Falcons Q&A: Meet third round pick Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson (Associated Press)

NAME: MIKE JOHNSON,  Age 23

POSITION: Guard

SCHOOL: Alabama (Pensacola, Fla. Pine Forest High)

HT, WT: 6-foot-6, 318-pounds

DRAFTED: Third round, (98 overall)

Q: Were you surprised to be drafted by the Falcons?

A: “I knew that they were interested. I had already visited the complex and had a good session with coach (Paul) Boudreau and coach (Paul) Dunn. But it was really a dream situation, one I didn’t think would come true. When it did, I couldn’t have been happier.”

Q: Describe your style of play?

A: “I play with a good pad level. I’m able to get a lot of movement up front. I make a lot of holes and I feel like I’m versatile. I can play center, guard or tackle, where ever they want me to play. I’m willing to work hard and do that. I’m just going to get in there and bust my butt. It’s one of those things where I feel blessed right now because I’m so happy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and that’s one thing that I am, a harder worker. This is a match made in heaven.”

Q: How was it leading the way for the Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram last season and winning the national championship?

A: “It was such a great experience. I’ve just thought about it in the last few days. I’ve had a dream year. You couldn’t have asked for a better year and this just continues the dream. The Falcons are just such a great organization. It was the team that I wanted to play for all along. I’m just so excited.”

Q: Have you looked at the situation that you’ll be coming into here?

A: “They have a good offensive line in Atlanta. They have some quality coaches. It’s definitely a good veteran group and they are obviously some good quality guys. I’m just going to come in, try to fit in with them. . .I’m just trying to vie for a spot on that offensive line.”

Q: How much center have played?

A: “I’ve never actually played it in a game, but these last few months I have been working there a lot. I’ve been working out with Dan LeFevour and Sam Bradford and they’ve been wanting to take snaps from a center and I’ve been wanting to snap. So it was kind of a good matchup. It’s something that I can continue to work on. If they want me to do it full-time, that’s what I will do.”

Mike Johnson is probably not happy that he won't be playing in front of Alabama's cheer squad, but he's still pretty excited about being drafted by the Falcons.

Q: The first three Falcons picks have all graduated. How does that intelligence translate onto the field?

A: “It’s huge. I think intelligence is one of things that Coach Boudreau and Coach Dunn were looking for in our meetings. It’s a big thing, especially for offensive linemen. You’ve got to be able to iron things out up front, make all of the calls and make sure that everybody is on the same page. Anytime that you can graduate from college, especially from a good university it’s always a big thing. I’m just glad to have this opportunity and I want to get in there and start helping out.”

Q: I saw where you had a 4.0 coming out of high school, how did you do on the Wonderlic?

A: “I can’t get a straight answer out of anybody on that. I felt like I did pretty good. Every time that I ask somebody, they are like “all, I don’t have it in front of me.’ If y’all find out, let me know.”