NFL NEWS

Raiders’ Gruden: ‘We love stealing from the Chiefs’

The Sports Xchange

May 26, 2018 at 12:40 pm.

May 4, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden during rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

May 4, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden during rookie minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden is pleased to see former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson wearing the silver and black.

Gruden told reporters that the addition of Johnson — the Chiefs’ all-time leader tackler — helps solidify the middle of the Raiders defense.

While thrilled with securing the services of the four-time Pro Bowl selection, Gruden couldn’t help but look at other additions in the past that came at the expense of the AFC West rival Chiefs.

“Last time I was here at Oakland we stole Rich Gannon from Kansas City, we took Andre Rison from the Chiefs, we took Albert Lewis from the Chiefs,” Gruden said. “We love stealing from the Chiefs. So now we got Derrick Johnson and I’m on my way to the Raiders store to pick up a Derrick Johnson Raiders jersey. I’m gonna wear it home tonight.”

Despite tearing his left Achilles tendon for the second time in two years late in the 2016 season, the 35-year-old Johnson came back to make 71 tackles and break up seven passes in 15 games for the Chiefs last season.

Kansas City selected Johnson in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft (15th overall), and he has played in 182 NFL games and has totaled 1,262 tackles (993 solo), 27.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, 14 interceptions and 77 passes defensed. In the postseason, Johnson has played in six games and posted 40 tackles (26 solo) and one sack.

Johnson was named a first-team All-Pro in 2011 after setting a franchise record with 179 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions.

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