Silver and Black Report

CHRIS JOHNSON

• CORNERBACK
• No: 37
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 200
• Birth date: 09/25/1979
• College: LOUISVILLE
• Acquired: Signed as a free agent on March 19, 2007

In February of 2009, the Oakland Raiders re-signed cornerback Chris Johnson to a four-year deal worth $11.3 million. Johnson cashed in on his three interceptions, 12 passes defended and forced fumble after replacing the dumped DeAngelo Hall midway through the 2008 season. His man-to-man prowess, the typical style Oakland has preferred through the years, was something Hall never adjusted to, and surely an approach that Raider owner Al Davis likes seeing on the field.

The former seventh round pick of the Green Bay Packers was actually one of the better defenders as that campaign wound down and his loyalty to the Raiders was a deciding factor on why he would remain in Silver & Black.

“It was the best opportunity for him,” agent Anthony Brown said. “His loyalty was to Mr. Davis for all the wonderful things he’s done for him.”

Johnson has the tough task of being the opponent’s main target in the secondary with Nnamdi Asomugha playing on the other side of the field. In 2009, he posted a career high 59-tackles, 18 passes defended and 3 interceptions.

He also provided one of the better quotes of the year when he stated, “If you really want to look at it, you can go 8-0 and you might end up 10-6. There’s a possible way you can actually do it.”