Josh Johnson “Lost” Work Ethic With Bucs
March 25th, 2012
Amidst all the man love out in San Francisco between reunited Jim Harbaugh and Josh Johnson, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle has unearthed what may be a black mark on Johnson’s time in Tampa.
Branch interviewed former Cal head coach Roger Theder, a former NFL assistant who has been a personal QB guru for Johnson since high school. Theder said Johnson wasn’t being his best self with the Bucs.
“I think what Jim is looking for is that work ethic, and I think Josh lost that a little bit at Tampa,” Theder said. “He’s got it back now because he knows what Harbaugh expects. And Colin’s always had that great work ethic. So I think that’s going to be the deciding factor as far as which guy is the better quarterback.”
Now it’s unclear whether Theder is referring to Johnson’s entire four years on the Buccaneers, or just the final chapter of the Raheem Morris era, when it seemed most Bucs lost their work ethic.
Regardless, if Johnson had stopped giving it his all, then Joe’s glad to see him gone.
March 25th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I think any player coming from the Bucs after last year will be accused of a bad work ethic, whether it’s true or not.
Personally, I cannot recall a time when Johnson did not give it his all…and he went out of his way to be a leader as well, to set an example.
So I call bullspit.
March 25th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
And by the way…when was Roger Theder ever inside the Bucs organization?
NEVER.
He’s talking out his rear.
March 25th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
yawn…it is all on JJ….it was his only opportunity to do what he needed to do to become a better QB in the NFL….then to admit he was a slacker ….to what end…what a stupid reflection upon himself
March 25th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Oh poppycock! Josh Johnson had his chance after Byron Leftwich went 0-3 during the 2009 season. Johnson became the starter and proceeded to lay a goose egg on the 50yd line. Nice kid – not a winner – never will be! But I wish him the best in San Fran.
March 25th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Sounds more like that was a polite way of not slamming a dysfunctional organization. I guess this is the Buc way is to twist any news so it sounds like we just jettison garbage personal from the Bucs. We should be more upset that a player is leaving that was not developed or improved since his time joining the Bucs.
March 25th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
It seems like JJ had plenty of company…
March 25th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
He always looked like a slacker to me. He didn’t seem to know the plays. Just ran around like a scared lil Rabbit- then took off running.
Career backup- if he’s lucky.
Lol, last week, there was a guy posting here, that said He guaranteed JJ was gonna win the SuperBowl
Rotflmao
Guy can’t even win one game. And he’s lazy
Just amazing what kinda people walk around this planet
Hope they don’t let that guy Breed .or drive!!!
Lol- right Marquis!
Just can’t stop laughing at that
March 25th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Most will not work hard when they do not respect their superiors.
March 25th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
“Hope they don’t let that guy Breed”
Capt.Tim: A eugenicist’s best friend.
March 25th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Lol! You know that was funny- I don’t care who you are!
March 25th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Dam Capt.Tim I don’t rember you being so harsh in the past. It takes more than 4 games on a crappy team to show if a QB has it.
March 25th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
JJ’s gone. Who cares? The guy is nothing more than a backup if that. Good guy, average QB. More importantly, we had the worst LB corps last year. You can throw a bunch of ifs out there such as if Foster gets coaching, if Foster puts on some weight, if Foster learns how to command the defense, if Hayes doesn’t suck, if Black doesn’t suck. Look, the ifs are risky and even with the ifs we need at least 1 established LB veteran. I certainly hope Dom doesn’t think we are just fine to go into the draft like this. Even a London Fletcher would be extremely helpful.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
I don’t think it matters one way or the other.
This is a different team now, without JJ or the
ENTIRE COACHING STAFF he played under.
We need to “worry” about the players we do have, the draft, the upcoming minis and the make-up of the 2012 team.
Or maybe we should be concerned with what Ian Beckles or Shaun King “think” about JJ’s effort last year………LOL
March 25th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
When you publicly announce that JJ is only good to be an eternal backup what does one expect. It’s like yes you can come to school, now go stand in the corner.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@TopDoggie
you just have to excuse capt.tim for a while, he has gone off the deep end thinking that Win-slow is still a good player, just because he caught more passes than anyone on this anemic offense.
He forgets the great player development they gave Johnson for the 4 game loss season. When the great QB battle of Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown. Took all the snaps during training camp. Then after Leftwich went 0-3 and could not get a first down. ( i still remember when the stands erupted when Johnson came in and got 1 1st down.) Then they started Johnson so that the next 4 blitzing teams with very good defenses so that Freeman would not get rattled.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@passthebuc I love it! So true.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Who cares. I’m way past Josh Johnson moving on.
