New Orleans Saints Review

Defensive end Joe Johnson was one of the top play-makers for the Saints from the time coach Jim Mora drafted him in the first round of the 1994 draft.  During his time with the black and gold, he saw great success and endured several transitions with the franchise.

The early part of his career came as Jim Mora’s time in New Orleans was winding down.  Then, after three losing seasons under Mike Ditka, Johnson finally got to taste sweet success during Jim Haslett’s first year in 2000.  Joe left for Green Bay after the 2001 season and retired in 2003 with an impressive 52.5 sacks.

He earned many accolades throughout his career, including two Pro Bowl appearances in 1998 and 2000.  Also in 2000, he was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and was named All-Pro.

Joe was kind enough to answer a few questions about his career with the Saints:

1. If I recall, you played for Jim Mora, Mike Ditka and Jim Haslett. Who was the toughest coach to play for?
MORA WAS THE TOUGHEST BY FAR. OLD SCHOOL MILITARY COACH. NOTHING WAS EVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM (THE CURSE AND THE BLESSING).

2. What was your favorite moment as a Saint?
FAVORITE MOMENT WAS THE FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN SAINTS HISTORY AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS RAMS.

3. Since it’s that time of the year, do you have any memories of your first NFL training camp? How big of a challenge was it compared to college?
THE FIRST TRAINING CAMP WAS TOUGH. COMING FROM COLLEGE WHERE CAMP IS ONLY ABOUT 10-14 DAYS AND COMING TO THE NFL WHERE ITS MORE LIKE 30 DAYS WITH PRE SEASON GAMES. THAT’S A BIG DIFFERENCE!

4. Is training camp overrated? I seem to remember you missing camp one year and scoring a touchdown on opening day! (I swear I have a distinct memory of this because they kept showing the highlight of it at the time – my apologies if this wasn’t you!)
YOU ARE CORRECT, THAT WAS ME. IT DEPENDS ON THE PLAYER. SOME GUYS NEED MORE WORK THEN OTHERS TO GET READY FOR THE SEASON. EVEN THOUGH I HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH NO TRAINING CAMP THERE WAS STILL SOME RUST THAT NEEDED TO BE WORKED OUT.

5. Who was the toughest offensive lineman you had to play against?
THE TOUGHEST PLAYER THAT I REMEMBER WAS MY VERY FIRST GAME IN THE NFL WAS AGAINST “JOHN ALT” (6’9 335) OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS. HE WAS A VET. AND I WAS A ROOKIE, AND IT SHOWED. FROM THAT POINT ON IT WAS ON FOR EVERY OTHER LINEMAN I PLAYED AGAINST!

6. Tell us about your life since you retired from the NFL. What are you up to these days?
JUST KICKED BACK ENJOYING LIFE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS! I AM STILL HANDS ON WITH MY FOUNDATION (BUILT 2 LAST) WORKING IN THE COMMUNITIES WITH THE YOUTH AND HELPING ON THE REDEVELOPMENT SIDE DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH SOME OTHER EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WORKING WITH THE YOUTH, AND LOOKING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR REACH. I AM ALSO A REAL ESTATE INVESTOR ON THE SIDE.

Saints fans, this man needs no introduction (but he deserves one).  Jeff Duncan is a Saints columnist for The Times-Picayune newspaper in ‘Nawlins.  He, along with his esteemed colleagues, keep us all up to date on what’s happening with our favorite football team.  The man is so dedicated to covering the Saints, he even set up a Twitter account to keep us informed of breaking news.

He was gracious enough to answer a few questions for The New Orleans Saints Review.  Enjoy!

