Father Dungy Endorses Johnny Football

March 1st, 2014

Outside of Rachel Watson accompanying Joe to Las Vegas, what thought could be more exciting this morning than Lovie Smith’s mentor, Father Dungy, bestowing a blessing of the highest order on Johnny Football?

Dungy was clear and concise in his assessment.

“He is productive, he’s a winner,” Dungy told NFL.com. “He’s a guy that excites his teammates. He gets the most out of everybody around him. That’s what you’re looking for in a quarterback. But is he talented enough? Can you win with him? Is he going to make plays in the NFL? Absolutely. Should he be a top-five pick? We’ll see how that goes. If I’m committed to winning, I’d take him.”

Hmm, Joe wonders if Dungy would trade up for Johnny Football?

Yes, Joe knows there are prominent anti-Johnny Football voices, such as BSPN quarterback guru Ron Jaworski. Joe’s head is not in the sand, and there are plenty of esteemed Johnny Football lovers, as well. But Dungy’s analysis, from a guy whose approach to football is nearly identical to Lovie’s, is much more intriguing.

The odds are slim Johnny Football would be there for the Bucs at the No. 7 overall pick, but there’s a shot he’d be available at No. 5 when the Raiders are on the clock. Trading up two slots shouldn’t carry an obscene ransom.

78 Responses to “Father Dungy Endorses Johnny Football”

  1. Buc1987 Says:

    Tony Dungy…the QB guru.

  2. Eric Says:

    We can only hope he has shared this outstanding insight with Mr. Smith.

    But, I imagine that Mr. Smith and Mr. Tedford have already concluded the same.

    I think his pro day is this week. Kinda hope he has an off day. The brilliance of this kid can’t be measured with cones and drills.

  3. stevek (MGM) Says:

    Trading up would be just dumb.

    If anything, see who “falls” to 7, and look at your options for trading back.

    We have many, many holes.

    Trading up, when we only have 5 draft picks (ROCK START THANK YOU!), is not good.

    Espcially, when we have so many holes.

    You think trading up for Johnny Football is going to help our O-Lin block better?
    Nope, sit back, draft BPA/tradeback.

    We need more than just a 5’11 3/4 QB from A&M

  4. Charles Brandon Says:

    Hi Joe, you have no email listed so this was the best way to contact you. I’ve been reader for almost 3years now and your Bucs coverage is hands down the best. I’m a from Chicago and am a huge Bucs fan! I have just one simple request: Can you please go back to the old format having the entire article on the page instead of the “read more” option. It drives me insane and makes it much more difficult to sneak and read at work.

    Hi, Charles. Couple of things. You can follow twitter.com/bucsbuzztap to get direct links to Joe’s stories, so you won’t have to deal with “read more.” Or you can check out Joe on Twitter (@JoeBucsFan) for those links. Otherwise, the “read more” will stay. It keeps the site cleaner and is commonplace on the internet. The speed of Joe’s site is quite fast. Joe’s had that checked by various sources.–Joe

  5. Harry Says:

    Yeah, exactly, what does he know! LOL Thats it MGMers, keep your head in the sand!

  6. Wilder32 Says:

    Loved Dungy but c’mon….he put a team that had the abiliity to win a couple of Super Bowls on the shoulders of Shawn King! Pfffft….

  7. Harry Says:

    Trading up according the the draft chart would only cost a third rd pick. If he is there at 5 and OAK would be willing to trade, that is a no brainer for all but those MGMers who don’t want real competition for MG8

  8. Harry Says:

    Drew Brees: 6′ 0″, 209 lbs, 14th season
    Manziel: 5′ 11-3/4″, 210lbs

    No way a guy built like that can last in the NFL

  9. Eric Says:

    Yea a good QB never makes an oline look good. Or the rest of the offensive team.

    Endorsed by the two best coaches in bucs history.

    Lots of bucs fans must enjoy watching grass grow. No excitement allowed. Prefer to keep losing with the immobile stork.

    Don’t get it.

  10. Capt. Tim Says:

    IMO, “waiting to see who drops”, is like seeing a steak on the table- then crawling under the table, to see if somebody drops a piece. .

