Donteea Dye Versus The Veteran Trifecta
July 7th, 2016
Joe headed to Twitter yesterday to advise the world that Andre Johnson, Roddy White and Anquan Boldin combined for 153 receptions and 1,798 yards last season while missing just two games.
Each of those unemployed, big-name veterans caught more than 40 balls, with Boldin leading the way with 69 receptions for 789 yards.
The Buccaneers fighting for No. 3 and No. 4 receiver jobs include the following crew: Louis Murphy, whose knee endured ACL surgery in November, Donteea Dye, an undrafted rookie who looked overmatched last season en route to catching 11 balls, Kenny Bell, who has yet to catch a preseason pass, and Adam Humphries, who was a 5-10, shining rookie last season but isn’t exactly a special talent.
Joe looks that bunch of Bucs — and at Vincent Jackson’s questionable durability and Mike Evans’ K-Y hands– and Joe springs to find lists of receivers possibly entering the 2017 NFL Draft.
Frankly, Joe’s unsure why Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter haven’t made a move to add veteran talent at receiver. But the reality is it’s early. Look at the examples of center Joe Hawley and right tackle Gosder Cherilus last season. Hawley was plucked off the street in September. Cherilus was called of his couch in mid-August. Both excelled in starting roles.
There’s time for the Bucs to add a veteran pair of hands, if they feel needy.
Still, Joe looks at Dye, who Koetter affectionately calls “D.D.,” and Joe wants to hammer his head into a wall. America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, deserves a stronger receiving corps.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Jaboo was at Boldin’s camp this year. I sure hope he was there as a recruiter.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Nabbing Boldin would be colossal in my book. There aren’t many tougher receivers in the game.
The position is begging for an upgrade. Give #3 weapons.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
I’d feel much better if we were able to land Boldin. Roddy would be my next option.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Jameis -> Boldin. Two Noles playing together that never got to play with each other in college. That would be a beautiful thing.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
By the CBO, any “vested veteran” who is on a roster for Game One is guaranteed his full contract. From Game 2 onward, only 25% of his contract is guaranteed.
This is how the Bucs signed Hawley last season.
Every year there are a number of vets who aren’t signed until the week of Game 2.
I suspect this is why Johnson, White and Boldin are still available.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
idk…boldin maybe but that’s if Kenny bell and andre davis show absolutely nothing during training camp and pre season….GO BUCS!!!
July 7th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
I think it’s a simple answer- they are weeding out the young guys they have to see who can stay and grow with JW. I believe they may add a vet still though
July 7th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Roddy White would be the obvious veteran bet because he knows the playbook. So there is no rush to really get him in right away.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Would either of those 3 vets play special teams? I doubt it…the offense has specific roles for specific players. The #3WR role looks to speed/slot ability and can play special teams. Those 3 vets listed are more in line of a role VJax plays…so who would you rather have?
July 7th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
I don’t think Dye is competing with these 3 vets, Murphy and maybe Bell should be concerned about their availability. Dye will be competing for a special teams spot with Bell, Hump, Davis add Reddy. These 3 vets aren’t going to be brought in to play special teams. They are insurance against injured starters so special teams WRs don’t have to see the field.
July 7th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
I read off a link here the other day that college ball is producing a bumper crop of receivers because teams are expanding their passing games more. Safe to say the Bucs braintrust will scope out the offerings in the future. I agree, this year some help could be forthcoming asap. I have not heard Koetter address any potential shortage at the position.
July 7th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
I will repeat myself and say winning organizations develop talent they don’t throw it away after one year. Joe this is something you must learn if you want to understand the new Bucs. The old Bucs would have quickly looked for a older veteran WR that costs a lot more and has nothing to prove and see what that did for us. Need I remind you of Tim Brown!
July 7th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
ndog is right…
Humphries is going to be a very solid #3. We need to continue to develop these younger guys. No more aging vets as band-aids.
July 7th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Why have training camp and preseason if we have vets who can fill the obvious lack of depth at WR. No need to develop players when there are quality receivers cast off from other teams.
