“Those Are The Plays He Makes Every Single Day”
January 20th, 2021
Tyler Johnson gets mad respect
Intriguing takes on rookie receiver Tyler Johnson were shared by his head coach and a teammate this week.
Scotty Miller, Tom Brady’s young BFF, was a guest on CBS Sports Radio this week. After he got through all the repetitive Brady questions, he was asked to comment on Johnson’s sick sideline catch of a key 3rd-and-11 throw in the fourth quarter on Sunday.
What a play it was, but it did not phase Miller.
“Just a really polished receiver coming in [to the NFL],” Miller said of Johnson. “Those are the plays he makes every single day and just doesn’t get to show it Sundays, normally, just because of the guys we got.”
Miller’s take came after Bucco Bruce Arians raved about Johnson on the Buccaneers Radio Network and was firm in saying he reminds him on Chris Godwin.
Back when Godwin was a rookie, Ryan Fitzpatrick said he was the most mature rookie he had ever been around. Also in those days, Dirk Koetter always referred to Godwin as a No. 1 receiver, even though he wasn’t a starter.
Is Johnson the next Godwin? He certainly is willing to block and appears to have great hands.
If Johnson is that good behind the scenes, Joe has to wonder if that could affect how the Bucs handle Godwin as he approaches free agency. The annual free agency dinner bell rings in less than two months.
Start your day with the Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
January 20th, 2021 at 5:28 am
I was actually thinking the same today Joe speaking with a buddy about cap and upcoming turnover.
I do think it’s reasonable to have 2 #1s both making 14 Mill and Evans and Godwin like playing together so maybe Godwin doesn’t wanna leave for 2 Million more and be miserable.
However, if it comes down to Godwin or David, Godwin or Shaq, Godwin or Jensen etc. You have to start thinking about our WR depth.
Tyler Johnson looks every bit capable of playing the Fitzgerald/Godwin role.
The closest thing to Evans I have seen in a while is Chase Claypool.
Mostly irreplaceable because of size and catch radius.
I love me some Godwin, but Business is Business.
January 20th, 2021 at 5:29 am
“FAZE”, not “PHASE”
January 20th, 2021 at 6:51 am
Licht is like a savant when it comes to wrs. He can find em anywhere in the draft.
January 20th, 2021 at 6:52 am
You don’t let a player like Chris Godwin go, plain and simple.
Tyler Johnson looks great with limited reps, but to compare him to Godwin right now is foolish.
Its really sad to say, but if it came down to keeping Godwin vs keeping Evans, I think you’d almost have to trade Evans while he still has top value. Evans can’t separate anymore. He’s basically limited to red zone targets against good corners.
January 20th, 2021 at 7:40 am
Yeah, let’s trade a future HOFer. He never could burn folks to separate, he’s got Abraham Lincoln arms on a 6’5’ frame with sick hands. Based on the PFT article in cup of joe, he’s gunna have to be. Everyone needs to start preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. A lot of upsetting moves will be coming out of necessity.
January 20th, 2021 at 7:57 am
@Clodhopper, giving Licht too much credit for WR finds, ME was a no-brainer, CG showed out in the Rosebowl and Bruce Arians saw Tyler Johnson in the Outback Bowl and told JL to go get them. Give ya credit for Scooter and taking a chance on Perriman last year, but you needed that speed on the outside to open things up for Mike and CG (oh yeah, he did find Hump too).
But what I loved about that pic up there was the excitement of Tyler, ME and Godwin on the sideline when Mike Edwards got that pic (those guys are pretty intense and business like) He!! Yeah!
January 20th, 2021 at 8:02 am
gotbbucs … I totally agree with you about keeping Chris Godwin, but I seriously doubt Mike Evans is going anywhere. And not just because he’s an incredible wide receiver … 7 straight seasons over 1,000 yds receiving is pretty special. So is his lifetime average of 15.5 yards/catch average. He’s durable as all git-out (missed only 6 games in 7 seasons), and oh ya, he just keeps getting better.
But there’s one more reason he’s here to stay IMO: Bucs can’t afford to trade him. By restructuring his contract multiple times to clear CAP space for us, his Dead CAP value has ballooned. Mike ‘only’ made $8.4 mil this year, but his Dead CAP sits at $21.6 mil. That’s what allowed us to add guys like Gronk & Brown.
