Does Josh Johnson Still Have A Shot?
August 18th, 2009
Could Josh Johnson give Greg Olson and Raheem the Dream enough of a reason to cut either veteran quarteracks Bryon Leftwich or Luke McCown?
A lot of talk by Bucs fans in the aftermath of the first preseason game centered on the play (or lack thereof) of Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich.
Sure, Josh Johnson made a nice play of a busted play where he didn’t know the snap count, scampering for a long touchdown.
Joe has no idea where Raheem the Dream is going with his quarterback decisions but two things seem pretty clear:
1) It now appears the starting job is Bryon Leftwich’s to lose, which is still possible; and,
2) Josh Freeman sticks. Sure, that’s a no-brainer.
But could the loser of the Leftwich-McCown showdown be out of work next week? Reason Joe asks is there appears to be something odd happening at One Buc Palace per the TBO gang in their updates of this morning’s practice.
11:06: For the second day in a row Josh Johnson is getting a lot of reps at quarterback. It’s looking like this kid has a chance to make this team after all.
Maybe Joe is adding two-and-two and coming up with five. But if Johnson doesn’t have a chance of making the club, why increase his snaps in practice when Raheem the Dream is so close to naming a starter?
Now Joe’s not crazy enough (or had too many Caybrews to drink) to suggest Johnson has a shot at starting. He doesn’t. But could the loser of the Leftwich-McCown derby be cut next week, thus giving Johnson (who comes cheaper than Leftwich or McCown) the job as the No. 3 signal-caller?
August 18th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Trade, not cut.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Chin:
Nice idea, but it takes two to tango.
1) Who is going to trade for McCown?
2) Who is going to trade for Leftwich?
3) Not sure who would trade for Johnson, a fifth-round pick with zero experience.
If you are an NFL general manager, why trade for someone (with limited value) when you can wait two weeks and pull them off the scrap heap for nothing?
Additionally, it appears Minnesota will be turning loose a quarterback soon too.
August 18th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I HAVE SEEN FOUR PRACTICES AND SINCE THE FIRST ONE I HAVE THOUGHT THAT JOSH JOHNSON THREW A BETTER BALL THEN ALL OF THEM, NOW HOW THAT TRANSITIONS INTO A GAME WELL, AT LEAST HE WASN’T RUNNUNG AROUND LIKE #12. ALSO I KNEW THE BUCS WOULD NOT KEEP ONE OF THE TWO FIGHTING TO BE STARTER, HONESTLY WHY WOULD A ORGANIZATION PAY OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR A THIRD STRING QUARTERBACK NOT TO MENTION ONE WITH SUCH FINANCIAL WOES AS THE GLAZERS HAVE ENDURED. AND BET YOUR ARSE JOE THAT THEY AINT PAYIN A THE JACK THEIR GIVING FREEMEN TO BE A THIRD STRING. i AM EXCITED ABOUT LEFTWICH FEELING HEALTHY THOUGH BECAUSE HE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL WHEN HE ENDED HIS COLLEGE CAREER AND STARTING HIS PRO. BACK TO JOSH JOHNSON I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT HIM AND CAN’T WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE HIM MAKE THE TEAM, THIS KID HAS A FLICK THAT HITS ALL HIS RECIEVERS IN MID STRIDE, I CANT THINK OF ONE TIME IN PRACTICE WHERE HIS RECIEVERS HAD TO BREAK STIDE IN A RECEPTION. THANKS
August 18th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
This is great news about JJ. Raheem must have see something in the film. I know, a damn good young QB. Go JJ, he’s a keeper.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Dominick can always call the Bronco’s. Maybe they could swing some of trade for a DB, draft pick etc…
Alright that doesn’t happen with the Buc’s. Scratch that.
August 18th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Let’s face facts – Leftwich is the best QB in camp at this point (plus the most experienced). However after watching his statue of Liberty like poise in the pocket Byron is gonna go down sometime during the season its not a matter of if but when.
Therefore Raheem has to ask himself who he wants next, Luke or Josh Johnson to take over unil Freeman is ready to make his debut. It’s obvious that Josh Freeman needs more time to mature before being thrown to the wolves.
After watching Luke scramble around you gotta ask yourself this – haven’t we had enough of happy feet QB’s during the Garcia era? As if that weren’t enough watching Luke toss the football away during that facemask call was gut wrenching. I mean talk about bad judgement.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Yes!!!!!!
I have been begging for this kis to get a shot since last year, maybe it’s his time finally! I hope so!
Even Chucky said earlier this week that he thought this kid was special, but then again so was Gradkowski in his eyes?
Either way I am glad to see I’m not the only one who seems to have taken a liken to J.J., I have seen alot of other fans cheering for him latley which I think is awsome! Go J.J., and go Bucs!
August 19th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Mr. L got it right………..oh and they are paying Luke how much???????