Stevie Johnson To Tampa?
February 21st, 2012
Joe’s going to bring up the name Stevie Johnson here to essentially illustrate a case for Mike Williams.
The Bills’ Johnson is on the list of exciting soon-t0-be free-agent wide receivers. Justin Pawlowski, of CommishOnline.com, points out that news reports have Johnson and the Bills far apart on the contract front and Johnson has the success and experience as a No. 1 receiver against top cornerbacks, unlike Mario Manningham.
Johnson, 25, has exploded for the Bills over the past two seasons. He has posted over 1,000 yards receiving in each of the last two years, while reeling in 10 touchdowns in 2010 and 7 touchdowns in 2011.
Entering his fifth season, Johnson, like a lot of top wide receivers, had production in his first two seasons that doesn’t compare to Mike Williams’ rookie and sophomore years. Johnson is nearly identical to Williams in size and 40 time out of college. And Joe doesn’t recall Johnson being named by his peers as a top 100 player in the NFL after the 2010 season, as Williams was (80th).
Joe’s all in favor of the Bucs landing a star receiver, but the guy either has to be a complete burner to open up the field and change the dynamics of the Bucs’ offense, or he’s got to be significantly better than Williams (see Vincent Jackson or Dwayne Bowe).
After just two seasons, significant production and some crappy coaching, Williams just isn’t someone Joe’s ready to write off as a must-replace No. 1 receiver.
Hopefully the Bucs’ new coaching staff knows how to get the most out of its receiving corps — and Joe never hear an offensive guru talk again about how two weapons can’t be on the field at the same time.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:51 am
Go After Wallace from the Steelers.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:54 am
Getting Wallace would mean giving up the #5 pick. No thanks.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:57 am
@Brad dont be foolish
February 21st, 2012 at 10:58 am
If we handle FA like we did the coaching search, uh, not good.
We need to be quick, decisive and aggressive in FA. If we want a guy, get him – no excuses. Don’t think for a second that players\agents do not know which teams have the highest cap room.
If Carr is the top DB, don’t F around, sign him. If he visits, don’t let him leave without a deal.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:00 am
Wes Welker, Dwayne Bowe, Vincent Jackson, Mike Wallace, Marques Colston, or Robert Meachem…….take your pick.
I think the Saints will only keep one of those receivers. It would be great If we could steal away one of our division opponents guys.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:10 am
We’ve got good receivers, just not coached up enough to handle double teams and not fast enough to stretch the field. The coaching can be fixed and either Joe Adams or Jarius Wright, both from Arkansas, can stretch the field. We can save those FA WR dollars to use on CB or LB in FA.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:13 am
Sure are a lot of folks banking on a mere change in coaching staff as the answer to all our problems.
Almost as if it is a proven fact vs. an opinion.
Maybe so, but im skeptical as to the alleged “talent”.
Need some heavy duty work on that end also, IMO.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:13 am
I’d really like Kendall Wright to fall to us in round 2, but I think he’ll be long gone. He’s exactly the sort of receiver we need.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:22 am
Man do people not realize this isn’t “Madden” or fantasy football. You can’t just name top players you want & get them! They have to be available. Wallace isn’t going anywhere but Pitt, no one’s giving up 1st round picks for him. Bowe is now expected to be franchised killing that hope. Welker isn’t leaving Brady’s side. So REALISTICALLY that leaves guys like Vincent Jackson, Stevie, Johnson, Colston, Meachem, ect.
I want no part of the Saints WRs. They are all system type WRs who benefit like many of the Colts WRs by having a HoF type QB throwing them the football. The saints insert WRs all the time who go off, and it’s not because they are all studs, it’s because Brees is a stud.
This leaves Vincent Jackson or Stevie Johnson. I’d love Vincent but he’s going to be a hot commodity so if we lose out on him, or he chooses to go somewhere else I wouldn’t mind Stevie Johnson. My best friend is a huge bills fan and said while the guy isn’t a burner, he just flat out gets open all the time. Playing for a crappy offense & a suspect QB he still manages to consistently beat double teams, go over the middle, ect. I think if we can’t get V-Jax, Stevie Johnson at the right price would be a big upgrade at WR. If GB let’s Finely get away, and if we could add some combo of V-Jax or Stevie Johnson with Finely at TE. I think our passing attack would see a major upgrade.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:26 am
Also, for anyone skeptical of Stevie Johnson see him torching the Pitt D during their superbowl run year or watch his tape abusing Darrelle Revis this year.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:32 am
Stevie Johnson at this point > Mike Williams, do not fool yourself by thinking otherwise.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:32 am
Stevie is gooa WR wouldnt mind
February 21st, 2012 at 11:58 am
Steve Johnson would be a great asset. It ain’t happening.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Bill Sheridan on buccaneers.com
February 21st, 2012 at 12:04 pm
FACT: Coaching can be fixed and can make a difference!
OPINION: With new coaching, the Bucs have an opportunity to improve the performance of their existing WRs.
Your Honor, I’d like to call to the stand Victor Cruz, undrafted FA and Super Bowl winner, and have him testify what coaching did to improve his performance in just his 2nd year with the Giants.
Your Honor, I’d like to stipulate that not every WR can be a Victor Cruz, but every WR need not be a Jerry Rice to succeed!
Thank You for the court’s time. Case closed!
