PHILADELPHIA -- Jim Johnson, whose attacking defenses helped the Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance and five NFC title games, has died. He was 68.

Johnson had taken a leave of absence from the team in May as he continued to battle a cancerous tumor on his spine. The Eagles announced his death on Tuesday afternoon.Giants coach Tom Coughlin said the football season is starting off on a sad note.

"It is a sad, very sad, day. I talked recently to (Eagles video director) Mike Dougherty and asked him to let Jim know that I was thinking about him, and I had dropped Jim a note to let him know as well,'' Coughlin said Tuesday. "Forget about what kind of coach he was ... he was an excellent, excellent defensive coach, and he trained others to be the same. We know what Steve Spagnuolo meant to us. We had great respect for Jim, and he had great respect for us.

"I didn't know Jim personally, but we would always talk to each other, mostly about the NFC East and what a great, competitive division it is. It was a respectful critique about what great players, coaches and organizations there are within the division. In talking with people who worked with Jim, you sense what a class act Jim was. He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order. His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him.

"It is a sad day for the National Football League to lose somebody the quality of Jim Johnson. It is a sad note on which to start the season. He coached right up to the very end."

A veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant, Johnson was considered one of the top defensive minds in the league, known for complex schemes that confused opponents and pressured the quarterback from every angle. His defenses consistently ranked among the best in the league, including last season, when the Eagles finished third in total defense and fell one victory short of the Super Bowl.

From 2000-08, Johnson's Philadelphia defenses ranked second in the NFL in sacks (390). During his 10-year tenure, the Eagles made the playoffs seven times and he produced 26 Pro Bowl selections.

"This whole Eagles-Andy Reid regime here that's taken place wouldn't have been possible without Jim," said Andy Reid, who hired Johnson to be his defensive coordinator shortly after he got his first head coaching job with the Eagles in 1999.

"I'm not sure there's a person that I've met that isn't a Jim Johnson fan. He really represented everything this city is all about with his toughness and grit. That's the way he fought this cancer."

Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie praised Johnson for his leadership skills and the person he was.

"For 10 years, Jim Johnson was an exceptional coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, but more importantly, he was an outstanding human being," Lurie said. "As an integral part of the Eagles family, Jim epitomized the traits of what a great coach should be -- a teacher, a leader, and a winner ... It was easy to feel close to him."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell echoed Lurie's sentiments.

"He was a teacher to many players both on and off the field and devoted his life to the game of football," Goodell said in a statement. "He had a positive influence on scores of young men, and leaves behind a wonderful legacy."

On Sunday, the Eagles announced that Sean McDermott would replace Johnson. In his first news conference as coordinator, McDermott gave full credit to Johnson.

"What haven't I learned from Jim?" McDermott said. "I don't think it would be fair to Jim, in this setting, to try and limit in one statement, one press conference, the effect that Jim has had on my life."

McDermott paid Johnson the ultimate compliment in describing the style of defense he wanted the Eagles to play: Johnson's style.

"There is one thing I know, and that is that this system, it works," McDermott said. "Jim has spent a considerable amount of time in his coaching career researching and finding things that work and finding things that didn't work, quite frankly, and I'm going to respect that and we're going to build on that. From there, we'll add wrinkles."

Coaches across the league paid homage to Johnson's impact on their careers and the league.

"I loved Jim Johnson," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh, an Eagles assistant for nine seasons with Johnson. "He had a special ability to bring out the best in people while getting you to see the best in yourself. He saw potential and developed it. He made me believe I could coach at this level. In football, he was a pioneering and brilliant strategist, changing the way defense is played in the NFL. For me, he was a father-type mentor, and above all, a cherished friend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. I will miss him so much."

"He was a dear friend and a special person," said St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, a member of the Eagles defensive staff under Johnson for eight seasons. "Our prayers and thoughts go out to his wife Vicki and their family. 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."

Johnson had been treated for melanoma in 2001.

In January, he complained of back pain and coached from the press box in the Eagles' playoff win over the Giants and in the loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC championship.

An MRI after the divisional playoff win against the Giants on Jan. 11 alerted doctors that something might be wrong. Following the Arizona loss, the team announced the cancer had returned and Johnson would undergo more treatments.

