“The Talent Was Always There”
October 13th, 2025
Tez Johnson was ready again to contribute.
Joe has to believe when it was announced people started running to the bathroom to heave.
Bad enough Mike Evans was out. Bad enough Chris Godwin was out. But now Emeka Egbuka, who has been having a rookie season like very few other receivers have ever had, was out with a bad hamstring.
Who was Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield going to throw to?
Turns out the Bucs had that covered. The bottom two receivers on the depth chart, Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson (no relation) didn’t just step up, they both scored touchdowns in the 30-19 win over the 49ers. Take away their contribution and the Bucs lose.
After the game, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he always had faith in the Johnsons, so long as they know their jobs.
“Tez and Kam really stepped up tonight,” Bowles said. “[They] came into their own. The talent was always there, just understanding the offense more. Those guys can play.”
Not only do Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and his staff deserve massive credit for finding these guys — Kam Johnson played football at tiny Barton College — but Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and his staff deserve equal amounts of roses for having these guys ready to play.
It was borderline panic time for the Bucs when Egbuka went down. But, like good teams do, two guys were ready to step in and contribute, Kam and Tez Johnson, who had 4 catches for 59 yards last week.
“We feel like we are very deep in that room,” Bowles said. “[We] cannot afford to lose any more, but we feel like we are very deep in that room, and I thought those two guys did a hell of a job tonight.”
Great job by Kam and Tez Johnson. But props also should go to Licht and Grizzard for doing their parts.
October 13th, 2025 at 7:15 am
People forget that 7th round draft choices were absolute studs in college. I don’t doubt that many players buried on depth charts could be stars with the right opportunity. Look at what Sean Tucker did last year.
October 13th, 2025 at 7:23 am
If we don’t get Mike or Chris back next week, mebbe use Devin Culp as a WR
October 13th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Elevate Garrett Greene from practice squad-good player.
October 13th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Tez played great in the pre-season. Was great to see him play and do fantastic. That catch was sick!
October 13th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Well, it helps to have a guy that can rifle the ball, too.
Baker could have shingle on a stick and make them look good. Hands like 15 don’t hurt.
It’s funny. One said he was shocked by the TD. 15 said he expected it.
October 13th, 2025 at 8:00 am
👏👏👏👏👏
October 13th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Sterling Sheppard is hobbled by something as well anyone who ever played football knows how slowness got out the break on his first pass he didn’t catch and he ran the route at a uniquely slow speed might be mike,tez,kam,otton white and Ryan Miller vs the lions
October 13th, 2025 at 8:14 am
On Culp — “Hands of Stone” is a compliment to a boxer but death to a wideout.
October 13th, 2025 at 8:15 am
GREAT JOB JOHNSONS!!!!
BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE WR COACH AS WELL FOR HAVING THOSE GUYS PREPARED!!!!!!
5-1!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 13th, 2025 at 8:30 am
That catch by Tez deserves MAJOR props. Great concentration. A Super Star catch
October 13th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Ryan Miller game next week lol
October 13th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Culp in ’24 (hasn’t had a target in ’25) 6 targets, 5 catches, 88 yards, not too shabby
October 13th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Nil is going to take Jason’s small college magic away as big schools will poach the talent base before the nfl can
October 13th, 2025 at 8:47 am
I sure hope EE’s hamstring isn’t too bad. Ordinarily I would advocate resting him, but I don’t know if we can afford to do that unless absolutely unavoidable. Maybe if I ate 10 cans of beans and stapled a zippo to my butt I could help out? Zoom zoom.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Johnson and Johnson!!!! Next man up!!! Got it done!!!