So who do we bring in at middle linebacker?
London Fletcher?
Seems like a good option. Going strong at 37….been to 3 straight pro bowls. Sign him to a 2 yr deal and let him groom and mentor Kuechley or David. Move Foster to OLB.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Obviously what he is saying is: JJ lost his work ethic in Tampa bc under the prior coaching staff no work was being done by anyone including the coaches.
More evidence of incompetent previous coaching.
Everyone could see what was (or wasnt) going on under Rah (except a few of you). There was no coaching in place. These guys were showing up and joking around for a few hours, playing cards, working out, then joking around for a few more hours.
March 25th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
It would be a bad excuse to blame to coaching staff for a player being lazy. If he wanted to be a starter he would have took initiative himself and worked hard. What is he in High School? Does he still need parental guidance telling him to do his homework and chores? On top of being lazy it also shows that he is immature as well.
March 25th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
No Lion – JJ could have outworked every player and coach on the staff and it still would have been well below par.
The culture of the last 3 years caused everyone to lose their way.
March 25th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
New story, column. Next…
March 25th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
But what about that staff, and team, recording the 4 th best record in Buccaneer history, Thomas?
You always forget- Raheem has secured his place in Buc history
10-6, 4th best, in 31 year history!
Amazing job!
March 25th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
If idiots havent noticed.
Jim Harbaugh is a genius! And he wants Josh.
So that says a lot more than any of your opinions.
Josh could be great. I hope he develops under Jim, then he and Colin will be fighting for Alex Smiths job.
Good luck Josh!!
March 25th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
If youidiots havent noticed.
Jim Harbaugh is a genius! And he wants Josh.
So that says a lot more than any of your opinions.
Josh could be great. I hope he develops under Jim, then he and Colin will be fighting for Alex Smiths job.
Good luck Josh!!
March 25th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Thomas 2.2
Yeah I know that, I wasn’t defending him. I think he is a terrible QB. I don’t even think he makes a good backup. He should be playing arena football or something. I was just saying if he needs someone to tell him what to do instead of doing it on his own, that it is pathetic excuse for having a bad work ethic.
March 25th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
What place in the division did rah’s 10-6 season result in?
How many buc coaches have been down 42-0 in less than 2 quarters?
Like I said, one lucky par surrounded bu 17 double bogies doesnt mean that you are a par golfer Tim. I know you desperately want that to be the case bc of your statement to me in 2011 that “Rah is going to be around for a long time.” LMAO
I guess you will say that your definition of a long time is… A few weeks.
March 25th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
“I guess this is the Buc way is to twist any news so it sounds like we just jettison garbage personal from the Bucs.”
Did you even read the comments & who they were by? These comments were by JJ’s own personal ‘Guru’. They had nothing to do with the Bucs, except as his opinion on how bad they were as coaches. We all have a bad enough opinion about the previous regime, without you inventing reasons to hate on the current one. That was pathetic, if you want to hate on the current administration, that’s your perogative, but at least come up with a real reason. Oh, and the word is “Personnel” , not personal. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
March 25th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
As a personal Buc fan I would like to say Josh Johnson was garbage, he never impressed me one bit and his in game arm strength was 10-15 yards MAX! Even with his speed, he looked scared when he scrambled. Even when he has a running lane where he could get 20 yards with his speed he would still try to force a pass because he is scared he might get hit. The guy even said he was better then Alex Smith for crying out loud, now that is laughable even if it is Alex Smith.
March 25th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
I don’t have enough information to decide whether Josh Johnson can be a lot better quarterback. If Harbaugh thinks he can do something, and Gruden thought he could do something, maybe he has some potential. I do know that the Raheem failure to inspire and coach included comments about how Josh could only look forward to being a lifetime backuip. Hardly inspirational, and perhaps a contributing factor to his perceived work ethic.
March 25th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
@ Thomas 2.2 “Everyone could see what was (or wasnt) going on under Rah (except a few of you). There was no coaching in place. These guys were showing up and joking around for a few hours, playing cards, working out, then joking around for a few more hours.”
Your on to something here, you forgot about the chow hall “(always has good looking food from what photos I’ve seen.) then from here the guys went jokingly, home…?
March 26th, 2012 at 1:15 am
It will be interesting to see what JJ can do in another place besides Tampa.