A little security for Josh Johnson?

Because we've been wondering what kind of strain it has been to keep four quarterbacks on the roster this season, we asked Jon Gruden today about the possibility of a still-injured Brian Griese going to injured reserve or another quarterback losing his spot on the active roster.

Gruden responded with a couple of points: The Bucs are going to give Griese's elbow more time to heal and rookie Josh Johnson isn't going anywhere.

"You don't see Josh Johnson on the practice field, but I assure you, we're not going to do anything to lose Josh Johnson now."

The fifth-round pick out of San Diego is essentially stashed on the active roster this season while he is groomed for the future. The Bucs, who have had to release several players this season to open up needed roster spots, would risk losing him for good if they attempted to release him and subsequently place him on the practice squad. Players on the practice squad can be signed outright by any team, so long as they are placed on that team's active roster.

You might recall the Bucs initially kept four quarterbacks on their active roster last season, but Chris Simms was placed on injured reserve when Michael Pittman was injured and the need to sign a free-agent running back arose.

Comments

[dc]

thank god people Jodh Johnson is are qb of the future I guarantee you guys that we are keeping him on the roster that shows that the bucs have alot of faith in him. 2 more years hes gonna be the starter. Stephen, any news about how he actually looks? I heard he's looking pretty good.

[Jon]

Johnson's ceiling is out of sight.
Unbelievable athleticism, great throwing mechanics and awesome QB instincts.

A common theory is the Bucs brought Griese in to mentor Johnson in the system, and he has the bonus of watching Garcia and his creativity.

He's physically not ready, he looks too frail to take some of the hits say, Garcia is taking this year. If he puts on 15 lbs of muscle, even if it takes him out of the 4.3 40 range into the 4.4s, it's not the end of the world.

That said, he's a talent. Let's hope he takes to the mold he's being put in.

[Brian]

This might sound crazy, but why not try Josh Johnson in a skill position like WR/RB, or on special teams returning kicks (which would allow Clifton Smith to get more carries)? Josh Johnson's an outstanding athlete. We could put the "wildcat" or "wildhog" formation into the playbook with Johnson running our offense as kind of a change up move. Johnson was a track star in high school, and ran a 4.55 40-yard at the draft combine. I saw him in the East-West Shrine game at the end of his college career, and he broke some huge runs. Plus, we are hurting now at RB depth with Graham out for the year, Dunn banged up, Cadillac still not fully healed, etc.

[Ryan]

Josh Johnson is the future. Once he develops his skillz he will be a top 5 QB in the league, if not better.

[www.benchbarber.com]

sit 20

[Bill]

Josh is a very skilled QB! He has a hell of an arm!! Fast release and can put the ball on the money!! I cant wait until hes ready!!

Hes going to be a very very good QB!
Should take over in preseaon next year... cant wait to see him shine!

[Drew]

Josh Johnson holds the NCAA record for completion percentage. Looking back at his College stats, he's smart, accurate, has one hell of an arm and can run like the wind. Give him a couple of years to develop and condition. With a couple of good Offensive drafts the Buc's are primed to become an Offensive NFL force.

Fans have a tendency to lose sight of the building process. What's the old saying Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm excited about the future of the team and organization, but just like anyone else I'm impatient as hell for the future to arrive. When it does, WOW, look out, because it's going to be a beautiful sight to see.

[Vince]

Can we let the guy take a snap before you crown him the new "Pirate King"???? Dexter is a very skilled player too, look at his struggles. Come on guys, you know college is a completely different game. That's all J.J needs, is to have these "you are the saviour" expectations to add to the pressure of being a professional QB in the NFL. Love the enthusiasm, but manage your expectations.

[Dave T]

You people are out of your freakin' gords. Josh Johnson the next coming of Joe Montana!?! They ain't kiddin' about all the idiots down here.

[BEENABUC]

He's AWESOME on Madden...LOL

[willem]

for me he is still a 5th round pick who never played in season want to see him first before jumping on the jaamarcus russel pre draft bandwagon.
But I do hope all you guys are right about him

[brian]

(On K Matt Bryant’s season)
“Well, he has not only had a great season, but what a great performance given the circumstances. We tend to forget about all the circumstances surrounding that. The tragedy that he has suffered through just doesn’t go away in three or four, six weeks. For him to go out there and kick game winners in Arrowhead, make four field goals yesterday and continue to perform at a high level in this league, he should be in the Pro Bowl. He’s in mine.”
Jon Gruden

[DMS]

LOL @ www.benchbarber.com

Ronde has been either feast or famine (more often the latter) this year. Glad we brought Aqib in. I hope Ronde does nothing to tarnish his great legacy.

[ss]

Dr and benchbarber wish their saints were 7-3.

[DR]

A story about a 4th string QB that doesn't practice? Really?
And maybe Johnson wakes up tomorrow with the mind of Joe Montana and arm strength of Elway...keep dreaming Drew.

[James]

A story about a 4th string QB that doesn't practice? Really?

Posted by: DR

I finally found a single line out of DR's fingertipes that I can agree with.

A day-after-gameday story on a freaking 4th string QB who not only doesn't practice but won't see the field for atleast 24 more months... what a joke.

How about some in depth reporting about Donald Penn's phenominal play or how about some news about Brian Griese's elbow? Atleast he actualy might have an effect on the Bucs in the forseeable future.

