National Football League

Giants newcomer Johnson asked a lot about old team

Published Nov. 24, 2009 10:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

D.J. Johnson doesn't know whether he has a long-term future with the New York Giants. He is sure he will be with the Giants at least through Thursday night, when they play his former team. The rookie cornerback out of Jackson State signed as a free agent with Denver in April and had impressed the Broncos' coaching staff enough to earn a spot on the team's practice unit. That's where he was when he the Giants signed him on Nov. 11 to bolster an injury-depleted secondary - and provide information about a future opponent. "Oh, they picked all right," Johnson said on Tuesday when asked whether the Giants had picked his brain about his former team. "I'm just about all picked out. It was like being in a classroom, except I've gone from being a student to becoming the teacher. But I'm going to give them what I know, because they're the ones signing my paychecks now." NFL rules dictate that a team that signs player from another team's practice squad must place him on its active roster. So Johnson has been on the Giants' roster for the last two games, but has yet to see action. He has worked out both at cornerback and safety for the Giants. Not only was Johnson asked to give insight on the Broncos, he was also asked about playing at the high altitude in Denver. "I told them about staying hydrated and staying away from alcohol, all the good stuff," Johnson said. The Giants practiced Tuesday and will head to Denver on Wednesday for only their third Thanksgiving Day game since 1938. They lost 30-3 to Dallas 17 years ago and defeated the Detroit Lions, 13-6, in 1982, when Lawrence Taylor returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown. New York is 7-6 on Thanksgiving. Jackson played at the University of Missouri, starting four games as a sophomore in 2006, before transferring to Jackson State. He was a first team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection at Jackson State, making 10 interceptions and deflecting 27 passes while playing cornerback and free safety over two seasons. The 6-foot-1, 191-pounder earned a berth in the Senior Bowl as well as a trip to the NFL combine, but was not drafted. The Broncos signed him the day after the NFL draft. After opening the season 6-0 under rookie head coach Josh McDaniels, the Broncos have lost four straight, suffering their worst defeat of the season Sunday, a 32-3 drubbing at the hands of San Diego. "I think they're just trying to keep their swagger," Johnson said. Despite their struggles, Johnson believes the Broncos could pose a threat to the Giants. "I feel we're getting them at a good time, because they're down, but it's a dangerous time as well," Johnson said. "They can play like they have nothing to lose or they can play like they have their backs to the wall. We'll have to see."