Tez Johnson Shows Speed Isn’t Everything
October 11th, 2026
ReceiverTez Johnson.
Remember when people grumbled about how Tez Johnson is slow? LOL
Tez Johnson and the reaction to his selection in the spring of 2025 (Joe thinks haters have calmed down since) reminds Joe of what Hall of Fame baseball manager Whitey Herzog did when he ran the Cardinals. Herzog forbade his scouts to use radar guns when scouting pitchers.
Why?
Herzog always preache pitching is far more than numbers on a radar gun (Greg Maddux would tell you the same). Herzog didn’t want his scouts using a gun as a crutch.
When Johnson ran less than the desired time from desk-chained scouts, some Bucs fans grumbled that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafted a slow receiver.
(Joe once again challenges folks to go research the top-10 fastest receivers in the history of the 40-yard dash at the combine. Then take the next step and research what they did in the NFL. Playing receiver is much more than running fast in a straight line for 40 yards.)
Yeah, on Thursday night, that 64-yard catch Johnson hauled in during the win at Dallas, hell, anyone could have caught it; Tez was that wide-ass open. But why was Tez that wide-ass open? Because he shook Dallas corner Daron Bland out of his jock.
Tez is proof how deep the Bucs receiving corps is. It’s not their fault their offensive coordinator hasn’t figured out a way to max their skills. It’s not their fault an average tight end has the second-most targets of anyone on the team.
Tez currently has 138 yards receiving in five games and one start. He leads the Bucs with an average of 27.6 yards per catch.
Not too shabby for a seventh-round pick receiver who ran a 4.51 40 at his combine.
Tez Johnson (#15) made Daron Bland (#26) play Twister in the middle of a football game pic.twitter.com/QYGkpXBhKM
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) October 9, 2026
October 11th, 2026 at 12:10 am
Tez is another example of the brilliance of Bowles. He has Zac bring him out for just such plays. If they’d done it more earlier in the season, it might not have worked Thursday night. Zac is doing exactly what Bowles wants and it’s exactly what the team needs.
October 11th, 2026 at 12:23 am
If the pass was just 5 yards deeper he wouldn’t have had to slow down for it and would have walked into the end zone.
October 11th, 2026 at 12:40 am
The world is recognizing the sleeper team of 2026, Don’t be shocked when the 7-10 Bucs with the Super Bowl.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:48 am
Speed isn’t everything when a fresh gadget player can come in against an awful D that left their legs in Brazil.
You know you’re razor thin at WR when it’s only the lovable WR5 that gets to shine.
October 11th, 2026 at 1:51 am
Anybody who took a look at the available video on the youtubes at the time could tell you his game wasn’t about sprinter speed, it was about breaking ankles with his suddenness and change of direction. Taking that into account, the 4.5 time wasn’t a concern. If he only weighed about 20 lbs more he could’ve been a 2nd day pick.
October 11th, 2026 at 2:29 am
The defender actually fell down. That’s the reason he was wide open.
October 11th, 2026 at 2:43 am
Mcbay has to be jason licht
October 11th, 2026 at 3:12 am
Tez and bucky are shifty and quick with decent top end speed. Some of these runs or catches could’ve been taken to the house if they had a little more top end speed. People like tez, if you gonna be small like that you at least better run a 3.3. bucky, love this guy also, but damn his top end speed is awful. The man gets easily run down by slow linebackers all the time. But I really like the two of these guys, they bring a lot to the table and help us win games!
October 11th, 2026 at 4:11 am
Mike Evans ran a 4.5
October 11th, 2026 at 4:42 am
“Tez is proof how deep the Bucs receiving corps is”
LMAOOOO. “Deep” with what exactly!? LoL. It’s THE NFL. EVERY freaking TEAM is loaded with WR’s who can play! They are literally, all over the LEAGUE. It’s NOT even a Top-20 group. I mean, they don’t even have a true legit #1-WR on the roster. It’s absurd. And, “proof” YOU SAY!? Lmao. I swear to GOD, you all are freaking DELUSIONAL.
October 11th, 2026 at 4:50 am
I swear, all the Lickt Propaganda runs REAL DEEP here. It’s a WR-room full of JAGS. EE and J-Mac are solid #2’s… Fringe #1’s on BAD teams. NOT a Contender. And, J-Mac doesn’t even play. Godwin is old and broken down, at this point. Another. JAG. Both, the Browns AND JETS rooms are more exciting. Hell, Marvin Harrison Jr. is getting shipped, and EE was NEVER ahead of HIM on the Ohio State depth chart.
October 11th, 2026 at 4:55 am
No one is falling for this CRAP anymore. At least NO ONE with any sense and who can THINK on their own. 1-4 and can’t score 20-POINTS. Unless, it’s against a “defense” that is ranked #32, LAST in the league, in BOTH pass and run defense. So, yeah… That sure is some “LOADED” group they got rite cheer. LoL.
