FALCONS Backup Johnson ready to take over for Michael Vick

He always knew he was just one tackle away from getting the call.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Doug Johnson knew this day might come, so he kept himself ready.
Every time Michael Vick took off running, Johnson figured he was just one tackle away from taking over at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
"You've got to keep your mind in the game," Johnson said. "You're not playing behind someone like Brett Favre or Peyton Manning. You figure guys that stay in the pocket are not going to get injured as much. With Michael's running ability, I had to stay in the game."
Good thing.
Vick breaks leg
Vick broke his right leg in a preseason game Saturday night and will need at least six weeks to heal. He'll miss the opening month of the regular season, giving Johnson a chance to start the first four games.
The former Florida quarterback doesn't sound the least bit intimidated.
"There's no greater pressure in the NFL," Johnson said Monday, his T-shirt drenched in sweat after a workout. "I played in front of more people at Florida than I'll ever play in front of in the NFL."
Clearly, the Falcons' offense will undergo a major change with Johnson taking snaps instead of Vick. The injured starter was downright revolutionary, a quarterback who was as likely to beat you with his legs as his left arm. The replacement is a typical drop-back passer who relies on timing and reading defenses at the line.
While he's had only three starts in three seasons, Johnson gained the confidence of his teammates with a performance last season at Giants Stadium. Filling in for Vick, who couldn't play because of a sprained shoulder, Johnson completed 19-of-25 passes for 257 yards in a 17-10 victory. He passed for one touchdown and ran for another, faking out Jason Sehorn with a Vick-like move.
"That was the biggest game of the season," safety Keion Carpenter said. "Doug could start for any team in this league. We're not down at all."
Support from teammates
Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking said Johnson is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league. While Vick is inclined to take off running when his protection breaks down -- which led to his injury -- Johnson is willing to stand in the pocket and take a lick.
"Doug's a very fiery guy," said Brooking, one of the quarterback's closest friends.
Johnson might not have Vick's speed, but he's certainly a gifted athlete. Johnson was a second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1996 and spent two summers playing minor league baseball while also playing football at Florida.
He started 22 games for Florida and passed for 62 touchdowns, third-most in school history behind Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel.