Johnson Pegged As CB Starter; No Nickel Decision

September 4th, 2013

Greg Schiano acknowledged today that the team’s published depth chart was accurate as of Monday, when Leonard Johnson was labeled a starter at cornerback along with Darrelle Revis.

Schiano pointed out that things can change but “that’s what we saw on Monday.”

That leaves prized rookie Johnthan Banks as presumably the nickel cornerback. However, Schiano passionately said recently that the nickel position is far more difficult than many assume. Also, veteran cornerback Michael Adams told Joe today that Schiano has not yet told the team of a decision on nickel cornerback for the Jets game, a role Adams desires.

Schiano praised Adams through preseason, so there’s a decent shot Adams gets the job and Banks’ action will be limited.

Of course, it’s unknown how much Revis will be able to play, which could affect the use of Banks. Hopefully, the Bucs’ offense can grind the ball on the ground and keep their offense on the field. That would be a tremendous gift to the entire Bucs defense.

32 Responses to “Johnson Pegged As CB Starter; No Nickel Decision”

  1. Biff Barker Says:

    I’m thinking the Bucs don’t want to throw Banks out there and see him torched. Bad for the psyche.
    Also, it’s unknown how much LJ has improved.

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    From what I have seen Johnson & Gorrer have improved a great deal
    I find it interesting that Joe made Danny Gorrer the laughing stock and standard bearer for the worst pass defense in the NFL. That is understandable…but this year shows that we need to have at least a minimum of patience in our developing players….and that goes for Glennon also.
    There will probably be a time where they will be called on to step up and help us.
    I look at Melvin as this year’s Leonard Johnson

  3. Ricardo Esteban Says:

    good. Johnson earned it, and Banks got toasted a good amount in preseason. he is not ready… YET

  4. Adam Says:

    Ugh. Leonard Johnson.

  5. bucrightoff Says:

    Good God this game terrifies me. A loss and look the hell out, the sky will be falling faster than it ever has.

  6. You Go Joe Says:

    Maybe banks missed tackles brought him down, we’ll see. This is subject to change, AFTER the jets game.

  7. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    @tampabaybucfan

    The only person that i have ran out of patience is the pop-star! And JFro-6pak! though i am willing to give Jfro till the bye-week

  8. BucsQcCity Says:

    Would have preferred JB but LJ plays hard.. Just less upside on the field

  9. tonytwocents Says:

    put Banks in there with one of the Safeties to double team Stephen Hill… if Banks can handle it solo, then let him loose. LJ could play the nickel, and work into the rotation if needed.

  10. Adam L. Says:

    it’s a lose/lose for the Bucs

    Win…. and they were supposed to win. Big deal.

    Lose…. “Freeman sucks,” “Dominik sucks,” “No pass rush,” “Revis looks slow,” “Leonard Johnson is crippled…”

  11. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Buc Realist

    You never had patience with Dominick…and your comments about him on every post are boring…you find a way to bash him no matter what the subject.
    How about posting something positive for a change. Whether you like it or not Dominick only has to answer to the Glazers and all evidence is that they are satisfied. After all it is their multi-millions invested.
    Welcome to the “real” world.
    By the way….I’m not one of those many who call you an idiot.
    I was taught to be kind to those less fortunate.

  12. Dave Says:

    Just figured out why so many Buc fans are so miserable. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/major-city-stressful-place-live/story?id=16624010

  13. Adam L. Says:

    @TAMPABAYBUCFAN

    Well, how long should we give Dominik? Seriously. You’re preaching “patience.” He’s had 4 drafts. He’s extended the contract of ONE of his draftees. There is ONE remaining player from his first draft. He has brought in a large amount of ineffective free agents. Not to mention, he extended Michael Clayton. He had the same record as Scott Pioli in KC, but Pioli had a SLEW of Pro Bowlers on his roster and he got fired.

    So how much time does he get? We’re in Year 4. Tell us, the Bucs Fans, how much time is REALISTIC to start yielding results so we don’t ANNOY you with expectations?

  14. Buc1987 Says:

    Adam L. …that should be a question you might want to ask Bryan Glazer.

  15. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    I have seen pressers today from HC Shiano, OC Sullivan and Revis. When are we going to hear from our much heralded DC Sheridan?

  16. Buc1987 Says:

    The Glazers did not open their wallets for Dominik in 2010 or 2011 when it came to free agency. So maybe it really is up to them.