    We are in a rebuild phase.
    Decide who you want to be offensively- then go be it!!

    Take a good hard look at Mike Glennon. If he is the guy- then get him the pieces.

    But if he isn’t , then we better go get that guy. Draft, Free agency- whatever.
    If this draft produces nothing but our franchise QB- then it was a great draft.

    If the guy is in the draft- do whatever we have to to get him!! We aren’t going anywhere until we do!

    If he’s not- then we better start searching the Kirk Cousins, Etc in league- and see if we can aquire him.

    The cost will be heavy. The cost of not having A QB will be a lot heavier!

  11. Clowney Says:

    Why trade up to 5? If Oakland doesn’t want JF and Atlanta surely doesn’t want him, just be patient.

    I could see moving up a couple spots to grab Clowney before Atlanta does but the Bucs do not have the ammo to trade.

  12. BigMacAttack Says:

    Trade back and get as many picks as possible. Just say no to QBs this year.

  13. BigMacAttack Says:

    This is almost as good as picking up dog crap in the yard.

  14. Harry Says:

    “…This is almost as good as picking up dog crap in the yard…”

    You mean waiting to see ‘what drops’ to us at #7?

  15. Harry Says:

    @Eric,

    Did yo see what Switzer said about Johnny Football when asked “…if you had one player you could take to start an NFL team who would you pick?”

  16. Harry Says:

    Switzer:
    “…I’ve seen Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. I’ve seen Oscar Robertson play live. I saw him against my college team as a sophomore for Cincinnati. With three minutes left to go in the game, my team had 54 points and Oscar had 56, so he’s outscoring my team. He’s the only player, and then Michael Jordan comes along, but [Robertson’s] the only player that can take control of a game and win a game by himself.

    Well, let me tell you, Johnny Manziel is the first football player I’ve ever seen that can control the game like those guys did basketball. It’s unbelievable the numbers that he can put up against the competition game after game after game…”

  17. Mort Says:

    Tony Dungy – the guy who couldn’t draft a halfway decent QB himself. The same guy who also blessed the piece of S, Ron Mexico.

    He is a great person, but don’t tell me he is an expert at picking great QBs.

  18. Eric Says:

    Switzer is right, as are Gil Brandt, Mel Kiper, Fran Tarkenton, Brett Favre, Nick Saban etc

    Sure there are a few dissenters like Jaws.

    Rarely are there none.

  19. Name Required Says:

    Here’s the thing… If he or anyone else is the guy, you get him. Pick 7 I’d a pretty good spot to get your guy. Like Joe said, you can move up to get your guy.

    If Johnny Football is available at 5… if the Bucs don’t move up to get him, Jerry Jones might. Atlanta could easily trade back, because their needs are at insanely-deep positions. I’m pretty sure they don’t want the Bucs to have their possible franchise QB in the division.

  20. Harry Says:

    You MGMers are so funny. You will compare off the wall stats to Brady, Manning, Brees, etc, but so quickly dismiss a SB winning coach bc his viewpoint does not fit yours.

  21. BoJim Says:

    stevek (MGM) Said:

    “We need more than just a 5’11 3/4 QB from A&M”

    Yeah but he has huge hands. 😉

    Harry Said:

    “all but those MGMers who don’t want real competition for MG8”

    Don’t ever recall reading where the MGMers said they didn’t want competition for MG8.

    Capt. Tim said:

    “If this draft produces nothing but our franchise QB- then it was a great draft.”

    Right on!!

  22. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Joe, I’m not against taking him if he falls to us, but I am 100 peercent against trading up fore any player…unless we Trade Revis to the browns, get their first pick and swap the 7th for the 26th.

    Then we end up picking higher…and I would take Clowney.

    Then I would take Carr at 26.

    However, I also think Johnny might pull a Brady Quinn and fall dramatically. Really, all I hear is his good atitude, he scrambles and he is a winner. The same was said of Tebow.

