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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Since entering the league in 2005, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Derrick Johnson has been one of the best in the game. The four-time Pro-Bowler turned 34 this year, well into the danger zone for an NFL linebacker, but he’s still producing.

Johnson is the real deal, and as the saying goes, “real recognize real.”

On Wednesday, the 11-year Chief met with the Denver media and was asked about a player who projects to spend as many if not more years with the team that drafted him, Von Miller. The question: “If you could compare Von Miller to any player past or present, who would it be?”

To answer, Johnson dug into his Chiefs history.

“Man, probably Derrick Thomas,” he said. “That’s a name that I don’t throw out there much. Somebody that’s quick off the ball, not very big but athletic and strong enough to get around the corner and have enough power—just because he uses his speed so well—you can direct your speed into power to these tackles, that’s a hard pickup for them.

“He poses problems for all offenses, and he’s going to pose a problem for us,” Johnson added. “We’ll hopefully have a good gameplan and out it to work on Sunday night.”

Coming from another Kansas City all-timer, that’s about as high of praise as you can receive.