Tyler Johnson Learned The Hard Way
August 3rd, 2022
Tyler Johnson finishes a route in training cap practice this week.
Last year Tyler Johnson was the focus of a then-Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians’ training camp press conference.
And not in a good way.
Arians, now a — Joe isn’t fully sure — in the Bucs front office, was a huge supporter of Johnson. In fact, ever since watching Johnson tear up Auburn at the 2020 Outback Bowl, Arians began hounding Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft him.
But after winning the Super Bowl, it appeared Johnson either spent too much time on the rubber chicken circuit or did a lot of loafing on a Bahamas beach resort. Arians early in last year’s training camp blasted Johnson in a post-practice press confrence for showing up out of shape.
Johnson heeded Arians’ words this offseason.
Johnson has had a decent camp through seven practices. He’s been targeted a lot, caught quite a few balls and had some drops. That’s been sort of his two-year career. But this summer, Johnson made sure no coach was going to out him for not being in shape.
Joe asked Johnson to name his summer goal. Johnson didn’t blink an eye.
“Be a professional,” Johnson said looking directly into Joe’s eyes. “I came back in shape knowing I have a lot to work on. I am still learning as a receiver.”
Johnson is in quite a battle for a crowded Bucs receiver room. As if the room didn’t have talent to begin with, the Bucs added Russell Gage and Julio Jones. The way Joe sees it, out of Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller, the immortal Cyril Grayson, Jaelon Darden and Johnson, two or three of those guys will make the team.
Johnson knows he’s got it good here in Tampa Bay. He’s on a winner and he has Tom Brady throwing him accurate passes, and he’s getting good coin to play football.
“I am enjoying it,” Johnson said. “I am controlling what I can control. I am having a good time, though. It always feels good to be out here. I am getting to work [by] playing a child’s game. So I am having fun.”
Consistency seems to be Johnson’s only hurdle to sticking with the Bucs. He’s already demonstrated he can make sick catches. But those are followed by head-scratching drops of easy throws.
If Johnson can demonstrate better consistency, it would no shock to see him remain with the Bucs.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Johnson played over 600 offensive snaps last year and used as one of our best wide receiver blockers. He also plays some special teams. That probably speaks well for him being on the team more than some of the other players.
Perriman got about a quarter of his snaps and does not play special teams. I believe that he is most likely WR to not be on the team.
I then think that either Grayson or Darden or both will likely be relegated to the Bucs practice squad. Certainly, there is a chance of one of them getting picked up by another team but neither of those guys have that much great tape.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Perriman has a guaranteed salary in 22 of $1,047,500….
Bucs don’t make a habit of eating money……he could be traded but doubt he will be cut…
I think two of these four will be put on the PS…….Johnson, Miller, Darden, Grayson.
If I had to guess….I’d say Johnson & Miller will make the team.
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Johnson and Darden are locks to make the roster. The Bucs already know the 6 they’re keeping. The question is will someone perform well enough to make them keep 7.
Scotty getting all these 1st team reps is no coincidence. Gotta boost his trade value from non existent to a 6th or 7th rounder!
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Teams can only sign a player to the practice squad after they have cleared waivers. What is the chance that Johnson or Miller would clear waivers? Not very likely.
Jones’s body type would lead me to believe Parriman or Grayson are most likely to be the odd men out. 1 million in dead cap is not enough to be determinate. They could keep 7 WRs until they’re sure Godwin is 100%. Teams usually make that up by only carrying 3 TEs.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:02 pm
The last 2 WR spots are as important ( big picture) as the top 2
I hope there are not injuries in the decision to keep the best two in camp this year.
August 3rd, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
August 3rd, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Perriman has a guaranteed salary in 22 of $1,047,500….
Didn’t know that!
Based upon that he has a great chance to make the team.
Thanks for the info!
August 3rd, 2022 at 6:19 pm
It appears Johnson has come in mentally better , props to him , not sure Darden can quit all the sideways action and do the same …….. Ask yourself , with a rash of injuries do you want Perriman or Darden out wide in the 4 th quarter !! Perriman is the hands down choice !! Could change but 5 or six hundred k cap dollars can be created very very easily !!
August 3rd, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Darden cut, clears waivers, then practice squad until one of the others gets hurt
August 3rd, 2022 at 7:17 pm
Maybe someone should take him to the side like they did with Mike Evans a few years ago with his dropsies.
August 4th, 2022 at 12:24 am
Perriman is a lock for #5. I think they keep 7 with Johnson and Miller.
I loved watching Grayson improve but they’ve invested too much with Scotty and he came in with an added 10 lbs of muscle so I think they keep him over Grayson, they’re the same player.
Johnson over Darden is a no brainer.
So Grayson and Darden go to the practice squad and hopefully at least one doesn’t get scooped up by another team because the way injuries happened they’ll definitely be needed at some point
August 4th, 2022 at 3:32 am
The Lock for Dardung is in Canada or Australia or peewee. Only a maniac would claim Dardung is a lock for this receiver group, especially since he proved that he can’t play anywhere.