Johnson provides solid safety net
Without Mike Brown last season, it was apparent the Bears missed more than the emotional edge he brings to the field -- a lot more.
With him standing with crutches on the sideline Sunday at Soldier Field, recovering from surgery to repair the torn Lisfranc ligament in his right foot, the Bears weren't handicapped.
Todd Johnson filled in and showed why teammates and the coaching staff believed Brown's absence wouldn't deal a critical blow to the Bears, who became the league's top scoring defense Sunday after the Denver Broncos ran into the Indianapolis Colts, the league's only other unbeaten.
Johnson was credited with five tackles by press-box statistics and forced two fumbles, the first of which led to Rex Grossman's 27-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Clark that made it 41-0 at halftime.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Antonio Bryant was crossing the middle, and Johnson ripped the ball out, with Ricky Manning Jr. recovering. In the second half, Johnson also popped the ball loose from running back Frank Gore, his fifth fumble of the season and the first he hasn't lost.
"It felt good," Johnson said. "There are definitely some things I could do better, but I felt comfortable initially with how I played."
Johnson replaced Brown for 10 starts in 2004 when a torn Achilles tendon sidelined him, and the results were mixed.
But it was effectively Johnson's rookie season because a fractured jaw the year before sidelined him for all of 2003. And he's at strong safety now.
"Yeah, I do feel a little more comfortable at strong," Johnson said. "But I have always said you have to be able to play both and you have to be interchangeable."
The Bears' goals on defense were twofold. They wanted to stop Gore and make quarterback Alex Smith's decisions more difficult. That's why they played press coverage on defense, which the Bears rarely do. Johnson got involved, too, covering tight end Eric Johnson in man coverage on a few occasions.
"Todd played very well," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. "A couple things he did were exciting for us, a couple big hits. He played very well for us in man coverage. He really helped."
You sensed Johnson's role would be bigger this season when he was chosen as the backup to nickel cornerback Manning Jr. during the spring.
It's a complicated position that requires a defensive back to cover like one and play run support like a linebacker.
"Todd's a baller no matter where he is on the field, whether it be on special teams or at safety," linebacker Lance Briggs said. "He belongs. You can't replace a Mike Brown, but we know that at the same time we have no choice but to press on. With players like Todd, it makes that transition much easier."
Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, now one of four starters general manager Jerry Angelo will have to evaluate looking ahead to the open market. "No, I haven't thought about that," Johnson said. "I'm just thinking about Miami. Seriously, my goal was to get through my contract with the Bears, and whatever happens, happens."