MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our mobile texting service.
Two years ago, as a fun change-of-pace type of blog entry, I picked a new player each week and asked him about his gameday superstitions and rituals.
Last year, I came up with "10 Not-So-Hard Questions", and would ask guys about their favorite movies, which athletes they idolized growing up, and other non-football topics.
This year, I decided to switch it up again. I'm planning on talking to a different guy each week, and quizzing him on his own football career. NFL questions, college questions, high school questions (if I can come up with any) - they're all in play.
The first guy on the docket is linebacker Jarret Johnson, who is entering his eighth season out of Alabama. Johnson had a career year last year, posting 50 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble and two interceptions, establishing himself as a legitimate Pro Bowl candidate.
Dan Kolko: Who threw the pass that you grabbed for your first interception?
Jarret Johnson: Oh man...Miami...it was...he went to Houston after that, I can't remember his name though. It was my second year. Rosenfels? Yeah, Sage Rosenfels.
DK: Correct. What do you remember about that play?
JJ: I just remember it was a screen and I had a good pass rush move. There was a screen, and he threw it too low. I jumped up, tipped it, and housed it ... from six yards out. (Laughing) Still housed it, though.
DK: What overall draft pick were you taken with?
JJ: 109. Easy one. 109.
DK: That was quick. What were you thinking that day?
JJ: It was pretty miserable, because I thought I was going in the second round, and I went in the fourth. But once I got picked, you realize ... when you're in college, you think the draft is everything, and you think getting drafted in the first day is everything and getting drafted on the second day is disrespectful. But now, it doesn't matter when you get drafted, it's how you finish. I got drafted where I needed to get drafted.
DK: You had two full sacks in a game once in your career. What year did it happen and who did it come against?
JJ: Kansas City. Last year. Right off the bat, first game.
DK: How many kickoff returns do you have in your career?
JJ: I'm going to say ... about four.
DK: Nailed it. You're perfect so far. Next one - who was your first career playoff game against?
JJ: Steelers.
DK: There's the first incorrect answer. It was the Titans.
JJ: Oh, that's right. Titans, that's right. It was my rookie year; we had to beat the Steelers to make it to the playoffs. Then we played the Titans in the first game and lost. I was pretty jacked for that one, pretty pumped. I got to play a lot in the Steelers game, and I was hoping to play a lot in the Tennessee game. I got a few snaps, but not a ton.
DK: You're second on Alabama's all-time sacks list with 23. Who is the only guy above you?
JJ: Um ... Derrick Thomas.
DK: Yup. The dude had 52 sacks.
JJ: Yeah, it's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. It's not even close.
DK: Think anyone will ever get close to topping that?
JJ: 52? No, I doubt it, because they'll come out. They'll be in the league if they're getting that many sacks.
