Byron Leftwich Talks Tyler Johnson Debut
September 30th, 2020
Lost in the Buccaneers’ victory Sunday was rookie receiver Tyler Johnson making his NFL debut by taking a whopping 31 percent of the offensive snaps at multiple positions.
That certainly surprised Joe, as did Johnson dropping his first and only target from Tom Brady.
Johnson, an alleged fifth-round steal out of the University of Minnesota, had a “soft tissue” injury at the start of training camp and rarely practiced.
Speaking on Total Access yesterday, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich revealed just how much trust the Bucs have in Johnson, as well as high hopes.
“He’s a special player. He’s a big playmaker,” Leftwich said of the rookie.. “Just today I talked to him about all the receivers that dropped their first pass. He’s not the first. (laughs) He’s not the first. It’s almost a given; that’s how it goes. I don’t know why. But I told him, ‘That’s a good sign. That’s a good sign.’ Good thing we got it out of the way.
“What I really liked about him in playing him [Sunday], he played three different positions. He’s a guy we can move around. He’s a guy that can make plays for us. He’s a guy that’s going to continuously getting better. He’s young, he hasn’t had a summer. He was injured the whole camp. So this is really his camp right now. And the tough part is, you know, we’re in the middle of the season. He’s just working every day. We’re trying to pull him along as fast as we can.”
Joe also is impressed that Johnson was able to line up in so many roles within the offense. It’s encouraging and tells Joe that the kid really has put in the work.
Now he must squeeze passes. Another drop on Sunday and Tom Brady won’t be as excited about Johnson as Leftwich is.
September 30th, 2020 at 7:44 am
If he blossoms like Scotty, we will have a 3 and 4 that will challenge the 1 and 2!
September 30th, 2020 at 7:48 am
I have really high hopes for TJ. He reminds me of Godwin. just a playmaker
September 30th, 2020 at 7:59 am
He will develop…..and, don’t forget about Justin Watson…..he has improved…
If Godwin is out, TJ will get some work.
September 30th, 2020 at 8:10 am
I will be using him in one of my DK GPP lineups this weekend.
September 30th, 2020 at 8:10 am
Well let’s hope he learns fast cause bleacher report says Godwin is out this week and maybe next week
September 30th, 2020 at 8:25 am
Skywalker – yes, but that’s about the best news I could hope for. MRI revealed a mild pull. A relatively quick and full recovery is great, could have him back after Chicago game. Hopefully SMB’s is the same
September 30th, 2020 at 8:51 am
Looks like he will get his shot to show more with Justin Watson on the mend from his shoulder injury & Godwin down for another 1-2 weeks with a mild (thankfully) hamstring pull. Anyone know if there been an update on SMB?
September 30th, 2020 at 8:59 am
Was surprised to see him on the field last Sunday. Glad he’s finally getting a chance to play. It will take some time, but I am sure it will be worth it. He is a gamer.
September 30th, 2020 at 9:02 am
in BL I trust!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 30th, 2020 at 9:10 am
Most young WRs struggle in their first season even when they get a real training camp and preseason games. It’s a learning curve. He’s really just starting. I still like the kid and was happy to see him getting reps.
September 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
The ball is your friend young man!
September 30th, 2020 at 9:20 am
With Mike, Scotty, TJ, Cyril [Watson & CG may be out] its great we kept 6 WR’s.
With TE’s we should have more than enough weapons for LA
Dont forget Shady can line up at WR as well if needed.
(Lastly we can always bring up more weapons from Practice squad too)
Go Bucs!!
September 30th, 2020 at 9:53 am
This kid is gonna be nice! The film DON’T lie.
September 30th, 2020 at 10:05 am
wish the bucs would open the game with an all out passing assault. Pass, pass, pass. Quick hitters on slants and tight ends. Establish the pass from the get go . We pass block way better than run block. Use both tight ends in the pass game too. Quick releases to the first open receiver. Getting the defense to adjust to an all out passing attack will open up running lanes. Go hard with your strength then mix things up with the run occasionally. Draws and trap blocks are effective when the defense starts dropping line backers into pass coverage. Using the tight ends and backs in the passing game will limit double teams on our wideouts. Stout defense and. Strong passing game are our strength, runing game our weak point mainly because of non dominating run blocking. Focus on strength on first down. Use the run for surprise. Everybody expects a run, pass, pass game plan from us. Come on Leftwich, open it up.
September 30th, 2020 at 10:08 am
Been waiting for TJ to get in there. Got his feet wet last week. Time to step up!
September 30th, 2020 at 10:11 am
Guess I’ve been band guys… To the YOU PEOPLE MOVEMENT..you don’t have the HOG to know ck around any more!! SALUTE!!
September 30th, 2020 at 10:36 am
Why are you calling it a dropped pass when there was a penalty on the play? It would not have counted anyway
Byron Leftwich called it a drop. Perhaps because he dropped it.–Joe
September 30th, 2020 at 11:05 am
Why are you calling him Tyler when his name is Tyler
September 30th, 2020 at 11:21 am
Need to get him involved early with some simple bubble screens and easy routes so he can build confidence. Hard on rookies with no preseason and injuries. Ideally he should be on the practice squad, but now with Godwin out it’s trial by fire.
September 30th, 2020 at 12:17 pm
He looks befuddled in this photo.
September 30th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Agree with Byron and Joe..
When the game is on, and you drop a pass before the whistle blows, you drop a pass, whether there is a penalty or not. Statistics for statistics sake are for losers.
September 30th, 2020 at 12:50 pm
31% of the plays?
I thoiught except for the drop, he must have been invisible. Especially to Brady.