Leonard Johnson > Mike Jenkins
August 22nd, 2015
Can CB Leonard Johnson find a path to the final 53-man roster?
It won’t be long before Bucs fans gnaw their fingernails off in anticipation of cuts to the 53-man roster. Who will go and who will stay?
Joe frankly finds this more interesting than preseason games, one of the greatest scams perpetrated on innocent Americans since New Coke.
(“This Joe” is proud to say he has not watched — and won’t watch — one play of preseason football that does not include the Bucs. And the Bucs are watched because that is Joe’s job. Why should Joe watch a con when there are perfectly good [real] baseball games and NASCAR races on TV?)
In a piece on Scout.com looking at big-name Bucs players who may not make the final cut, Bucs beat writer Gil Arcia believes Leonard Johnson will wear a Bucs uniform when the Pewter Pirates take the field against the Titans in less than a month to kick off the regular season.
The Buccaneers need depth in the secondary and cornerback Mike Jenkins may not be included. The veteran corner only saw one game last season before he was ruled out for the year in 2014. Although the team re-signed him in March, he hasn’t done much of anything in camp and is behind Alterraun Verner, Johnthan Banks and Sterling Moore. In the preseason game last Saturday against Minnesota, Jenkins was beat for a touchdown. It appeared to be zone coverage so it may not have been his fault completely but there was miscommunication of sorts where Jenkins seemed puzzled and the conclusion of the play. Depth players are normally asked to participate in special teams. Another cornerback on the bubble is also Leonard Johnson but Johnson was on special teams for 12 plays while Jenkins appeared in just five. That’s where Jenkins loses out, especially since he is often seen off to the side during practice.
Arcia hit the nail on the head when he noted that the make-or-break item for a bubble player is special teams performance. Johnson was a key player on special teams last year.
Of course, Johnson will be fight not just teammates for a spot, but he must swim upstream against Lovie Smith’s very public bromance with Jenkins. That may be too many obstacles for Johnson to hurdle.
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:09 am
We have so few good football players and a 2-14 incompetent HC. Jenkins or Johnson? Does it really matter when we are getting torched mercilessly on Sunday afternoons?
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:21 am
LJ just don’t have starting caliber skills and speed. I don’t care if he’s a backup but we need someone to fill the NCB role.. We have not seen a lot from MJ but on the TD he looked bad
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:31 am
Was glad to see Moore finally getting slot reps. Moore should win the Nickle job and has also trained all off season at outside corner so if either Banks or Verner is out, Moore can step in capably.
LJ and Jenkins will probably both make the final 53 as back ups. Hopefully neither will play much in real games this year other than special teams.
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:45 am
Due all the lovie haters on this site realize lovie took a team with no qb to the superbowl? I mean I don’t think he is Vince LombardI or anything but damn we could do a lot worse. They are burying themselves so deep that if we turn out to be good they can’t then cheer for the guy. It just makes no since if they are a fan of the team. We all have doubts and questions but some are just over the top.
August 22nd, 2015 at 8:57 am
Leonard Johnson’s actually been getting better over the past couple years I think, but … you can’t really teach elite speed. He’s just not fast enough, and it seems easy for other teams to create mismatches against him. Great story, but getting beaten badly just once a game in the NFL is often enough to cost your team the game.
Mike Jenkins just hasn’t stood out from Day One of signing with the Bucs.
Right now, Verner and Banks and Moore look like the 3 keepers. I’m sure that we’ll keep 3 more CBs, but reality is that there’s a big drop-off in talent after our 3 starters. Hopefully at least 1 or 2 others will step up before the season starts.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:06 am
To those who think the Bucs have “so few good players”…….. on the starting defense, there are nine (9) excellent players and on offense, there are six (6) excellent players and I am not counting Winston. Depth is what the Bucs must continue to focus on this year. For those Lovie Smith “hecklers”……. as a head coach, he has put together an excellent coaching staff, with the exception of Leslie Frazier and his reputation, within the locker room and all across the NFL is outstanding. He has earned his reputation and respect.
To ALL these BUC critics, please find another team!!!!!
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:13 am
Do something! There is always somebody open downfield to catch the pass. This Buc defense has more holes than a colander.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:27 am
I have watched most of the preseason games this year. I live, eat, and breathe football. Watching camp battles occurring on other teams, following rookie performances. viewing depth. I love it all.
Maybe I am just different
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:40 am
Bill, can you please name these “excellent” players? If most of our starters are excellent, and most starters play 75% or more snaps, then why are we a bad team. I guess that’s coaching then? And fans should never be critical of anything, right?
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:44 am
Bill Byrne
You are on the dope if you think there are 9 excellent players on defense, and 6 on offense. The defense has two; Lavonte and GMC. The offense has one; Mike Evans. VJ is not an excellent player anymore. An above average WR2? Absolutely. Doug Martin? No. ASJ? Not yet. I’m all for optimism, but come on man. There are 3 excellent players right now on the entire roster.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:53 am
Mike Jenkins will make the team. As will Leonard johnson
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 am
Animosity Amigos dallasbuc riding my head coach n@$ s@$ early Saturday morning. I bet you mofos freeze frame his image in your minds right before your miserable a$$s fall asleep. That has to explain how and why your a$$ wake up wit him on your irrelevant a$$ mind everyday.
