Johnson, 38, replaces David Shaw, who was fired two days after the season
ended.
“Michael is truly one of the bright young coaches in this league,” Ravens coach
Brian Billick said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to the
position and has been schooled by some of the best coaches in the game,
including Dan Reeves, Mike Riley and Norv Turner. He will be a great addition to
this staff.”
Under Johnson, Vick was a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and 2005 and passed for
5,310 yards, 33 touchdowns and 28 interceptions over the past three seasons.
However, this season Vick threw a career-high 13 interceptions and ranked 25th
with a 73.1 passer rating. Only three quarterbacks tossed more fourth-quarter
interceptions than Vick, who threw five.
Johnson’s role was reduced in 2004 because offensive coordinator Greg Knapp
worked closely with the quarterbacks. When Johnson coached the Falcons’
receivers, Brian Finneran caught a career-high 56 passes for 838 yards and six
touchdowns.
Prior to a stint as the San Diego Chargers’ quarterbacks coach, Johnson coached
receivers and quarterbacks at Oregon State.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to help continue the development of
some of the bright young Ravens plus Derrick Mason, who has done great things
wherever he has been, and a rising star like Mark Clayton,” Johnson said in a
statement.
Johnson’s hiring leaves at least two more positions to fill, including special
teams and running backs. Assistant secondary coach Dennis Thurman is expected to
be promoted to head secondary coach to replace Johnnie Lynn, who was fired.
Meanwhile, former Ravens majority owner Art Modell wasn’t selected to a group of
15 finalists for the Hall of Fame. Modell has been a finalist in the past, but
has been haunted by moving the Cleveland Browns to Maryland a decade ago.
The only elected president in league history, Modell won a Super Bowl in 2001,
an NFL championship in 1964 and is credited for his negotiating role in the
first collective bargaining agreement, the NFL-AFL merger, establishing NFL
Films and launching Monday Night Football.
Modell, 80, has a history of health problems, including a stroke and heart
trouble, and friends, family and colleagues fear that he may only be inducted
after he passes away.
"I believe Art belongs in the Hall of Fame," the late New York Giants owner
Wellington Mara said in 2002. "I don't know a person who has done more for the
league than Modell, especially through television."