I've got a big chip on my shoulder,' says new Kansas City Chiefs LB Nico Johnson
Don Kausler Jr.
on April 30, 2013 at 12:49 PM, updated April 30, 2013 at 12:56 PM
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – In the months, weeks and then days leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft, Nico Johnson talked to most teams in the league. Practically all of them, in fact.
“Kansas City was probably the only team that I didn’t talk to,” the former Alabama linebacker said Tuesday by phone from Andalusia.
So after he slept in Saturday, he showered.
“I was just waking up,” Johnson said. “As soon as I turned the TV on, my name popped up and my phone rang.”
The Chiefs were calling to tell him that they had selected him with the second pick in the fourth round. Johnson was the 99th player drafted overall.
“I was shocked that they drafted me, but I’m thankful,” he said. “All of my stress went away. At least somebody believed in me. I just can’t wait to showcase what I can do.”
Three days later, Johnson said the news that he’s a pro football player still is soaking in.
“Now I’ve got the mindset that I want to go out and earn everything that was given to me,” he said. “I have to earn respect from my new teammates and coaches. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.”
When he reports next Thursday for rookie minicamp, the Chiefs might think he’s already wearing shoulder pads.
“I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder,” said Johnson, who was typecast as a run-stopper at Alabama because he was replaced by C.J. Mosley in passing situations. “It was already there before the end of the season. I can’t wait. I’m so motivated right now to go out and do my best, a whole lot more than what people think.”
Johnson is eager to prove he isn’t one-dimensional.
“The way Coach runs the system here at Alabama, I was labeled just as a run-stopper, not a pass coverage guy,” he said, referring to Nick Saban. “He always took me out on pass coverage.
‘I can’t worry about what people thought of me. It’s kind of motivated me to continue to get better, no matter what. You’re always going to have those naysayers. That just adds wood to the fire.”
There was only one bad thing about playing at Alabama, Johnson said.
“You have so much talent, and Coach knows how to get the best players on the field at the right time,” he said. “You’ve just got to take it and keep going with it. We never questioned Coach. We just took what role he gave us and played our best. I mean, we won three national championships in four years. You can’t complain.”
Johnson will join two former Alabama teammates in Kansas City: cornerbacks Javier Arenas and DeQuan Menzie.
“Their defense is similar to what we run at Alabama,” Johnson said. “It’ll be a little easier for me.”
Johnson has never even visited Kansas City, but he already has an impression that reminds him of Alabama.
“Kansas City fans are showing their support already,” he said. “I can’t wait.”