Cancer is a bitch. The news last week that the Eagles promoted their interim Defensive Coordinator to that position on a full-time basis hinted that Johnson wasn't doing so well. However, I didn't think the man was that close to passing away. It will be interesting for the Eagles to deal with this loss as it comes right when the team is assembling for training camp. Its tough to lose a leader and a teammate, so there will be a lot of people, not just fans, who will mourn his passing.

Damn, when it comes, it comes quick. Just a few months ago, Jim Johnson was wreaking havoc with NFL offensive lines. He sent the blitz so often, in such unorthodox ways, that by the third quarter, you would often see opposing QBs looking utterly shellshocked. Rookie QBs never had a chance against the Eagles, mainly because of Jim Johnson.

Philadelphia is a sports town. The Eagles are the pride of Philadelphia sports. The D has been heart of the Eagles for the last dacade. And Jim Johnson was the madman who made that D tick.

You can't underestimate what Jim Johnson meant to the Eagles, and by association, to Philly.