Bucs Promote Quarterback Josh Johnson
September 28, 2009 by David Kindervater
Filed under Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After starting the 2009 season without a win in three tries (and coming off one of the worst offensive performances in team history against the N.Y. Giants yesterday), the Tampa Bay Bucs are switching quarterbacks. Byron Leftwich is out—demoted to the third string—and second-year QB Josh Johnson is in. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris made it clear his decision was not all about Byron Leftwich, saying: “I don’t want us, as an organization, to say that game (vs. the Giants) was all Leftwich. But Byron is suffering the consequences.”
Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press
My money has been on rookie Josh Freeman taking over the starting spot as early as the midway point of this season. And that still might happen. But for now, another young quarterback with very little experience—Josh Johnson—will get the call. Josh will give the Bucs an option they just didn’t have with Byron—mobility (not to mention a rocket arm). Josh can, and will, make plays outside the pocket. But the team will need to improve their 25th ranked ground game if any quarterback is going to have success in this offense. Right now, it’s an experiment at the most important position on the team for the Bucs.
Source: Buccaneers.com