October 11th, 2026 at 5:07 am
@ Oldbucsfan – Yep, they sure have helped us “win” a BUNCH of ‘em… I mean, what is it now, about 3 or 4 out of our last 15-16 games!?
October 11th, 2026 at 6:07 am
The defender actually fell down, because he got juked bucnbeers smh get a clue. oldbucfan wtf are you talking about? Joe was just talking about how speed isn’t everything…. it’s like you didn’t even read it.
October 11th, 2026 at 6:42 am
Buccaneers should consider swooping in and trading for Marvin Harrison Jr
Tex Johnson is fine, but getting someone with some size to post up for a touchdown in the Red Zone would be most helpful and MJ JR would be most helpful
October 11th, 2026 at 7:10 am
It’s not their fault when their $165M quarterback throws the ball 10 feet over their heads when they’re wide-a$$ open.
October 11th, 2026 at 7:35 am
(Joe once again challenges folks to go research the top-10 fastest receivers in the history of the 40-yard dash at the combine. Then take the next step and research what they did in the NFL. Playing receiver is much more than running fast in a straight line for 40 yards.)
Exhibit 1: Renaldo Nehemiah. Google him young JBF’ers.
October 11th, 2026 at 7:37 am
Tez has GREAT HANDS!
October 11th, 2026 at 8:13 am
Will you leave Otten alone?!? He blocks well, gets first downs and has decent YAC. He doesn’t have to be a superstar or be married to a teenybopper idol to be effective.
October 11th, 2026 at 8:22 am
#6, couldn’t have made that throw…..
October 11th, 2026 at 8:29 am
#6 could easily have over or under thrown that ball. Let’s not take it for granted. Jalon is a baller. Seems more accurate, more poise, quicker release, and much better wheels. #6 can stay as coach on the bench – moxie and all.
October 11th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Larry Fitzgerald wasn’t even fast as a rookie, hung around into his mid 30’s. There’s more to it than speed
October 11th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Mike Evans and Larry Fitz were 6’4” and over 220 lbs running 4.5s. Tez is 5’9” and 170 lbs. Big difference. That being said, I like Tez and think he’s very quick and shifty. I would prefer Cam Johnson returning punts though.
October 11th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Tez the squirrel Johnson is a very elusive gadget player with sure hands. opposing defenses will FAFO. The hope is that our offensive coordinator gets the most out of him aka Scotty Miller like contributor.
October 11th, 2026 at 9:34 am
I think Tez should get more reps in the slot. He knows how to get separation. IMHO I think he would become a star.
October 11th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Excellent point, Joe. Speed is misinterpreted.
A lot of experts said Trotter was too slow. All I see is bodies on the ground when JT is in the middle.
Kool and the Gang.
October 11th, 2026 at 9:47 am
Speed would’ve scored lol
October 11th, 2026 at 10:50 am
Looking at how Daniels the that 35 yards with only his arm I was impressed but if he had stepped into it just a bit and led him some Tezzy boi would’ve been able to do his back flip in the endzone. He has more than enough speed when you look at where that defender was when he tackled him. Speed ain’t everything until a defender takes the correct angle.
October 11th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Someone said that the reason he was wide open was because Daron Bland fell down as if to say it was just luck. He fell down because Tez shook him out of his jock, as Joe stated. Bland went on to provide another gift to the Bucs with the dropped pick six later on. Daron Bland was very good to us in that game!
October 11th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Not sure. That’s up to him.
If the Bucs are going to treat him like a superstar with so many targets and being such a focal point of the offense, then he has to live up to it.
Joe personally thinks he’s misused.
October 11th, 2026 at 11:41 am
As a No. 6 receiver?
October 11th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Why does a troll fan of some other team (MelvinJr…I’m sure MelvinSr is very proud), spend so much time on this site?
I don’t post at any other team’s site, ever.
And you’ll never convince me he’s a Bucs fan. No way.
Some losers have way too much time on their hands.
October 11th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Melvin! I heard you or your twin,on WDAE saying the Rays were finished a month ago! Your dissertations on ” i cant” are dumbfounded! You’ve got the gift of gab or i call it babble! lol
October 11th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I prefer to judge a player’s speed on their film. The NFL is littered with players that have track speed but can’t translate that speed to the game. Bucky and Tez are good examples of players who are just ballers and who possess the quickness, vision, and football IQ to be effective. I do think that for players who have those qualities AND are fast, then they’re special. A big difference between Bucky and Barry Sanders is speed. Both are quick, have good vision, balance and change of direction, but if Sander’s got a seam, he was off to the races. I was at the Tampa Bay/Detroit game in 1997 at the Old Sombrero when Sanders had two 80+ yards run. Speed kills!