Why Brad Johnson is a key acquisition in 2005

[spanky1]

There is no question that Josh McCown needs to "be seasoned" a bit longer before he is ready to assume the reins on a full time basis. Some of you consider him to be a wasted proposition right now......but I, for one, consider that as "foolhardy". The poor guy has never had any solid coaching or mentorship by anyone....coaching staff or player.

What Brad Johnson brings is good size (6'5"/225lbs); experience (13 years with Minnesota, Washington and TB) and top ten numbers in every measurable category of meaningful QB statistics (everyone should read his bio on the TB website.......you will be impressed).

He has won a SB and has demonstrated that he is calm and poised under pressure.

He spent 1992-1998 in Minnesota and he knows Green's "system" (still not 100% sure what this is however).

He's 37 (as of next September) he is likely only looking for an opportunity for "one last blast". If he only ends up being a one year tutor for McCown/ Navarre so be it.....he'll have served a worthwhile purpose, a la Emmitt.

He's not going to cost a whole heck of a lot (especially after we net out what King is costing us).

He is the perfect veteran that we need. No one in the draft this year from a QB perspective looks any better to me than McCown. No need to waste a draft pick.........Brad Johnson is the perfect short term solution and just what McCown needs.

 

[Stout]

The poor guy has never had any solid coaching or mentorship by anyone....coaching staff or player.

That's simply not true. He had a full offseason, training camp, preseason, and regular season, with good coaching. Unless you just don't like Denny Green, because he does have a history of getting a lot out of QBs.

Also, you don't HAVE to understand the system. It's the one that, you know, put up such gaudy numbers in Minny. We just don't yet HAVE the players (namely a full OL, decent TE, RB, or QB) to run it.


Edited to remove 'blatant lie' reference...simply uncalled for and out of nowhere.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I would not be bummed at all if McCown and Johnson were both not on the Cards next year. McCown sucks, Johnson is an old man. But I would much rather have Johnson taking snaps the McCown the lesser of the evils.

 

[az jam]

I would prefer Kelly Hollcomb who will be a free agent. He is only 32 and is a winner.

 

[DieHardCardFan]

That's a blatant lie. He had a full offseason, training camp, preseason, and regular season, with good coaching. Unless you just don't like Denny Green, because he does have a history of getting a lot out of QBs.

Also, you don't HAVE to understand the system. It's the one that, you know, put up such gaudy numbers in Minny. We just don't yet HAVE the players (namely a full OL, decent TE, RB, or QB) to run it.

WHOA!!!! Someone needs to take a deep breath or two.....or three!! Shheessh

 

[HeavyB3]

I think Brad Johnson would not be a good fit...

I mean they'd have to write Brad Johnson on the back of his jersey and Bryant Johnson on the back of #80. Thats kind of long.

 

[BradMannTX]

On paper, there is NO reason Brad Johnson is not a Cardinal next year. It is so perfect.

Does anyone know why he was released by Minnie in '98ish? I thought he had better seasons in Washington than Minnesota. I'd give the guy two years. He has a chance for one last blast, can tutor Navarre, and take us to a playoff appearance or two.

I don't think the 2005 Arizona Cardinals need a Brett Favre/Steve Young to make this work. Offensively, we are one SMART QB away (and a solid RB). Good Lord, we should be every bit as good as Denver...if not more. Better defense, better WR...

 

[DBACH1]

I would prefer Kelly Hollcomb who will be a free agent. He is only 32 and is a winner.

how many games did he ever win in Cleveland?

But Brad Johnson is the QB I'd want to bring in. He would help out McCown alot. Brad Johnson is the best veteran Quarterback who has a little something left that is a free agent.

 

[azdad1978]

how many games did he ever win in Cleveland?

Not a lot but more than Josh.

 

[CardinalChris]

There is no question that Josh McCown needs to "be seasoned" a bit longer before he is ready to assume the reins on a full time basis. Some of you consider him to be a wasted proposition right now......but I, for one, consider that as "foolhardy". The poor guy has never had any solid coaching or mentorship by anyone....coaching staff or player.

What Brad Johnson brings is good size (6'5"/225lbs); experience (13 years with Minnesota, Washington and TB) and top ten numbers in every measurable category of meaningful QB statistics (everyone should read his bio on the TB website.......you will be impressed).

He has won a SB and has demonstrated that he is calm and poised under pressure.

He spent 1992-1998 in Minnesota and he knows Green's "system" (still not 100% sure what this is however).

He's 37 (as of next September) he is likely only looking for an opportunity for "one last blast". If he only ends up being a one year tutor for McCown/ Navarre so be it.....he'll have served a worthwhile purpose, a la Emmitt.

He's not going to cost a whole heck of a lot (especially after we net out what King is costing us).

He is the perfect veteran that we need. No one in the draft this year from a QB perspective looks any better to me than McCown. No need to waste a draft pick.........Brad Johnson is the perfect short term solution and just what McCown needs.