From memory that is how it was done in the past Joe and that is why we are in the cellar year after year. Someone will emerge from the talent that this staff has recruited. I trust in the staff we have to get a quality product on the field. If not Licht will try and pick up a vet at some stage.
July 7th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Joe you have no faith in the Kenny Bell mob but we are one and our voices will be heard!!!!!!! Kenny Bell best deep threat in the NFC South besides Julio mark it down!!!! Muahahahahahahahaha!!!! And yes he had better career stats than Iriving Fryar who also went to Nebraska. Irving did ok in the NFL I believe.
July 7th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Barring injury – Evans, VJax, Murphy, Humphries, Bell, Shepard. There’s you 2016 receiving squad.
Dye will likely be on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
If any of the above are injured or unavailable – then it would make sense to bring in Roddy White for insurance.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Im saying it now, next draft, 1. WR 2. Safety 3. WR
Dont waste what we have in JW3.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Shepard shouldn’t even make the roster is Bell turns out to be a decent gunner.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
MadMax Says:
July 7th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
1. DT, 2. Safety, 3. WR
July 7th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
I kinda liked Adam Humphries. Isn’t Boldin a locker room problem? How old is he? I have no opinion on Bell yet.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Heck, I’d be happy to live long enough to see the 2017 draft.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:28 pm
I’ll take Koetter and Licht’s judgement on this… I think they may see some talent to be developed in DD. If it’s not happening, then bring in one of the vets. As usual, I am loath to cut loose young developing talent for a one-year veteran fix, so I only do this if they don’t think Dye has a place on the team going forward. Same goes for the other young receivers. I fully expect Humphries and Bell to be on the team, so with Evans and VJax, there’s 4. They’ll carry 5 or 6, so that leaves 1 or 2 spots for one of the other young guys and/or a veteran free agent like Boldin.
July 7th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
DD and Humphreys, woof.
July 7th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Joe, I hope your WR concerns are as accurate as your predictions last year regarding the offensive line!
July 7th, 2016 at 3:14 pm
@salish, I was also thinking DT, trust me I was there. But I want to see what Smith can do with this D….and Im pretty sure he’s going to turn things around.
July 7th, 2016 at 3:34 pm
I’ll be brief. Don’t look past Bernard Reedy!
July 7th, 2016 at 4:11 pm
“I wanted to be drafted by the Tampa bay Bucs and play in front of poster Kobe Faker” Sterling Shepard
July 7th, 2016 at 4:33 pm
I hate to be Debbie Downer but BOTH Anquin and Roddy have expressed they will ONLY play for Super Bowl contenders..
We got Bernard Reedy and Andre Davis still..I belong to team Andre, of course..the kid even follows me on Twitter and even let me know his number when he got called back..Top receiver at USF, local guy and good guy!..
I wanted Roddy at one point, really did but he kinda ticked me off implying that many teams have reached out and he simply told his agent, if it’s not a SB bound team, no thanks..he’s got a new mansion and plenty of money and he won’t play 3rd or 4th WR…PERIOD..
July 7th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I’ve been banging the drum for Boldin for quite a while now. I think playing with Jameis and “coming home” would override the “only wanna play for a super bowl contender” qualifier.
@Fred McNeil: Boldin is the greatest locker room guy ever. And on the field he’s the toughest, most determined WR in the NFL.
Jameis to Boldin!
July 7th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
How many SB teams don’t have solid #1 & #2’s?
July 7th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
@MadMax and Salish
I know we need DT and WR help but how about DE Myles Garrett? Kid looks like he’s going to be a stud I just doubt we’ll have a high enough draft position next year to grab him.
July 7th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Fred McNeil Says:
July 7th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Isn’t Boldin a locker room problem?
——
He was the Walter Payton Man of the Year for the entire NFL this past year, so I would say he probably didn’t cause a whole lot of issues in the locker room.
He would be an ASSET in our locker room.
July 7th, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Bolden is a bad ass and I would snack him up now! He’s a first down machine!
July 7th, 2016 at 5:36 pm
Snatch
July 7th, 2016 at 5:36 pm
It was irresponsible by the Bucs to ignore this position in the draft; but hey, we got our slightly-above-average kicker in the second round, hopefully?!?
