“That Means A Lot”
September 8th, 2015
George Johnson talks about his new role at right defensive end
George Johnson is not the next Simeon Rice, but he is the guy with the best shot to be the Bucs’ next 10-sacks-in-a-season edge rusher.
Sunday, Johnson will start versus the Titans, and it’s a very special day for him.
It will be his first NFL start.
Joe asked Johnson about this yesterday. Joe wanted to know if the pride of Rutgers had any special feelings about being a first-timer starter at 27 years old. Johnson went undrafted in 2010.
“The only thing it means is, you know, I came a long way, came from being a guy on practice squad, and being not even considered for a roster to being a starter,” Johnson said. “That means a lot, but all it means is progress.”
Johnson said he will be focused much more on the game than the starting honor. Nothing changes, Johnson said. He’s still expected to perform and “be a guy of relentless effort,” whether he’s a starter or a rotational backup, like he was with Detroit last year.
Johnson had six sacks in that role with the Lions. The Bucs traded for him this offseason and are paying him $3 million in 2015.
Joe really isn’t quite sure what to expect from Johnson. He played well against the Bengals in preseason, and not so hot against the Vikings and Browns. It really wasn’t pretty against Cleveland.
Hopefully, Johnson can flick the same switch he used in Detroit last year. If the Bucs could squeeze seven or eight sacks out of Johnson, that would be a heck of an accomplishment.
September 8th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Just as long as he means what he said: He’s not there yet and still has more work to do.
September 8th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Lets hope Joe doesn’t throw up the “Ghost” pics on this DE Johnson!!!
September 8th, 2015 at 11:02 am
Do we rememeber Michael Bennett. Undrafted FA signed by the Seahawks. Good preseason in 09 but got waived to make room for an OL. The Bucs snatched him.
Bennett’s best season as a Buccaneer came in 2012 when he recorded career-highs in tackles (41), sacks (9) and forced fumbles (3).
Bennett was 27 years old and in his fourth NFL season. There is a precedent.
September 8th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Yada yada…just because Incompetent Lovie Smith and his little lapdog GM paid this guy to be a starter for a 2-14 football team doesn’t make him starting material for this league.
I don’t want to hear about this guy or any other symptom of mediocrity until someone makes a damn play on gameday.
September 8th, 2015 at 11:12 am
I just hope he can provide at least 8 sacks this year..GO BUCS!!!
September 8th, 2015 at 11:12 am
@Dallas
I don’t want to hear about this guy or any other symptom of mediocrity until someone makes a damn play on gameday.
That’s a totally fair observation. IF you balance it with the fact that it’s just as wrong to throw someone under the bus before they’ve even had the chance to make a play on gameday
September 8th, 2015 at 11:18 am
The Buc Realist predicts:
That Winston will be the first buc with 10 sacks, and 3 to 4 off them will happen this Sunday!!!! That is all!!!
September 8th, 2015 at 11:54 am
StPete- no one was thrown under any proverbial buses. A 2-14 worst team in football with inarguably the worst DE threat in the league hired a practice squader and most recently a backup player to be a gameday starter. I am threatening his opportunity to prove himself starting material but up to this point in his career he is observably not.
Make a play, then talk.
September 8th, 2015 at 11:55 am
I am NOT threatening…
September 8th, 2015 at 1:45 pm
I really just wish the Bucs hadn’t botched the restricted offer to the Lions. We gave up a 5th round pick because we were too stupid to format the poison pill correctly.
Adrian Amos and Rashad Greene were both available for that 5th round pick. So rather than just being happy to get any positive production from Johnson I’m trying not to be disappointed with all of the glowing reports I hear about Amos in Chicago.
September 8th, 2015 at 2:35 pm
Actually it was Greg Schiano who got rid of our best edge rushers. He waived George Johnson, Wallace Gilberry, George Selvie, and he refused to resign Michael Bennett. George Johnson had 3 sacks during the 2011 preseason, more than any other d-lineman. But he was waived ,then he cleared waivers and was place on the practice squad. During 2012 preseason he was a force off the edge, and was waived by Schiano. I don’t believe Lovie will make the same mistakes,he will keep the best players. And we didn’t give up a 5th round pick for Johnson,we got Johnson and a 7th round pick. The bottom line is we should never have cut him in the first place, he’s 27 now. But in 2011 he was a 23 year old rookie, with 3 preseason sacks. This is what Joe BucFan had to say, when Schiano cut George Johnson………………. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2012/11/george-johnson-released/
September 8th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
I think this season players better”walk the walk” no more talk the talk. Prove it or lose it
September 8th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
We signed Big George in 2010
September 8th, 2015 at 3:10 pm
@lakeland buc
Funny how Coach Schiano was the only buc to start Bennett for the year! if you are going to blame someone, blame the right person. As it was the GM clearing the way for his very high draft picks and he control of the roster!!!!
September 8th, 2015 at 10:07 pm
I dont even think he should start but its his monent. Me personally I like Melton and Gholston starting and going with a more power defensive line to take advantage of the speed of the linebackers and dbs. They may need to jump in the Kam Chancellor chase honestly they should trade the whole future for he and the unhappy Michael Bennett from the Seahawks. Two first and second rounders for both. The future may not happen in the draft for a while but its a good deal for the pessimist to wonder on while I’m cool with Gholston being the second coming of Bennett