“He Just Had Too Much Fun This Summer”
August 15th, 2021We all remember the story of Bucs receiver Tyler Johnson, then playing for his alma mater Minnesota in the Outback Bowl.
Johnson wowed Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians so much (Arians was in a suite watching the game with family) that Arians constantly pestered Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft him.
And Licht did. After flashing with major plays last season, Johnson started training camp in Arians’ doghouse by showing up to camp overweight and out of shape.
It seems Arians is good with Johnson now. He made weight last week, Arians said. Still, that doesn’t mean Johnson is a lock for the roster, Arians said today in his day-after-game presser.
We know the one thing that Tyler gives us is a blocking wide receiver,” Arians said, adding that’s a big factor whether to dress “the sixth receiver” on gamedays.
Sixth receiver?
And Arians said, “It really is” important for Johnson to shine on special teams.
After last night’s game and through his rookie season and this year’s training camp, at least for Joe, it seems Johnson has developed a pattern. He makes some wild catches on balls that few receivers could pull in. On the other hand, Johnson seems to butcher too many balls that should be easy catches.
Arians doesn’t agree with that assessment, however. He said today Johnson is “consistent.”
“He’s done a very good job of being very, very consistent,” Arians said. “The one thing I like about Tyler is he is very consistent.”
As far as Johnson showing up out of shape when he reported for training camp, it seems with Arians, that’s water under the bridge.
“He just had too much fun this summer.”
August 15th, 2021 at 1:19 pm
By ‘butchering” a ball…you’re not talking about that pass last night that resulted in an interception, are you?…….take another look at that……he was lucky to get a hand on the ball…there were like 3 defenders in front of him…..a terrible throw by Griffin.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:21 pm
I’ll chalk it up to growing pains. It’s so easy to replace 4th, 5th, 6th string guys.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Joe — your assessment of TJ making the hard catches and missing the easy ones is exactly what he did at University of Minnesota, where Swampbuc Jr went to school.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
After coming into camp out of shape yet the man was a beast in camp it might take a little time in his sophomore season to become that consistent receiver coach and qb can trust but I believe he has it in him.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
TJ put himself in a situation where all the coaches are hyper-focused on him. So, he needs to do everything right or will be outta here
August 15th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
@ Tampabaybucfan
Yeah Griffin looked pretty bad. That pass to Johnson was not a good read. I think Johnson will be fine.
@ Joe
I remember Mike Evans dropping some easy passes early in his career, but then make nearly impossible catches as well. I’m not comparing Evans to Johnson just stating the facts.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Man if you get modded up here just once your name is targeted and every comment goes in. During last night’s open thread every post got kicked and I can’t remember posting anything during the day
August 15th, 2021 at 1:48 pm
That game was an ugly mess from beginning to end. Guess both head coaches wanted to see what their entire rosters looked like from the first quarter on. Glad I did not waste my time or money to watch in person. Highlights? Too few to remember. Low lights? Most of the game. Both teams.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Evans, Godwin, AB, Miller, Darden — those are all locks.
So yeah, he’s fighting for #6.
August 15th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
What you said Tackleblockwin in a nutshell what I tried to say but my comment that wasn’t combative in any way tried to say about Tyler Jonsen 🥺😅🤪 Freedom of speech but watch what you say 😅🤣😂
August 15th, 2021 at 1:54 pm
Oops loud and wrong! My first post up here did make it thru. Joe’s algorithms really got me twisted
August 15th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
Did no one ask Arians what the hell happened on that extra point? What coaches are getting fired for not knowing the basic rules of the NFL?
That should be the story of the night.
Biggest coaching staff in the NFL and they don’t know how the XP rules work? The special teams for Tampa have stunk for many many years, and if I’m Arians, I’m making an example of a bunch of people.
August 15th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Every time a rookie impresses it means a higher priced vet may become expendable.
I’m interested who may get cut on other teams that may become valuable backups for the Bucs this year.
August 15th, 2021 at 2:54 pm
So Brady told us he doesn’t believe 90% of what he says. What do we think Bruce’s number is ? He clearly answers with messages for his players and the team as a whole.
August 15th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
SlyPirate
I’m interested who may get cut on other teams that may become valuable backups for the Bucs this year.
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More than likely, that river will flow the other direction this year!
August 15th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Tyler is in no threat to be cut
August 15th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
webster Says:
August 15th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Tyler is in no threat to be cut
I agree…..any WR that can make a catch like he made vs Saints in playoffs……he’s a keeper.
He can work off the cheeseburgers & fries….key lime pie….I think he already has.
August 15th, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Evans
Godwin
Brown
Miller
Johnson
Darden
If Darden is returning Punts/kicks then Johnson might be the 6th.
August 15th, 2021 at 6:43 pm
David, Miller is not #4. He’s the one in danger in my opinion. His game toooo 1 dimensional. He literally can only do 1 thing. I’m going
1) Evans
1) Godwin
1) Brown
4) Darden
5) Johnson
6) Watson/Mickens
We’re going to need 1 of those last two on special teams.
August 15th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
You know Watson isn’t even eligible to play until week 8, right? Great assessment
August 15th, 2021 at 10:36 pm
That’s the funniest comment I’ve seen in awhile Redblud. Scotty Miller not making the roster? Lay off the weed or whatever you do that’s distorting your sense of reality. That’s like saying Ryan Griffin is going to start over Tom Brady or Devin White is might lose his starting gig to Mr. Irrelevant.
August 15th, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Watson & Mickens have a better chance at not making the team over Johnson. One of them will probably be gone anyway.