October 13th, 2025 at 9:03 am
@AMI_Chris
Yep that’s why I always say don’t trade your draft picks (unless it’s really needed for somebody) or trade up. If anything trade down get more pics & get depth because you never know what round you’ll get a good player in. Brady is a perfect example.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:08 am
both kam and tez made difficult catches for the TDs but the grab by tez was remarkable.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:10 am
“Elevate Garrett Greene from practice squad-good player”
Yep, I’d like to see that.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Don’t forget that Jalen McMillan, who was the #3 receiver on the depth chart ahead of Ebuka in camp before he got hurt, is also out. That means Baker is without ALL FOUR of his starting four Receivers. He’s throwing to 5,6 and practice squad. Add in missing 2 (and now 3?) offensive lineman and Bucky Irving…pretty amazing
But let’s be real…the Bucs are NOT going to Detroit next week and getting a win if we are missing all 4 WRs, our RB. Godwin is always injured…out last half of last season, first 4 games of this season, plays one game and gets injured AGAiN (and an injury unrelated to the ankle). As far as I’m concerned, he’s a non factor. We NEED Ebuka to play and hope we get one of the 3 O-line man back to compete. More likely we need Evans. Not going to happen
October 13th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Licht needs to scour the NFL practice, squads, Free agent lists, and XFL tapes. Maybe call all the,XFL coaches. I would say CFL but you cant sign them till after the,Grey Cup.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:32 am
That catch by Tez is more and more amazing with every replay. Kid is a BALLER. So is Kam. Put their names on the backs of those jerseys Bucs! Two guys with the same last name, playing like this, deserve their individual recognition
October 13th, 2025 at 9:38 am
@Beeej
I agree with you about Devin Culp.
The only thing holding him back is there are so many other guys ahead of him in the pecking order. He’s also a speedster who can stretch the field. And one of those passes he caught last year was a TD.
As for Tez and Kam…
I was one of those folks scratching her head when I saw Kam on the 53. After seeing him in the return game (last week?), and in the offense this week, I understand why he made it.
With Tez, it was just a matter of time and opportunity. My only hope is he doesn’t get over-used a la Bucky. Obviously, with our four starters out, he’s going to see a lot more playing time, but there’ll definitely be a role for him, once everyone else comes back.
October 13th, 2025 at 9:49 am
My memory of Baker’s time in CLE was that he was very good with receivers who weren’t stars. He had great chemistry with Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins for example.
Part of the problem started when the pressure came to get the ball to a certain one handed catch phenom rather than getting the ball completed…regardless of the name on back of the jersey.
So if the lesser known guys get to the right places, I think that’s what matters to Baker. Fortunately the big name receivers in Tampa have all been class guys who actually work and excel at their job, but I don’t think Baker requires top-tier targets. (But I don’t think he’ll complain when they get back on the field either. None of these guys seem to be divas.)
October 13th, 2025 at 9:58 am
If Mike, Chris, or Emeka are out for Monday’s match, Griz needs to dust off old Marino and Mark Bros. film to scheme up new plays for the Johnsons Bros. Next men up could turn into something very special!
October 13th, 2025 at 10:24 am
“None of these guys seem to be divas.”
This. Right here.
Since Jason and the front office have course corrected and factor in character when choosing players, this team has been a “team”. No one is selfish. No locker room cancers.
I applaud it. There was some howling from some of the internet draft experts because they obviously passed on talented guys with character red flags. They learned their lesson with Devin White. The Glazers have never not taken care of players who deserved it.
October 13th, 2025 at 10:31 am
The play by Cam Johnson was incredible also. The footwork to turn his body going full speed to make that catch and then turn back the other way and resume acceleration to full speed almost instantly. The DB in coverage had the angle on him and Cam just blew him off the road. That showed his athleticism. We’ve seen it also on the returns this year. We foolishly wrote him off last year because of one drop that cost a touchdown. We now have 3 very explosive receivers in the Johnson boys and EE.
October 13th, 2025 at 10:38 am
No diddy but last nights game was sponsored by Johnson and Johnson it tuckers you out after you bake
October 13th, 2025 at 10:39 am
I’m starting to fear the dream of having Evans, Godwin, Ebuka and McMillan all lined up at the same time might never happen this year!! Can u imagine how good Baker would be if they did!? Damn….”It was all a dream….
October 13th, 2025 at 10:51 am
GoneGator Says:
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Don’t be surprised if Tez makes some noise too…… In spite of some people (🤡) calling him a dwarf/midget etc and predicting he wouldn’t make the team 👍🏼
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GREAT CALL!!!!!!!!
5-1!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 13th, 2025 at 11:02 am
If we get most or all WRs back before the trade deadline I would explore trading McMillian (and Braswell??!!) for a pass rusher.
October 13th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Much love to Tez and Kam. Big time stepping up as well as Sterling Shepard. All 3 were superb.
October 13th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Me, too, regarding calling Garret Greene up from the PS. He looked fearless in the preseason as a punt returner and receiver. Sterling Sheppard hobbled?? Certainly did not look like that to me on his 4th quarter zigzag catch and run.
October 13th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
The grit of this team and cohesivenis reminds me of the 1999 Bucs. Just dogs out there fighting. This team is better overall clearly. Our offense was just non existent under Dungy.