Brad 'The Bull' Johnson goes up against former Bucs team
Chris Harry | Sentinel Staff Writer
October 24, 2008
When Dallas QB Brad Johnson steps to the line of scrimmage Sunday against Tampa Bay, he'll look across at the Buccaneers defense and see LB Derrick Brooks, CB Ronde Barber and SS Jermaine Phillips.
That's it. That's all that's left from the Super Bowl XXXVII team of 2002 that Johnson helped guide to a world championship.
"The further you are away from it, the more you appreciate it," Johnson said. "That's something we get to live with forever."
It's been six years since Johnson was firing passes to Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius. Much has changed on both fronts, but the memories still remain.
I love that guy," Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden said of the player known as "The Bull." "I've texted him and talked to him a few times, periodically. He's special to me and he always will. A world champion. A stud."
Johnson, 40, is getting close to being put out to stud. He's in his 17th season and struggled badly, along with the rest of his offense, in throwing three interceptions, being sacked three times and carding a 45.5 passer rating in an ugly 34-14 road loss at St. Louis that marked Johnson's first start since Dec. 17, 2006, with Minnesota.
He'll make a second for injured Tony Romo (broken pinkie) with the reeling Cowboys (4-3) desperately needing a win against the surging Bucs (5-2), whose defenses appear to be getting better each week.
"I appreciated them when I played there," Johnson said. "And I respect them even more now trying to break them down on film."
Johnson may not recognize the personnel, but he's aware of the Tampa Bay defense after practicing against Monte Kiffin's vaunted "Tampa 2" scheme for four seasons (2001-04), though he's noticed, "Monte has gone to the laboratory a little bit," and added some wrinkles.
The Bucs probably will add some more to take advantage of Johnson's lack of mobility and diminished arm strength. They definitely have a book on him, having watched Johnson thrive behind good decisions -- and lots of checkdowns to running backs -- with them and other teams. That combination has kept him in the league since 1992.
Etc.
Dallas rookie CB Mike Jenkins, one of the team's two first-round draft choices, will make his second straight start for the Cowboys this week due to injuries in the secondary. Jenkins, who starred at South Florida and was that program's inaugural first-round pick last spring, had six tackles in his baptism start against the Rams last week. . . . The status of WR Joey Galloway (foot) continues to improve, but Gruden was cautious when he asked if he felt better about his veteran's prospects of playing this week vs. last week. "I feel better," Gruden said. "How much better? I'll let you know tomorrow when you ask me again." . . . Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard (head), RB Warrick Dunn (back) and QB Brian Griese (elbow) were limited in practice. FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) and WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) were held out.
October 24, 2008
When Dallas QB Brad Johnson steps to the line of scrimmage Sunday against Tampa Bay, he'll look across at the Buccaneers defense and see LB Derrick Brooks, CB Ronde Barber and SS Jermaine Phillips.
That's it. That's all that's left from the Super Bowl XXXVII team of 2002 that Johnson helped guide to a world championship.
"The further you are away from it, the more you appreciate it," Johnson said. "That's something we get to live with forever."
It's been six years since Johnson was firing passes to Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius. Much has changed on both fronts, but the memories still remain.
I love that guy," Tampa Bay Coach Jon Gruden said of the player known as "The Bull." "I've texted him and talked to him a few times, periodically. He's special to me and he always will. A world champion. A stud."
Johnson, 40, is getting close to being put out to stud. He's in his 17th season and struggled badly, along with the rest of his offense, in throwing three interceptions, being sacked three times and carding a 45.5 passer rating in an ugly 34-14 road loss at St. Louis that marked Johnson's first start since Dec. 17, 2006, with Minnesota.
He'll make a second for injured Tony Romo (broken pinkie) with the reeling Cowboys (4-3) desperately needing a win against the surging Bucs (5-2), whose defenses appear to be getting better each week.
"I appreciated them when I played there," Johnson said. "And I respect them even more now trying to break them down on film."
Johnson may not recognize the personnel, but he's aware of the Tampa Bay defense after practicing against Monte Kiffin's vaunted "Tampa 2" scheme for four seasons (2001-04), though he's noticed, "Monte has gone to the laboratory a little bit," and added some wrinkles.
The Bucs probably will add some more to take advantage of Johnson's lack of mobility and diminished arm strength. They definitely have a book on him, having watched Johnson thrive behind good decisions -- and lots of checkdowns to running backs -- with them and other teams. That combination has kept him in the league since 1992.
Etc.
Dallas rookie CB Mike Jenkins, one of the team's two first-round draft choices, will make his second straight start for the Cowboys this week due to injuries in the secondary. Jenkins, who starred at South Florida and was that program's inaugural first-round pick last spring, had six tackles in his baptism start against the Rams last week. . . . The status of WR Joey Galloway (foot) continues to improve, but Gruden was cautious when he asked if he felt better about his veteran's prospects of playing this week vs. last week. "I feel better," Gruden said. "How much better? I'll let you know tomorrow when you ask me again." . . . Galloway, WR Ike Hilliard (head), RB Warrick Dunn (back) and QB Brian Griese (elbow) were limited in practice. FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) and WR Maurice Stovall (hamstring) were held out.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:44 AM
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