Uncertainty
July 23rd, 2014
Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune wonders which Michael Johnson will show up this season?
There are Bucs fans who still can’t sleep at night. They were and are so excited about the hiring of Lovie Smith, they believe a Super Bowl parade will be held down Bayshore come February.
Joe can’t go there. Way, way, way too many question marks. One might say, well, uncertainty. Actually, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune did just that.
Appearing on Sports Sunday Extra on WFLA-TV, Channel 8 with WFLA raconteur Dan Lucas, Cummings cited many uncertainties with the team, although he too is excited for how the coming season may evolve.
“There is a lot of uncertainty on this team,” Cummings said. “There is a lot of uncertainty with Carl Nicks. There is a lot of uncertainty with the quarterback, Josh McCown and you know, I think there is a lot of uncertainty with the defensive line as well. You know, Michael Johnson, a guy they went out and got in free agency,. Here is a big name, a guy they hope can be a little bit like Simeon Rice. He sure looks like him and is built like him.
“But, hey, three and a half sacks last year — 11.5 the year before – you want the guy from 2012 not the guy from 2013. I am excited, yeah, but a lot of uncertainty as well.”
Joe gets where Cummings is coming from. Joe has stated again and again he is not worried about the defense, but it is a fair point to ask if Johnson can get that coveted double-digit sack season.
Johnson will do fine. Double-digits? We will see. Joe thinks the line as a whole will improve, not just Johnson, but everyone. If Johnson can get, say, eight sacks, and another eight sacks can come from the combo of Adrian Clayborn and Will Gholston on the left end, that’s a whole lot better than the Bucs received from defensive ends last year.
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:21 am
These two Bungals may hurt us, like most of the other moves this offseason. Heard the packers center isn’t smart at all. Anyway, if Michael Johnson toughens up some he will be ok but doubt he will ever come close to his contract. I liked the draft! As long as Evans stays in shape the TE knee is ok. Maybe Cummings is right…
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:22 am
Woody sums it up very well. Now when is Joe going to predict a regular season record?
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:22 am
Uncertainty on this team?
Well Good Morning Captain Obvious…..Roy Cummings sure likes going out on the fattest limb on the tree!
Of course there are so very many question marks surrounding this team.
Tell us something we don’t know.
But, that being said, we can start seeking the answers very shortly.
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:25 am
“But, hey, three and a half sacks last year — 11.5 the year before – you want the guy from 2012 not the guy from 2013.”
Joe’s favorite stat nerds, Pro Football Focus, seems to think differently. Only 3 1/2 sacks, but they had him graded out as the fourth best 4-3 DE last year with 61 pressures on the QB. Just because the guy didnt have flashy stats doesnt mean he had a down year by any means. Which is why he is rolling in the dough.
It is not Johnson the Bucs gotta worry about. It is everyone else on the line staying healthy and producing. Very little decent depth behind them, especially in the interior of the line.
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:34 am
WE WANT #2
WE WANT #2
WE WANT #2
WE WANT #2
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:57 am
mpmalloy, hope you weren’t sitting on a toilet as you typed that.
July 23rd, 2014 at 8:59 am
BucFaninChina – Agree on Johnson. It would’ve been better to translate some of those pressures into more sacks, but the sheer percentage of times he’s able to cause pressure makes me feel pretty good about the guy. Especially since he did it without Atkins playing alongside him in 2013.
July 23rd, 2014 at 9:01 am
How can a team coming off 4-12 have any uncertainties?
That darn Lovie should have solved every issue by now.
After all look how quickly the rock star made us lasting contenders and all.
July 23rd, 2014 at 9:09 am
“Woody”? …what, is Roy “Cummings” trying to make a statement? Is it inadequacy issues? ..or is he “poking” fun at the Sams debate? That would be akin to having a name like Richard Climax. lol j/k folks
Anyway, even after Johnson’s lack luster sack totals last year, only because he was asked to do other things besides pass rush every down, this year under Lovies Tampa 2 system, should allow Johnson to pin his ears back. I think after this season Johnson should make Michael Bennett a distant memory.
July 23rd, 2014 at 9:22 am
Joe ? Where are these fans you seem to have for any article you write? I haven’t spoke, heard or know if anyone saying this team is going to the Superbowl. As long as this team shows improvement and going in the right direction ( relevant ) is all one can hope for in the first season.
On another note where’s the reports about Nicks and how es cleared for training camp. Heard that on Sirius NFL network.
July 23rd, 2014 at 10:19 am
Jon would you care to share your source on EDS smarts? You may want to share it with Arron Rogers who was banging the table for him to be resigned. As for you extreme minority opinion on Michael Johnson I’m sure you will be denying you ever had doubts once he starts playing well.
July 23rd, 2014 at 10:42 am
You mean the “reports” Joe wrote about back in June?
Joe has typed this a half-dozen times the past two days. Those who don’t get it, too bad: Joe has spoken with reliable people who have given Joe both good and bad news about Nicks. The only person who knows if Nicks can practice is Nicks.
Nothing has changed since Nicks passed his physical… back in June.
July 23rd, 2014 at 10:57 am
Yeah those were pretty ignorant statements Jon, you just spit those out you a$$ this morning. Stanglassman, he clearly isn’t very football smart, huh? He’s putting more “hope” in two rookies, than a few veteran FA, SMDH.
Yes, there are question marks all over this team coming off a 4-12 season, with a new coaching staff, and more turn over than any other team in the NFL. That is obvious, but I’m optimistic. I really think we’re going to make an exciting playoff run late in the season and how knows… maybe even a wildcard berth! Wouldn’t that be awesome!!
July 23rd, 2014 at 11:12 am
I prefer POTENTIAL! That is what I see for us.
Uncertainty- I always carry my umbrella in case it rains…
Potential- The future is so bright, you have to wear sunglasses…
Just like the TB Rays there is always a possibility until there is none. Until then, I wear my sunglasses! Go Bucs and Go Rays!!!
July 23rd, 2014 at 11:20 am
The only entity that HASN’T cleared Nicks is Sgt. Hulka, aka The Big Toe….this recent interview with Nicks’ Big Toe:
Writer: “So Big Toe, are you ready to go now that training camp is upon us?”
Big Toe: “Geez, put yourself in my spot….I got 400 pounds pressing down on me, I haven’t done anything in two years, and darn it, I’m sore as hell….better check back with me once the big boy tries to get some torque on a cut or tries to run five yards on me.”
July 23rd, 2014 at 12:38 pm
The biggest question mark is Foster
July 23rd, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Rokk26-That was generous and kind of you to put “football’ in front of smart.
July 23rd, 2014 at 1:44 pm
BFFL Said:
“The biggest question mark is Foster”
Really? I think he’s going to have a great year.
July 23rd, 2014 at 2:34 pm
All that needs to be answered is:
“Who will be our Greg Spires?”
July 23rd, 2014 at 3:23 pm
CHALLENGE ANYONE HERE to go back and watch every Beangals game from last season and watch Johnson. Dude’s a stud and frankly was better as a run blocker last season than his double digit sack season, that’s not implying that one skill set suffered at the expense of another, the reality of last season for him was his line being struck by the injury bug which always brings about that split second or two lateness in rotational continuity despite having other high skill set players.