  23. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Joe,

    We know you’re a huge fan, to say the least, of Johnny Football. Perhaps I missed it but could you enlighten us as to who your second choice would be if Manziel is off the board?

    It is likely that we won’t move up to get him and that he won’t be there, so…please list in order your preferances. Continuing to sound the trumpets for Mr. Manziel is very repetitive.

  24. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    BoJim Says
    “Don’t ever recall reading where the MGMers said they didn’t want competition for MG8.”

    Then you don’t pay attention. Right here under thiss article, a commenter said to IGNORE QB this year completely.

    That is the same thing.

  25. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Joe, I don’t care for the “read more” thing, but I’ve learned to accept it.

    However, the last two days I get popups every time I click in the text box to comment, and blocker don’t stop them.

    Popups are the scourge of the net. Especially when using a tablet, which I do much of the time.

    I realize you don’t have much control on the ads, but the popups are beyond irritating.

  26. gotbbucs Says:

    Joe,
    That picture completely defeated your entire argument. That picture is only feeding the notion that you don’t ned a top 10 QB to be very good in the NFL and it shows Dungy’s idea of what a franchise QB is.

    Newsflash….a 3rd round pick QB that really didn’t have very good numbers all year just beat a surefire HOF QB with the most high powered offense in the NFL last year. This is a junk year for QB’s at the top of the draft and every GM in the NFL knows this. I pray a couple teams ahead of us are dumb enough to fall in love with a couple of these guys so the actual franchise building players can fall to us.

  27. Harry Says:

    @BoJim Says:
    “…Don’t ever recall reading where the MGMers said they didn’t want competition for MG8…”

    If they said they don’t want to draft a QB in the first rd bc “he would be handed the job” thus not giving MG8 a decent shot; is that not the same thing? Just clarifying

  28. Couch Fan Says:

    Seems like Dungy endorses anybody and everybody you ask him about.

  29. Couch Fan Says:

    Harry Says:
    March 1st, 2014 at 11:56 am
    @BoJim Says:
    “…Don’t ever recall reading where the MGMers said they didn’t want competition for MG8…”

    If they said they don’t want to draft a QB in the first rd bc “he would be handed the job” thus not giving MG8 a decent shot; is that not the same thing? Just clarifying

    ———————————————
    Thats absolutely not the same. Unless you are one of the ones that think 1st round QBs are the end all be all of the NFL.

  30. Buc1987 Says:

    Ron Jaworski’s job is to study QB’s.

  31. Patrick Says:

    Didn’t Dungy originally say he would stay away from Manziel?

  32. Mike Says:

    And Dungy got handed the keys to Peyton! Other then that…… No QB worth a damn

  33. Buc1987 Says:

    I will laugh so friggin hard if Johnny Jackass is still on the board at 7 and the Bucs pass on him.

    Eric, Harry, Phillip and Joe will be crying in their beers. I will be cracking up for about an hour.

  34. Couch Fan Says:

    I really cant imagine Dungy ever saying something like, “I dont think he’s very good and wont last long in the NFL.”

  35. Harry Says:

    @Couch Fan Says:
    If they said they don’t want to draft a QB in the first rd bc “he would be handed the job” thus not giving MG8 a decent shot; is that not the same thing? Just clarifying

    ———————————————
    Thats absolutely not the same. Unless you are one of the ones that think 1st round QBs are the end all be all of the NFL.
    ___________________________________________________________________
    We are definitely going to disagree on that point. To me, getting the best player you can to go against an incumbent is real competition. Not doing that says you want the incumbent to have the starting job, thus you are “handing it to him”.

    I don’t know how you could interpret that any different…

  36. Couch Fan Says:

    ^^^At least not to the public anyways.

  37. Bucfan#37 Says:

    I get a kick out of Dungy, every time the camera is only on him on tv he lights up like the sun on steroids.

  38. RastaMon Says:

    This franchise has mortgaged its future for so long it breaks my Tea Party Heart….I don’t really care who we draft at #7 …just don’t trade up….we don’t have a 3rd round pick or a 6th round pick…..slim pickings already

  39. Couch Fan Says:

    You are implying that you can only get competition in the 1st round. Wonder why that is? It can’t be because you believe only the 1st round QBs are talented, thats been proven false…

    Is the draft 1 round? or is it 7? Do the Bucs have only a 1st round pick or do we have 5?

