Will Tyler Johnson Answer Opportunity’s Call?
October 22nd, 2021
Bucs WR Tyler Johnson.
With furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown nicked up with a sprained ankle, it is unclear whether he can suit up Sunday against the Bears.
And if he doesn’t, with Scotty Miller on the shelf, Tyler Johnson may be getting a lot of snaps.
Yesterday, Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich made it clear he is fully confident Johnson will rise to the occasion if he has to replace Brown.
“I see it every day, so I see the improvements really every day,” Leftwich said of Johnson. “I think the things we really needed to work on throughout the offseason, throughout the beginning of the season, I think he’s done an excellent job at that. When he’s come in throughout the year, we’ve put him in certain situations, and he’s answered the call.
“That’s all I really know him to be, even when he was a rookie. A lot of big third down catches for us last year, a lot of big plays for us last year when he was in certain tough situations.
“He doesn’t shy away from the moment. He’s the guy that’s just been always waiting for his opportunity.”
But can he produce? You can be ready and you can look like Jerry Rice in practice, but what counts is between-the-white-lines on gameday.
Leftwich is right in that Johnson has made huge plays. A crazy catch along the right sideline in the playoff game at New Orleans springs to mind. And who will ever forget a savvy, veteran-like move to help sell a defensive pass interference call in the NFC championship game that basically sealed the win for the Bucs?
The only thing in Joe’s eyes between Johnson being a reliable starter and a good backup is consistency. For every big play he made last year, he seemed to bungle a catch when the ball hit him in the numbers.
Eliminate the dropsies and Johnson will be fine.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:09 am
With few exceptions Johnson has made plays every time he’s been in the offense. Obviously including high level games such as the playoffs. I don’t doubt he’ll be just fine if needed this weekend and beyond.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:09 am
Johnson will get it done enough to help the team. If AB is out, that just means TB has to pay more attention to ME and Godwin, and they need to get open. Not at all worried about it. The Bucs are DEEP at WR
And on the previous topic of leadership, how about what TB has done to resurrect the career of AB? Leadership is caring and connecting, to every age and every very different personality; we all connect differently.
GO BUCS, GO TB
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:24 am
Half our roster is hurt & we still win games thanks to TB12 so yes TJ will play well b/c of the GOAT throwing it to him
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:24 am
Tyler reminds me of a young Godwin. A little raw but great physicality.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:42 am
AB will suit up. He’s a beast and wants more stats than the rest of the groupd and has already missed time.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:44 am
Random sentence about TJ having the dropsies doesn’t convince me. Show the #’s
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:51 am
I think Tyler is very under rated. He would be a starter for many teams.
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:52 am
I read all the time Johnson could replace Godwin if needed. How’s his speed? Is he fast enough to get open against top corners?
October 22nd, 2021 at 8:58 am
“But can he produce? You can be ready and you can look like Jerry Rice in practice, but what counts is between-the-white-lines on gameday.”
Jury is out, looks promising, but……
This is not the Big10 and being the stud on the Golden Gophers does not mean much in the NFL.
He has not shown he is anywhere close the big 3, Mike, Chris and AB.
But who knows, maybe he will one day.
GO BICS!!!!
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:15 am
TJ made loads of tough catches at Minnesota. And dropped lots of easy ones.
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:21 am
From the little bit I’ve seen I think he can and will !
October 22nd, 2021 at 9:42 am
Man…. not expecting nothing out of him. He just another version of Justin Watson
October 22nd, 2021 at 10:40 am
I agree that TJ could start on many teams.
October 22nd, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Can Tyler Johnson produce??? Gimme a friggin break, Joe. 7 rec for 110 yards. 3 for 63 at LAR. I saw him make a real nice block for Lenny last week. Put down the sherm.
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:07 pm
now lets work on some CB.s and remember me im not just gd.looking im smart i told u 2 games sherman would be done,learn u m. fers learn
October 22nd, 2021 at 6:09 pm
ok