NFL Johnson playing more in Oakland

The former YSU All-American is helping to solve the Raiders' dilemmas.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Bill Romanowski's troubles have created another chance for former Youngstown State University linebacker Tim Johnson.
Most likely, Romanowski's 16-year career is over. Between the concussion he suffered in a Week 3 game against the Broncos in Denver to the accusation leaked Sunday that he's tested positive for the newly-detectable designer steroid THG (a banned synthetic developed by a lab in nearby Burlingame), the outspoken linebacker's NFL days are over.
The beneficiary may be Johnson, who played for the Penguins in 1999 and 2000 after transferring from East Mississippi Junior College.
Punt block in Super Bowl
Despite blocking a punt that was returned for a touchdown in Oakland's 48-21 Super Bowl XXXVII loss to Tampa Bay, the Raiders released Johnson at the end of training camp, then placed him on the practice squad.
But after Romanowski's injury, the Raiders (3-7) promoted the 25-year-old from Alabama back onto the active roster and he's played the past six games.
He's been playing special teams, but a MCL injury to starter Travian Smith has the Raiders looking for linebacker help.
"I'm just glad to be here and I just have to keep doing my job so I can hang around for a while," said Johnson, who added that the Houston Texans were the only team to show interest in him when the Raiders cut him in September. "It has great rewards."
Johnson played for Jim Tressel in the Ohio State coach's final two seasons at YSU, including the 1999 squad that advanced to the Division I-AA championship game.
Signed with Ravens
In 2001, Johnson signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Baltimore Ravens, but was released at the end of training camp.
He spent the rest of 2001 as a member of the Chicago Bears' practice squad, then played for the Rhein Fire during the 2002 NFL Europe season before signing with the defending AFC champions.
"To go from the I-AA championship to the World Bowl in NFL Europe and then coming here last year and playing in the Super Bowl -- it's been outstanding," said Johnson, calling 2002 "indescribable, unpredictable -- it was awesome."
Playing at YSU, Johnson said, "was a great experience. Most people think there's a big gap in talent, but there's not. Football is the game all across the nation. We have guys in this room who were big-time I-A Michigan, Ohio State guys, but once we're on that field, we're all good.
"The game is faster because you have to have more assignments, more duties, more jobs -- that's what we get paid for and that's [those things] are the biggest change."
Follows Tressel's success
Johnson is anything but surprised at how well his former coach is doing in Columbus.
"Give him five years and he'll be the best coach in college football," Johnson said of Tressel. "Watch them win two or three championships.
"I'm just proud of what he's doing with the program at Ohio State -- I love him."
Johnson said he's drawn inspiration from Tressel, successfully going from a I-AA program to the majors, and sees a parallel in their careers.
"He went to the number-one college in the nation and that encourages me," Johnson said. "He won the [national] championship and I competed in the Super Bowl at the same time.
"I'm pulling for him every week and I know he's pulling for me and I know people in Youngstown are pulling for [us]. We're still family no matter how far [away] we go."
When the Raiders come to Pittsburgh on Dec. 7, Johnson's playing time may be more than just on special teams.
williams@vindy.com