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