NFL veteran and former Preds lineman rejoins team
May 18, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, Fla. (May 18, 2007) - The personnel changes continued for the Orlando Predators on Friday, when the team announced that it had signed former NFL and Predators lineman Kevin Johnson to a one-year contract.
Johnson first retired from professional football in 2002 after playing for the Los Angeles Avengers in 2001. He attempted a comeback with the Predators last year and was having a solid pre-season camp before going on the injured reserve list on Jan. 23. He was activated and released from IR on March 2 without playing a game.
An NFL veteran and former fourth round draft pick of the New England Patriots (1993), Johnson (6-3, 330) logged a total of 27 games of NFL playing experience with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995-96. He also spent time with the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings.
Johnson signed with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and played in six games. He played in 11 games during the 1999 season and was a part of two ArenaBowl teams. Counting his time with the Avengers, Johnson was used primarily as an offensive lineman but also recorded 12 tackles with a quarterback sack, one TFL and two pass defenses on defense in 19 career AFL games.
"Right now we are hurting on the offensive line and we believe KJ can provide us a lift," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "With advent of free substitution, he'll only have to play offense and he still possesses excellent feet and technique for a big man."
Orlando is currently playing without two of its three original starters on its offensive line as Jim Sodano was lost for the season in Game 2 with a knee injury and starting center Justin Cleveland was placed on injured reserve last week with a sprained foot arch. The Predators have used several different combinations since the injuries, with Reggie Lee, John Miller, Charles Hill, Delanio Taylor, and Doug Miller all seeing action on the offensive line.
Johnson, 37, could play as early as this week against the Austin Wranglers.
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