“High Priced” Question Mark
May 28th, 2016
Two prominent Tampa Bay media voices chatted about the future of Vincent Jackson on national radio yesterday.
Of course, Joe was listening, and it was very refreshing.
On SiriusXM NFL Radio, co-host Booger McFarland, a glory days defensive tackle for Tampa Bay, and Rick Stroud, the longtime Bucs beat writer for the Tampa Bay Times, openly questioned how much gas is left in the Bucs’ $10 million receiver, Vincent Jackson.
“Boy, he is a high-priced veteran receiver for the production they’re hoping to get but really don’t know,” said Booger, who called the status quo on Jackson and the receiving corps an offseason surprise.
“Booger, it was an area I thought they would address in the draft and they didn’t,” Stroud said.
“He doesn’t have the explosion he once did. And if you look at this receiving corps just as a whole, they don’t have a lot of explosive guys. I mean, it takes Mike Evans a few steps. And he will run by you, but he’s a strider. He’s not a, you know, an in-space guy.”
Stroud went on to say the Bucs’ regime believes in Jackson and considers his two knee injuries last year (eight lost games) to be unlucky hits versus age catching up to him. Jackson turned 33 in January.
“The receiving position is not deep. And I think they’re going to have to rely on their tight ends more,” Stroud said. “I don’t know how much Vincent has left.”
Joe’s been pounding the same drum since January. Receiver is a legitimate need on this roster. The dice rolls that Mike Evans can catch consistently and Father Time will stay away from V-Jax are huge. Louis Murphy is coming off ACL surgery in November. Kenny Bell has no preseason or regular-season catches. Adam Humphries is a great No. 5 receiver but nothing more. Donteea Dye is CFL material. Russell Shepard is a special teams player.
Joe’s got fingers and toes crossed.
May 28th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Haven’t the Seahawks, Patriots and Panthers been the in the playoffs pretty consistently.
Aren’t their receiving corps some of the worst in the league.
My guess is the front office believe that Winston will make receivers better and the scheme will spread the ball around to 5-7 receivers rather than just the top 2 or 3.
May 28th, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Booger said before last season that VJax was surely gone…broken record with a grain of salt
May 28th, 2016 at 6:53 pm
VJ will get his catches, he is crafty at finding the open spot. I agree that others will pick up their game to increase an overall receiver production that is stronger than most think.
May 28th, 2016 at 7:02 pm
I think they’re going to have to rely on their tight ends more,
———————–
Tim Wright is available, he might not be a superstar but he can get open and has reliable hands. Plus it’s kinda tradition to sign him and then cut him, so….
May 28th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
You can’t always fill every need in one offseason. They had a lot to do, mostly on defense. Next year, they’ll probably continue building the defense, but I could see a high draft pick devoted to the receiver position in 2017.
May 28th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
I’m happy they didn’t draft a WR… There are better ones in next years draft… However, i trade sterling Shepard for aguayo in a heartbeat… Even though I like aguayo… And I think DKs offence loves to take advantage of the seams with TEs creating mismatches
May 28th, 2016 at 7:25 pm
If this is VJax last year I really hope he goes out with a bang. Dats my main man
May 28th, 2016 at 7:27 pm
You guys are seriously worrying too much. If they bucs have a bad season it wont be because of the recievers. Zzzzzzzzzzz
May 28th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
You say all this joe but you seemed quiet on the trade up to get a kicker move. Even though we could have used this spot to get a starting calibre receiver?? Or we could have never traded up and had that Maryland de and pharaoh cooper in the 4th.
Joe’s written a lot about the trade up for Aguayo. Not a move Joe would have made, but it was certainly understandable. And Joe specifically wrote a story about Ngakoue out of Maryland. Here it is. –Joe
May 28th, 2016 at 7:41 pm
The Bucs will be going with a lot of two TE sets, with two wide outs. Kenny Bell is a wide out who can stretch the field. VJAX can still win a lot of one on one matches with his height and experience. Mike Evans can give us a lot of production in the passing game. ASJ and Cameron Brate can give us decent production from the TE position. Charles Sims will win all of his matchups against linebackers, Doug Martin can also win most matchups against linebackers. Dan Vitale can win his matchups against linebackers. If Louis Murphy is healthy he can give us a lot of production in the slot. But the key is our running game, that’s our bread and butter. I feel good about our receivers, Andre Davis and Evan Spencer could be sleepers, one of them could earn a spot on the roster.