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 am
“There are 3 excellent players right now on the entire roster.” Ok…I see two bro, but where is the 3rd? M. Evans? He’s not “excellent” yet. He needs to be more consistent. And he’s young so I hope it will come. But I’m a fanatical fan and I see this team for what it is…full of potential! I hope e reach it, but even if we don’t, I’ll be here reppin my bucs! Go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2015 at 9:58 am
ndog those c@$! s@$kas gone be exactly what they are c@$! s@$kas. Why else would you mention another mans name everyday.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:02 am
The cb depth on this team is terrible so is the oline depth and pass rushers.. I hold the gm responsible there were a ton of players out there… I want to win now.. the fans have been through enough…
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:04 am
How many excellent football players have there been on the Seattle Seahawks offense the last two seasons? What the hell really is being talked about?
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:08 am
Cmon man, VJ has been a steady consistent rock on this team including leadership on and off the field with an outstanding work ethic and going through 3 or 4 offensive coordinators. BUCS need stability, thats all.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:14 am
Joe is a footballholic. Remember when Chris Thomas used to say if you watched more than 15 hours of football a weekend you needed help? It isn’t uncommon for Joe to watch 27 hours of football a weekend.
Preseason? No, thank you.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:25 am
Did you’ll watch Adrian Clayborn last night? Because he had qb hurries, a sack, tipped pass you name it! Man our dline coaches need to show our pass rushers how to use their hands better. You just see Clayborn slapping lineman hands away
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:47 am
LJ or MJ ?? Wait here it comes … LEONARD JOHNSON!!
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:24 am
This should be a no brainer but somehow I think all three will remain on the roster as reserves in rotation and special teams as well. I think Jenkins needs time to get back in playing shape and Johnson is very valuable on special teams but Frey has potential to develop into a starter real soon at some point during the season in my book because of his size but won’t get an endorse this season. Thats why they all stay plus they are hometown guys all three are from that area as well.. This position is going to be great despite the Vikings game in which they were torched due to terrible playcalling for the longest from Frazier. The real battle is at Safety where Swearinger is looking like a beast in practice and should be a starter by opening kickoff as well.
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:27 am
LJ or MJ playing on Sundays equates to some lofty passing yard stats for opposing QB’s. Neither of these guys can play.
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:38 am
Jason if Swearinger isn’t an opening day starter he eventually will be at some point. Duke a balla,and seems to have a nice size chip on his shoulder to prove to them Texas folks they were wrong for just letting him go. Thank you Texans.
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:41 am
There is a huge mistake many posters are making and it’s called living in the past! The Bucs sucked in 2014. Nobody is defending anybody’s effort last year whether it be Lovie’s, Licht’s or the ballboys. For all I know even the cheerleaders forgot their deodorant and they too stunk it up on Sundays.
That was freaking 2014. NEWSFLASH!!! This is 2015! At the present moment, the moment we are discussing right now…the 2015 Bucs have lost 14 games fewer than the 2014 Bucs.
It’s totally unfair to the 2015 Bucs to claim they are the 2014 Bucs even if they played on that team. Do we think Fameis is better than McCown? Marpet and Smith better than the players who proceeded them. Kwon Alexander better than Mason Foster?
I think management learned from last year’s mistake. I think the front office seems to finally be functioning as a team and the major players…Lovie…Licht and Koetter are all comfortable in their positions this year.
10-6 baby!!! And when we do it there will be several posters who claim Lovie simply got lucky. Whatever!
August 22nd, 2015 at 12:58 pm
I think it’s a toss up between both of them. They both get burnt especially LeonarJohnson!
August 22nd, 2015 at 1:09 pm
It also occurs to me that it takes 3 to 4 years to develop a great corner. Ronde didn’t tear up the league his first couple of years. And he only went on to become a HOF candidate
August 22nd, 2015 at 1:20 pm
So many comments such little time. I’d cut both and let Frey and Moore cover the nickel. At least they still have some drive and passion.
This time of year is the best time to see how teams and players develop. It helps me a lot with fantasy football sleepers. Like this kid Abdullah from Detroit, whoa nelly he’s gonna be good!
I have every preseason game recorded. And I’ve watch the bucs vikes game at least 5x in slo-mo while rewinding each play at least 5x. Is there a doctor in the house? I obviously need some help. Tickrdr I’m talking to you.
Licht > Lovie
August 22nd, 2015 at 2:16 pm
DB55
Are you married. If so you have an incredible wife who doesn’t mind being the “football widow?”
Then again perhaps you’ve hit the jackpot like me and married and avid sports fan. Well at least my wife loves the Bucs and she is absolutely a die hard Lightning fan. They can get down two goals in the third and when I give up she get’s frustrated with me and goes upstairs to root until the end of the game.
My wife is seriously a far greater Lightning fan than me, although I do love my Bolts. But I’m more serious about the Bucs than she is. She loves to watch regular season games and she knows the major players but nothing like she knows the LIghtning.
August 22nd, 2015 at 2:57 pm
SPBF
When we met she was a huge bucs fan, sadly she can no longer sit thru games. Smarta$$ always asks me “how much did they lose by now?”. Disrespectful lady!!
Let’s just say I don’t sleep much. If the game is live she knows I’m “off duty” but most the time I’m breaking down tape after she’s gone to sleep or any minute I can get until she comes to the cave with her “honeydo” list.
August 22nd, 2015 at 4:27 pm
The only people I know who thinks Lovie has a bromance with Jenkins is you Joe and some of your foolish followers who buy into that nonsence.