Johnson: I know I'm not a risk

IRVING, Texas -- There was no vow to become "Man of the Year" this time.

Tank Johnson simply said Wednesday he is looking forward to resuming his career with the Dallas Cowboys without the pressure of proving anything to anyone.

"I know I'm not a risk," Johnson said. "I'm a highly intelligent person and I take pride in a lot of things I do in life. Like any other person, I'm going to make mistakes and I've made mistakes. I'm coming to Dallas to be a productive defensive lineman and really solidify what (team owner) Jerry Jones thinks of me."

Since December, Johnson has gone from star tackle on the NFL's best defense to being unemployed and suspended. He's also spent two months in jail because of new and old weapons charges and seen a friend get shot and killed.

When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Johnson had to sit out eight games, he said he'd consider cutting the penalty by two games if Johnson stayed on his best behavior -- in other words, proved he was living up to his post-incarceration promise of trying to become the "Man of the Year." But a few weeks later, he was pulled over for speeding at 3:30 a.m. -- and the Bears released him soon after.

Although no charges were filed from that incident, he remained unemployed until Jones gave him a two-year contract Tuesday. If his punishment holds, he couldn't join the club until Nov. 5 and wouldn't play until Nov. 11 against the New York Giants.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Johnson said in a conference call from his home in Arizona. "As far as a last chance and all that stuff, I'm so focused on making this a great experience and being a Dallas Cowboy, I'm not really too wrapped up in what chance this is."

Johnson said the Cowboys "let me come in with open arms."

"They didn't talk about my background much," he said. "They talked about moving forward as a Cowboy."

Jones said the team is already talking to the league office about all the things they can and can't do for Johnson until then. For instance, he can work out at team headquarters, but not with his teammates. He also may be able to visit with the team's player assistance staff, headed by Calvin Hill.

"The incentive is all there for him to do the right things, make the right kinds of decisions," Jones said. "We're going to be working with him. We will have a good read as to how prepared he is to get on the field, basically where he is with his focus and his intent."

The Cowboys did so much research on Johnson as a person, player and teammate that they didn't even discuss his past when they met with him Tuesday.

Bears coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday that a fresh start might be all Johnson needs.

"I think you can be a good guy and make some bad mistakes. I think that's what happened with Tank," Smith said in a conference call already scheduled because his Bears play the Cowboys on Sunday night. "I believe in Tank. I still do. You get to a point sometimes, in certain places, where you come to your last chance. That's what happened here."

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said Johnson's jovial personality is missed in the locker room. Urlacher noted that the number of people from within the organization who visited him in jail this summer shows "we obviously cared about him quite a bit."

Urlacher said the Cowboys are getting a good player, too.

"He's definitely going to be fresh," Urlacher said.

Terrell Owens knows all about that, having endured a long behavior-related absence of his own before joining the Cowboys.

"We're going to welcome him just like guys welcomed me," Owens said. "I'm sure he has some time to reflect."

Jones has rarely shied from controversial players, especially good ones who can help put his team over the top. Dallas is 2-0 and a legitimate contender in the NFC but already has injuries piling up on defense -- including a Tank-sized hole at nose tackle. Starter Jason Ferguson was lost for the year in the opener and his replacement, Jay Ratliff, is a converted defensive end who might not be able to hold up all season.

Now, he doesn't have to.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Johnson will be an ideal complement, even if he played in a different system for the Bears.

"The 3-4 scheme is obviously one that's different than the one I ran in Chicago, but it's conducive to a player with my ability to get up the field and rush the passer," Johnson said. "I've played nose before and had success with it."

Johnson signed a minimum contract and will earn a prorated amount; that's $255,000 if he plays eight games. He'll make a base salary of $605,000 next season, with the chance for more in incentives.