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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Josh Johnson
interviewed by Sam Monson
25/4/2008
 Super athletic San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson has stormed up the charts after a series of stellar workouts and a superb senior season in which he threw 43 touchdown passes and just one interception. Expected to be a mid-round pick in this weekend’s draft, Josh’s tremendous upside might even see him sneak into day one. Whatever happens, by Sunday he’ll know exactly where his NFL career begins.
The Diner caught up with Josh as he readied himself for the most important two days of his football life so far.
Q: First off Josh, thanks for taking the time to talk to us here at the Diner, it must be getting busy for you in the run up to the Draft.
A: No problem thanks for having interest in me, and yeah life has been pretty busy considering that I’m still in school as well as going through the whole pre draft process.
Q: We’ve watched some of your game tape Josh, and the Diner crew are really high on you as a QB – Where do you think you belong in this Draft? How high should you go?
A: Thanks I appreciate the support, and I feel like I should go as high as my play on the field has allowed me and hopefully it can be on the first day but if not that’s fine also because I just want to get back on the field and start playing football again.
Q: Do you feel the time you spent under Coach Harbaugh, working in a Pro-Style Offense at San Diego will help you make the most into the NFL?
A: Oh yes most definitely because playing under Coach Harbaugh, my mind has been being trained as if I was an NFL quarterback and it has help me have very good interviews with teams. Obviously there are still a lot more things that I can learn but I have a pretty good head start by knowing the west coast offense and playing under Coach Harbaugh.
Q: A lot of people throw about terms like ‘intriguing prospect’ and ‘project’, do you expect to make an impact in the NFL maybe quicker than most people are expecting you to?
A: I’m going to work as hard as I can to become a better player and learn my new offense so that I can have an opportunity to compete as soon as possible and I feel I’m smart enough and a good enough quarterback to where maybe it will not be as long as some project.
Q: Your college TD to INT ratio is amazing, where did those kinds of numbers come from?
A: It comes from accepting coaching, playing within our offense, valuing the ball, and trusting my teammates. I know that there are many possible things that can go on doing a play and as long as I’m making positive plays and keeping the ball moving forward, I am helping my team and not hurting it.
Q: What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
A: That my mind is my greatest strength.
Q: Who is the best QB in the 2008 NFL Draft?
A: As of right now no one knows that answer because none of us have played a down in the NFL but in the 3-5 years one of us will have the question answered by our performance on the field.
Q: What teams have expressed the most interest in you?
A: Each team has expressed the same amount of interest; no team has really stood out.
Q: Are there any teams that you would particularly like to play for?
A: It does not matter too much, as long as I’m given the opportunity to play, that’s all I can ask for.
Q: Is there any NFL WR who you’d love to throw your first TD pass to?
A: Whichever WR that’s on my team and it’s our 1st drive of a game.
Q: What are your biggest assets as a player and a quarterback?
A: I’m very smart, leader, accurate, I value the ball and I posses a little bit of athleticism.
Q: What one question should I have asked you, but didn’t?
A: I think you covered everything!
Q: Thanks again for your time Josh, good luck in the draft, and stop back to see us here at the Diner when you’re all signed up in the NFL and ready to rock!
A: Alright thanks for having me I greatly appreciate it.
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