Mike Johnson goes from sandwiched to spotlighted

December 31, 2008

By Ken Rogers

NEW ORLEANS—Mike Johnson spent most of this football season in an enviable position — sandwiched between first-team All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell.

So long, anonymity. Johnson slides from left guard to left tackle to take the suspended Smith’s place. David Ross will start at left guard.

Much of the attention — and outcome — of Friday night’s Sugar Bowl game against Utah will center on how effective Johnson is against sophomore defensive end Paul Kruger.

As mentioned in Thursday’s Alabama notebook in the Eagle, Johnson is getting tips from a reliable source: the suspended Outland Trophy winner.

“He’s helping me out with the defensive end that we’re playing against and giving me some tips,” Johnson said. “(Kruger) can get up the field and plays with quickness and he’s a really big, strong guy. He’s a big, fast defensive end. He’s got a lot of stats this year — well deserved, too. He’s a good player.”

Coaches on both teams said the loss of Smith won’t change what Alabama does.

“Well, you know, I don’t think we change our strategy. I think we have a lot of good players and I think it is an opportunity for somebody else to play well,” Saban said. “Mike Johnson played well for us all season long. He is a good player, David Ross has had a significant amount of experience, and you know, we are going to do what we do best and feature the best players we have. It is not going to change what we do.”

“I am sure they would rather play with him, but it’s the University of Alabama,” Utah co-defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. “I am sure there is another great player playing right behind him.”

Johnson sounds comfortable with the change. He played left tackle against Tulane. He was a left tackle most of the time in high school.
His physical adjustment is one thing; his mental adjustment hasn’t been bad, either.

“I played next to Andre all year,” Johnson said. “Me and him communicated every play, so I know what’s going on through his head. This hasn’t been that big a deal. I’ve slid over a little bit. It’s a little different view from over there, but hey, you know, you just have to adjust to it.”

He was asked about the pressure of being the center of attention.

“I don’t see it that way at all,” he said. “If you want pressure in, say, the Florida game. or some of the other games we’ve played this year, this isn’t that bad compared to that. We’re going to go out there and try to enjoy ourselves. We had a good time all week. We want to come away from this game with a W.”

He’s got confidence in David Ross, who will take his spot at left guard.

“I told him the same things I’d be thinking in that situation,” Johnson said. “Kind of the same things that I’ve been trying to do at left guard all year. You know, just come out of your hips and make sure you keep your head back on pass protection. He’ll be just fine.”

His big task in practice has been communicating with Ross.

“We’ve been working together the last few days,” Johnson said. “I know he’s a good player. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I know he’s capable of doing what he needs to do to win the game.”

It was suggested this might be a preview of more left tackle to come. Smith is expected to be an early first-round NFL Draft choice if he decides to turn pro. Johnson, who played right guard and right tackle at times last season, said that was the coaches’ decision.

“They’ve asked me to play left tackle this week. I’ve told them, you know, that I’ll come in and do the best I can,” Johnson said. “If they ask me that same thing next year I’ll do the same.”

Johnson was asked how odd it was to be answering these questions.

“Nothing I didn’t expect when I walked in here,” he said.

He also stuck by his friend and teammate.

“He’s a great guy,” Johnson said. “I don’t know any details of anything that’s happened. He’s been a great friend to me and a great teammate to all of us. It’s unfortunate that we’re having to playing without him. But we know he’s watching and we know he’s rooting us on.”