He also was a "team guy" and kept his mouth closed when he got benched for younger players in Tampa.

 

[az jam]

On paper, there is NO reason Brad Johnson is not a Cardinal next year. It is so perfect.

Does anyone know why he was released by Minnie in '98ish? I thought he had better seasons in Washington than Minnesota. I'd give the guy two years. He has a chance for one last blast, can tutor Navarre, and take us to a playoff appearance or two.

I don't think the 2005 Arizona Cardinals need a Brett Favre/Steve Young to make this work. Offensively, we are one SMART QB away (and a solid RB). Good Lord, we should be every bit as good as Denver...if not more. Better defense, better WR...

He was injured in 1998 and Randall Cunningham took over and had an MVP year. Johnson came back from his injury near the end of the season but Cunningham was too good especially on long throws to rookie Randy Moss. Johnson did not have as strong as arm as Cunningham and was constantly throwing short to Moss during the preseason of 1998. We (season ticket holders) felt that Cunningham would be a better fit and when he took over for the injured Johnson showed that he was. In the off season Green pulled a great trade getting a first round and a second round pick (I think but can't remember) from the Redskiins for Johnson. One of the picks ended up being Dante Cullpeper in the 1999 draft.

 

[az jam]

how many games did he ever win in Cleveland?

Re Kelly Hollcomb:
He successfully led the Browns to a big victory in the season finale against the Houston Texans!!

 

[BradMannTX]

He was injured in 1998 and Randall Cunningham took over and had an MVP year. Johnson came back from his injury near the end of the season but Cunningham was too good especially on long throws to rookie Randy Moss. Johnson did not have as strong as arm as Cunningham and was constantly throwing short to Moss during the preseason of 1998. We (season ticket holders) felt that Cunningham would be a better fit and when he took over for the injured Johnson showed that he was. In the off season Green pulled a great trade getting a first round and a second round pick (I think but can't remember) from the Redskiins for Johnson. One of the picks ended up being Dante Cullpeper in the 1999 draft.

So, in your opinion, do you think Brad Johnson is a good fit for DGs offense? Ya' know, considering Randall Cunningham isn't available and all.

I don't think our WRs need a rocketed-arm QB. I think we just need a cerebrial QB to make this work.

Discussion.

 

[BradMannTX]

Re Kelly Hollcomb:
He successfully led the Browns to a big victory in the season finale against the Houston Texans!!

I'm betting Luke beats him out in Cleveland. Can we please break the cycle soon?? Before you know it, the "game" will be called six degrees of Jake Plummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rocco]

Does Johnson have anything left in the tank? Moon and Gannon are exceptions in this world, most quarterbacks hit the wall at 37-38. Do we bet the season on this guy? Why did he ride the bench for a 5-11 team this year?

 

[DieHardCardFan]

Why did he ride the bench for a 5-11 team this year?

Very good question!

 

[CardinalChris]

Does Johnson have anything left in the tank? Moon and Gannon are exceptions in this world, most quarterbacks hit the wall at 37-38. Do we bet the season on this guy? Why did he ride the bench for a 5-11 team this year?

Who's betting the season... we are looking for a babysittter to not turn the ball over. Why did he ride the bench? They wanted to go with the young "promising" QBs of Griese and Simms. He's 36, still has 1-2 years left and his rating last year during the first 4 games (when they had no RB to speak of) was still 79.5. That's Johnson's lowest rating in 3 years. Mind you Josh's highest was this year at 74.1. He fits the "Veteran QB who knows the offense" mold very well.

 

[Duckjake]

There is no question that Josh McCown needs to "be seasoned" a bit longer before he is ready to assume the reins on a full time basis. Some of you consider him to be a wasted proposition right now......but I, for one, consider that as "foolhardy". The poor guy has never had any solid coaching or mentorship by anyone....coaching staff or player.

This brings up an interesting point. Did any player, other than maybe Wilson, from the Tobin/McGinnis group really play any better in 2004 than they did in 2003?

The offense still stunk and the drastic improvement on defense, ranking in the top half of the NFL for the first time since 1994, was mainly a result of the guys Green brought in.

I've long thought that it was poor coaching that kept the Cards losing year after year. Maybe it was terrible talent selection after all.

Or was the previous coaching so bad that it will take another off season/pre season to get the holdovers playing to a higher level?

 

[New Mexico]

Well, I have absolutely no statistics to back this up, but for what it's worth (admittedly not much), Brad Johnson was my fantasy QB last year and did really well for me. There's my expert anaysis.

 

[BigRedMO]

McCown just needs some seasoning? Did you watch the last game of the year? He could not hit an open guy more than 10 yards down the field to save his life. He is the most awful QB I recall seeing in years. If he starts anywhere ever again it will be a pretty telling statement about how little talent there is in the league at QB. McCown just can not see the open guy and deliver the ball while he is open. No seasoning will fix that.

