Wildcat Offense Could Be Coming
August 13th, 2010
Joe knows a lot of Bucs fans have wondered why Raheem the Dream doesn’t use career backup quarterback Josh Johnson in some gimmick offense, like a Wildcat.
There were times last year when Johnson did line up as a receiver but Joe doesn’t know if that was legit or if Johnson was going to be part of some elaborate gadget play? Generally when the backup quarterback lines up at wide receiver, it raises the antennae of defenses.
Taking a break from deleting Tweets covering training camp, The Mad Twitterer himself, Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times hosted a chat on the Poynter Paper’s site and he noted that a Wildcat offense could be on its way for the Bucs.
Matt (Lake County)
Has there been any progress on getting Josh Johnson involved with the offense?
Mad Twitterer
Great question. Josh Johnson, as you know, is the backup QB. But he’s such a great athlete, they’d like to find a package of plays to get him on the field. I think a Wildcat formation (Bucwild?) might be used sometime this year. He also can catch passes, so you might see him and Freeman on the field together for some gadget plays. They tried it last year. They have to be creative.
Joe personally believes this Wildcat nonsense is little more than the NFL flavor of the month, much like the run-and-shoot was. What Joe believes Johnson could really excel in is sort of a slash position, much like what Kordell Stewart played in his first few years with the Steelers.
Of course, thanks to the Jerry Jones rule, Johnson wouldn’t be able to play quarterback if Josh Freeman got hurt. But the Bucs need some speed in the backfield, and if Johnson could do that as well as be a receiver and throw the occasional pass on a reverse or option, all the better.
August 13th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I would really like to see Raheem try the wildcat out with Johnson. It would be fun to watch, and it may work out a few times. Plus, what does he have to lose by just trying it out.
August 13th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
What is the Jerry Jones Rule?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Yeah what is the Jerry Jones rule? The only thing i can think of is the 3rd QB rule which wouldn’t apply in this case.
Unless of course JJ was designated as the 3rd QB.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
I’m kind of baffeld by the Jones rule as well. What is it Joe?
August 13th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Joe, Does it apply? I thought it was the one about, if a ball hits a score board, video board, sky cam, or wires, the play is blown dead and started over without loss of down or time spent. You know, because of that big mega scoreboard toy at his stadiumhouse.
Maybe it has something to do with some pre-season games rule he wants changed? I’m not sure. Joe, inquiring minds want to know!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Well we got a weekend of football! Go Bucs! And Go Storm! Storm(11-5) play Orlando(8-8) for conference championship title and to play in ArenaBowl XXIII.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
You know I’ve heard quite a few people refer to the gimmick offense the Broncos are likely to use Tebow in as the “Wild Horses” offense instead of Wild Cat. If we use some gimmick offense here with JJ, can we call it the Buc Wild offense?
August 13th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Gruden LOVES the wildcat, he thinks it will be around for years and years.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Joe might be at the Rays game otherwise he’d respond to these questions. What is the Jerry Jones rule, Joe?
August 13th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@MichiganBucsFan
Yeah speaking of Gruden, i kind of wonder why Gruden drafted him. Was it to develop into a future starting QB or use him in the wildcat or something else??
August 13th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
@Jdouble
I’d like the “Swashbuckler” offense.
All the cheerleaders lift their shirts to distract the defenses. We’d run right in every time 😛
August 13th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Screw the trick plays —– RUN THE DARN BALL DOWN THEIR THROATS.
Buc Ball, Dungy Ball, Smash mouth Ball……
August 13th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Hey, Hey, Hey Mr. Lucky, yea man!!
August 13th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
If Bill Cowher were the HC we wouldn’t be looking forward to a Wildcat system – we’d be looking at getting a RB like the Bus and running over people.
August 14th, 2010 at 10:12 am
You mean LeGarrette Blount? Yeah we missed out on him. Watch him blow up with Chris Johnson in Tennessee.
We coulda had Thunder and Lightning 2.0 with Blount and Huggins.