"In the training camp of the Philadelphia Eagles and across the NFL, Jim Johnson is remembered as the ultimate assistant coach. As a motivator, he was tough, yet sensitive. As a defensive mastermind, he cut his players loose to blitz, blitz, blitz the quarterback.Johnson, defensive coordinator of the Eagles for the past decade, died Tuesday at age 68 after a battle with cancer. He had taken a leave of absence in May.

"The whole Eagle-Andy Reid regime here that's taken place, it wouldn't have been possible without Jim. I think we all realize that," coach Andy Reid said at an evening press conference held adjacent to the field where the team trains at Lehigh University.

In 2001, Johnson was treated for melanoma. Stricken with back pain during the playoffs last season, he coached from the press box during a postseason victory over the New York Giants and a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game. After the loss to Arizona, it was announced he had a cancerous tumor on his spine.

Following Johnson's death, Reid began receiving phone calls and text messages from Johnson's former players and coaches around the league.

"He really represented everything the city is all about with his toughness and grit, and that's the way he fought this cancer," said Reid.

Johnson was described as a "great friend and partner" by Eagles president Joe Banner.

"Andy said it well. We wouldn't have been able to achieve what we achieved through this period of time without him in every way. Not just as a coach but as a person, as a man, as a leader as a builder of young people, a teacher," said Banner.

Two of Johnson's former Philadelphia assistants now are head coaches in the NFL: Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Both issued statements.

"Jim meant the world to me, both personally and professionally. I am very blessed to have had the privilege to work for him and with him. The NFL has lost a good man," said Spagnuolo.

Harbaugh remembered Johnson as a friend and mentor.

"I loved Jim Johnson. This is a sad day for so many people who were touched by this great man," said Harbaugh.

He described Johnson as a "tremendous teacher of football and life" who brought out the best in players and coaches.

"He saw potential and developed it," said Harbaugh. "He made me believe I could coach at this level."

Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, now with the Denver Broncos, played the past 10 seasons under Johnson.

"He was a tough coach who wasn't afraid to let you know how he was feeling, but at the same time, he cared about us deeply," said Dawkins. " … His confidence in me meant so much."

Johnson, a former college quarterback at Missouri, played two pro seasons as a tight end with the Buffalo Bills.

In his 22-year career as an NFL assistant coach, Johnson had stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts and Arizona C"