May 28th, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Andre Roberts is a decent and young a lot guy who could grow w Jameis. Coming into his prime he would also learn a lot from this coaching staff. Prob get him for cheap and on a one or two year deal.
Also would like to see them at least sniff someone at safety even if it’s a bridge player at this point to compete w mcdougald and conte.
May 28th, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Slot*
May 28th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
brent…wrong ONCE again as usual. Joe’s had a few articles disagreeing with that trade up for a kicker.
May 28th, 2016 at 7:57 pm
‘He who doubts Licht’s draft day acumen shall be banished to the fiery pits of irrelevance, henceforth.’ – ancient proverb
May 28th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
Couldn’t have been said any better NJ. Thanks bro.
May 28th, 2016 at 8:42 pm
My gut tells me that we are going to be pleasantly surprised at the receiver depth. Believe the Bucs are actually deeper than most teams and will benefit from strong QB leadership and play. Could be wrong but I believe that guys like donteea dye and Adam Humphries will improve this year from having a year under belt. As much as Joe loves America’s QB, I am surprised that he is so concerned about Wide receiver depth. Weird to me.
May 28th, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I still believe in bell, while a lot of people are down on him have the right to be, I still think he can be a legitimate 3rd or 4th receiver. I also love humphries and Murphy can come back from his injury. Dye I’m not sure on but we all know he can improve, you just need to be positive. But being positive is a lot to ask bucs fans these days when it looks bad. Great QBs find ways to get the ball around and make receivers better around him. Believe in Jameis and what he’s capable of.
May 28th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Humpries can devolop into a quality role player on our team, his purpose is to help get first downs and keep drives alive. He has no YAC ability and he’s not the next Wes Welker, Joes right, he’s a good 5 to keep on the team. I don’t know what Dye does or how he’s still in the NFL, almost anything is an upgrade from him, Tiquan Underwood, Preston Parker, Marques Colston, to name 3.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
I’m assuming like most of us, the issue will be addressed during the next draft.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
And…I’m a card carrying member of Joe’s beloved Kenny Bell Mob.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:18 pm
Dontae Dye is on the roster because he’s a young receiver with ability. The reason he didn’t show much last year was because he was raw and unrefined, coming from a very small school. If he had no upside, he wouldn’t be around. So can everyone stop dumping on him? Honestly, I trust the opinion of Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter much more than Joe or any of the posters here.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:21 pm
TB he might become the next Welker. I just watched him on NFL network the other morning talking anout being an undratfed free agent and starting with special teams to get notice by coaches. We comment on finish products a lot,we forget about the start of those products sometimes.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Everyone can say what they please about dept. All I know is when VJax was on that field that offense was like a machine. Wit a rookie QB in year one of the scheme.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:39 pm
Kenny Bell is a wide out who can stretch the field.<<<< Really? Considering he didn't stretch the field at Nebraska what makes anyone think this guy will be an NFL receiver. He is a bust. All this Kenny talk is ridiculous…he is NOT NFL caliber.
I think the Bucs will be looking at roster cuts this year to pick up their 4th or 5th WR.
May 28th, 2016 at 9:54 pm
@Donuts. Bust? He was hurt all season last year and he did stretch the field at Nebraska (go watch the tape). Not saying that he will be jerry rice but man we through around that bust word so loosely without facts on a player.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Dude look sensational at Nebraska.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:28 pm
Some of y’all gone eat y’all words,same ya had to about Charles Sims.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
@DeezNUTS,
Well, football people of greater experience and knowledge apparently disagree with you about Kenny Bell, but don’t let that get in the way of you expressing your ill-informed opinions.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
I think DoNUTS has been wrong about numerous players.
So take it with a grain of salt.
or Just take for instance K B’s 4.38 40 time. Yeah nothing says stretch the field about that.
or There’s always this…
DoNUTS Says:
April 27th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
“tmax
Murphy is no bum. He got hurt but he is a legit #3 WR. I also highly doubt they will replace a QB with an additional WR that makes zero sense.
The reason Bell cant catch has nothing to do with fairness rather he has Mike Clayton hands of steel.”
DoNUTS Says:
August 20th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
#SuperbowlBound<<< Really???
"Im curious did you watch this team last year? You do realize we won no games at home and had a 4 win season?"
DoNUTS Says:
April 27th, 2016 at 4:16 pm
"Go look at Nebraska WR history…only one true great ever from that RB school……Irving Fryar. Bell is no Fryar. Bell is not even in the Huskers top 20 all time."
