Florida Was Almost Down to Only One Tyler Johnson

There's a school of thought that advises those with common family names to give their newborns unique first names.

Thus, a Joe Smith has to make it in pro sports to have any chance of standing out among all the other Joe Smiths out there.

However, that's not always the case.

Take, for example, Tyler Johnson and Tyler Johnson.

Seems the name Tyler just isn't as unique as it used to be.

And Johnson goes back to the origin of surnames in northern Europe. It's the second-most common one out there.

Well, you does if your name's on the back of a pro jersey.

And what are the odds of that being duplicated twice in the same state?

Rhetorical question.

It was almost moot, as Tyler Johnson the Hoopster has signed a four-year, $50million offer sheet with the New Jersey Nets. The Heat had three days to match, and they did.

So, now it's down to Tyler Johnson the Puckster to maintain the status quo. His contract is up at the end of the 2016-2017 season. Given the Lightning's recent contract action, it could take either a roster shakeup or financial wizardry to keep him.

If that's the case, maybe the Panthers will be interested.

Florida's the land of crazy stuff, so they can't fall back.