It’s Your Time To Shine Leonard Johnson
November 1st, 2012
Joe knows for a fact that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is a deliberate man. He just doesn’t do things on a whim.
Also, with Bucs coach Greg Schiano, does he impress you as one who just wings things? Of course not.
Both Dominik and Schiano studied trading Talib from all angles, including how the Bucs would be able to fill the void. This tells Joe that Schiano, if not Dominik himself, is high on Leonard Johnson.
The rookie undrafted free agent, a former Largo High School star some could have been drafted as high as the third round, some draftniks believed. Partially because of his size, partially because of a bad combine workout, Johnson slipped through the cracks and landed in Dominik’s lap.
Also know that Schiano has had a relationship with Johnson since he was a sophomore in high school. Johnson was named MVP of a Rutgers-sponsored high school football camp held in Tampa. No one knows Johnson at One Buc Palace better than Schiano, who still kicks himself for not being able to lure Johnson to Piscataway.
Johnson played like a seasoned pro against Minnesota. He should have had two picks; he did record one, robbed of a second and played strong. Perhaps it was a harbinger of things to come.
As for a harbinger, how about this from Schiano when the news of Talib’s latest suspension was learned:
“Every decision that we make as an organization has one thing in mind, and that’s what’s best for the organization,” said Schiano. “When I say best, it’s not just winning. Yes, that’s what you do in this league. There are 32 teams and we’re all chasing one prize.
“But when you’re part of a community, there’s a lot of things that go into a decision. I can just tell our fans and all the people that care about this that we are going to do what’s best for the organization, so you’ve got to just trust us on this one.”
Johnson is humble, smart, focused, motivated. One could say, he’s the anti-Talib.
November 1st, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Go get ’em, L.J. It’s looking like the best thing that can happen this year is seeing what some of these young kids can do in preparation for next season when guys like Clayborn, Joseph and Nicks come back.
November 1st, 2012 at 6:35 pm
As I said earlier this week, I’m not looking for much out of LJ or this secondary. We’re not very good at corner and we’re going to continue to get toasted until we draft two good corners next year…and I’m ok with that. Thank goodness we don’t have to deal with Talib anymore.
November 1st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
A 4th pick is better than a middle finger at the end of the year
November 1st, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Well, sometimes this is how stars are born. They are given a chance & they run away with it. There are a lot of great players who have not had great speed or size, so we’ll see.
November 1st, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Remember LJ was assigned to cover Justin Blackmon in college and held his own. He’s a physical corner, maybe the most physical of our CB’s.
He’ll do fine and playing in front of family and friends gives him even more motivation. Seems to be well grounded and have a good head on his shoulders.
November 1st, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Has a great teacher to learn from. One I am sure he has watched for a Long time. And will ask as much as he can.
November 1st, 2012 at 8:40 pm
I hope he starts. Love the physicality he brings to the table. Very representative of what this team wants to be!
November 1st, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Beautiful!