So to sum it all up. Murphy is a legit number 3. Bell is not even in the top 20 WR’s in Nebraska history yet currently holds records for career receiving yards (2,689) and career receptions (181). The Bucs won 4 games in 2014 and not 2.
Then go to youtube like the Mob would suggest and watch this “Mike Clayton hands of steel” make spectacular catch after spectacular catch. Yes I mean Beckham jr type catches while at Nebraska.
I rest my case!
May 28th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
This was a weak draft class full of slow WR’s, I’m glad Licht didn’t spend a draft pick on one just to feel a need.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:49 pm
One of many….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1UZiaZQ3uY
The Mob has spoken.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Depth aside – (and I do believe we have some young talent in Bell and Humphries that will “develop” nicely this year) – having Evans and VJax as our 1-2 WRs is strong.
Jackson is at the age where of course some talking head somewhere is going to question whether or not he can still be effective with not much else to talk about this time of year.
But I believe Jackson is among the rare breed who can stave off father time for a couple or few extra years and be extremely effective NFL players “late” in their career. Jerry Rice did it. Ronde Barber did it. Darrell Green did it. Some players just hold onto their skills and maintain that “extra step” instead of losing it like most players do somewhere between 30-35 years old. And the thing that they mostly all have in common is being fanatical about working out, staying in amazing shape and being super vigilant about what they eat. VJax fits that criteria perfectly. He and Brent Grimes are both gonna be very high impact players for the Bucs this year at the ripe “old age” of 33.
And I guarantee that there are more than 20 teams who wish they had our WR “problems. All or most of whom would not hesitate to trade their 1 & 2 receivers straight up for our 1 & 2 receivers (if it was just for this year that is).
May 28th, 2016 at 10:54 pm
Did I win my case?
What’s the verdict?
Or are we all going to have to wait until the regular season like I am to pass judgement on Kenny Bell?
Watch the highlights, before you spout off about Kenny Bell. Yes I know colelge is college, but the dude CAN catch the football. No I don’t care about last season.
May 28th, 2016 at 10:55 pm
colelge is college….
I only had a year and a half of it. lol
May 28th, 2016 at 10:55 pm
I agree I think Bell will be fine as a solid #3/slot WR. Give the guy a chance to develop before writing him off like Kaelin Clay. At the very least he should be able to help out on special teams.
May 28th, 2016 at 11:02 pm
Waterboy…I agree about this last draft too.
Here he is against Ohio State. The film doesn’t lie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T92pHFB2f5Y
May 28th, 2016 at 11:26 pm
The best teams in this league let’s players develop. One of the reasons we have not been a good team is we don’t do that. Pressure like this crap about Dye only being CFL quality and Bell being useless are the same thing folks once said about Michael Bennet, Lagarde Blount, Victor Cruz, Wes Welker, etc…
Not all players walk into the league and dominate some take time and the best teams give them that time. I for one am glad we are starting to be one of those teams.
May 29th, 2016 at 12:21 am
They should put VJax n the slot. I think he would be more effective as a Fitz type role at this point in his career. The only prob w that is we lack another guy who can play on the outside. I am still amazed that we failed to pickup at least 1 quality WR in the draft or free agency. I’m not a huge fan but Brian Hartline but he would be a solid pickup at this point IMO. Let him battle it out it training camp and see what happens. They put so much focus on helping #3 and somehow neglected to get him some talent to throw to.
I personally think Brate will have a great year and if ASJ can stay healthy that would be a major boost. Not sure what to expect from Vitale. Could be awesome or could never play. I love Kenny Bell but he is unproven. Murphy is solid but that’s about it. Hump could be a sleeper but don’t get your hopes up. And Dye is Dye, not much else to say about him.
Hopefully some decent guys will get cut and we can pick up at least 1 more solid guy. I think we need it for sure.
May 29th, 2016 at 12:29 am
I know joe is hesitant, and rightly so, but Kenny Bell is the explosive quick guy in the slot.
They still need homerun threat and that’ll be a major priority next draft. Maybe they just didn’t see that guy in this draft.
Still a bunch of FA signings coming, but I think they end up with VJax, ME, Bell, Shepard, Murphy, and then 1 more for 6 – possibly Humphries because no one else stands out at all.
Martino, Davis, reedy, spencer, dye…. Nothing special or fast in that group.
Humphries is quick and showed potential.
