Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By ROGER MILLS
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 9, 2001
An early hatred
He grew up a Redskins fan and hated the Cowboys, and his performances against Dallas in recent years bode well for Bucs fans. Over his three games against Dallas with the Redskins, Johnson has averaged 24.3 completions on 39 attempts, 280.3 yards and 1.7 touchdowns. "I hated (the Cowboys)," Johnson said.
Did you know that Johnson was such a good high school basketball player that he considered going to a small North Carolina school on a basketball-only scholarship. He opted for a football/basketball gig at Florida State instead. Good choice, that one.
As a Redskin last season, Johnson completed 25 of 36 passes in the season opener against the Panthers but failed to get in the end zone. It broke a streak of four consecutive openers with at least one touchdown.
Looking for some home cooking? Johnson's wife Nikki was a volleyball standout at the USF from 1985-89. In fact, she ended her career as the school's all-time leader in kills and digs.
Want to know why the Bucs dished out $28-million over five years for Johnson? How's this argument? There are only two NFL quarterbacks who rank ahead of Johnson on the all-time list for completion percentage (61.8 percent): Steve Young and Joe Montana.
After missing the first week of practice with a left knee cut, Johnson quickly assimilated into the Bucs system and, through four preseason games, was 28-of-47 for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He threethree interceptions, but his completion percentage was 59.6. -- Compiled by Roger Mills