The Many Suitors Of Adam Humphries

February 13th, 2019

Yeah, yeah, Bucs fans want super-reliable receiver Adam Humphries back in 2019. Jason Licht and Bucco Bruce Arians have said the same thing publicly.

But lots of other times likely want the free-agent-to-be, as well.

It’s highly likely the Bucs could have signed Humphries to a long-term deal last season, but they went the restricted free agent tender route (just under $3 million for 2018) and now they’ll have to pay — if they get the chance.

The Golden Tate trail is worth following if you’re wondering who might chase Humphries. The Lions traded Tate to the Eagles at the trade deadline last year and got a third-round pick. (Hmm, could the Bucs have scored that for DeSean Jackson back in October?). The Lions didn’t realize what a negative effect that would have on their offense.

Tate was missed and now there’s clamoring in Detroit for Humphries. The Eagles could use a replacement for Tate, and there’s chatter that the Ravens and Titans are pining for a slot guy like Humphries. And of course, the teams with huge piles of salary cap dollars are always a threat.

Joe suspects Humphries is looking for the biggest possible payday after four year of making little money by NFL standards. Joe wouldn’t blame the guy.

Will the Bucs really pay top dollar for Humphries if they believe Chris Godwin is a true No. 1 or No. 1a receiver, and that O.J. Howard is one of the NFL’s great weapons? And would they cough up all that cash considering their needs on defense?

Big decisions ahead for Arians.

49 Responses to “The Many Suitors Of Adam Humphries”

  1. AlteredEgo Says:

    After the 1st round pick/picks is over…the player that I really want is Deebo Samuel, hopefully we’ll have extra second round picks and grab him…see Ya Hump…with all the pass catchers on this roster simply can’t allocate whatever your market value is this year to you…tough decision because I’ll really like everything about his game

  2. miken Says:

    He has made peanuts and am glad he will get a big payday. He deserves it!

  3. Robert Says:

    The bucs have too many weapons and an inept qb

    they cant pay them all.

    they should try to keey Hump, but I suspect they will be outbid. Can you imagine the number Aaron Rogers or Brady or Brees would put up with this guy?

  4. JP_09 Says:

    Hump would only cost us around 5-6 mil a year at most. That would put him in Edelman’s range per year. This is why they need to cut ties with some of the other over paid players or restructure their contracts. We shouldn’t lose Humphries due to ignorance

  5. Tom Edrington Says:

    All he does is get open and catch passes…..isn’t that what a quality receiver is supposed to do? Tom Brady would make him into an All-Pro….

  6. Bird Says:

    Jp 09

    Edelman is like Brady. They take less for patriots to win championships. Not the same thing.

  7. Tim Says:

    We need to pay him, he deserves the payday.

    If the Bucs don’t cough up the dough then my money is on the Pats snagging him. As Tom said Brady would make Hump an all pro in year one and who could blame him for running to NE. Where he would immediately be on a competitive team.

  8. Robert Says:

    you mean some players take less money to win championships?

    like they’re more interested in winning and quality environments?

    wow, we need to get some guys like that!

  9. Buc believer Says:

    PAY the MAN! Over pay him if you must! Hell they have overpaid numerous players over the years. Pay a man who has contributed and is a great teammate and good citizen.

  10. Bucnjim Says:

    Robert you mean instead of the guys we have dancing and laughing it up on the sideline while the team is down by 21? After we dump the excess baggage the new theme should be leadership and accountability.

  11. Guzzie Says:

    Let him go, plenty of quality slot guys available late in drafts, plus been waiting for Bobo to get his chance, need the 6 million a year towards a quality guard, paying skill position guys when you have depth is why we are in this position (Brate, Grimes, Conte), we need to focus on the OL

  12. EvolvingBucsfan Says:

    The Lions traded Tate to the Eagles at the trade deadline last year and got a third-round pick. (Hmm, could the Bucs have scored that for DeSean Jackson back in October?)

    Exactly…..should have traded him then, by far the biggest mistake last year and could have helped us immensely if we got a decent draft pick out of it too.

    Tom- couldn’t agree more.

  13. Bucnjim Says:

    Keep Humphries! We’re so overloaded with underachievers that when you do find an overachiever it’s like winning the lottery. He and JPP will really help establish the culture change this team is looking for.

