Tampa
Bay Buccaneers
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Quotes
from Bucs QB ROB JOHNSON
OCTOBER 21, 2002
(On anticipation of starting this weekend)
"I'm very excited. We're coming off a tough loss and you're sad about
that, but then you're fired up to get your opportunity. It's too bad that
Brad's got to be out, but it's an opportunity for me."
(On his approach
to the week)
"The approach for me is, I'm going to play. That's the approach I'm
taking. That's the only way you can approach."
(On how his
preparation changes)
"Mostly during the week I'll get maybe 12 reps. Now I'll get about
a hundred. And the 12 reps would be at half-speed on Friday. It's a lot
more work, which I'm looking forward to. You'll be that much sharper in
games when you get a whole week of practice."
(On if he
was pleased with his relief performance in Philadelphia)
"It's kind of frantic going in in that situation. The crowds into
it, you're down and you've got to score. You're just trying to make plays.
You don't want to throw the ball away, you don't want to give up plays.
It's basically just, you've got to get seven. It's desperation. I was
pleased that we went down there and disappointed that we didn't get seven.
I think if we would have gotten seven, or even a field goal, it changes
the game, it changes the way they think and our defense knows we're still
in it and they don't lose their edge. I was happy we went down there.
They kind of dialed the right defenses down in the red zone."
(On trying
to progress as a backup)
"I hate being a backup. It's not fun. Any backup will tell you that
because you never know when you're going to play. The quarterbacks usually
get hit a lot, anyway, so you're always wondering when your chance is
and you don't get any work during the week. It's just an uncomfortable
feeling. I'm a pacer and I probably walk five miles during the game up
and down the sideline when I'm backing up. I'm much more comfortable starting."
(On learning
on the sideline)
"Brad does a lot of stuff really well. I've learned some stuff from
him. I threw a couple of balls away down in the red zone, which normally
I'd probably try to make a play. If I'd have gotten a sack or something,
then we wouldn't have had a chance for a touchdown. He does a good job
of getting rid of the ball in the pocket and he always knows where his
outlet receiver is. He does a tremendous job doing that and I've learned
from that. Then again, I'm going to try to take a little more chances.
I'll try to make some scrambles and get out and try to make some big plays
that way. But those are hit and miss sometimes.”
(On his playing
style)
"It's just that I don't like giving up on plays, and if guys are
covered, I'd rather take my chances running the ball or seeing if I can
get out and make a play that way. On third down, you're going to punt
anyway, so you might as well try to get the first down. I know it looks
bad sometimes, but if you can pick up one extra first down or one extra
big play a game doing that, I think it's worth it. You have to pick and
choose when you do it."
(On a sense
of urgency to make a big impression)
"No. We've got a very good team here. Obviously, I'm going to try
to make plays. Our offense has to try to make some plays and take some
pressure off our defense. The defense has been playing great, and the
offense has been playing really well, except for this last game. Other
than that, we've had some long drives and have really helped out the defense
that way. But I'm not going to go in and try to win the game by myself.
I know we have a really good team here.”
(On what
he knows about Carolina)
"Nothing. We played them last year, but it was a totally different
staff. I know they started off hot and then lost the last couple. I know
they've got the fourth-ranked defense in the league, so it's a good challenge."
(On how his
mobility will be an asset)
“Sometimes mobile quarterbacks get sacked more. McNabb is up there
(in times being sacked) and he is one of the most mobile guys in the league
and he gets sacked a lot. That happens sometimes because he is trying
to make plays. He ran one in from the two-yard line, but he might get
sacked once or twice. I think mobile quarterbacks get sacked more than
pocket passers.”
(On learning
when to take off and make a play in Gruden’s offense)
“The hardest part is, and I think I have gotten a lot better, is
the offense, the verbiage. You can know it on paper, but when you have
to get in a huddle and say it, it’s a lot different. It’s very
common for us to have 12 or 13 words in a play. When you’re not getting
the reps, saying it in the huddle and communicating it, it’s probably
the biggest deal. That’s why a week of practice will help.”
(On if he
sees this as an opportunity to become the starting QB)
“This is Brad’s (Johnson) team. He’s done a real good job
this year and whatever happens, happens. I am just going to try and win
one game this week.”
(On if he
will do some extra work on Tuesday)
“I never take the day off. Even when I was backing up, I was always
in there (on Tuesdays). I will work a little more, though.”
(On how he
will prepare differently)
“I watch a lot of film. When you are backing up, you do the work,
but you are not on edge like you would be when you are starting. Obviously
there will be a lot more work for me this week.”
(On how the
offense has performed this season)
“I think they have been really efficient. They have played well and
I know they take a lot of heat, probably because of the past down here.
But I think they have played well, they have done a great job of controlling
the ball and the clock and for our defense to be off the field for as
they as they have at times during games is crucial. Besides the last game,
I think we have controlled the ball well.”
(On the perception
that the offense has struggled at times)
“Obviously, besides the Cincinnati game, there haven’t been
a lot of the big plays. When the defense makes one play or you have a
penalty that kills the drive. We’ve driven the ball so well and it
just seems like one play here or there and it causes us to settle for
a field goal. Everyone is learning the offense and hopefully it will come
around.”
(On if it’s
hard for him to not be starting)
“When you’re winning and Brad (Johnson) has been playing well
it’s a lot easier than when you’re losing and the other guy
isn’t playing well. I’ve been in that situation before, and
then it tries your patience. When things are going well and the team is
winning, then it’s easy.”
(On his tendency
to scramble and Brad Johnson’s tendency to throw to his check down
receivers)
“Brad (Johnson) is very good at that, he knows where his outlet receivers
are, he has a knack for finding them when the pressure is in his face
and he does a very good job of getting rid of the ball. I’ve been
with (Doug) Flutie and (Mark) Brunell, guys that scramble a lot and make
plays. You really learn from guys you are around. I learned something
from those guys and now I am learning from Brad, one of the better pocket
passers."
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