Dirk Johnson

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.

Dirk Johnson
Johnson in January 2007.
No. 6, 8, 10, 9
Position:Punter
Personal information
Born: (1975-06-01) June 1, 1975
Hoxie, Kansas
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
Player stats at NFL.com

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.

References
  1. Skolnick, Ethan J. "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. "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.
Preceded by
Lee Johnson		 Philadelphia Eagles Punter
2003–2006		 Succeeded by
Sav Rocca
Preceded by
Mitch Berger		 Arizona Cardinals Punter
2008		 Succeeded by
Ben Graham
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