    Funny how you say the Glennon boys dont want a 1st round QB but yet you think only a 1st round QB is suitable and you even think trading up for him is a great idea and Glennon will have a fair shot anyways.

    Your logic is flawed and yes we can agree to disagree.

  40. Harry Says:

    The only thing that would leave me crying in my beer is if we don’t draft Manziel, MG8 turns out to be no more than mediocre and Manziel goes on to greatness.

    Conversely, if we didn’t draft Manziel, and MG8 turns out to be great, no matter how Manzile ends up, I would still be happy.

    Why? Because I am a bucs fan first and not petty and quasi fan.

  41. lightningbuc Says:

    Could somebody provide me with a time Dungy said something NEGATIVE about someone’s ability? Dungy would find something positive to say about Charles Manson.

  42. Harry Says:

    Couch, you always misquote me. When did I say you can’t get talent beyond the first rd?

    However, It is a proven fact that the success rate of drafting a QB expotentially drops beyond the top 7 picks. I just don’t get how a true bucs fan would disagree with wanting the best possible player to compete against Glennon.

  43. sho-nuff Says:

    so..

  44. MadMax Says:

    Mack…but if he’s gone, Robinson (who will be gone) or Watkins (also gone, but WR deep) so trade down and next value pick, according to placement would probably be Lewan or Ebron. Notice I didnt mention Matthews who will also be gone.

  45. Couch Fan Says:

    You asked a question:

    Harry Says:
    March 1st, 2014 at 11:56 am
    @BoJim Says:
    “…Don’t ever recall reading where the MGMers said they didn’t want competition for MG8…”

    If they said they don’t want to draft a QB in the first rd bc “he would be handed the job” thus not giving MG8 a decent shot; is that not the same thing? Just clarifying

    and since i am one of the ones who rather not draft a QB in the 1st round, i gave you my opinion. Not wanting to draft a QB in the 1st round is not the same as not wanting to bring in competition.

    no misquoting there.

  46. lightningbuc Says:

    Couch Fan,

    Pointless arguing with Harry. I quit after I mentioned Drew Brees in the same sentence as Mike Glennon, not as a comparison, but to make a point, and since then Harry says I think Glennon will be as good as Brees. He only reads what he wants to.

  47. Orca Says:

    Trading up at all, is more than they can afford, Joe. They need to trade down. In a deep draft like this, with a team that needs a lot of players, trading down is the only way to go.

  48. Buc1987 Says:

    Orca…That’s RIGHT!

    Trade down
    Trade down
    Trade down

    Even if Manziel is still on the board!

  49. Orca Says:

    Dungy thought Shaun King was a good QB. I don’t want to rely on his opinion of QB play.

    I read on NFL.com that “No fewer than 17 NFL quarterback coaches, polled at the NFL Scouting Combine, favor Fresno State’s Derek Carr over Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel as a draft prospect, according to a report.”

    Do I trust NFL QB coaches over Joe? You betcha.

  50. david Says:

    The best teams in the nfl draft best player available not for position.. so lets try that… whats the worst that can happen…

  51. Orca Says:

    Does Bortles’ ridiculously hot girlfriend increase his value in the draft Joe?

  52. Harry Says:

    Orca, yeah, she is hot as hell. But as one poster pointed out, check out the pics of Aaron Murry’s gf.

  53. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    Just read on PFT that the Pats and Broncos are “intrested” Revis. Oh please oh please has Christmas come early again?? 1st and 4th rounders of those teams will get the deal done.

  54. Harry Says:

    lightningbuc, here is the point, if you are using Brees with some random stats from Brees’s rookie year in comparison to Glennon, what would you expect me to say? I pointed out to you, using specific QB draft busts, that I can make the same analogy that MG8 will be a bust – I did not say he would be based on that, just demonstrating the uselessness of that argument.

