Jim Johnson, longtime Defensive Co-ordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away, aged 68.

One of the very best Defensive Co-ordinators the NFL has ever seen, lost his long and grueling battle with cancer. Reported to have been suffering from a tumor growth on his spine, the whole league watched as Johnson faded away with his health. However, much like the mentality he instilled in his defenses that he put on the field, Johnson would not budge or go down without putting up one hell of a fight.

Go back to Week 3 of last years competition, and it is no secret that Johnson will have left a very strong memory of his quality on Steelers players, particularly the offense. In that game, the Steelers last against Jim Johnson's defense, the Eagles held the Steelers to just 180 yards, intercepting Ben once and sacking him a ridiculous 9 times.

Jim Johnson was an incredible mind at defensive co-ordinator, since his tenure in Philadephia, his defenses have been ranked in the top 10 on a consistant basis. Well known along side Dick LeBeau and Monte Kiffin for being the very best of experienced Defensive minded coaches in the league.

I admired Jim Johnson right to the end. He stayed on the field, doing what he loved, for as long as he could. Even when the back pain got so bad that he was seen at practice riding around on a mobility scooter barking orders at his defense, and even sitting in the box on gameday, refusing to let illness take the game away from him.

Rest in Piece Jim Johnson...

1941-2009