Josh Johnson Loves The Wrong Bay Area
July 8th, 2011
Bucs backup quarterback Josh Johnson isn’t shy about his loyalties. He’s a dedicated Buccaneer who seems equally eager to play for his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, now head man of the 49ers, which just happens to play nearby where Johnson makes his home.
This isn’t fresh news. Johnson has expressed his love of the Bucs and Harbaugh in previous interviews. But he seemed to kick it all up a notch in a story by Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday. Johnson was at an event promoting his charity foundation.
“We stopped being naive to the influence we really could have in our community and that’s when the foundation really became a reality,” said Johnson, who is working out with Lynch and football players from Oakland Tech during the lockout. “The next step was figuring out how we can do this year-round and be able to really touch our community?”
Johnson’s passion for his hometown is obvious. And so is his desire to reconnect with Harbaugh. Johnson grew up rooting for the 49ers.
“I’d get to come home, be with my family, play for a coach that changed my life and play for a team that I grew up loving,” Johnson said when asked about a potential post-lockout trade. “But reality of the situation is this is a business and we’re all seeing it with this lockout. So I’m a part of the Buccaneers and I have one year left.”
Joe can’t blame Johnson for wanting to move on from Tampa Bay. Nobody wants to be a career backup, as Raheem Morris dubbed him. And, frankly, any competitive young quarterback should be sickened by seeing Josh Freeman ahead of him on the depth chart.
But Joe is left queasy by Johnson saying, “I have one year left.” That sure seems like a clear message being sent to Mark Dominik.
July 8th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
That’s why you’ll see Josh Portis get signed after the lockout is lifted…
July 8th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
The niners would never offer anything worth letting him go via trade.
July 8th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Have thier people call our people
July 8th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Tampa needs to let him go, IF we can get something good for him ? But where do we find as good of a back up as JJ ?
July 8th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Before the draft, JJ becoming a 49er seemed to be a good shot, after round 1, I thought it was a near certainty… after the drafted uber-talented Colin Kaepernick in round 2, it doesn’t seem likely. CK is a physical stud but what sets him apart is his Freeman-work ethic. This guy is smart, tough, and has one of the best physical skill sets since Randall Cunningham. He’s that good and under Harbaugh he could become a monster.
July 8th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@Brandon,
I agree with you that JJ will not be a potential long-term starter there because they drafted Kaepernick. However, I disagree that he is a guaranteed to be great. I’ve seen him play quite a bit, and make no mistake, Nevada runs a very gimmicky offense (the “pistol”). History suggests players running gimmicky offenses tend to not do well in the pros. I’m not saying he won’t, but I certainly don’t think he’s a lock.
July 8th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
He’s an interesting back-up for us. He can and will be used this coming season. But the Buccaneers definitely have to look at the position pretty soon.
He’s gone after this year and getting something in return for him now might not be a bad idea.
There’s SO much to do the second this damn lockout ends…..
July 8th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
SF isn’t going to trade for him obviously. All they have to do is wait out 2011.
Oh well.
I wish JJ the best.
July 8th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
We could be witnessing the second coming of Steve Young. LOL
July 8th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
@Oahubuc
i dont give a damn if JJ is the second coming of young, we got number five, and he will be the next montana :p 😉
July 8th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Oahubuc: I am old, and you are NOT funny!
😉
July 8th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
JJ should shut his yap while he remains a Buc. If the 49’rs loved him so much, why didn’t they draft him? They had 5 rounds to get it done. Harbaugh just drafted Colin Kaepernick in the 2’nd round, who is big guy. If JJ can’t swing a deal to get his traitor @ss to San Fran this year, he’ll probably back up Colin next year. I don’t believe the 49’rs are all that interested in JJ. He would be smart to stay in Tampa, where he knows the system and he’s only one play away on any given day. I think Dom will pay him well to stay here too. San Fran sucks. The people there suck and everything about it.
July 8th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Your right BigMac, He should be loyal to the team. He should talk to his old teammate Derrick Brooks about loyalty in the NFL!
July 8th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I’m with you BigMac. I don’t mind that he wants to be a 49er next year. That’s kind of like if I had any football talent and played for another NFL team, I would love the opportunity to play for the Bucs. However, I’m not real crazy about him admitting it. I’ll give him a bit of a pass because I’ve never heard anything negative about him (as a teammate), but in the future he should probably just shut his yap.
July 8th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Backup quarterbacks are a dime a dozen.
July 8th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
When the lockout is over, I would let Josh find out what Harbaugh really thinks of him. If he calls and offers a 1st or 2nd (you could possibly start), a 3rd or 4th (he’s going to dump David Carr and Troy smith, you will be a back-up), anything beyond that is not a serious offer (he’s being kind), if no call at all (you been played). Good luck Josh!
July 8th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
He could also go to the Raiders, the other Bay team. They could definitely use him cause I don’t think Jason Campbell will solve their problems. Bruce Gradkowski has looked good at times but he’s rather inconsistent. Yet he’s another Buc backup QB who’s found success somewhere else.
July 9th, 2011 at 1:38 am
Here in the Bay Area of the West JJ’s comments have everyone thinking that everyone wants to play for Harbaugh. Its funny. They are so sad in this town (that goes for both teams).
I think we hold JJ for this year and of he wants to leave next year let him. I mean make an offer and see what happens. If he want to be our backup then cool, if someone wants to over pay him that’s fine too.
We have 5 and there is NO ONE ELSE I’d rather have !!
July 9th, 2011 at 8:57 am
Professional sports are driven by the fans, and what a way to turn fans off, and even against you. I thought JJ was smarter than that and instead he takes a page out of T-Ocho’s playbook. Say stupid things, fans will hate you, boo you, and run out of town, with a bad rep. I’ve liked JJ since he got here, but he should consider an apology to the Buc Fans that have supported him. This goes back to thinking what you’re going to say before you say it, especially in Public. This is why dumbass politicians have speech writers, and why actors rehearse. Strike 1 Josh Junior.
July 10th, 2011 at 11:47 am
have the 49ers showed any intrest in him? hes a back up (a good one) but if he wants to play for them then let him, heres a dream senario, we trade them JJ, Rudd and a 1st rounder for Patric Willis!! holy potatos that would be amazing, no way in hell it happens but someone had to say it, LETS GO BUCS!!!!!!!!