February 21st, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@Jonny
Stevie Johnson at this point = Mike Williams, do not fool yourself by thinking otherwise
…see how easy that was?
February 21st, 2012 at 12:15 pm
@feel
The difference is, your statement is pretty objectively false.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@vince A year ago, most people would have disagreed with you.
The point is, Johnson doesn’t really bring something to our offense that we don’t already have. We need a Wallace, Desean Jackson, Joey Galloway type.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Or different coaching could make no difference whatsoever………….
February 21st, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Feel; as Vince pointed out your statement is laughably false.
I like Mike Williams but he had trouble beating single coverage all year vs average NFL CBs. I think Mike would be a great #2 or a poor man’s #1. Stevie Johnson is a legit #1 WR. He torched the best coverage CB in the league this year. No one has been able to have as much success one on one against Revis then S. Johnson has. He’d be a great addition if we could get him.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Could not a gree more Joe. A WR in free agency has to be a complete and total burner to complement Williams and Benn….. OR a true so-called number 1 who can make plays anywhere: like Vincent Jackson
Not sure what Smith or Manningham brings to the table that they do not already have.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@mathew
I would like Finley too but he is not going anywhere. I beleive it was reported hes being franchised as a running back and LOOSING 4 Mil.
That dude is a beast and would inprove our O the minute he steps on the field.
Now Osi Unmanura may be up for grabs from NY. They are loaded up front and not sure if they have the cash to pau up. Talk about another sick upgrade…
February 21st, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Suddenly we wont be satisfied unless we get an authentic blue chipper?
Please, were gonna be dang luck to get anybody, and Johnson would surely help.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:34 pm
IF we cannot sign Dewayne Bowe then I would take a serious look at Johnson. Imagine him and Williams on opposite sides of the field! And thats not discrediting Mike. Its getting more weapons for Freeman. I would obviously prefer Bowe over Johnson. But there is a good chance now that KC will tag Bowe. If we can keep Johnson’s ego in check then he will be a stud. DBs can only cover for so long. And with talent like that on both sides then we should be just fine. And get a speedster to put in the slot *cough* Kendall Wright!!
February 21st, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Stevie Johnson is really good. I live in Buffalo and the fan base is split on him, primarily for being a bit of a goof ball with the celebrations, but I don’t think I’ve seen a receiver have beter success against Revis, and he goes up against him twice a season. I received free tickets to the Xmas Eve game against Denver, and Johnson had success against Champ Bailey as well.
Yes, he’s a lot like Mike Williams, and he’s not a traditional burner, although he’s pretty decent in space, but I would have him on my Bucs wishlist if Buffalo doesn’t franchise him.
And trust me, living in Western New York, the fan base is dynamic, but experience the decision making process of the ownership up close and even the biggest Glazer hater will be singing a different tune about the Bucs ownership and front office.
February 21st, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I would take Stevie in a second, Stevie number 1, Williams number 2, then Benn number 3, look there are a lot of guys in the draft as well who are either big and or speedsters. What about a Tommy Streeter in the third round, or Dwight Jones, both big and fast. Or a Joe Adams as well.
February 21st, 2012 at 1:01 pm
And a true WR that can spread the field who is gonna be a UFA is Brandon Lloyd. Too bad he is almost guaranteed to sign with the Pats. He would be a great addition for any team. Especially ours tho. Lloyd catches a ton a balls and scores TDs as easy as anyone not named Calvin Johnson! He is a superb route runner. The guy is a game changer. We should say screw it and overpay Lloyd, Bowe, and Vincent Jackson. HAHAHA Then run a 5 WR set with Bowe, Lloyd, VJ, Williams, and Benn. For sure teams couldn’t cover that!!! ahahaahahahaha jk if you all didn’t catch that. Too many holes to spend all of the money on 3 WRs!
February 21st, 2012 at 1:39 pm
“feel Says:
February 21st, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@Jonny
Stevie Johnson at this point = Mike Williams, do not fool yourself by thinking otherwise
…see how easy that was?”
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Keep the Kool-Aid for yourself son, I want no part of it. Look at the stats of both these guys for last two years, its easy to tell who the better widereceiver AT THIS POINT is. Yeah, may be Mike has more upside and could be better latern on, but at this point Stevie Johnson brings more to our offense than Mike does.
February 21st, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@ stimpy
where did u read that Finley is getting franchised as a RB? that makes no sense whatsoever, will not happen. and even if it were possible, he wouldnt lose $4 mil because the franchise tag for RBs is over 7 mil, and a little over 5 mil for TEs.
trying to determine btwn WR and TE, maybe THAT makes a little more sense. he does play in the slot or flexed out a lot. but even still, i think if he ultimately does get the tag, it would be as a TE.
February 21st, 2012 at 1:58 pm
dude Johnson is a stud ! i would take him ASAP he DOMINATED Revis and thats sayin alot
February 21st, 2012 at 2:16 pm
BigMarlon, The issue is over TE versus WR, not RB.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/20/finley-franchise-tag-fight-still-looms/
February 21st, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Personally, I think Benn can turn into a “burner” if he is used right.
BUT…I would love to have both Stevie and Mike on the team at 1 & 2. Remember, we’re likely to have 3-5 WR sets with Sullivan and Johnson would be a nice signing.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@ macabee
Yea that’s what I thought. I guess stimpy just made a mistake and said RB instead of WR….that’s why it made no sense to me.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:48 pm
…Randy Moss?
*ducks*