“He’s Not [A] Dumbass”
June 1st, 2021
Bucco Bruce Arians.
Last year Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians seemed to have discovered then-Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson.
The Gophers beat Auburn in the Outback Bowl and Arians and his son went to watch the game in Tampa. Arians quickly became infatuated by Johnson’s two-touchdown, 204-yards receiving game.
Before the Outback Bowl ended, Arians began hounding Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht until he wore Licht down. Licht drafted Johnson in the fifth round last year.
Johnson had an up-and-down regular season (12 catches); some real good and some not-so-good plays. Hey, he was a rookie with zero offseason or preseason.
In the playoffs, Johnson shined making a ridiculous catch against the Saints to keep a drive alive, and he used his head against the Packers to help sell a critical pass interference call that enabled the Bucs to run out the clock.
After Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield, Johnson was easily the third-best Bucs rookie last season.
Today after OTA practice, Arians seemed less than happy that Johnson isn’t working out at the voluntary OTAs. Johnson showed enough signs for Joe that he should stick around, but not enough that Johnson has a guaranteed roster spot.
When asked today about Johnson, Arians said, “I would wish he would be over here. He’s not [a] dumbass. Tom’s throwing him the ball over there. So, I might be with Tom, too.”
Now “Tom” is park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
And Johnson has been a part of Brady’s workouts with starters and veterans.
That’s the part that spooks Joe. Does Johnson think he did enough last year that he doesn’t need any OTA work?
Look, as Arians said, it’s smart as a receiver to do what Brady wants you to do. But is it also smart to blow off OTAs?
Johnson thinking he may have a spot locked up is a bit premature. Especially since the immortal Jaydon Mickens is at OTAs. And of course, the Bucs just drafted Jaelon Dardon, who Arians gushes over.
Just like Arians gushed over Johnson last year.
Later in his post-practice presser, Arians had a very interesting comment about bubble players.
When asked what he wanted to see but didn’t at today’s OTA practice, Arians quipped, “About 10 more players. … I’d like to see about 10 more fighting for jobs they don’t know they’re fighting for.”
Shot across the bow, perhaps?
June 1st, 2021 at 2:55 pm
Tyler Johnson should be at OTAs since he is the sixth receiver at best. He can make up for it if he has a good camp.
Lastly, no disrespect intended, but if Jaydon Mickens makes this football team then the whole offseason spent upgrading special teams has somehow gone awry.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:01 pm
Uhh….Tom Brady will decide who gets on the field with him on Sunday’s. Arians can do all the tough guy talk he wants. Johnson isn’t going anywhere. There’s a chance after another big year that Godwin becomes too expensive to keep, Johnson is the obvious replacement.
If Brady is going to work out somewhere else, all the receivers need to be where he is. This is a nonstory.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:03 pm
This is VOLUNTARY. They’ll all show up at OneBuc when it is MANDATORY.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:03 pm
The entire secondary needs to read that last paragraph…
June 1st, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Gotbbucs, Johnson is not a lock to make this roster. Since when does a 5th rounder not play special teams, especially when virtually the entire Bucs draft and UDFA’s were all drafted for special teams?
June 1st, 2021 at 3:10 pm
I guess some of you didn’t see the entirety of what Bruce said. He said that he wants to see 10 more guys at OTA’s because they are competing for their roster spot and they don’t even know it yet. Tyler Johnson could very well be one of those 10.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:36 pm
I’m torn on this one. I see BAs point but you can’t call something voluntary and then threaten someone’s job for not being there. I know, BA being BA but a little tact goes a long way.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:37 pm
So…here’s Johnson’s choices…
Play with Brady
Attend the OTA’s
Both
Obviously, the choice should be Both…….like Bernard…..soak up as much as you can.
I’m surprised that BA, being BA didn’t just name off the 10 that should be there.
June 1st, 2021 at 3:44 pm
Now “Tom” is park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, smartphone-phobic, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, roller coaster-scared, numbers-rules-peeved Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
…………………………..
JEEESH!! Thanks so much Joe for that awesome clarification. I would have never guessed it in a million years.
One extra paragraph for the article eh?
June 1st, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Tough spot to be in. Gotta go with the GOAT. He has a reason for his own training, its not for the heck of it. Brady is likely working on the timing and tendency issue we constantly hear about with receivers in a BA offense. Brady will make sure those guys are accountable to knowing the playbook. Team is still a work in progress as BA is understanding as well. The biggest risk he has taken his entire career was to step back and let his people do their jobs last season. He put a ton of trust in Brady, and it paid off. Im sure his current struggle is where his comfort level in the balance lies, and sometimes he cant help himself when asked. There will be a book about this, and it will be all about how letting go was the biggest risk/reward challenge for Bruce Arians.
June 1st, 2021 at 4:40 pm
It’s all water under the bridge once the season starts. Coaches grouch and complain when players don’t show up in the offseason. As long as he’s putting in work and has a good mini camp/training camp things will be fine.
June 1st, 2021 at 4:56 pm
Johnson better get his arse to OTAs. Last thing you want to do is get on the coach’s bad side, particularly when cuts start to arrive.
June 1st, 2021 at 6:37 pm
Tyler Johnson isn’t going anywhere and will have a bigger role this year. Finding guys who can step up in the biggest games is like finding a Unicorn. He’s doing exactly what his boss TB tells him and he’s going to have a great career because of it.
June 1st, 2021 at 6:37 pm
This is not a shot across the bow at Johnson but at a lot of other guys.
June 1st, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Poor guy is between a rock and a hard place, but at the end of the day he is smart to practice with Brady.
June 1st, 2021 at 8:48 pm
Y’all are bats. This guy is an awesome talent and a gem that we found in later rounds. Not only does he have a roster spot locked in this year, but he’s going to try and position himself for a 2023 #2 spot when Evans or Godwin has to go. Let’s see if he can actually make it happen.
June 1st, 2021 at 8:56 pm
“Shot across the bow, perhaps?”
.
.
There are rude awakenings every year on cut down day. Over-confidence is a hell of a drug.
June 1st, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Yikes, that’s a tough spot to put Johnson in. I hope Arians really does appreciate the pressure you’re putting on a kid telling him to turn down his QB to practice with Ryan Giffin. I mean, wow, I don’t know. Now if Brady told him, hey, go to the OTA and make sure you make the team, and Johnson said “nah, all good” – then that’s one thing. But if Brady asked the kid to workout, and that’s all that was said, and he has to say, “no thanks Tom”… Man, again, it’s a tough spot.
June 2nd, 2021 at 8:15 am
Going to OTA‘s or throwing balls with Brady is not an either or thing people. You go to the OT A’s and then attend Bradys private sessions whenever possible. You basically can do both. That he absolutely should be doing both, so should Vaughn
June 2nd, 2021 at 9:39 am
He should be doing both.
But if you’re trying to comply with the veterans’ position a dn meanwhie have a chance to work out with your QB, the GoAT, Tom Brady, then it’s a no brainer. I mean it’s not like he’s off on his own working with Rudy Carpenter.
June 2nd, 2021 at 12:00 pm
I have no issue with Tyler Johnson. OTAs or TB12, it doesn’t matter as long as he’s getting reps in.
June 2nd, 2021 at 12:54 pm
As many have said above – there’s no reason to not be at all practices. It’s your job, and you’re being well paid, so take it seriously.
Besides, pissing off your HC isn’t a great idea, no matter how talented you may be.