A Salute To Vaughan Johnson

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 6:00 AM CDT

Vaughan Johnson, one-fourth of the famed DOME PATROL linebacking corps of the Saints defenses in the late 80's and early 90's, will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame today in Natchitoches at 6:00 pm CST. (For the full schedule of induction events, go here. The festivities actually started on Thursday, folks!)

I can't believe I missed this bit last week when I was writing about Buford Jordan getting the nod. Morten Andersen will also be joining Buford and Vaughan on the dais tonight at the gala event. (Look for Morten's profile piece on CSC tomorrow.)

Make the jump to learn more about Vaughan Johnson...

With the completion of Johnson's induction later on today, the entire Dome Patrol will be ensconced in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (next stop, Canton?).

Jimmy Smith wrote a nice piece about Vaughan that appeared on nola.com yesterday, and in it, quotes from head coach Jim Mora and Mr. Johnson himself highlight one of my favorite aspects of his game:

"When I hit them," Johnson once said, "I like to see their eyes glaze over and roll back."

"I don't know if there was anybody who hit harder," said Jim Mora, the former Saints head coach who was the beneficiary of Johnson's defensive presence. "But he hit with some impact. He combined that size and strength and speed, and when he hit somebody, they felt it."

Yeah! Hit 'em harder!!!! (But don't forget to wrap up.)

Johnson played college ball at North Carolina State (Let's Back the 'Pack!!) and was drafted by the Saints in the 1984 Supplemental Draft, but he didn't play for the Saints until 1986, following his two years with the Jacksonville Bulls of the United States Football League.

He terrorized Saints opposing ballcarriers from his inside linebacking position from 1986-1993, collecting 669 tackles, 12 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and four interceptions while earning four Pro Bowl invitations (from 1989-1992). Citation.

Johnson spent a final, mostly uneventful year with the Eagles in 1994 before retiring from the game. He spends his time now working with his family's construction business in Morehead, N.C.

Johnson's segment in the following NFL Network "Dome Patrol" feature starts at about the two-minute mark...

Man alive!! Our defense was amazing back then, and part of me really misses seeing those guys play, although I don't miss seeing our pedestrian, impotent offense from those years.

Please share your Vaughan Johnson, Dome Patrol, or Jim Mora Saints memories in the comment area below. And if anyone will be there at the induction ceremony, please post a "The View From..." story for us, ok?

Poll

Who was your favorite member of the Dome Patrol?

Rickey Jackson

50 votes

Vaughan Johnson

8 votes

Sam Mills

55 votes

Pat Swilling

23 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 3 recs |

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Comments

SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION WARNING (but it does contain my true feelings)

Hey, HansDat!

Great post.

Watching that video is SWEET.

I love seeing the scenes of the Saints defensive dominance and recalling the glory days of the Reign of the Dome Patrol. Plus, it reminds me of the great feelings we experienced as “our team” finally was stable, respectable, and performing well enough to be a legitimate playoff-caliber team for nearly seven years (after 20+ years of futility). That first winning season and playoff berth was a MAGICAL YEAR for me.

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 8:50 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

a big contrast for me personally is this

Back then, we would want to win the pre-game coin toss so we could kickoff first, force a quick three-and-out, or get a turnover and hopefully give our offense a short enough field to at least get a Morten Andersen field goal attempt out of it and a 3-0 lead.

Now we want to win the toss to get the ball first so Brees and Co. can drive to a game-opening TD.

What a major sea change in thinking…

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I was just about to write that!

Except of course I wasn’t born until ’86. LOL. Nice post HansDat :)

by snowboard_kat on Jun 25, 2011 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions

thanks

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Boom rec'd it

Let me get this in before coldpizza crucifies him:

I got ten forward gears and a Georgia overdrive.

by stujo4 on Jun 25, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Wish I could have seen more of the Dome Patrol, I’m sure I did see them alot, but at the time I was very young (like 3-4 years old) so couldn’t really comprehend what was going on I’m sure.

And just as you have planted your seed in the ground, I'm going to plant my seed in you.

by GRlZZ on Jun 25, 2011 8:55 AM CDT reply actions

but it implanted on your subconscious, I know it did

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Fo-sho, I still have images of Tom Dempsey kicking that 63 yarder although it was 15 years before I existed.

