Johnson backs off Belichick

TED JOHNSON "Some bitterness"

Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson yesterday described his life as "a little scary, a little unsure, a lot of anxiety, a lot of disappointment, shame," in his first television interview since he told the Globe and the New York Times that his life had been ruined because of concussions suffered while playing football.

Johnson, who had accused Patriots coach Bill Belichick of forcing him to practice with a concussion in 2002, backed off on that stance a bit in his interview with ESPN's Wendi Nix.

"I don't want to place blame anywhere," Johnson said. "It probably could all go around, to a little bit of everybody. I can't sit here and honestly say that I think Bill Belichick knew what second-impact syndrome was, and if he put me in there that could potentially happen. I can't sit there and say that. I have to believe he didn't do what he did to intentionally try to hurt me physically."

Belichick told the Globe last week Johnson should have told him he wasn't able to practice and that the two had worked things out later that season.

"If I had an opportunity to talk to Bill [now], you know what? Somebody told me one time and it's served me well, resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. It only hurts me," Johnson said. "Bill and I were able to somehow patch it up back then and I'm not going to tell you that sometimes I do not feel some bitterness. At the same time, I also have compassion and understand that people are human. I have to believe he didn't do what he did to intentionally try to hurt me physically."

The Globe reported Johnson's medical records from the Patriots note a concussion he suffered in an exhibition season game against the Giants in 2002, along with notations that he was not cleared to play. The records also show the subsequent concussion he suffered in practice four days later, when he said he shouldn't have been on the field.

The Patriots will open their 2007 exhibition schedule Aug. 2, when they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. The teams will then travel to Beijing and face each other in the China Bowl Aug. 9.

Last year, the Patriots opened the exhibition season Aug. 12. The early start for 2007 is tied to playing in the China Bowl.

The team's remaining exhibition games have yet to be finalized, although the Patriots will have five games. The last time the team had five instead of the regular four was 2000, Belichick's first year as coach.

The Patriots have yet to finalize when they will start training camp, although it is expected to be in mid-July.

The last time the Patriots faced the Seahawks in the exhibition season was Aug. 19, 1989, when Seattle visited Sullivan Stadium. The last time the Patriots visited the Seahawks in the exhibition season was Aug. 29, 1980.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who is playing in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, told KNBR radio in San Francisco that he didn't watch Super Bowl XLI because he wasn't interested and it was "too painful to watch." He also said "general soreness" kept him from playing in today's Pro Bowl as a first alternate. Brady and playing partner Billy Andrade are at 12-under-par 132 after two rounds, 10 shots off the lead.