Johnson takes the blame for offensive woes Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 19 October 2009 Not good enough. With those harsh sentiments, Josh Johnson summed up his third NFL start as quarterback for the winless Bucs. While Johnson was generating some praise in the Carolina locker room Sunday, he was hard on himself following a 28-21 setback that dropped the Bucs to 0-6. "Obviously, I didn't do enough," Johnson said after running for 45 yards and completing 11 of 17 passes for 147 yards. "We came up short again." Tampa Bay has reeled off 10 consecutive regular-season losses for the first time since 1977 as the Bucs failed to parlay three takeaways, a special-teams touchdown and a defensive score into an initial victory for Coach Raheem Morris. The offense failed to score in the final 55 minutes and starting wide receivers Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton combined for only three catches for 46 yards. Johnson's scrambling ability generated three of Tampa Bay's 12 first downs, frustrating the Panthers before they outmuscled the Bucs down the stretch to finish off their sixth win in their past seven visits to Tampa. "He's a son of a gun to defend," Panthers coach John Fox said of Johnson, who was sacked four times and picked off once. "Johnson's a young guy who runs around and makes thing happen." As the Bucs prepare for a trip to London to face New England, followed by a bye week, speculation is growing that Morris will switch to rookie quarterback Josh Freeman beginning with the Nov. 8 throwback game against the Packers. Johnson didn't help his cause Sunday with a poorly thrown ball on the first snap of the second half. Johnson's pass intended for Clayton near the right sideline was intercepted by linebacker Thomas Davis, setting up a touchdown that put Carolina ahead 14-7. "I felt like I could throw it over him, but he made a great play and jumped," Johnson said. "I was trying to get a play downfield to get us going. I would probably have been better off maybe throwing it underneath, but that comes with the territory." The ill-timed turnover negated any momentum the Bucs might have drawn from the savage hit against punt returner Clifton Smith that led to the ejection of Panthers cornerback Dante Wesley. Johnson offered no excuses for the offense's failures after rolling up 125 first-quarter yards. He said Carolina appeared intent on stopping the long pass by playing both safeties deep. He also lamented Tampa Bay's penchant for creating second-and-long situations due to penalties or missed assignments. Down the hall, the 2-3 Panthers talked glowingly about Johnson's potential. "Johnson was making us look bad for awhile," cornerback Richard Marshall said. "He's a good running quarterback and he's creative out of the pocket. I think he has a bright future if he learns how to stay in the pocket a little longer and keep his eyes downfield. He needs to be a little more patient - but let's not forget just how young this guy is right now."