    I think Glennon could be good, maybe, maybe even an above average starter – and that is all the Bucs might need with a top 5 D. I just want him to have the best available competition to earn that starter’s spot, and that would clearly be a first rd draft pick. And if Johnny or Teddy or Blake ends up being a super stud, would any of you be unhappy with that?

  55. DontBucN8 Says:

    Didn’t he also say Tim Tebow would be a great QB coming out of Florida lol.

  56. tickrdr Says:

    Out of 51 QB’s drafted in the first round over the last twenty years, only THREE threw for 19 or more TD’s in their ROOKIE years.

    Some historical good quarterbacks chosen #1 overall who have thrown for at least 19 TD’s at least one season in their CAREERS have included:

    Drew Bledsoe who had 7 of 14 seasons >19tds, but not until his 2nd year.
    Michael Vick who had 2 of 12 seasons >19 tds, but not until his 6th year.
    C. Palmer who had 7 of 11 seasons with >19tds, but not until his 3rd year.
    Eli Manning who had 8 of 10 seasons >19tds, but not until his 2nd year.
    Alex Smith who had only 1 of 9 seasons >19tds, but not until his 9th year.
    Matthew Stafford who had 3 of 5 seasons >19tds, but not until his 3rd year.
    Sam Bradford who had 1 of 4 seasons >19tds, but not until his 3rd year.
    Even Peyton Manning who had 14 of 16 seasons >19tds, but not until his 2nd year in the league.

    BTW Tim Couch, David Carr, and Jamarcus Russell NEVER had a season with 19 tds, even though they were chosen #1 overall in the draft.

    tickrdr

  57. MadMax Says:

    You want a value QB? Connor Shaw!!!!

    Only 1 interception last season….and tough as hell!!!

    A faster 40 than Manziel too 😉

  58. Barry Says:

    Take anything Dungy says about any offense with a grain of salt. I mean part of his contract with INDY was he wasn’t ever allowed in any offensive meetings. Or maybe he was. S.King was his QB….nough said.

  59. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Lol if Johnny Boy goes to the Raiders his career is over before it starts! And if the Bucs pass on Johnny Boy at 7 I can’t wait to see the angry post from Joe calling Licht out.

  60. stevek (MGM) Says:

    Harry,

    So, you’d rather see QB competition, then a more improved Bucs team? Who is going to block for this rookie QB? You think any of the top 3 QBs in this class are worth the pick at 7, knowing full well Glennon could possibly beat them out AND the O-line stinks?

    No sir, BPA at 7 overall. Our team needs to improve across the board, and the last thing we need is to reach for a QB, when our O-line and D-line are in shambles.

  61. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Johnny Boy would not make it to the bye week behind the Bucs current O-line.

  62. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Some would argue that QB is not our biggest need. We are not one Johnny Boy away from the Super Bowl. This team lacks a pass rush, good O-line protection, a good slot receiver, and depth at DB. Trading the farm for one guy will give us less opportunities to fill the rest of those holes in the draft. And besides, he’d still be the 4th best QB in the division.

  63. joe7 Says:

    harry, who made you the oracle of this site? You remind me of another writer on here some time ago who attack people, known for disrespect and always right. He ended up being banded. Opinions are like a-holes, every one has one or is one. Lighten up man. As Rodney King said,”can’t we all jest get along?”

  64. Harry Says:

    @WalkdaPlank says:
    “…Some would argue that QB is not our biggest need. We are not one Johnny Boy away from the Super Bowl.

    @stevek (MGM) Says:
    “…So, you’d rather see QB competition, then a more improved Bucs team? Who is going to block for this rookie QB? You think any of the top 3 QBs in this class are worth the pick at 7…”

    These go together. First, let me say, NO, I do not think QB is our biggest need; that would be DE. We can get by with Glennon if he doesn’t flourish this year. But at some point we have to do more than get by. All of the playoff QBs were ranked in the top 10 this past year, except 2: Brady and Luck. So at SOME POINT, we will have to have a QB that is close to that.

