Ramik Wilson and D.J. Alexander are in a good position, and they know it.
The Chiefs’ two young inside linebackers, both midround picks in this year’s NFL Draft, cherish the opportunity to watch and learn under 11-year veteran Derrick Johnson, a three-time Pro Bowler who is seven tackles away from passing Gary Spani as the franchise’s career leading tackler.
“He’s what I want to be,” Alexander said of Johnson, who has 993 tackles to Spani’s 999.
Wilson agrees, and on a recent day, he found himself incredulously watching a YouTube video titled “Derrick Johnson schools the Raiders” that features Johnson stuffing 245-pound running back Michael Bush four times in four plays near the Chiefs’ goal line in 2011.