 

[Rocco]

Who's betting the season... we are looking for a babysittter to not turn the ball over. Why did he ride the bench? They wanted to go with the young "promising" QBs of Griese and Simms. He's 36, still has 1-2 years left and his rating last year during the first 4 games (when they had no RB to speak of) was still 79.5. That's Johnson's lowest rating in 3 years. Mind you Josh's highest was this year at 74.1. He fits the "Veteran QB who knows the offense" mold very well.

How do we know he has another season in him is what I'm asking. I think Gruden wants to win and wanted to win this season. I think he started Griese because he felt he gave the team a better chance to win. They were 0-4 when they benched Johnson but as we know, it isn't all the qb's fault.

This I what I have found about Johnson - He has zero mobility left. He never had much and now he has absolutely none left. Superior pass protection is an absolute must. His arm strength is very suspect at this point and he doesn't throw downfield much anymore. Some bucs posters were saying that he doesn't step into hits to make throws under pressure like he used to, that he throws off his back foot now to lessen or avoid the hits.

Kurt Warner may have more left in the tank as a starting QB than Johnson at this point. He can still run a little bit at least. Both are on the downhill slope. Why not him?

In fact, why do we need a caretaker qb? We don't have any hot prospects we're waiting on to develop. Josh is more suspect that prospect at this point and would meet your basic requirements of a babysitter that won't turn the ball over. I wouldn't be surprised if Leinart, Smith and Brooks go 1-2-3 in the draft this year. Do we bring in Johnson because we draft a Frye or a Walters and hope they're NFL starting material? If you really want to upgrade the spot over Josh, why not try to make a trade for a younger guy? We need A LOT more production from our starting qb - about twice the tds to begin with. We would be betting the season on this guy unless you're thinking of him as just a backup possibility?

I'm just not seeing the point in bringing in this guy other than that he has played for Green before.

If it's the last resort for us then it's the last resort but I don't think we're at that point yet.

 

[Evil Ash]

McCown just needs some seasoning? Did you watch the last game of the year?

Did you watch more games than just that one? Seriously it doesn't seem like it. Our Wrs were rarely open and getting seperation was considered a major feat.

He did throw some nice deep passes like the one that set up the GW TD against Miami. Did you forget that one? Oh I'm sorry I'm using examples to go against your point so it doesn't exist, right?

Yes I know, "the grass is always greener on the other side" garbage will never come to an end. I don't know if anybody here that follows that theory actually watches games of other NFL teams because the majority of NFL QBs aren't that good. If we are relying on a guy that had a QB rating of 79.5 in the west coast offense (that is a pathetic mark for a west coast offense QB), we're in deep trouble.

Is Josh the answer? I have absolutely no idea but I find those people that will stay non stop that he sucked on an offense that no QB could've run (no running game, Wrs no seperation, a useless TE that it took our "offensive genius" of an OC 8 weeks to figure out isn't a good blocker, and it took 10 weeks for our Oline to figure out how to pass block) rather unknowledgable. This offense sucked as a whole, not the QB

 

[Redsz]

This brings up an interesting point. Did any player, other than maybe Wilson, from the Tobin/McGinnis group really play any better in 2004 than they did in 2003?

Russel Davis, BIG, James Darling, Reggie Wells and Emmitt Smith are names I can think off the top of my head.

 

[Stout]

Did you watch more games than just that one? Seriously it doesn't seem like it. Our Wrs were rarely open and getting seperation was considered a major feat.

Okay, I retracted it earlier, because it wasn't called for, but now it is...THIS IS A LIE!!! The WRs were CONSTANTLY open. The announcers kept showing replays where we had WIDE OPEN receivers, and they kept pointing out that Josh couldn't see them, that he couldn't find them fast enough, and that he was unable to get the ball to the appropriate receiver. I watched and I listened. Where the heck did you get your information from?

 

[Evil Ash]

Okay, I retracted it earlier, because it wasn't called for, but now it is...THIS IS A LIE!!! The WRs were CONSTANTLY open. The announcers kept showing replays where we had WIDE OPEN receivers, and they kept pointing out that Josh couldn't see them, that he couldn't find them fast enough, and that he was unable to get the ball to the appropriate receiver. I watched and I listened. Where the heck did you get your information from?

Same as you watching and listening. Yes I will give you the last game where he played like garbage but usually when our Wrs were open he was usually running for his life. An offense relies heavily on timing and usually our Wrs weren't getting seperation or our pass protection would completely break down.

Was there times where Josh missed some open Wrs that he should have gotten? Absolutely. I won't excuse him completely there were some times where it was his fault. There were also of plenty of times where it wasn't.

However if you think about it if our WRs got open all the time and did as exactly they should then why was our WRs coach fired?