    The need to draft one this year, is we will likely not be close enough to trade up and draft in the top 7 for years, and, historically, it is in the top 7 picks where most franchise QBs are found; save for the rare exception of Russell Wilson.

    Last, we can fix our O-line very easily thru FA. We clearly have the $ to do that. Centers and guards are not as expensive as OTs. We can draft an OT next year to replace Penn. I think if we improve at G and/or C, Penn will do just fine for at least one more year.

    I think that is a very reasonable plan. So I ask you, if MG8 does not flourish this year, but Lovie’s D is top 5 and we finish 8-8, what is the plan to get a playoff quality QB after that?

  65. PRBucFan Says:

    Even Dungy has his “very off” opinions.

    This being one of them lol

  66. Tut Says:

    “Harry Says:
    March 1st, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Drew Brees: 6′ 0″, 209 lbs, 14th season
    Manziel: 5′ 11-3/4″, 210lbs

    No way a guy built like that can last in the NFL”

    And how much does Brees run??? A whole 44yds a year adv… JF had more rushing yards last year than Brees has over 14 years. Great comparison… JF will not last if he does not evolve his game

  67. Harry Says:

    stevek and walkdaplank, I have a response for you, but apparently it is in “moderation” – Joes annoying filters (no, no cus words or links or whatever…)

  68. Harry Says:

    @Tut, I don’t love running QBs in the NFL either. I always think of Vick – run first, look for open receivers second (and end up on IR as well). But, apparently even Johnny recognizes he has to bc more of a passer to make it in the NFL – he cut his rushing yards in half from ’12 to ’13, without hurting his other stats.

  69. WalkdaPlank Says:

    I think Johnny Boy is going the Cam Newton route. He will have early success with his passing\running game and then teams will start to figure him out like when Cam had a sophomore slump. Newton was able to adjust and evolve his game this year to take the Kitties to the NFC Championship. But Johnny Boy is a dwarf compared to Cam. Can he stay healthy? And can he adjust to NFL defenses? Those are huge questions.

  70. Vern4499 Says:

    WalkDaPlank,

    What NFC Championship game did you watch that you saw the Panthers playing? When you make comments like that it kind of says I don’t watch football so please know that everything I say is ridiculous.

  71. Owlykat Says:

    I have always liked Dungy and I respect his defensive judgments but his lack of good offensive judgment cost him his job here or he likely would have won Super Bowls for us. I am sure Dungy would have been just as positive about RG3 too but look what a fiasco that has been for the Redskins. Johnny Football has less durability than RG3 and will be a fiasco for whoever gambles on him.

  72. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Sorry not championship divisional round I meant. Lol yea that was dumb. But you get my point no need to be a smart a$s.

  73. FB Says:

    Who cares what Dungy says. He wasted at least two years of a Super Bowl caliber defense by hiring a guy who watched porn all day instead of coach the oline. And he had dilfer who won with a great defense under Billick. No wonder he didn’t make the HOF, he hopefully never will. So why would we care if he gives his blessing to Johnny football. The supposed “moral compass” of the NFL is irrelevant until he gives his “blessing” to Michael Sam and his boyfriend anyways.

    The good news stemming from this article is that Joe has finally admitted his man crush on Johnny boy is as creepy as sharing his dreams of Rachel Watson. I guess he is ahead of Father Dungy in the NFL diversity push.

  74. Buc1987 Says:

    FB…SMFH.

  75. SSherzad Says:

    Well played, Buc1987, well played

  76. Harry Says:

    @Joe7
    What are you referring to?

  77. White Tiger Says:

    oh goody, now our brilliant media wants us to cheer for someone elses ssecond string QB…

    So, Napolean Dynamite isn’t the bomb, but Luke McCown’s little brother is the NEW bombdiggiddy?

    …sorry, I’ve seen this flick before. If Lovie goes this route, you can toss that speech about using the season after he was FIRED to REthink how important the offensive side of the ball is to winning in the NFL – in the heap next to those autographed Sean King jersey’s…

  78. Robert Draper Says:

    I don’t think I would go to Dungy for offensive expertise. How short our memories are of the late nineties and early 2000’s.