Regardless, a speedster has to be priority next draft
May 29th, 2016 at 12:54 am
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Goz not on the roster at this time last year? And I’m pretty sure we got Logan Mankins pretty late in the preseason too. Don’t rule out a potential FA signing… I’m looking at safety and WR… Still some talent out there
May 29th, 2016 at 2:02 am
Donutts are you serious?? Didn’t stretch the field? He has the record for receiving yards at Nebraska by stretching the field constantly
May 29th, 2016 at 8:02 am
@Dave
Davis, Martino, Reedy, Spencer…etc. nothing fast in that group.
Actually there is a burner in that group in Bernard Reedy. Not only is he a deep threat, he is a exceptional PR/KR as well returning 3 to the house in 2012 and a PR as well. Not to mention he’s a home Eton guy who went to Lakewood high. His receiving totals are 195 rec 2743 yards 23 TD’s. And he lit it up in preseason for the Falcons the following year. Here is a quote from Koetters receivers coach that year…
“He’s the one guy that we have that is exceptionally fast. He’s got that speed and he can really, really run.”
May 29th, 2016 at 8:05 am
@ManzielMadness
Wasn’t Goz on the roster at this team last year?
We picked Goz up during preseason when Dotson went down.
May 29th, 2016 at 8:36 am
There were a lot of good wideouts on the board but we took a kicker.
Mistake? Maybe
I think we needed a savvy vet via free agency
Maybe they know something about Russell Shepard that we don’t know
May 29th, 2016 at 9:20 am
We got Charles Sims who will be better catcher, and of course just use TE’s and pound the rock with Doug Martin.
May 29th, 2016 at 9:50 am
When we drafted Evans and ASJ the meda both locally and nationally made a big deal about the Dunkaneers and their 6′ 5 trio of stud targets. Well, the first year we didn’t have a franchise QB, and Evans and ASJ were rookies. Last year, Evans missed time with his annual early season hammie. V-Jax missed half the season, and AsJ missed more than half of it. Maybe if the football gods would give this town a break, for once, and allow us to see what we get when all 3 guys line up for the majority of our snaps in the majority of games, then we will really be able to evaluate our talent level without so much freakin’ guesswork. Anybody agree with me when I say we are overdue a little love from the football gods, huh.
May 29th, 2016 at 10:29 am
Maybe we get lucky and Bell turns out to be better than anticipated… We will be watching the WR’s behind the Aguayo pick ,this season and the coming seasons, for sure.
May 29th, 2016 at 10:29 am
Seeing how it’s Licht’s core philosophy to drop a player quickly if he’s not working out (learned from his NE experience) it’s clear he and his staff have high regards for Kenny Bell.
But then again, according to some fans, he may be the only 4.36-40 WR in the NFL that can’t “stretch the field.”
I suspect we’ll have some exciting, positive moments in 2016 with Bell in pewter & red…
May 29th, 2016 at 11:06 am
The first comment was my favorite. Great point NJ, I’d like to point out that NE has always had reliable receivers(+Moss) in their SB runs. Also, the Pathers receivers could have won them the SB last year but were bad enough to lose it for them.
Let’s not sleep on Sims though. He was a big part of our passing game last year and has earned more looks this year. Doug and Sims remind me of a more skilled version of Vereeniging and Ridley. We can use those guys every down and march right down the field!!
Marques Colston is still available and he has twice the hands then any current WR we have. Jamies needs a safety blanket.
May 29th, 2016 at 11:52 am
“Donte Dye is CFL material”….
This is a huge slap in the face to the CFL…
May 29th, 2016 at 1:46 pm
I have no doubts in v-jax… He takes care of his body as well as any and his skills haven’t depleted enough to be an issue. He still will win most 1 on 1 battles and is still a nightmare against zone coverage. His years of production make him worthy of his paycheck and it’s not like were hard pressed against the cap.
May 29th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
the answer to everything: Anquan Boldin.
May 29th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
I read all the articles. I guess I meant indifferent not quiet. Bottom line I’m still pissed we got a kicker when we could have had 2 stud real players. I’d feel better if I could punch licht and get it out.
May 29th, 2016 at 7:07 pm
Good god you people seem to have a lot of faith in a dude that was drafted in the 5th round. The majority of those players don’t make it in the NFL. Last year he was put on IR with a hang nail because the staff didn’t think he could be effective as a rookie. Many of you are acting like the dude is this incredible stud we have. Lol. At this point it is 50/50 that he ever makes a catch in a regular season game. C’mon man. The dude is a fringe player that has as good a chance of driving a UPS truck this year as he does playing special teams for the Bucs.
May 29th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
lol brent