Charlie Johnson (offensive tackle)
Encyclopedia
Charlie Johnson is an American football
offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
. He played college football
for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys
.
, the same high school former Colts' punter Hunter Smith
attended. At Oklahoma State
, he was converted from a tight end
to an offensive tackle.
against Tennessee in week 13, and, additionally, filled in for Diem for a portion of Super Bowl XLI
.
Due to the retirement of stalwart LT Tarik Glenn
, Johnson had an opportunity to win the starting left tackle job during his second season, but was beaten out by rookie Tony Ugoh
. Injuries to Ugoh and Diem, however, led to Johnson starting 10 of 16 games at LT and RT, respectively. Johnson's performance during the 2007 was widely viewed by fans as a disappointment (the 2007 season marked the first time in five years that the colts finished out of the top 5 in least sacks allowed), considering the competence he had shown as a rookie.
In Johnson's third season, he was moved to left guard in order to compensate for the loss of injured starter Ryan Lilja
. Johnson started all 16 games, 12 at LG and 4 at LT, and was one of only two starting OL (the other being Ryan Diem) to play in every game that season.
The following year, Johnson beat out underachieving starter Tony Ugoh for the starting LT position during training camp. Through 6 games, Johnson has demonstrated solid improvement at his position, in contrast to previous years' performances.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
.
Early years
Johnson attended Sherman High School in Sherman, TexasSherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, the same high school former Colts' punter Hunter Smith
Hunter Smith
Hunter Dwight Smith is an American football punter, currently a free agent and most recently for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
attended. At Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
, he was converted from a tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
to an offensive tackle.
Indianapolis Colts
Johnson was selected with the Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft. As a rookie, he started one game, filling in for the injured right tackle Ryan DiemRyan Diem
Ryan Diem is a starting offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Ryan Diem stands 6'6" tall and weighs 305 pounds...
against Tennessee in week 13, and, additionally, filled in for Diem for a portion of Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
.
Due to the retirement of stalwart LT Tarik Glenn
Tarik Glenn
Tarik Glenn is a former American football offensive tackle who played for the Indianapolis Colts. Glenn performed as two-way lineman at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California....
, Johnson had an opportunity to win the starting left tackle job during his second season, but was beaten out by rookie Tony Ugoh
Tony Ugoh
Anthony Ike "Tony" Ugoh, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arkansas....
. Injuries to Ugoh and Diem, however, led to Johnson starting 10 of 16 games at LT and RT, respectively. Johnson's performance during the 2007 was widely viewed by fans as a disappointment (the 2007 season marked the first time in five years that the colts finished out of the top 5 in least sacks allowed), considering the competence he had shown as a rookie.
In Johnson's third season, he was moved to left guard in order to compensate for the loss of injured starter Ryan Lilja
Ryan Lilja
Ryan Matthew Lilja is an American football guard for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
. Johnson started all 16 games, 12 at LG and 4 at LT, and was one of only two starting OL (the other being Ryan Diem) to play in every game that season.
The following year, Johnson beat out underachieving starter Tony Ugoh for the starting LT position during training camp. Through 6 games, Johnson has demonstrated solid improvement at his position, in contrast to previous years' performances.