Dallas gives Johnson opportunity to resume career
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
Defensive lineman Tank Johnson, who cannot play until midseason because of an eight-game NFL suspension, reached a two-year agreement with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not available. The agreement was reached 10 minutes before a deadline imposed by the Cowboys.
The former Chicago Bear visited team officials Monday night and hoped to have a deal in place by Tuesday afternoon. Although it is unclear what he can do between now and when he is reinstated by the league, the former Chicago Bear at least has a future employer.
"For a lot of reasons, he really just felt the Cowboys were the right fit," Johnson's agent, Jerrold Colton, told The Associated Press. "He's so thankful to them for giving him this opportunity. He is very determined to prove they made a wise decision in believing in him."
Johnson's suspension resulted form a probation violation on a gun charge that included a two-month prison term that he served in the spring.
Then, in June, Johnson was stopped by Gilbert, Ariz., police for speeding. His blood alcohol level was found to be .072, under the presumptive limit for DUI in Arizona, and Johnson was not charged. Still, the fact that he was out late at night and had been drinking might discourage commissioner Roger Goodell from reducing the suspension.
Once the Bears learned of the Arizona incident, Johnson was immediately released.
Johnson will have a half-season to learn the Cowboys' nose tackle position, as starter Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending biceps injury in Dallas' season-opening win over the Giants.
ESPN.com
Defensive lineman Tank Johnson, who cannot play until midseason because of an eight-game NFL suspension, reached a two-year agreement with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not available. The agreement was reached 10 minutes before a deadline imposed by the Cowboys.
The former Chicago Bear visited team officials Monday night and hoped to have a deal in place by Tuesday afternoon. Although it is unclear what he can do between now and when he is reinstated by the league, the former Chicago Bear at least has a future employer.
"For a lot of reasons, he really just felt the Cowboys were the right fit," Johnson's agent, Jerrold Colton, told The Associated Press. "He's so thankful to them for giving him this opportunity. He is very determined to prove they made a wise decision in believing in him."
Johnson's suspension resulted form a probation violation on a gun charge that included a two-month prison term that he served in the spring.
Then, in June, Johnson was stopped by Gilbert, Ariz., police for speeding. His blood alcohol level was found to be .072, under the presumptive limit for DUI in Arizona, and Johnson was not charged. Still, the fact that he was out late at night and had been drinking might discourage commissioner Roger Goodell from reducing the suspension.
Once the Bears learned of the Arizona incident, Johnson was immediately released.
Johnson will have a half-season to learn the Cowboys' nose tackle position, as starter Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending biceps injury in Dallas' season-opening win over the Giants.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:28 PM
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