Official Josh Johnson Linkdump

by grantmp on Jan 7, 2011 6:36 PM PST

As everyone on this site will agree, the 49ers QB play didn't measure up to a winning standard in 2010, and while some of us are happy about the way this has led to Singletary's departure and Jim Harbaugh's hiring (finally), the question remains: who will quarterback the 2011 49ers?

Josh Johnson is currently a backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have Josh Freeman entrenched as their starting QB and QBOTF. He has had very little game action (profile here) but appears to have some of the physical tools you need to be an NFL quarterback.

Johnson was the quarterback of the I-AA University of San Diego Toreros under Jim Harbaugh from 2004-2007 (a full time starter from '05 through '07) and put up some ridiculous numbers, including a 42TD, 1 Int senior season.

With all this as preamble, I collected some links about Johnson that I've posted below. It would be interesting to see if the Niners took a look at Johnson because of Harbaugh's familiarity with him. It bears noting that the Niners couldn't complete a trade for Johnson unless the players and league come to terms on a new CBA before March 3. Still, I'd be happy with the team investing something like a 4th rounder in the upcoming draft if the team was convinced about him.

On to the Links!

An article about Johnson's journey through high school to the NFL. Mostly biographical, but it does speak to his early experience as a Buccaneer, rising up the depth chart. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-quarterback-josh-johnson-has-come-a-long-way-to/1041365

An article from this season about Johnson's role as a backup, which also speaks to his success as a fill-in for Freeman. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/22/230400/bucs-qb-johnson-ready-to-step-in-again/sports-bucs/

A pre-2008-draft scouting report on Johnson that even suggests he could go as high as the 2nd round. He ended up going in the 5th--160th overall. http://www.thehuddle.com/x8/nfl_draft/player-josh-johnson.php

Another pre-2008 draft article that speaks to the really unique prospect that Johnson was coming into the draft. It also gives props to Harbaugh for developing him into an NFL-draftable QB. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jim_trotter/04/08/johnson0414/

Thanks to AptosNinerFan for the reminder about Johnson as someone who Harbaugh might want the Niners to go after.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Comments

Hmm, that would actually be pretty cool.

"Whoever said WAR is HELL must have been talking about Aaron Rowand" - McCoven faithful

by shahbazi3 on Jan 7, 2011 6:51 PM PST reply actions

Hey guys, I'm one of the writers for Bucs Nation

Just thought I’d let you know what I think of Josh Johnson, as I saw this thread.

Let me say this first: I think Johnson has a lot of talent and can, with some time, be a competent starting QB in the league. He has a decent release, his mobility is a plus, he’s accurate on short passes (not so much on deep passes), and he has a strong enough arm to fit the ball in tight windows.

When he started a couple of games last year, the problem was that he seemed very skittish and uncomfortable in the pocket. It was clear that he wasn’t ready to start. Now, he hasn’t looked skittish or rushed on the few snaps this year so it could be that that issue has been fixed. At the same time, it could also be that it’s simply luck and you’ll see the issue

If he can remain calm while facing a live pass rush, I believe he can be a viable starter.

Supposedly he studies and works very hard, by the way.

by Sander on Jan 7, 2011 7:13 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Thanks so much for your insight.

He’s the first backup QB for the Bucs, right? Do you think they would be willing to part with him for a draft pick?

Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1

by grantmp on Jan 7, 2011 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

(sorry, just saw your comment below re: trading a draft pick)

Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1

by grantmp on Jan 7, 2011 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

He is the first backup, yes

And in my estimation, the Bucs absolutely would be willing to part with him for a draft pick. He’s a solid backup but he basically has no shot at the starting job, and the team really likes the 3rd QB as a backup. I just can’t say what draft pick they’d want – though if I were to venture a guess (and this is just a guess, nothing more) I’d say around a 3rd round pick should do it.

by Sander on Jan 7, 2011 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

Who's the 3rd QB in Tampa right now?

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 7, 2011 11:42 PM PST up reply actions

Rudy Carpenter

by Sander on Jan 8, 2011 5:16 AM PST up reply actions

The questions are, what would we have to give up to get him, and would Tampa trade him?

by Since79 on Jan 7, 2011 7:23 PM PST reply actions

The Bucs would have no qualms trading him if the price was right

As forwhat that price would be, I don’t know.

by Sander on Jan 7, 2011 7:31 PM PST up reply actions

The should be glad to get anything for him

He’s a late 5th round pick with almost no on field experience in three years and no desire to play him.

by asmithisaverage on Jan 11, 2011 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks for the props

I got to be honest though, I was reminded of his name by someone else on here just a few days ago. Really nice job on the write up by the way.

The reason I think trading for Johnson makes some sense is…

A) I don’t see anyone in the draft that can step in right away and play now that Luck is out of the picture.

B) I think that most of the free agent options are either not that good or will cost too much to get.

Personally, I would offer one of the Niners 4th Round picks on draft day and see what happens.

by AptosNinerFan on Jan 7, 2011 11:39 PM PST reply actions

I listened to a interview he did after the East-west Shrine game and the guy sounds like he works hard and has tons of knowledge on how to be a good QB

he also says he was a huge niner fan growing up and also Jim Harbaugh said if there was an SAT for football, Josh would crush it

by 49erEmpire on Jan 7, 2011 11:47 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I know everyone looks good in highlights

but after looking at some of his SD State stuff and his limited NFL action I would very much be in favor of a deal for Johnson. I don’t know if I’d go as high as a 3rd rounder for a guy who was a 5th round pick a few years ago and hasn’t really done a whole lot to raise his stock since then, but certainly a 5th or maybe a 4th seems reasonable.

Thing A

"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud

by sam23 on Jan 8, 2011 2:25 AM PST reply actions