From The Desk Of Dr. Ward: Of Philebrity, Football, and The Death of a Genius…
Longtime Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson
will be honored next Friday at a private memorial at the Linc.
DR. SEAN WARD, CARPENTER AND FATHER, REPORTING: So it would seem that our illustrious editor-in-chief has what some might consider to be a strong dislike for, or a serious misunderstanding of the game of football. Which is okay, I suppose. After all, some of us only have so much room in our lives to spend watching the sports. For some of us whose indoctrination as fans of various sports teams began early in our childhoods, it seems impossible not to care about the fates of our beloved teams. I grew up going to The Vet with my dad for Eagles‘ games as well as Phillies‘ games, but it was the football games I loved most. I never played football (ice hockey was my thing), so my understanding of the game was a gradual education which took a childhood to master. One thing that was instantly understood by yours truly was how much I enjoyed getting caught up in the rapture of an Eagles’ touchdown at the stadium. My dad and I were never the sorts of fans that literally wore our love for our team on our sleeves, which is to say, we owned very little Eagles merchandise, but rest assured we don’t just bleed green. Cut us open and watch as screaming bald eagles come in great flocks from our veins. Such is the intensity of my love for our football team that it transcends the wearing of jerseys. I am a third-generation fan (my grandfather was a season ticket holder at Franklin Field) so it could be said that it is in my very DNA. Does it bother me that this isn’t something that I can share with Sweeney? Meh. We have our love for the Phillies in common. What does bother me is that I don’t get to share my love of the Eagles with my fellow fans on our beloved Philebrity.
I have heard a murmuring here and there about whether or not there is going to be a Philebrity friendlier to the viewpoint of the Eagles fans amongst its readership. This is a duty that perhaps Captain Sweeney will defer to someone who cares more about it than he does. Then again, such calls for more postings regarding sports teams could lead to still others whereby Flyers fans, and Sixers fans demand a voice as well. Next thing you know, all the parents of little Bobby’s tee-ball team will threaten boycott if there’s any more lack of discussion about their current two game winning streak. It is a slippery slope, I suppose. And I really don’t think that any of us wants Philebrity to become a full-blown sports blog. It would be nice, though, if there were at least a posting not only acknowledging long-time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson‘s untimely death, but also some recognition of what he meant to our team, as well as what he meant to the game of football. Sweeney, lemme know if you’d like some help in remedying this omission. I would be glad to oblige.
– Dr. Ward
Editor’s note: By all means, we invite Dr. Ward — and all of you — to comment below on the life and legacy of Jim Johnson. And our heartfelt condolences to go out to Johnson’s family and many friends. And if you must know, we’ll be ritually initiating Dr. Ward as our new (unpaid) Eagles columnist tonight, whether he likes it or not. Fly, Eagles, fly.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
A solid guy who did a solid job…
July 31st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
“Genius” is a bit much. Lost in all the criticism of Reid and McNabb in the season-ending losses over the years was the fact that the defense also came up short.
But he devised a very aggressive style of defense that has been imitated by many for years now, and by all accounts he was a stand-up guy on and off the field. RIP.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Way to kick a guy when he’s dead, crotchbat.
Philadelphia’s classy reputation lives on.
Thanks for the memories, Coach.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
No one changed the game over the last decade like JJ did. A lot of Jim Johnson wannabees in the NFL right now, none will ever compete. RIP.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
There’s nothing classless about challenging overblown praise, mysteryape. I respect Mr. Johnson and the game enough to be honest, and if you read my full post I think you’ll see it was quite complimentary.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:25 pm
@ crotchbat (nice handle, btw)… I stand by my assertion that JJ was a genius. In a game like football, or any game for that matter, there are so many variables that add to, or detract from success, not the least of which is the performance of the players being coached. The over-arching trend during the length of his tenure was one of success. Surely, the ultimate measure of success in sports is the winning of a championship, but when taking a step back and weighing a person’s accomplishments during their career, it can and should be said that winning isn’t everything (or the only thing). Anyone, whether a coach or otherwise, who can manage to hold such sway over their chosen profession as a whole is a genius in my book. I appreciate your honesty and your respect for the game, but I respectfully disagree that I lavished JJ with undeserved or overblown praise by labeling him a genius. As you said yourself, his style of defense was often imitated and I would add, rarely duplicated. A Jim Johnson defense was enjoyable for me to watch for the same reasons I like to play chess and it was as cerebral as it was brutal… a beautiful paradox at work.
Since it seems as though I’ve been roped into the clutches of Philebrity serfdom to write about the Birds this season, I expect I lively debate from the likes of crotchbat and others. See you on this, the comments section of the Philebrity gridiron.
E-A-G-L-E-S———EAGLES!!!!!!!!!
July 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
JJ was a genius. He defenses were worn down by Reid and McNabb’s offense’s inability to sustain long drives on a regular basis. The Giants won a SB with his defense by running the damn ball.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
It’s about time the Eagles got some representation on the Philebtubes. Looking forward to some great coverage and commentary Dr. Ward.
July 31st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I read the whole thing. I think you’re wrong to indict Johnson’s coaching for any of those postseason losses save the most recent, but moreover there are times when you don’t go quibbling over the various uses or misuses of the word “genius”. Most notably, in an obituary. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that a moment couldn’t pass where an Eagles fan would think to himself, “Wait a second, I HAVE AN OPINION!” and then think better of it and not open his mouth (or in your case, click submit). That would be too much to ask. Tact has never been our strong suit.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I appreciate the thoughtful reply, dr. ward
JL — have to disagree with you there. The Rams and Patriots held the ball for the entire third quarters of those losses, games in which McNabb was putting good points on the board. There’s plenty of blame to go around.
mysteryrape — I respect your opinion and doubt you’re in the minority there, and I greatly respect Mr. Johnson as a coach and person, but I stand by what I said and don’t think it was a case of Typical Philly Fan Behaving Badly.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
oh jesus — sorry for that extra r. I blame the vodka
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Kudos to Philebrity editorial staff for (finally) paying respects to Jim Johnson. And thanks to Sean for taking on the honored role of newest Eagles commentator.
I love the Phils and Flyers. I will ante up for Union season tickets. But I would consider it a monumental life-changing moment to witness an Eagles Super Bowl win. I’m a smitten Iggles lady fan. And I’m thrilled Philebrity may now pay proper due to my awesome team.
R.I.P. J.J.