Lovie Singles Out Michael Johnson
November 30th, 2014
Was Lovie Smith trying to light a fire under his struggling defensive end?
Or was the Tampa Bay head coach just casually chatting about his team?
Joe will let Bucs fans answer that question.
In the weekly, pre-game Lovie video chat with Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, the head coach praised new starting left defensive end Jacquies Smith for taking advantage of opportunities.
“I would love seeing a great player like Gerald McCoy next to me and want to continue to play,” Lovie said.
Then Lovie rolled into an unsolicited underlining of underperforming Michael Johnson.
“I would say the same thing for Michael Johnson. Michael’s had an excellent week of practice. Of course, this is a big game. Whenever you play your old teammates, of course, you want to show them exactly what you’re doing now.”
You can watch the exchange starting at 2:40 of the video.
Joe finds it significant. Johnson has been healthy lately and his head coach just told the world he had a great week of practice, and that he plays alongside a superstar who will set him up with chances.
Johnson best deliver through Tampa Bay’s final five games. If not, Joe suspects the Bucs won’t hesitate to help him find a new team.
November 30th, 2014 at 9:53 am
If he doesn’t perform early & often against his former team…..Lovie should bench him!!!
November 30th, 2014 at 9:54 am
He’s already been relegated to rotation duty.
November 30th, 2014 at 9:55 am
Johnson plays for the Bucs? I thought he played for the Panthers, Rams, Falcons, etc.
November 30th, 2014 at 9:55 am
Lovie let go Revis for what?? And spent all that extra capital he saved on who again??
November 30th, 2014 at 10:01 am
Revis is slightly above average. Is that worth $16 million?
November 30th, 2014 at 10:05 am
I don’t believe in ghosts.
November 30th, 2014 at 10:12 am
@brandon
Lololol whaaaaaaaat? He is taking receivers completely away again with no help. They are giving the help to Browner. Did you see what he did to AJ Green(in primetime) Reggie Wayne was killing patriot Dbs then revis switched to him and locked him. Last week I didn’t know Calvin Johnson or Golden Tate even played. Just to name a few
November 30th, 2014 at 10:15 am
Joe you all should have cringed at doing a story on this guy! He’s not worth the time or wear and tear on you keyboard.
November 30th, 2014 at 10:21 am
@brandon
You also missed my point. My point was who did the spend that 16 mil on. Verner? Dietrich smith? Johnson?
November 30th, 2014 at 10:49 am
The Bengal players will probably be chiding and laughing at him too.
November 30th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Revis will be on the All Pro team, Michael Johnson and Verner will be on the All Wasted Money team. But as always folks you must remember, we are New England’s farm team, we just did what any good farm team does, we got Revis rehab stint before we sent him to the majors.
November 30th, 2014 at 11:13 am
If Lovie quit talking and started acting we would have a better team. Bench them and put them on the PUP list since they have proven they can’t play and get the practice squad, any teams, trooper that may be good a chance.
November 30th, 2014 at 11:23 am
Berbers a good young corner Johnson is looking like a bust. I still wouldn’t give revis 16 mil to play Lovie’s zone defense.. That’s a bigger waste of money. We had revis last year and were 4-12 with him so???
November 30th, 2014 at 11:24 am
Verner
November 30th, 2014 at 11:31 am
We were also a middle of the pack defense with Revis. If we were middle of the pack through the first 8 games of the year we’d be winning the division. Dumping Revis is a bigger problem as it has more to do with Lovie refusing to adapt to his talent. It’s his scheme or the highway. The best coaches, time and again, adapt to their talent. Mediocre coaches do it the Lovie way, which is why the never win consistently.
November 30th, 2014 at 11:46 am
His old team knows what he’s been doing because they’ve seen it more than us and I’m sure they’re not surprised he’s on the bench just like I’m sure no one on the Bengals o line is even thinking about him
November 30th, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Last time I checked, just adding revis with the other scruba we had, we went from 32nd in pass defense to around 17th…and last time I checked Revis has the Patriots playing Lights out pass defense
November 30th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
I agree with the keep Revis comments, but only if Lovie would play to his strengths and use him to his strengths. So much wasted money this year on FA’s that have been a complete Bust (Except Mcdonald). Almost as shocking is how weak the NFC south has become, makes you wonder WTH happened.
November 30th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
I don’t get to see many of the games out here at Ft. Carson, but is a matter of him being in the wrong defensive scheme or something? This guy was not as big of a dud when he was with Cincy. Are we just not utilizing him correctly or was his time in Cincy an anomaly. @giveGMCsomehelp .
November 30th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Contract was for a “force” on the line
Play has not been a “force” on the line
misjudgement somewhere
November 30th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows, simple as that.
November 30th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
All fa’s not busts: McDonald, verner, Murphy. But I agree hopefully we only add a couple low priced guys this year. I understand revis is good but he’s not worth 16 mil to play cover 2. Lovie’s d is starting to look middle of pack last 4 games.
November 30th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Brent totally agree on Verner