And just as you have planted your seed in the ground, I'm going to plant my seed in you.

by GRlZZ on Jun 25, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Saw that one

But wasn’t till 71 that I saw my first Saints game at Tulane Stadium

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110170nor.htm

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Jun 25, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Johnson’s most memorable game was the 16-10 home loss to San Francisco in 1992. In that game, his primary assignment was to shadow Steve Young. If Young rolled out, Johnson was mirroring him on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Almost like one-on-one basketball. He drew that match up. Young still wound up with 65 yards rushing, but 26 of that came on a trick play, where Ricky Watters flipped it back to him. That’s the sort of gadgetry they had to resort to, in order to shake Johnson off Young’s jock. On his other seven rushes, Young gained just 39 yards, which doesn’t seem like such a defensive accomplishment, but it was. Young was a genuine terror that year, in terms of containment. It also seemed to rattle his overall game, which I think was part of the plan. He finished 17 of 26 for just 187 yards passing and no TDs. Alas, that was just enough damage in field position to set up three Mike Cofer field goals and preserve the road victory. I really do miss that San Francisco rivalry. All the more reason they should switch to a round robin schedule within the conference, imo.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

I miss that, too

no matter how good we were in the Mora years, it seemed like it was always a close game with the 49ers, either a heartbreaking loss or cliffhanger win…

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Oh good, thanks. I recall some anti-Vaughn Johnson comments from you in the past. But I could be wrong.

I got ten forward gears and a Georgia overdrive.

by stujo4 on Jun 25, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I’ve said he was the least accomplished of the four, in terms of having a shot at Canton. That’s neither anti-Vaughn nor anti-Vaughan.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Got it.

I got two turntables and a microphone.

by stujo4 on Jun 25, 2011 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Ya' see . . .

He drew that match up.

Brees was making an impact for us even back then!

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jun 25, 2011 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Voted Rickey

Rickey was the Quiet Leader, Mills the “Field Mouse” (General), Swilling was the Speed Rusher, Vaughn “Meat” Johnson was the Wrecking Ball. If the first 3 miss you, Vaughn would hit you 3X harder. I was college during that time, my best friend’s g/f Dad was on the Saints coaching staff, we had field and suite access, great times. Just couldn’t win a playoff gm, but the NFC was loaded in those days, Niners, Skins, Giants, Bears, Eagles, Rams and Vikes.

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
"It took me the longest time to realize I was a procrastinator"-Zach Galifianakis

by metryman on Jun 25, 2011 11:46 AM CDT reply actions

Congrats to Vaughn

by metryman on Jun 25, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I just can’t choose one over the other. These guys were just that good. When you say fear this, believe me, those opponents were in fear of all of these great Saints linebackers.

by tommy v on Jun 25, 2011 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I picked Rickey but....

…that’s just because you didn’t have the option of “all the above”. I only had season tickets for 6 seasons, but it was during the Dome Patrol era. They were so incredible to watch. The Niners were kings of the NFC West, but I promise they remember the beatings they took against this linebacking corp. So, when is Sam going in the HOF?

"Don't ever sell your saddle, cause life's a long, long ride."- Randy Travis

by SaintShark on Jun 26, 2011 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions

let me guess

my best friend’s g/f Dad was on the Saints coaching staff

Jim Erkenbeck?

Steve Sidwell?

Bobby April?

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Strength & Cond. initials RP

he was there during Bum days too. Long tenure. BTW heard Churchill Downs’ barn area took a tornado, no injuries, close call for you?

by metryman on Jun 25, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

the Churchill one touched down just a mile or so from my work, and I was an hour removed from driving home through areas the

other ones were seen in later that night – whew!

Wife and dog and home and HansDat all fine, though.

BiggerBoatman also lives in Louisville – you ok man????

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Russell Paternostro?

