirk Johnson: Passes test as Akers' holder". Philadelphia Eagles.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.