Next year he’ll be making $16.6 mil (assuming he doesn’t restructure again), but his Dead CAP will sit at $13.2 mil.
In 2022 he’s due to make $18.4 mil, but his Dead CAP drops again to $8.8 mil. In 2023 he’d be making $18.9 mil with a Dead CAP of $3.4 mil (that’s the last year of his contract).
Any team that trades for ME13 would either have to eat all of that OR get the Bucs to eat a good part of it a contract’s a contract, and Mike will get his money). And therein lies the major problem IMO with all this restructuring contracts that goes on in the NFL to clear CAP space today: You end up mortgaging the future. Smart teams are only willing to do that for players who they KNOW have value and will be with them for a LONG time. Like Mike.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:07 am
I just hate writing this….but if it comes down to Godwin or Evans……I believe we could at least trade Evans for a high pick…..we get absolutely nothing for Godwin.
I certainly hope it doesn’t come down to that…..
Cutting over $20 mil from our current salaries will make it impossible to keep all of the big money players.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:14 am
Brady will restructure and add a third year on his contract like he has always done to keep his guys.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:18 am
“@Clodhopper, giving Licht too much credit for WR finds”
I disagree. Yeah Mike was a no brainer, but you dont get Godwin and Tyler off of watching one single game. If Tyler was so easy to find he wouldnt have made it to the 5th round and Godwin to the 3rd. Hindsight is 20/20
January 20th, 2021 at 8:21 am
I would not resign A.B. no matter his price tag. Tyler needs to play next year. I would not pay Brate 6.5 million next year. Jensen, and Smith have been playing very well, I’m not letting either go. Not to say we shouldn’t draft a center, or LT prospects, need depth anyway. I want David back, but he’s nearing the end. For how much, and how long. I would not sign Shaq to a big deal… didn’t earn it this year. Love Suh, but not for another 10 million. Be interesting to see how we finish, and who stays next year.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:36 am
BillyBucsFan, have to somewhat agree. I would hate to see Godwin go, but we have incredible depth at WR.
Not that it would compare to what we have this year, but a starting lineup of ME, Miller and Johnson at WR would still be darn good, plus Gronk and either OJ or Brate AND whatever (should be) Exec of the Year Licht comes up with in FA or the draft.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:39 am
The team’s chances of success will be limited if they tie up $50 million of cap money in receivers and TE’s – -add in Brady and OLine and your over $120 million- tough to field a great D with what’s left.
January 20th, 2021 at 8:50 am
Not if the entire back end is on 1st and 2nd year rookie deals.
And a major cog on the D Line.
And a LB who is best in the league.
And…..
January 20th, 2021 at 9:02 am
Alanbucsfan
Exactly……those who want to keep everyone would fail an elementary math class.
We need to cut $20 mil…..and that’s from this year’s salaries….
One of these has to go….probably 2…..(no way we are resigning AB or Fournette)
Godwin, Evans, Smith, Shaq, Suh, LVD, Jensen, Gronk
That’s where the money is….
January 20th, 2021 at 9:03 am
LVD and CG14 will be back. JPP will retire and Suh will be gone. The DBs are starting and continuing to mature so that will be interesting to follow. JL knows what he’s doing.
January 20th, 2021 at 9:08 am
i think suh may retire…everyone else will be back…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 20th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Future hall of gamer in Godwin huh. Like an it was tweeted during the game, Godwin is dropping straight cash. Dude has way too many drops and it all started in the playoffs. He’s not on mike Evans level yet don’t be calling that dude a future hall of famer he ain’t got those kind of stats and highlight catches and runs don’t count or A-Train would be in the hall
January 20th, 2021 at 9:56 am
Pewter power; Evans, not Godwin buddy. Calm your tata’s
January 20th, 2021 at 10:46 am
It’s January, we’re in the NFC Championship game, and we’re debating about the future because of the SURPLUS of talent we have. Mannnnnnnn this year has been so fun!!!! GO BUCS!!!!!
January 20th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Godwin’s a known commodity. Don’t let him go.
January 20th, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Lazy ass Smith has got to go. Paying 14 mil a year to a part time player who plays when he feels like to me is a part time player you can do without. Besides that the Bucs need the cap space. Also I would try and trade OJ Howard & keep Brate who TB seems to like & stays healthy.
January 20th, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Joe’s pretty confident the Bucs are not only happy with the results they are getting from that “part-time player” but that he will return next season to torment the haters for another year.