Bucky Irving: Tez Johnson Fulfills Tampa Dream
May 22nd, 2025
Has Tez Johnson stories.
Receiver Tez Johnson explained during rookie minicamp how he always wanted to play for the Bucs. It was so known that the mother of his former Oregon roommate, Bucky Irving’s mom, used to tell him she would see him in Tampa in 2025.
Johnson said he got very embarrassed by Bucky’s mom saying that. Then the NFL draft came and, looky there.
Speaking on “Up and Adams” on FanDuel TV, Bucky explained to Adams how much Johnson wanted to come to Tampa.
“I was actually coaching the Oregon spring game,” Bucky said when asked what he was doing when Johnson was drafted. “I didn’t see [the draft that day], but Tez used to always say [after watching Bucs games], ‘Bro, I want to come down there with you and the team.’ Or, like, he used to just say it every time we got on the phone.
“I’m like, ‘Bro, just put your head down and work. God’s going to take care of everything.’ And then it happened.
“I guess he got what he wanted.”
Now will Bucs fans get what they want in Johnson, a quality punt returner for a change?
It’s way cool that Johnson was drafted. And his personality is awesome. But getting picked by the Bucs only gave him a chance. Now he has to earn it.
Joe is pulling for the guy. The last thing the Bucs need is another Jaelon Darden.
Did Tez Johnson manifest being drafted by the Buccaneers to play with his former teammate Bucky Irving??@heykayadams | @BuckyIrving | @Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/HDsiaeKkef
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 8, 2025
May 22nd, 2025 at 8:40 am
Loving this offense man, chemistry seems off the charts and obviously the talent is there.
I’m interested in the receiver room. I think Palmer and Tez is going to be a great competition in camp and preseason for that WR5 spot, but I kind of hope we take 6 on our final roster so they all get amongst it.
After the game kind of shifted more towards the run again last year, I’m glad that we still have an insane RB trio (as a whole, I think we have the best RB room in the league) but man, Grizz has all the ammo to do something special this year.
I can see us hanging 50+ a couple of times this season looking at the schedule. Hot take: the Bucs could be the highest scoring NFL team in history this season. It will take 36 ppg but the defense is well improved (on paper) and if they can get on and off the field quickly, we have a real shot.
May 22nd, 2025 at 8:51 am
This feels like a recycled article.
Can we get less about the draft picks and early offensive optimism?
And perhaps a little investigative journalism into the epiphany Bowles had on defense.
Since the defense is what halted any dreams of making the Superbowl last year, we should probably focus on that a little more.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:03 am
It’s literally called joebucsfan.com, not WalkThePlank.com
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:09 am
Ya’ll say what you want about Palmer and Tez… but between the two… and perhaps even Evans, Godwin, and possibly EE… Palmer is the only one that has experience as a gunner on special teams. That will factor in big to whether he makes the team and sees the field. Sure, Tez can return kicks, but he is not capable of playing coverage teams. You can’t have a 4th/5th/6th WR on the active roster if he doesn’t help out on ST. I think Palmer still makes the team as the 5th or 6th WR.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:11 am
I’m scared about him returning punts.
I am 5-10. 150. I’’m a small man. A skinny dude.
I can’t imagine returning punts.
Please save him as a WR his rookie year.
Or put him on the practice squad for year 1.
He needs to get up to 170.
To extend his career.
I give him what Teacherman has coined as “a redshirt rookie” season.
Maybe even 2 years. Get him up to 170-175 pounds.
Then unleash him on the NFL.
Please coaches.
Don’t put him out there too soon. Like Darden.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:15 am
I believe Tez would add enthusiasm to the WR room, as well as a new dimension on the field. He’s not the fastest, but he’s definitely the most elusive. Grizz has a lot of weapons to work with. Getting Tez involved could get another fan reaction like last season with Bucky. He loves playing, and his enthusiasm is obviously infectious. I love the way our draft played out, and can’t wait for the season.