Johnson had recovered sufficiently to coach during the team's first post-draft minicamp in May. But he coached from a motorized scooter during practices and said he wasn't certain he'd be able to return for the season.

"Jim was tailor-made to coach in Philadelphia," said Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, who played 10 seasons for Johnson in Philadelphia. "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."

Johnson is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

Full reactions from around the NFL, courtesy of the Eagles:

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie: "For ten years, Jim Johnson was an exceptional coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, but more importantly, he was an outstanding human being. As an integral part of the Eagles family, Jim epitomized the traits of what a great coach should be - a teacher, a leader, and a winner. He positively touched the lives of so many people in and out of the Eagles organization. It was easy to feel close to him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Vicky and his wonderful family. We will miss him greatly."

Eagles president Joe Banner: "This is a sad day for the entire Philadelphia Eagles family. Jim Johnson was first and foremost a friend and our hearts are with his family at this difficult time. Jim was an exceptional coach who had an incredible passion for his work. He had a knack for developing young players into mature, focused and responsible men. Jim was a strong, wise man; absolutely dedicated to his family and friends. While his presence will be missed, his legacy of excellence will be felt for years to come."

Commissioner Roger Goodell: "Jim Johnson was a beloved coach who spent 22 years in the NFL as one of the best defensive coaches in league history. He was a teacher to many players both on and off the field and devoted his life to the game of football. He had a positive influence on scores of young men and leaves behind a wonderful legacy. On behalf of the NFL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Vicky and his children and grandchildren."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh: "I loved Jim Johnson. This is a sad day for so many people who were touched by this great man. Ingrid and I, the Harbaugh family, and the Ravens have Jim's wife, Vicky, and the Johnson family in our thoughts and prayers. Jim was a tremendous teacher of football and life. He had a special ability to bring out the best in people while getting you to see the best in yourself. He saw potential and developed it. He made me believe I could coach at this level. In football, he was a pioneering and brilliant strategist, changing the way defense is played in the NFL. For me, he was a father-type mentor, and above all, a cherished friend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. I will miss him so much."

Broncos safety Brian Dawkins: "This is a sad, sad day for myself and my Philadelphia family. Jim was tailor-made to coach in Philadelphia. 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. He was an absolute blessing to me with the way he used me on the football field and allowed me to show my God-given ability. His confidence in me meant so much--he looked to create new defenses each week to utilize my talents. I have been praying for him every day, and those prayers won't stop now. I'll be praying for his family and their comfort during this difficult time."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo: "My wife Maria and I are deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was a dear friend and a special person. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his wife Vicki and their family. 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."

Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera: "Jim was most certainly a very good man; a very decent man. He was definitely a mentor, not just for me but for several guys in the league right now that are coordinators and head coaches. He was just a real caring person. He gave me my start and my opportunity. He took the time to teach me. I'm extremely grateful for everything he did for me.

"Going into my fourth year in the league, he showed me how to script (plays). He showed me how to put together a game plan. Then he'd have me write his game plan up for him and he'd ask me, 'Why would you do this?' He'd tell my why. 'That's not good enough,' or 'That's a good idea.' He was most certainly a teacher.

"You talk about people giving you a start and helping you along the way. I got my first job coaching with Dave Wannstedt, but I got my first opportunity to be a position coach with Jim. He took the time to teach me and show me. I wouldn't be where I am today without him mentoring, showing me and giving me the opportunity.

"Leslie (Frazier), Steve (Spagnolo) and I ... we laugh about our time with Jim all the time. We were the three young guys on the staff and Jim was hard on us. I remember just after I was hired in Philadelphia, I had just finished signing my contract and he walked into my office and closed the door. He said, 'Listen. I'm an old linebacker coach. Don't take anything personal when I come in and take over your meetings, when I take over your drills. I can't help myself. Don't take it personal when I'm hard on you because I'm just trying to teach you.' That's exactly what he did. You take a step back and look at the success we've all had. The direct correlation was Jim Johnson."

49ers coach Mike Singletary: "I would like to express, from the 49ers organization, my condolences to the Johnson family and the Eagles family, from the 49ers family. Everything that I know about Coach Johnson, is he is from the old school. He had a way of doing things and some of the people, players, coaches that know of him, speak very highly of him."