Michael Johnson Excited For Freedom
March 17th, 2014
Was he held back previously?
The New Schiano Order loved to have its defensive linemen rumba, salsa, and line dance when the ball was snapped. Greg Schiano said he had no choice; he claimed to be without the horses to send only four d-linemen directly after quarterbacks regularly.
This is not how Lovie Smith does business.
Lovie turned on the game tape of the 2013 Bucs pass rush, and Joe suspects Lovie felt like Joe does when a fine woman won’t give him the time of day. So, to no one’s surprise, Lovie booted Adrian Clayborn and Akeem Spence from their previous pass rushing roles in favor of newcomer free agents Michael Johnson and Clinton McDonald.
Johnson’s sack production was a paltry 3.5 last year after recording 11 1/2 in 2012. The drop off is no mystery to Johnson. He believes he was a far better player in last year than in 2012, only the numbers didn’t come.
Speaking this afternoon on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Bruce Murray and Rich Gannon, Johnson said he can’t wait for Lovie to turn him loose. It seems he felt a bit shackled in Cincinnati.
“Definitely. I think that’s going to be a lot different, you know, in last year versus this year, with this front allowing you to be more aggressive. And just, you know — and go!” Johnson said.
“So I definitely think we’ll have a lot of opportunities to get after the quarterback. And you’ll see us doing that. But I’m going to do whatever they ask me, the same way I’ve done every year. I’m not going to complain about it. I’m just going to go in, keep my head down, and work as hard as I can. And good results follow.”
Johnson also said scheme and personnel (aka Gerald McCoy) were the major reasons he chose Tampa Bay. Johnson admitted he knew nobody who had played under Lovie Smith and had no player to call for a reference or insight on the Bucs’ new head coach.
But Johnson does know he will be ordered to pass rush with his speed and massive frame over and over and over again.
Damn, if Johnson can wreak havoc in NFC South backfields, he will be an instant hero in sack-starved Tampa.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
I can already hear the call from Gene Deckerhoff, as Johnson sacks Drew Brees on the last drive of 4th quarter to seal the victory!
One can hope, right?
March 17th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
Joe. Joe. Get to the doctor quick. You’ve had a positive comment on a Bucs move this off season. Something is seriously wrong. We are concerned about you. Please, get to the doctor immediately. You forgot the mandatory “however” or the ‘but”. This is serious.
March 17th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Freedom is free and easy..when you don’t have 3 and out offense…..McClown
March 17th, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Remember Joe is coming off of a five year relationship with the rock star.
Still looking at things through jilted eyes.
March 17th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Phattitudes<<<< LOL that's great your funny. CLASSIC… JOE<<<< Keep up the great work!
March 17th, 2014 at 7:09 pm
“freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”
Me and GMC in instead of Me & Bobby McGee
March 17th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Erick< Gene Deckerhoff is great you kidding me. i can't wait either. GO BUCS!!!
March 17th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
To Johnson’s comment, the Bucs didn’t have the personnel last year either.
March 17th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
How many times am I going to have to say “the damn QB has all day long back there” during this season? I say it a lot and have grown quite tired of it.
Atleast I won’t be saying fing Freeman 6-7 times a game anymore.
March 17th, 2014 at 8:12 pm
I hear the annoucement on the radio ” AND THE BUCS LAY THEIR JOHNSON ON BREES!!!!”
March 17th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
HAHA
March 17th, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Freedom!! Yes. Can’t wait for all 5 sacks this year. Luke he’s averaged for past five years!
March 17th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you gatrbuc17. We haven’t had a good lowbrow joke in this house since Booger stopped landing on QB’s. I hadn’t made the connection yet. The Wife loves it. You Sir, get a pass in my book, for being a gator fan. Go Bucs’
March 17th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Oh yeah and Zimmer who drafted him didn’t want him in Minnesota.
March 17th, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Cool video of mj mic’d up for those that haven’t seen it:
http://youtu.be/BHPXhgEYyCg
March 17th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
Jon,
Minnesota paid Everson Griffin instead.
We will see. I bet Johnson gets 10 sacks this year.
March 17th, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Deal. What should we bet?! It’s all fun for us.
March 17th, 2014 at 9:12 pm
Bucs DL will start controlling games and reminding people about how D is supposed to be played.
March 17th, 2014 at 9:41 pm
A MG8 bobble head?
March 18th, 2014 at 12:39 am
I would love to see Johnson and Gholston firing in on opposing QBs from opposite sides and McDonald and McCoy collapsing the pocket and flushing out the QB with nowhere to run and sacking the QB before he can throw it away. And platoon in our DL and DE backups to keep fresh legs in there. Just grab the Syracuse 3 technique tackle who had 10 sacks last year in the third round to go in there with Spence and Clayborne on the right and a rejuvenated Clemson underachiever crashing in from the left. They would wear down any offensive line! Get the 6’8″ MLB from Michigan State in the second round (like Urlacher) with David on the left and Foster able to star at his college position of SLB on the right and an all veteran defensive backfield with two all pros–I can see a top ten defense easily this year-and a deep playoff run next year!!! On offense just draft Carr or Bortles in the first round and let them sit with Glennon on the bench and learn from McCown and we are set.
Take the best player available after that and I trust Lovie and Licht to know best!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:29 am
I like the decisions the new GM makes. More about value than one flashy player. Let’s go for a better overall team . This will be an exciting season