Michael Johnson Is “Walking Better”
September 25th, 2014
Damn, the Bucs need a pass rush. It’s been the same song since Greg (later Stylez) White had eight sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2007, when the Bucs made the playoffs behind the strength of the NFL’s No. 3-ranked defense.
Since that season, quarterbacks facing the Bucs haven’t had enough to fear.
Enter big money free agent Michael Johnson (who?), the big fish harpooned by the Bucs in March. Johnson didn’t do much in training camp, preseason and his regular season snaps that have been cut by an ankle injury.
There’s not much hope for Johnson to earn his cash anytime soon. Today, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Johnson was “walking better.”
That’s about as discouraging an unofficial injury report one could get.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Least Mode
September 25th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
In a related note, I’m drinking better today!
September 25th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
He was walking in games before his injury. So no change.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
That’s awesome news! Maybe now he can walk all the way to his mailbox to collect the fatazz check he’s not earning.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Hard to beat up a guy who is hurt. The team is feeding fans frustration with players by staying silent on injuries. I know why they do it – but for the players to take a beating over being legitimately hurt is kind of rough.
Except for Bowers.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Second coming of Vinny Cashsteala!
September 25th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Defensive line has had nothing but trouble doing their job
I’d like to hear an interview with Joe Cullen the def line coach for his input on all this and what he thinks.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Pull up a cooler and enjoy that pay check, MJ!
September 25th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
JBf, I feel bad for you, always having to invent new ways to put a spin on this sorry franchise loaded with overpaid pretenders. The fans are only tuned in as a result of a morbid curiosity as to how much of a clusterf&%k this season becomes. I still think the Yucs can outdo themselves over the next 13 games. These players have taken advantage of Lovie’s laid back attitude and have quit already. They just realize they have to give the press a few soundbites (i.e. “we need to look into the mirror…review tape..etc..). As for Lovie and staff, the same applies.
September 25th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I’ll believe it when I see him moon walk after his first sack…that would “be better”
September 25th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
“These players have taken advantage of Lovie’s laid back attitude and have quit already”….and they really don’t care if you know it…
September 25th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
No one cares what this bum is doing unless it involves putting QBs on their asses
September 25th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Definitely need this guy to start generating a pass rush. He and GMC need more sacks collectively.
September 25th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Good, he can walk back to Cincinatti…….
September 25th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
I admit he looked pretty invisible in preseason. However, he got hurt early in the first game, so I don’t understand why he’s hated on so much this early. He was the highest ranking defensive end by a lot of people, so it’s not like he’s some random guy that was irrelevant. If he has an ankle sprain (particularly a high ankle sprain), what do you expect him to do? If people get hurt, they don’t perform as well. He tried (unsuccessfully) to tough it out against Carolina, and in hindsight probably hurt the team as a result. But you can’t blame him for that. If he had taken himself out, you would be calling him soft. I just don’t understand all the hate so early in his career. I know it’s the losing, but come on!
September 25th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
i haven’t figured out the exact relationship between being at the top of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers payroll and incurring lingering injuries, but there is most definitely a link
September 25th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
@ pick 6
You said it! The higher the salary the less likely they play 16 games, hell 8 games. I don’t think Michael Bennett has been hurt in Seattle.
September 25th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
I know this may be a bit of a long shot, but hey, I’m trying to be optimistic about Johnson. Joe, could it be that he’s trying to figure out this defense along with everyone else?
Simeon Rice, when he first became a Buc, had only 1 sack through almost the entire first half of his first season in this defense. I’M NOT saying that Johnson is Simeon Rice – I’m not an idiot – but I know sports and when you’re thinking, you’re slow. I think our entire defense will be faster once they start reacting in this defense with instincts instead of thinking and learning.
Johnson should be no different. Now, I don’t think he’ll finish his first season with 10+ sacks like Rice did, but I do expect the he’ll have a much improved 2nd half of this season after he stops thinking. Of course, we’ll never know until he hits the field….running! Till then, let’s hope he’s getting his “mental reps” in – whatever that means. Let’s also hope that we’re not 0-8 by that time too, but it’s looking more and more like a true possibility.
September 25th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Sports, and the NFL in particular, is such a “NOW” league. Everyone (myself included) expects a coaching change will immediately fix the problems and the team will be a contender. Everyone expects the new players to hit the ground running on a new team in a new system. Everyone is so quick to get rid of people after just a couple bad performances. However, if you notice, the good organizations are patient. Remember how many wanted Coughlin fired? Marvin Lewis would have been fired 3 times in Tampa. People would be screaming to get a young Ronde off the field after his first few games. Being patient sucks, but sometimes (most of the time actually) it pays to be patient. If anything, wait and see what we have. I know many of you think you know exactly what we have because perhaps you called it beforehand, but the fact of the matter is you don’t. Besides, it doesn’t really matter. Lovie is staying, and so is Johnson. Now if we don’t start improving by the end of the year, or early next year, I’ll be right there with you. But it’s very premature now. Of course, none of the people who are guilty of jumping the gun are going to listen to a word I just said, so I’m wasting my time. Carry on.
September 25th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
It being a NOW league is just a part of our current society. We all get most of the things we want at the push of a button with very little wait. Technology has caused us to be a very impatient society. That being said. I am tired of waiting for the Bucs to be winners again!!!
September 25th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
I’m with hawaiian Buc. Granted it looks bad but I still feel this team will turn it around. The O-line is giving better protection (not great but better) and I still can’t wait to see ASJ on the field alongside Evans and Vjax. Much more difficult to cover the latter two when you also have such a big target down the middle. Go Bucs !!!
September 25th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Just sit the guy out until he’s better and stop pretending a hobbled Johnson is better than anything else we have except Bowers. Start gholdston and English call it a day, what do we have to worry about, Johnson has done absolutely nothing I’m sure we have others ends who can contribute that much until he gets back
September 25th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Maybe he should take a leave of absence!
September 25th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
As soon as Greg White changed his name to Stylz his production went down.
This team needs to charter a flight up to the Great White North and find the next Cameron Wake.
If Bowers shows no production after this game then they should just cut him so he can get on with a career for what he is suited for. Such as bagging groceries at Publix or fries at McDonalds.
September 25th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
This just smells like a “lingering” injury excuse for the entire season… Just what the Bucs’ luck would bring.
Sit this p***y until he is fully healthy so there will be no excuses.
Go Yucs!
September 25th, 2014 at 11:17 pm
aaahahahahaaha …… dude NJBucsFan…. Least Mode!!!! FFing halarious