|
Tuesday, 13 March 2007 15:32 |
IRVING, Texas ó Brad Johnson, a former star for Owen High in Black Mountain, N.C., on March 5 signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys, who sought a veteran quarterback to be Tony Romoís mentor.
Johnson, 38, got a three-year contract. Terms were not revealed. He became an unrestricted free agent two weeks ago, when the Minnesota Vikings, in a long-expected move, released the 15-season veteran.
The Cowboys needed another quarterback after releasing Drew Bledsoe, who lost the starting job to Romo in Dallasí seventh game last season.
Johnson
made it clear, however, on March 6 that he never agreed to serve as
Romoís mentor. ìMy role is to be ready to play at any moment, and my
role will be defined in time,î he told The Associated Press.
He said his
decision came down to the Cowboys and the Broncos. He opted for Dallas
because of his friendship with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and
his displeasure with the role the Broncos had in mind for him ó as
mentor to quarterback Jay Cutler.
ìThey drafted
Jay in the first round, and he is the franchise,î Johnson told The AP.
ìThey want him there for the next 10 years. He is loaded with potential
and talent and they are looking for more of a mentor thing. I really
kind of disagreed with that.î
While Johnson said he hopes Romo and the Cowboys have a successful season, he added that he is ìnot there for my health.î
Romo, he noted,
ìalready has a quarterback coach. My thing is to work hard in practice
and have a great relationship with Tony, and hopefully he has the best
year of his life.î
|
