Fangio Gives His Game Ball From First Career Win To Broncos LB Alexander Johnson

The Denver Broncos finally got over the hump. Starting off 0-4, first-year head coach Vic Fangio might have wondered to himself whether his inaugural victory would ever come.

But it did.

The Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-13 in Week 5, excising that malignant monkey off their backs.

After the game, in the Broncos' locker room, the players were exuberant — naturally. The players were clearly happy for their head coach, and when GM John Elway entered the locker room with the game ball, a hush eventually fell over the crowd.

Elway congratulated Fangio, gave him the game ball for his first career victory...and Fangio promptly gave it away to second-year linebacker Alexander Johnson.

Why did Johnson get Fangio's unique and special game ball? It might have had something to do with his eye-opening performance in Week 5 in which Johnson tallied nine tackles (including a touchdown-saver on the goal-line) and an interception in the end zone (wiping potential Chargers points off the board).

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From the podium immediately following the game, Fangio talked about the player known as 'A.J'.

“I like A.J.," Fangio said. "I think he has the ability to be an NFL linebacker. I thought he played well today, at times. I know he had some flash plays, because even I noticed them from my vantage point. Obviously, the big pick in the end zone, saved three points minimum, maybe seven. He had a chance for another pick. A.J. has good hands, he usually catches that. I’m not surprised he played well. He just has to be a guy that limits the negative plays, too. I’m very happy for him.”

Fangio is always one to balance praise with constructive criticism, at least in the eye of public scrutiny. But Fangio's behavior in the locker room said everything, speaking volumes to how he really views the young linebacker.

Fangio's defense finally came together on the road in L.A. Although the Broncos were unable to get home and sack Philip Rivers, Von Miller and Malik Reed consistently harassed him and most importantly, the Broncos forced three takeaways.

Alexander Johnson might not have been the impetus for the Broncos limiting the Chargers to just 35 yards rushing, but his instinctive play in picking the right gaps to fill and running sideline to sideline was a major contributor to the defense's success.

If Josey Jewell is healthy next week at home for the Tennessee game, it'll be interesting to see which linebacker gets the start next to Todd Davis.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.