Whither Josh Johnson’s Chances?
August 13th, 2009
Never a good thing to be a fourth-string quarterback. Even worse when the team you play for traded up in the first round to draft a quarterback.
Such is the case of Josh Johnson. He was drafted in the fifth round by the previous regime of Bruce Almighty and Chucky as a project of sorts. Then his mentors got canned before he could take a snap in a regular season game.
Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune has a feature on the difficulties Johnson faces in trying to stay with the Bucs.
Johnson (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) wants to be Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback, despite the obvious obstacles. After spending a year under the tutelage of veterans Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese, Johnson believes his skills and knowledge have increased tremendously. He just needs a tremendous preseason to make this year’s team.
“Josh is going to have a big opportunity to go out there and play. A big opportunity,” Morris said. “He can go out there and splash and shoot right up the depth chart. He is going to play.”
Joe has heard a lot about how smart Johnson is. But in the NFL they pay you to perform.
Unless Luke McCown gets traded or Byron Leftwich gets cut — neither unreasonable outcomes — Joe doesn’t see Johnson staying with the Bucs unless he clears waivers and the Bucs sign him to the practice squad.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Finally, the dreams speaks of J.J.!!
Hope his words are true and he does give him plenty of time to play. Hate to see this kid only get mop up duty at the end of a pre-season game.
I hope he atleast gets a whole quarter to play!
August 13th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Keep Josh Johnson. Dump Leftwich. It’s that Simple.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
You guys are living in lala land if you think Josh johnson will be anything other than a practice QB for the Bucs.
Playing time against the Titans – 4th quarter mop up duty just like last year.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Hey Joe, Steve. What do you think about Josh Johnson? Your a big fan and have been to the practices, haven’t you? 6′-2-1/2″ is tall enough, his feet look good and his throwing motion looks much more reliable than Lefty. I just think it would be a mistake to let him go for a guy with such a horrible track record(Leftwich). 2 more days. Finally
August 14th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Josh is a Gruden draftee, with no chance at staying. He was drafted for the west coast offense. Good luck to him.