I nearly lost my mind when I read this on PFT:

After a couple of solid performances in losing efforts, Buccaneers starting quarterback Byron Leftwich’s day matched the outcome of the game.

And so he was pulled during a 24-0 loss to the Giants after completing seven of 16 passes for only 22 yards and an interception.

Leftwich was replaced not by rookie Josh Freeman but by second-year man Josh Johnson, who completed four of ten passes for 36 yards.

After the game, however, coach Raheem Morris said that Leftwich will return to the starting lineup next week, against the Redskins.

Sure, Leftwich has been okay early in this year, but it is becoming really obvious that the Bucs have no chance of shocking anyone and making any kind of run this season. So, what do you get out sticking with your veteran quarterback that most likely isn’t going to return as your starter next year?

This decision gets all the fishier when you look at the two backups that they have right now. The first is Josh Freeman, who they loved enough to use a first round pick on this April. The other is the guy that should be starting next week in Josh Johnson.

Johnson is the best chance that this team has of success right now. When he came into the game against the Giants today, he took an offense that was having trouble walking and not falling down and moved them down the field using both his legs and his arm. For those who aren’t 3rd String die hards, both Jason and I loved Johnson as a developmental QB when he was drafted a couple of years ago. His mixture of explosive play with his legs, and raw tools that could turn him into a dynamite passer is too good to let rot on the bench.

Earlier in the year, head coach Raheem Morris called Johnson a “career backup.” I think you saw something else today. You saw a guy who has a spark. A guy who can’t learn anything else by sitting on the bench and needs reps. It’s really a shame that the Bucs are going to give his reps to a guy who won’t be around to see this team become a contender.