July 7th, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Why don’t you just list every free agent available so if we sign one you can claim you called it first. lol
July 7th, 2016 at 5:53 pm
This topic, along with a consistent pass rush that pressures QBs, will determine a 6-10 season or a 9-7 season.
July 7th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Remember though. Roddy white said he would only play for contender since his time is running out. Could be same with two other guys that are about to retire. Maybe bucs have reached out and been denied
July 7th, 2016 at 6:28 pm
Anquan Boldin isnt signed???!!!!!
Sign that dide hes a beast but I thought he was under contract somewhere already
July 7th, 2016 at 6:30 pm
you could pick any 4 of those names and the Bucs will still be looking for a new WR come next year!!!!!!!
July 7th, 2016 at 6:45 pm
MM, Myles will probably be a top 3 pick.
July 7th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Well, it’s good to know he’s not a lockerroom problem. Don’t know much about him. Maybe I’ll lookhim up.
July 7th, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Boldin will be perfect mentor for Mike Evans.
VJackson is a nice guy but he is a military brat and bow ties…Evans is street and tatoos…there never was and never will be a connection with these 2…Dont get me started with VJs 12 million contract…lol
Boldin is a physical angry player which Evans lack even with his size.
Boldin will be Jaboo s 3rd down checkdown go to guy and free up Evans downfield
July 7th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
It’s going to drive Joe crazy, but the WR depth chart is not going to change. It will be year 2 of the Humphries, Bell and Dye project. I believe this will be Jacksons last season and the real shake up at this position could go down next off season. The more Winston establishes himself the more appealing we’ll be to potential FA receivers.
July 7th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
glad to see some folks who realize how great Boldin would be for this team.
July 7th, 2016 at 9:51 pm
@Johnny..
Boldin is a great guy. an incredible WR, even at almost 37 years old..I would love him as a mentor to the bucs and to play when needed..Man of the Year, a nominee also in the past..well spoken, class and just pure passion on his playing..
But I think Detroit will pick him up…I’m calling it now..
July 7th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
I have a feeling Licht is waiting to see what happens with other teams before he signs another WR. Boldin is a nice receiver and all (over the hill, but can still be productive), but the problem is he is just like every other receiver we have. We have enough big, possession-type receivers. We need someone who can take the top off the defense. I trust that Licht is smart enough to know that too.
July 7th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
Dontae Dye was a bust last year with poor hands and doesn’t look strong or durable to me. Streeter is our best gunner and is fast and tall and can backup VJAX if needed and will definitely make the team. Humphries makes the team as a quick slot receiver with good hands and decent speed. Only if VJAX or Murphy gets hurt do we call Roddy White.
July 7th, 2016 at 11:15 pm
He’s 35.
July 7th, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Owlykat
Streeter is not even on the team and if that bum Murphy makes the roster bucs are in a world of hurt at wr….
July 8th, 2016 at 7:49 am
Sorry but Murphy is the 3rd best receiver on this roster when healthy and has proven that several times. The one play that comes to my mind is that catch n throw from Glennon to Murphy in Pitt to set up the GW TD. If he can come back from that knee injury and sustain his health I’m sure he will be a key contributer this year. The X factor for this orps is Kenny Bell tho. If he can be that deep threat we sorely lack than that opens up a another dimension to this offense and stretches the defense as well. I think ppl are sleeping on Andre Davis as well. He has the potential to be a playmaker for this offense as a no. 3 or 4. And don’t get me started on Dye. DD deez nutz. I don’t understand what they see in this kid. I thought he was a Lovie fav. (Prob cause they continued to play him after doing nothing like his boys Jenkins & Jennings) But I guess he’s Koetters boy. Il take speedy Reedy over Dye ALL day. There the same size but Reedy’s faster with better hands. Hopefully he over takes him in preseason.
July 8th, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Roddy White has already stated he only wants to play for a sure contender, my guess is the others are the same. All the teams in need are likely hoping to sign one of these guys following the first week of the season, when the contract is not guaranteed