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 26, 2011 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

and I did not have to look it up first

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 26, 2011 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

bingo

by metryman on Jun 27, 2011 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Voted for Vaughan, he needed some love with only 2 votes

And just as you have planted your seed in the ground, I'm going to plant my seed in you.

by GRlZZ on Jun 25, 2011 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

I can’t choose one of these guys over the other, they were all just that good. The saying fear this could have been said by any one of these Saints linebackers back then. For all of you that never had the opportunity to watch these guys, I have to tell you, they were a thrill to watch. Until this day, I have never seen a linebacking corp play the way that these guys played as a unit together with their toughness, speed and intelligence of the game. They really do deserve all of the recognition. The Dome Patrol will always be remembered.

by tommy v on Jun 25, 2011 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions

+100

"Don't ever sell your saddle, cause life's a long, long ride."- Randy Travis

by SaintShark on Jun 26, 2011 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I had the dome patrol poster on my wall as a kid

That defense is why I fell in love with the game of football. It’s hard to relay the dominance of that group. And to think they were always on the field, with no help from the offense at all. Definitely deserve the number one spot on the countdown.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jun 25, 2011 3:12 PM CDT reply actions

me too! that poster was AWESOME

Thumbs up, everybody...
For rock and roll!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Jun 25, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Aw man, If we could have the Dome Patrol with this offense.

Loved the Vid Hans. Have that Top Ten Linebackers episode recorded on my DVR but never get tired of watching it.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Jun 25, 2011 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Most accomplished, in order:

Rickey Jackson
Pat Swilling
Sam Mills
Vaughan Johnson

Personal favorites, in order:

Sam Mills
Rickey Jackson
Vaughan Johnson
Pat Swilling

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

My: Personal favorites, in order:

Pat Swilling
Sam Mills
Ricky Jackson
Vaughan Johnson

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Jun 25, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Gotta agree with your favs list, coldpizza.

Swilling was awesome but he bailed. Sam left early, too, but I don’t think anyone could blame him at the time. These guys were beasts on Sunday.

"Don't ever sell your saddle, cause life's a long, long ride."- Randy Travis

by SaintShark on Jun 26, 2011 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

The 2nd and 2nd to last letters in the first names of all four LBs were vowels. That should help you guys remember how to spell Rickey and Vaughan.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 4:54 PM CDT reply actions

God I hope Ricky, err Rickey gets over it

Please don’t tell him.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Jun 25, 2011 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

some people have a problem with vowels…

by snowboard_kat on Jun 25, 2011 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s an xpxdxmxc.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions

X@ctly.

by snowboard_kat on Jun 25, 2011 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions

wh@t?

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jun 25, 2011 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

You have to admit,

Van Johnson was one of the better looking linebackers in the league.

(oops, wait a second)

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jun 25, 2011 6:24 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

boom rec'd it

Even as a small child, I always thought Van was kind of gay.

I got two turntables and a microphone.

by stujo4 on Jun 25, 2011 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

obligatory prereply

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

I got two turntables and a microphone.

by stujo4 on Jun 25, 2011 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Of course not!

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jun 25, 2011 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I was outed, but I was never "IN"-Jerome Seinfeld

saw “Battleground” on Mem wkd. Van J. is great in it.

by metryman on Jun 26, 2011 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions

My favorite quote from VJ

and I wish I could find this youtube clip. In 1988, after our first playoff appearance, he was asked about making it back to the playoffs and he said “Last year, we had a salad. This year, we’re goin’ for the whole meal!” He always had a big smile on his face and had this smooth voice.

I couldn’t find the quote, but watch this for a look at vaughan and some great vintage highlights after a big win in 1988

Congrats to Vaughan!

"But tonight the Superbowl belongs to the City of New Orleans" - Roger Goodell 2/7/2010

by SaintBevo on Jun 25, 2011 8:44 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Great clip!

Thanks for sharing that. A rec for you!

Fat, dumb, and happy. Hell, two out of three ain't bad!

I Want To Die In My Sleep Like My Grandpa – Not Screaming and Yelling Like His Passengers.

by Just 'Nother Day on Jun 25, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Moses predicted a Super Bowl trip to Miami! He was just 21 years off on the date.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Jun 25, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

soft spoken Vaughn, I went to the gm., top 5 Saint home gm.

that was the big 42-whatever blow out, every class the next day, thats all we talked about, plus teachers/prof’s too. Broncos were SB caliber, we was ridin high that wk. And Joe Amato, wow, completelty forgot about him.

by metryman on Jun 26, 2011 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions