The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided to make a
switch at quarterback and will start Josh Johnson for next Sunday's game
against Washington.
Byron Leftwich, who started the first three games for the Bucs -- all losses,
will be dropped to the No. 3 quarterback behind rookie Josh Freeman.
"It's not all about Byron," said Bucs head coach Raheem Morris on Monday. "I
talked to Byron this morning and he looked me right in the face and said he
knew he had to get some wins early."
Instead, the Bucs have struggled offensively this season and Sunday's 24-0
loss to the New York Giants was particularly ugly. Tampa Bay managed just five
first downs, none in the first half, and totaled just 86 yards offensively.
Leftwich completed just 7-of-16 passes for a mere 22 yards on Sunday, and for
the season has connected on 54.2 percent of his throws for 594 yards with four
touchdowns and three interceptions.
Johnson took over for Leftwich against the Giants and threw for just 36 yards
on 4-of-10 efficiency.
"He provides some more options," Morris said Monday about Johnson. "Gives us
an opportunity to compete and do some different things. He gives you that
dynamic [ability to run]. He gives us a better chance to break out of the
pocket and make some plays with his feet."
Johnson, a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft out of San Diego, made Tampa
Bay's roster last year but was inactive for every game.
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