Pepper still grinding away

Johnson quickly discovered that his first post-playing job, as a corporate spokesman and part-time television analyst for Giants and Jets games in 1999, wasn’t for him. He wasn’t a business guy and didn’t enjoy asking questions to which he already knew the answers.

So his idea was to piece together what he learned on the football field, in meeting rooms, and in locker rooms. He started thinking of all the lessons he could pass along to a younger generation of football players.

He’d tell stories about slow-footed Everson Walls, the undrafted-turned-All-Pro defensive back who made up for his physical limitations through tireless preparation. He’d talk about what opponents like Reggie White and Pat Swilling used to tell him about their pass-rushing expertise, how Mike Singletary’s infectious approach rubbed off on teammates, and how Giants teammates like George Martin and Harry Carson gained an edge.

“My thoughts were to get all this information and go back and coach high school,’’ Johnson recalled. “I thought that would be great, to go back and teach high school kids some of the techniques and skills we have at the NFL level, and maybe I could come up with a couple hundred wins before I retire.’’

The plan, like some of the running backs he thumped during his playing days, was blown up.

Johnson is now in his 10th season as an assistant coach with the Patriots, a position he never sought but which presented itself through one of the NFL’s more impressive initiatives: the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship.

Johnson’s former defensive coordinator with the Giants and Jets and head coach with the Browns, Bill Belichick, had just been named head coach of the Patriots in 2000.

“I had asked Coach Belichick if I could watch things from an organizational standpoint,’’ said Johnson. “I wanted to see the coaching process - the meetings, who is responsible for what, all that stuff. He brought me aboard and I tell the story that he probably knew my passion for the game, and what would happen next - that I’d want to stay around.’’

Ten years later, the 45-year-old Johnson is one of just three position coaches who have been on Belichick’s staff each season, joining Dante Scarnecchia (offensive line) and Ivan Fears (running backs). Instead of tutoring impressionable high schoolers, he is leading meetings with top-caliber defensive linemen Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren.

While Johnson is a student of football and teaches the often-overlooked techniques that contribute to successful line play, his coaching style is best described as passionate. Visit a Patriots practice, and his booming voice rises above all, whether he’s calling out for a new personnel package or rallying the scout kickoff-coverage team as part of the regular Friday practice routine.

“I’m going to make the most of it, have fun, and I’m going to be excited about it,’’ said Johnson, who took pride in never missing a practice because of injury through his first 11 seasons as a player. “When I look at it, it’s one speed only. I don’t have different tempos. I can’t pull it down, or shift into a different gear, or have 110 percent effort. That makes no sense to me. You’re either playing or you’re not.

“I can’t go out there and perform like I used to, even though I joke that I still have 20 plays [per game] left in me. So I live through Vince Wilfork. I live through Ty Warren. I live through Randy Moss and Tom Brady. I need for those guys to feel what I’m feeling every day I go out there.’’

When Johnson is asked about the differences between his playing and coaching careers, coaching is the area he highlights.

“I think it hit home to me in 2001 when we won the Super Bowl and then I saw my son Dionte win the city wrestling championship [in Columbus, Ohio],’’ he said. “I was so proud of Dionte. That was his first year wrestling.

“Then I thought about seeing my players after winning the Super Bowl - Roman Phifer running down the field, Bobby Hamilton excited and crying. I hate to say it, because it ages me, but those guys were like my kids. When you see them accomplish something, it’s special.’’

With five Super Bowl rings - two as a player with the Giants, three as a coach with the Patriots - Johnson has a résumé that few assistants can match. His long-term aspirations are to move up the coaching ladder, where the natural progression would be defensive coordinator.

That’s a bit different from where he was 10 years ago, carving out plans to be a high school coach, but sometimes unexpected things happen and they stick for the long-term. Sort of like when Johnson’s aunt observed him sprinkling pepper on his breakfast cereal as a youngster, and nicknamed him “Pepper.’’

The name fits. So, too, does the position of NFL coach.

“It’s great, I’m doing something I love to do,’’ he said. “I’ve always had a passion for football. It’s something that I know, that I strongly believe I was born and raised to do.’’

An offensive attitude

What has it been like for you not being affiliated with a team?

“When I had left St. Louis, [my wife] Julie was really disappointed that I didn’t take a year off. She’s wanted me to take a year off for quite some time. Our kids are out of the house now and we have a home in San Diego, where we both went to high school and grew up, so we’ve been getting back in touch with our family and friends that we’ve known for many, many years. I’ve been very busy. I didn’t think I’d enjoy this time off, but I have. I anticipate getting back into coaching next year, and hopefully I have the opportunity.’’

Did any coaching opportunities come close for you this year?

“There wasn’t anything that was close. I think the way things fell, there is kind of a movement for younger coaches now. They’re not going to want a guy like me. I think to have me come in and work on a staff with a young guy, I don’t think it would be comfortable for them. It would have to be a unique situation. I’m fine with that, because I’m really enjoying what I’m doing here with the NFL Network. It happened by accident. I went and did a show or two, and then came back again and again.’’

As a coach who knows some things about explosive offensive football, which teams stand out to you in that area?

“Obviously, with Tom [ Brady] back, New England is going to be right there. Philadelphia, when you consider the speed of their receivers and now adding [Michael ] Vick, they would be there. The Chargers are another, along with the Packers. A dark horse would be Chicago. Those will be some really exciting offenses to watch. I might include Seattle in there as well. Of them all, watching Green Bay in the preseason, they have that ‘wow’ factor. They have it going on up there and I think they are going to come smoking out of the blocks.’’

From a coaching perspective, what do you think makes the Patriots such a dangerous offense? “When you have Tom Brady, you have to take advantage of his ability to see the field and make good decisions and terrific, accurate throws. You just have to do that. To park it in the garage wouldn’t be right. The other part of this is the offensive line. Over the years, I think they deserve so much credit for that offense’s success. That includes their line coach [Dante Scarnecchia]. They lay the groundwork for everything they do. What they’re doing now - spreading people out and getting the ball into the seams and taking advantage of Tom’s ability - is outstanding.’’

Vick hasn’t worn out his welcome in Atlanta

When Vick signed with the Eagles Aug. 13, one sporting goods store in Atlanta received 20 requests for Vick’s new Eagles jersey. Despite the high price tag for jerseys ($80) and T-shirts ($26), some stores were having trouble keeping all sizes on the shelves.

The instant sales illustrate the strong hold that Vick had in the Atlanta area and how difficult a situation Ryan stepped into last season as the “next’’ franchise quarterback.

And it doesn’t get any easier for the former Boston College signal caller.

In hopes of building off last year’s momentum, Ryan and the Falcons will face as tough a challenge as any club in the NFL this year. Four of their opponents will be coming off bye weeks, and their own bye is early, in Week 4.

Then, of course, there is the Week 13 home matchup against Vick and the Eagles. If the last couple of weeks are any indication, there will be plenty of Vick jerseys in the stands.

Etc.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report .