Stevie-Stylin

TO's not the only Wide-Out turning heads in Buffalo


When most Kentucky fans (and Louisville fans :D) think Steve Johnson, they see him trucking down the sidelines on his way to defeat the Louisville Cardinals in white knuckling fashion. Now football fans in general may get to see him in a new light.

After being selected in the seventh round of last years NFL draft, not too much was expected from Steve Johnson. Buffalo had already nabbed a prize pick in the second round to fill the position via James Hardy, and playmaker Lee Evans had already asserted himself as one of the leagues top pass catchers. Then there was the likes of burner Roscoe Parrish, whose speed is tough to match, along with a professional guy such as Josh Reed to contend with. However, with nothing but hard work, Johnson was the guy who quickly gained respect from the Bills coaching staff. It is common knowledge that Wide Receiver is one of the toughest positions to translate from the college to pro game, but Stevie handled it like he had been around for years. With so much competition and depth at the position, one would think it would be hard for Johnson to have even achieved more than practice squad honors, let alone see game time. But, just as no one expected, Johnson's dedication got him onto the field and produced the rookie numbers of ten catches with one hundred and two yards. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, because frankly, its not. However, for practically a late round nobody, Steve showed a lot of people he belonged, and his spot on the team was well deserved.

Nothing has changed this off-season. Well, except for maybe the fact the Bill's added ex-Cowboy receiver Terrel Owens to their roster. BUT nothing has changed for Johnson, who is ready to prove last years rookie success wasn't a fluke.

"I'm approaching it with the same mentality as last year," Johnson says. "I was trying to make an impression every time I stepped on the field.

"Coming into this year, you're going to get a little bit of an opportunity and you've got to make the best out of all of them. Whether it's blocking or catching a 5-yard route, you've got to show the players and the coaches that you should be out there on the field."

An opportunity Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert believes Johnson is ready to capitalize on. Stating.

"Steve proved last year that he belongs in this league. He's worked really hard this offseason, and it shows. I think he's only going to get better from here."


Johnson's play has certainly seemed to have earned him a spot on the field for the upcoming season, but he's really not that big of a deal is he? I mean with TO and Lee Evans opposite each other, Johnson has to be the least of QB Trent Edwards worries right? Well, heres what Trent had to say about SJ following one of last weeks voluntary workouts.


"If you guys could watch some of this tape of the past couple practices of him getting off of the press, it's ridiculous. It's making some of the best corners on our team [look bad], getting right by them. He's shifty, he moves well, he comes out of his breaks well and I'm happy he's one of our receivers."

Johnson took all of the first team snaps last week during the Bills' voluntary workout, and although Roscoe Parrish was absent, its becoming almost a certainty Stevie Styles will be getting looks in the four WR sets, and still some time in the slot while it is just he, Owens, and Evans in the lineup.


So needless to say, #13 has came a long way since leaving Lexington behind him. Going from a late round guy struggling to make the team, to a guy now ready to crack the starting lineup. Doing all of which with nothing but hard work, not to mention doing it all in getting prepared for just his second year in the league. Of course its not going to be easy, but what is easy in the NFL? No matter what the outcome, I wish the former Cat nothing but the best, and hope to see him catching passes opposite TO in the upcoming season. And although you need to stay away from him on your fantasy team, Steve Johnson is certainly a must keep on your "gotta love em" team.

"I'm still young in the game. I still have a lot to learn about the game," Johnson said. "I still have to have that go-get-it mentality. That approach helped me make this team, and it's what is going to help me stay on this team."