  17. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Adam L

    If you read my post…I didn’t mention anything about being patient with Dominick….just developing players…
    There are many great players in the NFL that struggled early.

    It was Realist that took that opportunity to bash Dominick & change the subject.

    As for patience with a GM or Coach…that is a different matter. I agree that as fans we have to step aside and let the big boys decide when enough is enough. I believe that a fish stinks from the head and with that in mind I pass up Dominick & go straight to the Glazers…up until last year, I was very upset with the way the team was going. I look at last year as being the beginning of the turnaround.
    With that, I gave a pass to Dominick for the years prior because I think his moves were dictated somewhat by ownership.
    His heavy investment, for example, in the DL has been unfortunatly impacted by injuries to all four 1/2 round picks.
    I was encouraged to see him let Najee Goode go and am waiting for either Tandy to develop or be cut.
    The first sign of a great GM/Coach is to know when to fold ’em.
    …admit a mistake and try to improve. They all make mistakes.

  18. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I just watched press conferences with Schiano & Sullivan.

    Anyone who doesn’t agree that we have made big strides from The Raheem Morris, Greg Olson days….is living in a cloud of ignorance.
    As for Sheridan….he is less important because Schiano is running the Defense and we also have whatever Butch Davis’ involment is in addition to Schiano.
    I think Sheridan merely implements Schiano’s scheme/plan.

  19. tonytwocents Says:

    Sheridan is Butch Davis’ avatar.

  20. BFFL Says:

    I think it’s pretty obvious that Shiano and Butch are now the ones picking the players. There is no way in hell any owner in his right mind would let Dominick keep those responsibilities after all those terrible draft picks (price, bowers, Kyle Moore, Lewis, Talib, & Benn to name a few) and those are high round picks.

  21. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ BFFL

    I think you are right that Schiano has a heavier input on the draft….evidence of that is Goode, Tandy & Glennon

    But…I think FAs are another matter….I don’t think there is any question that Goldson & Revis were Dominick/Glazer driven….and that started the year before with Jackson & Nicks.
    It is also possible that some of the other more minor FA picks are coming from a mixture of Dominick/Schiano.
    Crabtree, Ogletree, Adams, Carimi etc.

  22. Back up kicker Says:

    Does anyone actually think a rookie QB will beat Revis led Bucs D? I’d bet my house on this game. Can’t wait till Sunday baby!!

  23. BFFL Says:

    I have enough brains to get Jackson Goldson and Revis and that’s not saying much. The Glazers were forced to spend money with the new CBA and I think other owners were tired of them mooching off their revenue stream.

  24. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    BFFL

    That money could have been spent a thousand different ways….it remains to be seen if they chose the right way. I’m not commenting on the wisdom of the move or lack there of….just that I think Schiano is heavy into the draft and Dominick into FA because of the money component there along with contract structure/negotiation. I don’t think Schiano has those skills……yet.

  25. Morgan Says:

    Very little coming out of OBP can be taken at face value…..Nicks starting, Leonard Johnson number one on the early week depth chart, Revis will play……Schiano won’t show his hand. He may be weak at intra-game adjustments of the game plan, but he seems to have this psy-op deception down pretty well (ie not showing anything during preseason).

  26. tonytwocents Says:

    Schiano treats the press like mushrooms.. he feeds them sh!t & keeps em in the dark.

    (ala Marky Mark in The Departed)

  27. tonytwocents Says:

    which is a good thing.. at least he’s not talking about taking off his players underwear.

  28. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Adam L. Says:
    “Well, how long should we give Dominik? Seriously. You’re preaching “patience.” He’s had 4 drafts. He’s extended the contract of ONE of his draftees.”

    The fact that most of their contracts don’t start expiring until the end of this year or next year would have absolutely nothing to do with that…right?

  29. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Banks isn’t listed as the starter because the Bucs haven’t released the depth chart for the game against the Jets yet. They are not required to yet.

    Jets are refusing to name the QB to mess with the Bucs (even though we all know it will be Smith), so the Bucs are doing the same with their depth chart at other positions.

    Mind games.

  30. Buc1987 Says:

    2cents you just crack me up man LMFAO!

  31. kh Says:

    Snaps are more relevant than who starts, we’ll have to wait to Sunday to see how the rotations play out.

  32. Adam Says:

    Saying we’ve come a long way since Morris…. You really didn’t have to do much to “come a long way.” Heck, f the players are actually TRYING that’s an improvement.