In reality, Johnson got his first start just last Sunday, a 16-13 loss to the host Redskins in which all of the Bucs' points were set up by turnovers. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 106 yards, a touchdown and a pick. Tampa Bay converted two of 13 third-down opportunities; the 0-4 Bucs are 11-for-51 in that situation this season.
"A very dynamic football player," McDermott, the Eagles' defensive coordinator, said when asked about Johnson, who ran seven times for 41 yards against Washington. "A young man who has the potential to be a great quarterback in this league."
McDermott said Johnson "brings a tremendous amount of energy to that team."
Historically, the Birds' defense has feasted upon young, inexperienced quarterbacks, bringing rushers from unexpected places, disguising coverages to lure them into interceptions, giving them little time to make decisions. Johnson has a couple of ways to try to mitigate that. The Bucs rely heavily on Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (38 carries, 191 yards, 5.0 yards per carry) and their ground game, and Johnson has an excellent safety valve in tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., who has 17 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns this season. Former Seahawk Jerramy Stevens adds a second solid pair of hands at tight end; he has eight catches for 71 yards.
The ground element gets to one of the key unknowns about the Eagles' defense coming out of the bye, which is how much of a factor middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter will be in his first NFL action since he played for Tampa in 2007.
