GMC Was A Lure For Michael Johnson
April 15th, 2014
It sure seems like Lovie Smith is putting a lot of pressure on free agent signee Michael Johnson to help revive a too-long dormant pass rush.
Johnson welcomes the responsibility but, he admits, part of the reason he chose to play for the Bucs was the prowess of defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
“Anytime you have the opportunity to play beside a guy who is as talented as [GMC] is and what he has done in the league so far, and what he is going to do, you want to jump at that opportunity and take advantage of it,” Johnson said. “It is a blessing and I look forward to it.
“Any time you have a guy like that on the inside who is working; it makes it easy for the whole defense whether it is me or guys on the other side or the secondary or linebackers. A player like that who demands the attention he demands, he is a difference maker.”
The thing is, the Bucs were so putrid in rushing the passer last year, that even with GMC playing at a high level, it didn’t much matter.
Joe just hopes the combination of quality coaches with strong resumes for developing pass rushers and help (from Johnson for example) for GMC with pressure from the edge can really release the pass rushing hounds.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
They need to lock up McCoy NOW.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:12 pm
I agree. Sign him for $12 mil a year while he’ll take it.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
GMC was a lure, as well as the Bucs had no other starting quality D-Ends. Micheal Johnson can walk in the door and be the clear cut pass rusher in Tampa.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
You heard it here first…..look for a break-out year and some sacks from Mason Foster……all of this concentration on the line from other teams will open up opportunities from our linebackers.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
for our linebackers….
April 15th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
Why should McCoy settle for $12M when he makes more now. Besides, Suh is setting the bar near $20M.
April 15th, 2014 at 7:30 pm
No suh doesn’t
April 15th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Suh’s contract is 12.6 mil a year
April 15th, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Yes we do need to lock GMAC up now or next year after he puts up 16-20 sacks, it will cost us another 3m per season and then we are talking Revis money. Lets do 7 yrs 99.9999m (tic tribute to sapp) 45m guar and lock him up nowww. Suh is gonna command ~15m per. I see him getting 6 yrs 90mil 50 guar
April 16th, 2014 at 12:18 am
McCoy will get his contract come training camp. If Lovie can get this D-Line going our defense can be really great. If that front four can pressure consistently, guys like David and Barron can just hunt heads and rack up turnovers. I’m excited….simpl, in your mouth defense is back baby!
April 16th, 2014 at 10:31 am
Yeah gmc and that bag of money he got…..
April 16th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Buccinfan Said:
“Yeah gmc and that bag of money he got…..”
He doesn’t deserve it???