Redblacks ‘gunner’ getting the job done

Playing special teams is nothing new for Ottawa Redblacks defensive back Keelan Johnson.

It’s something he’s always done. And he’s doing it pretty well, playing a new position — “gunner,” a special teams assignment that involves racing down the field directly at the ball carrier.

Going into Thursday night’s game against the Alouettes, Johnson led the CFL with 16 special teams tackles.

“My coach (at Arizona State) made all the starters play special teams,” said the 27-year-old Johnson, who got NFL looks from Miami, Philadelphia, Dallas and Seattle before signing with the Redblacks late last season. “In the NFL and CFL, I hadn’t played the gunner position much, where you‘re going down and covering the kicks — I was more inside the box.

“For me, what I do is just another defensive play. I’m a defensiveminded guy. When I’m running down and trying to stop them from getting a big return, it’s nothing but defence to me. I try to put the defence in better position and keep their offence out of good position.”

Over the course of the season, he’s developed a good relationship with the team’s special teams coordinator, Bob Dyce, and he gets that what he does is part of a team effort.

“Without the guys that are protecting the punt, I can’t get out and cover it. It all starts with them,” Johnson said. “(Kicker Brett Maher’s) putting the ball out there, so I don’t have to worry about slowing down — I can just play fast and cover the kick.”