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Doug Williams pulling for Johnson today

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By MARTIN FENNELLY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2009

TAMPA - Doug Williams, Bucs director of pro scouting, picked up the phone one day in 2008. His boss at the time, then Bucs GM Bruce Allen, asked Williams to go to San Diego.

"For what?" Williams asked.

We're a long way from For What? Today against the Redskins, Josh Johnson, the quarterback who Bucs coach Raheem Morris once dubbed a "career backup," the kid who Doug Williams went to meet - and came to believe in - makes his first NFL start.

"Didn't even know Josh back then," Williams said. "To see him emerge ... I'm sure it's taken him by surprise. It's huge, especially the way it went down, drafting another quarterback, the other Josh, bringing in Byron (Leftwich), signing Luke (McCown). Seems every time we added a quarterback, Josh Johnson got deeper on that depth chart."

Johnson came in late last week and made some plays.

"This is different," Williams insists. "You can't totally prepare a guy for starting. You can talk all you want, but after the national anthem Sunday, the peace dove flies out the window. Coach Eddie Robinson used to tell me that at Grambling - the old peace dove goes right out the window when it starts. It's on."

Doug Williams, Bucs great, Redskins Super Bowl winner, who knows about playing quarterback, once knew nothing about Josh Johnson.

Now look.

"Doug has been a mentor," Johnson said.

Williams met Johnson at the NFL factory that is the University of San Diego. They talked football and family and watched film. Williams talked up Johnson to Allen and Jon Gruden. Then it was on to the combine in Indianapolis. Williams laughs about it now.

"Josh comes up to throw. Worst workout I've ever seen in my life. Ball was just fluttering in the air. He couldn't hit nobody. It was killing me. Jon Gruden and Bruce were laughing. Jon kept texting me, 'When is he going to throw a freaking spiral?' I finally told him to stop texting me. I'm dying a slow death; I like this kid. I tell you, it was the worst workout I've ever seen. Josh stunk it up. I don't think he threw a single spiral."

Johnson slipped to the fifth round in the 2008 draft. The Bucs took him.

Now look.

"People will love his personality, Williams said. "He's charming. Everyone likes him. He's smart. He has confidence galore. Both the Joshes do."

The Joshes, Johnson and Freeman, always josh Williams, asking if he's 70 years old. Only this week they asked what it's like to start for the first time in the NFL. Williams told them about his first start, 31 years ago, Bucs-Giants.

"Separated my shoulder," Williams said. "I was scrambling to the sideline and Gary Jeter hit me. He got flagged. I knew I was hurt, but I went back to the huddle thinking I'm going to work this out. I come up under center, raise my arm and there was so much pain I fell to my knees. John McKay said, 'Oh, Lord, they done shot him.'"

He missed one game.

"I talked to the Joshes about the Jim Kellys and the Big Bens and the Bradys and the Peyton Mannings. Those guys don't mind taking a whipping getting the ball where it's supposed to be. Brady didn't get hurt running out of the pocket. He got hurt standing in there, throwing that football. It's gladiator, baby."

Williams the trailblazer has heard of the random on-line chatter about Morris having three black quarterbacks. Williams shakes his head. He notes that the Jaguars had three black quarterbacks at one time, including now former Bucs starter Byron Leftwich.

"The Jacksonville coach ... was white last time I checked," Williams said. "I kind of think we've moved beyond all this. I think America just made a statement in the election that not all of us think that way."

Williams smiled.

For what?

"Always special when a young guy gets his shot."

The old peace dove has flown the coop. It's on.

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