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Bucs QB
Brad Johnson
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TAMPA, Fla. — Brad Johnson dropped back and lofted a perfect spiral toward a
streaking receiver down the left sideline.
The pass arced between two defenders before landing in the hands of the receiver, who
made a nifty move to reach the endzone.
"I feel like we’re on the verge of taking better steps," Johnson said in
a humble tone.
It was only May, it was only a voluntary workout and the receiver was only unknown
free-agent rookie Frank Rice. But the play was still encouraging to the Buccaneers’
officials who brought Johnson to town as a $28 million solution to their offensive woes.
Why will Johnson succeed where Trent Dilfer and Shaun King failed?
It’s not Johnson’s ability to make one spectacular play. It’s his knack
for consistently moving offenses during his time with the Vikings and Redskins.
"I think his consistency is what was really attractive to us, to get a guy you
know what you’re going to get every day, 365 days a year," new offensive
coordinator Clyde Christensen said. "At times, we’ve thrown the ball very well.
At times, we’ve run the ball very well. At times, we’ve protected very well. At
times, we’ve been a good screen team.
"Hopefully, what Brad does is, tie it together to where we do everything
consistently well."
Tampa Bay scored a franchise-record 388 points in 2000, but at season’s end, the
Bucs’ offense wasn’t much different from the other inept units that have flagged
Tony Dungy’s five years as head coach. The team’s offense finished 21st overall
and 26th in passing, thanks to some maddening spells of ineffectiveness.
With a defense good enough to win the Super Bowl, Dungy and general manager Rich McKay
refused to stand pat. Christensen replaced deposed offensive coordinator Les Steckel.
Untested second-year OG Cosey Coleman was given the starting job over Frank Middleton, who
then left via free agency. And for the first time in 10 years, the Bucs used a first-round
pick on an offensive lineman, selecting Florida OT Kenyatta Walker.
The most significant move, however, was the acquisition of Johnson, who is expected to
take virtually the same unit as last season’s and elevate it to new heights with his
experience, work ethic and consistency.
"I think that’s something easily said, but I don’t think that’s the
ultimate factor," Johnson said. "I’m one piece of this big puzzle, and
there’s a lot of great players here. They’ve been so close.
"Hopefully I can help this offense get an extra one or two first downs, complete
one more third-down pass and get one more field goal and one more touchdown."
That may not sound like a lot, but consider this: Of the Bucs’ six regular-season
losses last year, four were by four points or fewer. In one of the more one-sided losses,
a 28-14 loss to the Lions, the Bucs were tied 14-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Johnson will replace King, who was often at the center of those late-game losses. In
Tampa Bay’s six regular-season defeats, King threw three touchdowns with eight
interceptions and 17 sacks.
During a forgettable four-game losing streak, King was at his worst in the fourth
quarter, completing 20-of-44 passes (45.5 percent) with one touchdown, two interceptions,
a lost fumble and four sacks.
In Johnson, the Bucs have a quarterback with a career completion percentage of 61.83,
best among active signalcallers. Christensen raves about Johnson’s ability to throw
long and intermediate passes, but he believes one of Johnson’s biggest contributions
may be getting more out of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott.
"I think he really can elevate those two backs’ play in the passing
game," Christensen said. "He has a great feel for checking the ball down to his
backs. His check-downs are accurate and on time. If that continues with the two backs we
have, that’s a lot of yardage."
The team also believes Johnson’s work ethic will rub off on other players,
especially King, who now finds himself competing not only with Johnson, but former Charger
Ryan Leaf.
Johnson grew up in Black Mountain, N.C., with his first love being basketball. A
self-described late bloomer in football, he’s always felt like he’s had to work
harder to make up for lost time. That attitude sustained him through his early days on the
bench in Minnesota, his emergence as a Pro Bowler and two star-crossed years in
Washington.
The Bucs haven’t seen any change so far, with Johnson attending each of the
team’s voluntary practices and workout sessions.
"I think I just do my thing. It’s definitely a team game, but …
it’s an individual process you go through," Johnson said. "I’m headed
into my 10th year, and I want to have a 14- or 15-year career."
Johnson said he picked Tampa Bay over the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens because
"this was a five-year decision, not a one-year decision." But for Johnson to
survive that long, he must have consistent play from the offensive line, run support from
Dunn and Alstott and greater performances out of a receiving corps led by Keyshawn
Johnson.
He’s expected to do as much for the offense as the offense is expected to do for
him.
"That’s asking a lot, but a guy can raise the level of play in some of the
players, and with their talent, I think they help me out as a quarterback," Brad
Johnson said.
Dungy stops short of calling Johnson the final piece to the Bucs’ championship
puzzle, but Dungy knows team management and the city expect nothing less than a Super Bowl
appearance this season.
If the Bucs don’t get to New Orleans, Johnson may be labeled a bust.
But for now, Dungy is putting more pressure on himself than his new quarterback.
"I don’t think any one person alone improves it," Dungy said. "I
think we have to do some things a little bit better all the way around. Kenyatta Walker
obviously helps, Brad Johnson will help and just the knowledge we have of some of the guys
who were here last year for the first time will help.
"It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are in the box, but it still has to be
put together, and you have to put it together the right way. We certainly have enough
talent to get there, but talent, very often, is not the thing that does it."
Ernest Hooper covers the Buccaneers for the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times |