Again, Anwar Holder serves up his "Monday Best"... I guess the internet truly did kill the columnist star.

[BucNCrazy]

Are they giving out free crack in Tampa today? This kid will never take a snap in a game for the Bucs. Wasted draft pick. Sooo he set a bunch of NCAA records at a small school against crappy opponents and he runs fast. Yippie! He's going to be the best QB ever! Top 5 easy! LMFAO! Sounds like Bruce Gradkowski to me...

[Nick]

All this sounds nice. But, can Gruden actually groom a QB?

[e]

Vick lI won't be starting under Gruden any time soon... Gruden has NEVER groomed a QB. He's all about recycling journeymen. Should have taken Brohm in the second round instead of slippery shoes.
e

[DR]

I wish they would cover the story I heard today, rather interview. Warrick Dunn put his 81st single parent family into a house today and has a book out. It's a great book. I just started reading it and its amazing. What this guy has done on and off the field hasn't been credited enough. If only ESPN can open sportscenter with good stories like this rather than glamorize the thugs in the league. If everybody gave back to their community like Dunn has, not just giving because everybody isn't able to give the way he has, but by being a positive leader and role model, this country would certainly be a better place.

[Brandon]

What an ignorant comment, E. First you say that Gruden can't groom a QB, then you say we should have drafted Brian Brohm (Who doesn't fit what we do in our O) in the 2nd, despite the fact that the Packers did and he can't even beat out a 7th round pick for the backup job. Brohm is not the answer, JJohnson at least has the tools needed to work with.

Jon:

Jonnson needs to add 15 lbs of muscle to take hits? The guy was 212 at the combine which makes him nearly 20 lbs heavier and 3 inches taller than Jeff Garcia. And then you say he runs a 4.3? Are you on crack? He ran a 4.55 at the combine, very good, but no 4.3.

To set the record straight for all the dummies. Josh Johnson isn't 6'2 201 as he is listed, he is more like 6'3 212 as he was at the combine... where he ran a 4.55 (and an unofficial 4.48). He doesn't have a power arm but he does have a very effortless quick release and delivery on medium and short range passes. Only time will tell if he is the QB of the future or not. Before any other dummies go dropping judgment on the guy because he's from a small school... uhhhh duh, the school is in the same division as Joe Flacco's, Tony Romo's, Kurt Warner, Delhomme, Kitna, a division higher than Steve McNair's and Phil Simms plus a division higher or in the same division of dozens of other successful QBs of the past and present. Give the kid a chance and then pass your judgments.

[JK]

DR just earned some respect from me. Thank you for something positive on the Bucs instead of your usual bashing. There is hope for you yet. Get off the national media bandwagon that is the Cowboys and get on board with us. When we win we know we have beaten all odds because the league doesn't want small teams like the Bucs to succeed. It's not what's good for business or ratings.

[Duane]

Stephen, you do a great job covering the Bucs and doing a lot of tough leg ahhh should I say phone work (very boring work to, I might add). Could you give us an update of what ex-Buc runningbacks are out there who might be brought in.

[dc]

thank you brandon

[Vince]

PREACH DR, PREACH!

[John]

Oh there you are DR......Dude I just feel sorry for you! All the Bucs bashing.....just stay away from the skyway. I guess being $30 million under the cap and being 7-3 Gruden will have your vote for coach of the year.

[DR]

John, you must be illiterate. I'm not a Bucs basher, i'm a Gruden basher. It's sad that you view Gruden as the Bucs. Gruden still is a subpar coach.
6 games have yet to be played so don't count your chickens before they hatch. Look at the last "good" seasons that Gruden has had and you forget the fact that they ended in terrible fashion in Tampa. You all didn't tolerate Dungy losing in the playoffs, and I still can't figure out why you tolerate it from Gruden. As usual, Monte Kiffen's defense is the only reason why this team is competitive and where they are sitting right now. Give credit to where it is due. Kiffen is the coach of the year.

[e]

Hey Brandon, check in with me in five years when Brohm is a starting QB somewhere in the NFL and Josh Johnson will be delivering packages to his house as a UPS driver... and a really fast one at that.
e

[jrscott]

DR, you gotta give the offense some love this year. They are still less capable than the defense, but don't tell me they have not saved the defense's bacon at least twice this year. Chicago and Kansas City, not exactly offensive juggernauts, were ripping the Bucs D and the offense saved them.

That said, the offense would be a lot better if the playcalling was better. I'm with you that Gruden is overhyped. I don't see a single position on offense that lacks the talent for this team to steamroll opposing defenses, yet we sputter for long periods every game due to 3rd and 10 running and 3rd and 1 screens. He gets too cute. Sometimes you just have to line up and smash the other team in the mouth.

Oh, this story was about Josh Johnson wasn't it? Oops. I'll say that I did not like what I saw in the preseason, what little he played. I hope all these glowing opinions above me are justified.

[Itch]

DR is right. Gruden is a subpar coach. If he did not have Monte, he would be a pittiful coach. His problem is that he makes his offense too complex for his own players and he only runs five plays wrapped up in 5,000 disguises that fool no one. He makes stupid roster moves and does not know defense for crap. The Bucs would be 10-0 if he could produce an offense that could score.

[Hardhat0038]

DR= Dumb Redneck