Don’t Expect “Comfortable” Johnson To Flip
October 15th, 2014
Lovie weighs in
Big-moneyed free agent Michael Johnson, the defensive and that was supposed to put the fear of God into opposing quarterbacks, has thus far been anything but fearful, unless you are Team Glazer cutting his checks.
Johnson thus far has two sacks, both coming in the win over the Steelers.
To be fair, Johnson blew out his ankle on the first series of the first game of the regular season, and has been hobbled ever since. However, the $24 million guaranteed man Johnson, a really nice guy, gets visibly grumpy when referring to his injury, waving the thought off while saying all NFL players play hurt.
Now Joe brought up why Johnson, who often plays right defensive end, wasn’t flipped to the left side when Crows quarterback was gliding to his right on his three-step drop, all but eliminating Johnson as a weapon. But why not move Johnson to the left end, thereby giving him a chance to get at Flacco?
Well, if we don’t know by now, Bucs coach Lovie Smith isn’t much of a flexible guy. And when this subject was brought up yesterday, Lovie Smith, predictably, shot the concept down of Johnson playing on the left side.
“What can you move?” Lovie said. “You can go right or you can go left? As a defensive end, most of them would like to play one side, and you get used to the same step before you make your move. So there’s only so much that you can do. He feels comfortable most of the time at that right side.”
Yes, Johnson even said yesterday he would prefer to play on the right side, but did not rule out playing on the left, where he played a bit for the Bengals.
Joe must ask out loud here, if there is an occasion that Johnson would be an attribute on the left side, if he truly is your best defensive end, would the world come to an end if he actually lined up on the left side? Especially if an opponent isn’t prepared for such a move?
October 15th, 2014 at 11:03 am
do
the same thing
the same way
expect
the same results
October 15th, 2014 at 11:05 am
I think there’s a flaw with the league’s performance enhancing substance policy. Javorsky Lane has been suspended for taking PEDs but his performance was not enhanced so I don’t know that there’s a problem here.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Honestly, it’s a lot like the McCown thing. At this point, why not try it. It’s not like what we’re doing is working anyway. Why not mix something up and see if there’s something that might come of it. What’s the worst that could happen? We lose worse? Don’t think that’s something their concerned about when opponents breaking 50 is a real possibility every week
October 15th, 2014 at 11:16 am
Clayborn was a RDE only and Lovie had no issue whatsoever with moving him to the left side in a prove it year. What a hypocrite. Clayborn being forced to rush from the left is likely the cause of his tearing his bicep. Clever how Lovie removed MJs competition on the right side as with all the other FA positions. He was clearly scared that in fair competition these guys couldn’t hold up. Sure wish the media would have called him out on this glaring contradiction but I guess that is too much to ask. Especially when you can ask about looking for new OC in the bye week!!! What a joke.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:16 am
The Bucs would put on a better show if they all toked up and played high. I’m serious.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:27 am
I don’t know how much it would really matter if he switched sides. The QB could easily just roll out the other way. That would require an adjustment on their part, which I’m learning that contrary to what I’ve witnessed in Tampa, is not against the rules of football.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:37 am
Big Money Kleenex baby! All day!
Go Sucs!!
October 15th, 2014 at 11:50 am
I think any trust Snuffy Smith had from the fans about player evaluation is all gone, the honey moon is over and we all know who and what he is and what he is capable and incapable of…Even a guy under the pressure of a federal indictment for defrauding his clients had enough sense to make the hard call and fire his VP, GM and HC after just one season. The Bucs must rip the band-aide off and suffer the pain and fire this moron and his hand picked band of misfit coaches before they embarrass the franchise and themselves any further….oops to late, we’ve been embarrassed again…
October 15th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
that’s reminiscent of Schiano nixing the hurry-up in the San Fran game
October 15th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Funny Patrick!!!
This guy’s doing nothing on the right side anyway, what’s to lose?
It’s not time to throw in the towel yet so lets break out all possibilities, ALL. It ain’t working, fix it!
October 15th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Why not put him at safety, the production would be the same.
October 15th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Does anyone really think it matters if he’s on the left or right? He sucks and he has a bad wheel
October 15th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
For as much as this site rips on Schiano’s and Sheridan’s stunts, we had 35 sacks last year, most we’ve had since 2005. We’re looking like we’re not even going to come near that this season. Schiano’s D was much much better than this crap so far and nobody in their right mind can dispute that. Our secondary and back end in general is a disgrace to professional football.
October 15th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Buccfan37 Says:
October 15th, 2014 at 11:16 am
The Bucs would put on a better show if they all toked up and played high. I’m serious.
——
You seriously think they aren’t? I think there is more evidence to that they are than aren’t.