1. As someone who has covered an NFL locker room for awhile, you must have dealt with all sorts of different personalities.  If you had to choose a few players who were the most fun to interview, who would you pick?
Fun has a variety of definitions, but my two favorite Saints players were Deuce McAllister and Steve Gleason. Those were special guys and great players. They were professional, understood the media’s role as a conduit to the fans and gave thought-provoking answers. They simply “got it.” I admired the way they carried and conducted themselves throughout their careers and I don’t think I was alone. There’s a reason both were team captains. I would put Drew Brees in the same category, although I’m just now developing a relationship with him. He’s a class act. And as crazy as Joe Horn could be sometimes, I always respected him for having the confidence to speak his mind. The NFL and teams in general do their best to muzzle players. They put enormous pressure on them in that way. But Joe was street smart. He understood the business aspect of the game and was never afraid to be his own man. You’ve got to have clout to pull that off. Joe was entertaining and sometimes we all need to realize that’s really all pro sports is. The league really takes itself way too seriously sometimes.

2. Have you ever been called out by a player for something you’ve written about them?
It happens. More often it’s coaches or executives rather than players. I thought Jim Haslett was going to punch me one time. He’s a pretty big guy so that one wouldn’t have ended well for me. Comes with the job description. For the most part, you let them have their say, listen to their point of view and try to explain your position. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree. Usually they want and need to vent. But I always listen and try to understand their point of view. There have been times that I’ve realized I might have been unfair with word usage or something and it’s important to communicate that. You lose credibility quickly if you act imperially. Now that I’m writing columns (opinion pieces) the disagreements are going to come more often. I’m paid to give my opinion and players/coaches aren’t always going to agree with it. But above all else, my loyalty is to my readers first. Has to be that way, or I won’t have any credibility with the audience.

3. Do you have a favorite moment in the time you’ve been covering the Saints?
No question. Interviewing Steve Gleason the night he blocked the field goal against the Falcons in the MNF “Return to the Dome” game was special for a lot of reasons, but mostly because Steve was able to capture the perspective of what he’d accomplished. He knew immediately his place in team history and was able to express it. Gleason was always a self-aware guy. He understood his role and place in the NFL. Perpetually on the bubble, he carved out a seven-year career eventually became a team captain. That’s remarkable for a guy of his size and stature and a tribute to his work ethic, intelligence and selflessness. Moreover, Gleason totally “got” New Orleans. Heck, he married a New Orleans gal and still lives here. No Saints player understood and appreciated the city’s history, culture, vibe and mojo like him. So when he was able to accomplish something of such historical significance for the city and franchise, well, it basically validated his entire career. I think he knew immediately that night — that very moment — regardless of whatever happened the rest of his career he had made his mark. If Mickey Loomis called him the next morning and told he was cut, he could move on in life with no regrets. I remember I got to the locker room kind of late and the gaggle of reporters had already left Steve’s locker so I got him one-on-one and he was so eloquent and emotional. It was just a special moment, mainly because of who it happened to and his ability to communicate it to me. A powerful moment on one of the special nights in New Orleans sports history.

Oh, and that trip to Maui for the NFL owners meetings in 2005 wasn’t bad either but for vastly different reasons.

4. Turning to the team itself – I know fans everywhere are thrilled to see that the team is staying in NOLA long-term.  Were you surprised that the negotiations with the state went so smoothly?
No. Both sides were motivated to get a deal done and it was in their best interests to do it. I have a lot of respect for Doug Thornton and Ron Forman, who represented the state in the negotiations. I knew they would handle the situations fairly and above board. I think everyone involved knew the previous deal was not going to fly and I applaud the Saints for recognizing such and showing a willingness to be flexible. I thought the deal was logical and feasible considering the economic challenges facing the team, city and state. Hard to find fault with it.

5. Finally, what do you think will be the key to this year’s team making the playoffs?
That’s an easy one. The defense must make some plays. They don’t necessarily have to finish in the top 10 in total yards or points, but they have to make their share of sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions, third-down stops, etc. So far, they’ve played exactly as I expected them to in the preseason. They are going to surrender yards in chunks and fans need to get used to it. They are not going to be the stingy, suffocating defenses you see in Pittsburgh or Baltimore. They aren’t built that way. But they must be able to create short fields and scoring opportunities for the offense. That’s the goal.

6. Ok, one more question.  This is it, I swear.  When you’re ready to retire, can I have your job?
Ha. If I’m allowed to retire, I’ll feel very fortunate, considering the current state of the newspaper business. Cheers!