Keyshawn Now Richest Receiver
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are counting on Keyshawn Johnson to be a man of his word.
The two-time Pro Bowl receiver promised one thing Wednesday to be himself after signing an eight-year, $56 million contract with a $13 million signing bonus that makes him the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.
For the Bucs, who failed to go to the Super Bowl because they couldn't score enough points, that would be enough.
The team traded two first-round draft picks to the New York Jets and committed nearly $7 million per season to him to finish the deal because of his track record as a productive and charismatic player whose top priority is winning.
"I'm not a savior
"It's refreshing to know the Bucs wanted to give up two first-round draft picks to acquire me," he added later, turning on a podium to look toward Tampa Bay owner Malcolm Glazer. "And, I guess, dig into their checkbook to pay a small fee."
Tampa Bay failed to score an offensive touchdown in five games, including the NFC title game and ranked 30th among 31 teams in passing and 28th overall while averaging just over 13 points.
Nevertheless, the Bucs had their best season in franchise history because of a defense that was so dominant that the team won two of those five games the offense couldn't get into the end zone.
"Everybody knows the Tampa Bay Bucs have an extraordinary defense that put them in the NFC championship game last year," Johnson said. "I hear all the time, all they need is 17. Well, we're definitely going to try to give them that 17."
New York gets the 13th and 27th overall picks, making it the first team ever with four first-rounders. The others are No. 16 and No. 18.
That gives them the wherewithal to deal during the draft if they have to move up to get a player they want.
"The acquisition of two more first-round picks creates many opportunities for us in the draft, including more maneuvering," Jets coach Al Groh said.
In four NFL seasons, Johnson has caught 305 passes for 4,108 yards and 31 touchdowns, despite playing only one year 1998 with Vinny Testaverde with a high-quality quarterback throwing to him.
The 27-year-old receiver goes from a well-balanced, imaginative attack to one of the most conservative, run-oriented offenses in football. He won't hve a veteran at quarterback, either, with second-year pro Shaun King.
Johnson said he's ready to do whatever is necessary to help King develop, even if it means catching fewer passes.
"As long as I can contribute in the blocking scheme or something," he said. "Just don't pay me as a $7 million receiver and stand me on the sideline."
That shouldn't be a problem.
Johnson is the third Pro Bowl player to be added to the Bucs offense since the team failed to score a touchdown in an 11-6 loss to the St. Louis Rams in the NFC title game, joining center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel.
Mike Shula was fired as offensive coordinator and replaced by Les Steckel, who is installing the offense the Tennessee Titans used to make it to the Super Bowl last season.
Johnson, who had been scheduled to earn $2.4 million with the Jets next season, is the highest-profile offensive star in Bucs history and adds the deep passing threat Tampa Bay has lacked for years. Johnson's receiving yardage for last season alone surpassed the career numbers for all but two of Tampa Bay's other receivers.
Johnson had 89 catches for 1,170 yards and eight TDs in 1999.
The receivers who started much of 1999 for the Bucs didn't begin to approach that production. Jacquez Green had 56 receptions for 791 yards and three TDs, while Reidel Anthony had 30 catches for 296 yards and one TD and Bert Emanuel finished with 22 receptions for 238 yards and one TD.
"Obviously, we're excited about bringing Keyshawn here," coach Tony Dungy said. "We feel like we're getting a guy that is playing at the highest level you can play. We felt like it would help us more than what we could get in the draft."
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