FOXBORO -- Before Patriots newcomer Rufus Johnson left Thursday night's preseason opener with the Packers, he had made a significant of an impression.
The 6-foot-5, 272-pounder put his long arms to good use on the edge, finishing the game with a pass break-up and a sack in New England's 22-11 loss.
Johnson was signed to a future contract in February, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick said the former Saints sixth-round pick was brought to the team's attention thanks to Mike Lombardi, an assistant to Belichick's coaching staff and former general manager of the Browns.
"Rufus was in Cleveland when Mike was there," Belichick said. "That definitely gave us a little bit of insight there as it did with Eric Martin and as it did with Dion Lewis. When those players were available, the tape [was limited]. Lewis, because of the injury, and Rufus just because of not having a lot of exposure, [but] we had a little bit of insight into those players. Mike had seen him on a daily basis in Cleveland.
"Rufus has a lot of things going for him. He has good size, athletic, long, he has a good level of power. He needs a little seasoning, experience, playing time, and he got quite a bit of that last night. Every time he's out there, every snap he takes, it's a good learning experience for him, it's something that'll help him improve. And he's worked hard. He's a hard-working guy."
Johnson, who is listed as a linebacker, played on both the right and left edges against the Packers, often in a three-point stance. He has also seen time during Patriots training camp on the interior of the defensive line and has worked with defensive line coach Brendan Daly.
With savvy use of his hands, Johnson was one of the relative unknowns who provided the Patriots with a few positive moments on Thursday.
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With just over a minute remaining in the second quarter, on a first-down play, Johnson provided a very strong initial push on Green Bay's right tackle. Sensing a screen-pass attempt from quarterback Scott Tolzien, he stuck his right hand in the air and batted down the attempt.
With five-and-a-half minutes remaining in the third quarter, Johnson worked against the Packers left tackle and put together a highly-effective pass-rush move. Johnson pushed his opponent's hands down, knocking him off balance. Then, with momentum going up the field, Johnson made a quick change in direction to the inside to beat his blocker. The swim move cleared a wide-open lane to quarterback Brett Hundley for one of the team's four sacks on the night.
"Length plays a big part coming off the edge," Johnson said after the game. "If the guy can't grab you, it's kind of a done deal."
Summing up his play during the 36 snaps he received on the night, Johnson said: "I'm encouraged, but you can always improve in everything you do. Football or the game of life, you can always improve. I'm gonna keep working, stay focused, keep doing what I know I can do."
Johnson left the game in the fourth quarter after his right leg collided with that of rookie defensive lineman Geneo Grissom in the Packers backfield. It was a sour end to what had been a productive night, but Johnson wasn't too concerned that the ailment would set him back long-term.
"It's football, man," he said. "Things are going to happen. Luckily it wasn't nothing bad. I'll be good. It's football. I'm gonna keep competing."
The Patriots saw two more defensive players leave with injuries on Thursday night: Rookie defensive lineman Trey Flowers, who contributed a sack of Aaron Rodgers, was injured with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter and did not return to the game; rookie corner Darryl Roberts, who started the game opposite second-year corner Malcolm Butler, also left injured in the first quarter and did not return.
Running back James White was pulled from play late in the first half after taking a hard hit to his knee, but he returned to the field in the third quarter and looked no worse for the wear.
