Jim Johnson Dies

[norb]

Jim Johnson, Eagles Defensive Coordinator for many years, died of cancer today. This guy used the Free Safety in ways that had never been done before. Even at Strat-O-Matic we had to modify the game rules to make sure that safeties got some sacks. All due to Jim Johnson. I really liked this guy and am sad to see him go.

[Kerflumoxed]

Saw that in the morning paper...said he was 68 years old and on leave from the team since May. Whenever cancer is diagnosed late in life, doesn't seem to take very long for it to reach the "end."

A few years back, the Packers' "D" Coordinator, Fritz Schurmur died from cancer. I had worked for him when he was the head coach at Wyo. Then, he went to the Cards to be "D" Coordinator. Last saw him when I was at a Denver Bronco pre-season camp in Greeley while I was a visiting college coach, CO, when the Cards came in for a scrimmage.

Fritz later went to the Packers and was their "D" Coordinator when they won their last Super Bowl. When Holmgren left the Packers to go to Seattle a few years later, Fritz had already been diagnosed with cancer and did not go. A few months after he was diagnosed, he passed away. Helluva "D" coach! (BTW, his son is a cardiologist at the U. of Neb. Med. Ctr. in Omaha.)

Jack Hanger
Fremont, NE