Olson Claims Veteran Quarterback Unnecessary
May 20th, 2010
Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson doesn't believe the Bucs need need a veteran backup quarterback.
Joe has wondered aloud several times how it is backup quarterback Bryon Leftwich was good enough for the Steelers (and won a critical road game in the team’s march to the Super Bowl), not good enough for the Bucs, but once again not only good enough for the Steelers but likely to start for the team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations?
Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson scoffs at the notion. Talking to Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Olson claims the Bucs don’t need no stinking veteran quarterback.
”No, I don’t believe that,” Olson said. “We made a hire in Alex Van Pelt, who was a quarterback in the league for a number of years. Alex can be that sounding board for him.
”So we’ve got that in place right now in the quarterback coach position. We’re excited about Josh Johnson as the No.2 quarterback. So rather than bring someone in there to be that third guy, we just felt like with Alex’ guidance and with the athletic player we have in Josh Johnson, at No.2, we feel comfortable, right now at this point at the quarterback position.”
Counting on Josh Johnson to save the franchise if Josh Freeman goes down is about like Joe staying up all night waiting on a booty call from Rachel Watson. In other words, it’s wishful thinking bordering on foolish thinking.
Balog doesn’t buy what Olson is selling. Balog believes Olson chose his words very carefully, qualifying his comments leaving the door wide open for the Bucs to acquire a veteran backup.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:35 am
“Counting on Josh Johnson to save the franchise if Josh Freeman goes down is about like Joe staying up all night waiting on a booty call from Rachel Watson. In other words, it’s wishful thinking bordering on foolish thinking.”
It’s just as foolish to think Byron Leftwich could do any better… They both put up goose eggs in the win department last year… at least Josh Johnson can get out of the way of an incoming rush…
May 20th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Are we still talking about “Sluggo”?
..and..
“likely to start for the team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations”, Really? Did you watch them play at the end of last year? They’re on the decline…
May 20th, 2010 at 9:48 am
No one is counting on Johnson to save the franchise if Freeman goes down.
We all know that the season is doomed if Freeman goes down. And no vet QB out there would change that.
At least by playing Johnson we would definitively know if he was capable to be our backup QBOTF or if we should find another.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:49 am
You know, I have to give Olson credit for an angle that hadn’t occurred to me: Alex Van Pelt is a former QB. Granted, he had even less success than Leftwich currently does, but if its just veteran leadership that Freeman needs, why does it need to be an active QB? It’s not like the 3rd string QB has a great chance of playing and the 3rd QB takes reps away from young guys.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:54 am
CharlieB you’re exactly right. The ‘veteran leadership’ does not have to be an active QB. It is a person you lean on and talk to for advice and ideas. Freeman is working hard all on his own, he doesn’t need somebody “pushing” him to be better, he’s self motivated. He just needs a good QB coach and Van Pelt provides him just that.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Matt is right JJ won’t be the savior if freeman goes down. but neither would Leftwich or anyother veteran that is out there unless Manning or Brees are available.
There are very few teams that would survive a season ending injury to the starting QB.
Josh Johnson is more than capable of coming in to a game or holding it together for one or two games a year.
I mean for crying out loud they had Shawn King and Rob Johnson as back ups the year they won the Super Bowl. They did just what they needed when Brad Johnson went down they held it together and didnt screw it up completely until he came back.
BTW whats the deal with the Bucs and QBs named Johnson?
May 20th, 2010 at 11:47 am
It sounds to me like yet ANOTHER failed attempt to plug the massive gaping hole that is rapidly sinking this ship!!!
May 20th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I agree with the bucs on this.
I think JJ is a good prospect and in my view played almost as well as Freeman in even more dire circumstances.
Remember he took over when they were still trying the Bates defense, and the impact of the changed offensive scheme was still fresh. The kid never had a chance.
Playing the Patiots didn’t help.
Id like to keep him around getting back up reps and game experience because i think he can do the job and even be the guy in the future if Freeman doesn’t pan out.
May 20th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
This season is down the drain even if Freeman never goes down. Not even Freeman can save this ship from sinking, and certainly not sorry ass Sluggo as his back-up.
….and if Freeman DID go down , I still have more confidence with Johnson leading the team than Sluggo. At least Freeman has mobility and upside.
May 20th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
– At least Johnson has mobility and upside –correction.
May 20th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Did any of the tryout QB’s show any future promise?