GO BUCS
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
Love the articles, Joe, keep up the good work. You do a terrific job of mixing up the content keeping it interesting and being optimistic about the up coming season.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:18 am
@Brandon Agreed, I’m very biased towards TP so I want him on the roster, but he hasn’t really EARNED his spot through play in the regular season. That’s why I think this competition is going to be so interesting. Honestly best case scenario is that we take all 6 on the final roster and they end up making each other better.
If that’s the case, fully healthy we should have a WR1, 2 WR2’s, 2 WR3’s and a WR4. Having that much rotation, not to mention the other depth in weapons we have all over the offense, could be very special.
I’ve always wanted TP to be the Desean Jackson/Scotty Miller player for us, just lob the ball up and let him run under it.
Having the option between TP, Tez and Tucker on the return team may allow us to get very creative on returns. I remember seeing one team run a run block scheme on the new kickoff play so hopefully McGaughey can dial up something special for us.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:20 am
WalkThePlank(Aqualung, Dave Pear), this feels like a recycled post under another name. The target is always the same and Bowles epiphany is none of our business. Epiphany’s can be a personal revelation requiring privacy. And even if the Joes occasionally recycle an article I’m sure I’m not the only reader of this reporting with poor short term memory.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:26 am
Thank you Two thumbs! Thanks for the kind words.
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:53 am
Great article Joe.
I love talking about Tez.
I hope you put up all the content you feel like today.
May 22nd, 2025 at 10:45 am
@Kenton Smith
You must be an employee of the Glazers.
Bowles is a public figure and a HC in the NFL.
As fans we deserve to know the mindset and strategies the coach is working on.
Privacy is a long gone privilege stollen by a corrupt government that only cares about war profiteering.
May 22nd, 2025 at 10:51 am
who’s faster and better? Trey Palmer or Tez?
May 22nd, 2025 at 11:16 am
Still talking about a Kay Adams interview from 2 weeks ago…
May 22nd, 2025 at 11:31 am
@WalkThePlank
***As fans we deserve to know the mindset and strategies the coach is working on.***
Loose lips sink ships.
May 22nd, 2025 at 11:33 am
Joe 1A and 1B, (Do you guys have a depth chart?? LOL)
I really appreciate your daily articles, no matter the topic. They help ease the boredom of the off-season and sustain year-long interest in all things Bucs.
Please keep all the articles coming, sirs! This fan appreciates this site, and I read it daily.
May 22nd, 2025 at 11:40 am
Thank you very much for the kind words. Much appreciated. Joe has no plans to change, trust him.
May 22nd, 2025 at 11:46 am
This! Great job, Joe
“Two thumbs up Says:
May 22nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
Love the articles, Joe, keep up the good work. You do a terrific job of mixing up the content keeping it interesting and being optimistic about the up coming season.”
May 22nd, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Loving the stories about Bucky and Tez! These are exciting times.
May 22nd, 2025 at 12:02 pm
I’m excited for him and for the Bucs! The league keeps making mistakes and letting the Bucs snatch up these guys who maybe don’t have the measureables but are just really good football players. I watched some of his Senior Bowl practices and I was blown away by how impossible he was to guard 1 on 1. He’s going to be a player for the Bucs!
May 22nd, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Bowles needs to keep his changes in-house, loose lips sink pirate ships…
May 22nd, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Is there a way to block walk the plank I mean obviously he/she is a miserable person that knows only negativity. If not I guess we just skip over his posts and the predictable hate for Bowles
May 22nd, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Say Goodbye to Sheppard or Palmer, we can’t have more than 6 WR on the active roster
May 22nd, 2025 at 1:44 pm
WalkthePlank or whatever sock puppet you decide to employ next week.
I’m with Kenton Smith. You are not a fan. You’re a cheap shot artist with made up ammo.
As Teddy Roosevelt famously said…” It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.”
So tell us for starters how many Super Bowl Winning Defenses you’ve been coordinator? How many Division Titles (cheap or otherwise) have YOU won?