  14. Guzzie Says:

    Hump is a great guy, don’t get me wrong, but we don’t need him as much as a quality tackle or guard, we pay Hump, we can’t fill more important positions which are also very weak, our WRS aren’t weak

  15. 813bucboi Says:

    it pains me to say this but we gotta let hump walk….we need to stack the trenches and get a RB….

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!

  16. Bucnjim Says:

    I agree we are loaded at both the WR & TE positions but Humphries is a first down machine. Not flashy but keeps on moving the chains. I guess we have to see what the market value is.

  17. Owlykat Says:

    Absolutely keep Humphrey. He is sure handed and can take big hits and knows how to get open and gets great YAC. He also has chemistry with Jameis. Yes you can get another slot receiver in Free Agency but the money you have to shell out would have been better used to keep Humphrey. A rookie will take time to develop but we need Humphrey right away.

  18. Jean Lafitte Says:

    This should be a no brainer but even Hump can price himself out of reach for us. Plus, In our favor there is a chance that Justin Watson could be DJax’s permanent replacement putting Godwin @ Hump’s position. The one thing that kills the Bucs every season is the talent level beyond the starters. We seem to suffer a high amount of injuries before midseason and the backups are still in development when called upon. I think it’s important to keep and resign good players (starters) just for that reason alone.

  19. down in the dirt Doug Says:

    What is there not to love about Hump,but he has to go.We have greater needs.Follow New England –they let many quality players go in their prime.How is that working out for them??

  20. AlteredEgo Says:

    Don’t forget about Watson

  21. Waterboy Says:

    Set a price point on what the position is worth and stick to it. Unfortunately you can’t overpay for a guy just because you like him. The goal is to put the best overall team on the field not the best receivers. New England doesn’t pay their receivers much at all.

  22. SOEbuc Says:

    Hump pushes it to the limit in practice, game time, and in the community. It’s going to come down to the Bucs making a nice set price, and if someone beats that than he will take the walk. I believe Justin Watson can be the real deal that he looked like at Penn. That guy has a gigantic set of good mits and his combine stats were off the charts. Jameis also works better with beast WR.

  23. IBelieveinJameis Says:

    If I’m Hump, I take meetings with many suitors even if I want to stay in Tampa. Drive up your value and get paid – the young man deserves it. Always gets open, runs the over the middle routes and takes a pounding and is a YAC darling; what’s not to like?

  24. Jim Says:

    Not only the money, but also the opportunity to play for a winning team. But I’d make every effort to keep Hump; he’s a great player, a great teammate. For the Bucs, he’s more than just a reliable pass-catcher…

  25. Bucnjim Says:

    NE let’s players go after they believe they’ve reached their prime. I think humphries will be 26 this year.

  26. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    “But lots of other times likely want the free-agent-to-be, as well.”

    Typo Joe

  27. JA Says:

    —milken
    Peanuts? Three million of em in a tax free state?
    I think anybody here would love to chomp on those peanuts.

    Offer four or let him hit the door. The receiver position is the last of the team’s worries.

  28. Robert Says:

    if crabman can’t hit anyone over the top we need Hump

    @bucnjim……yeah those dancin guys. lose em!!!!

    GMC, D Jax (only cause JW can’t hit him not cause of dancin), and I’d say crabman as well but that aint happenin. not THIS year anyway.

  29. Joe Says:

    Don’t forget about Watson

    What did he do that we are forgetting?

  30. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Says
    May 24th, 2018 at 11:07 pm
    https://www.joebucsfan.com/2018/05/bucs-home-humphries/#comment-3975066
    “Godwin is here to replace the washed up Desean Jackson. DJax will be gone after this year. He would have been released this year if his contract numbers made it easy. And just watch…if Jackson is not producing before the trade deadline, Licht will do his best to trade him. Especially if Godwin looks ready.

    Humphries will be the slot WR for years to come.”

    They need to apply the money from releasing Curry to re-signing Humphries. Then send Jackson packing to re-sign Donovan Smith (if it is going to happen).

    There should be some cash left over between the two.

  31. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Joe Says:
    February 13th, 2019 at 10:03 am
    ” Don’t forget about Watson

    What did he do that we are forgetting?”

    Nothing yet, other than flash some stuff. But…I think the point is that he could end up being good as well. For now, I’d settle if he became quality depth.

  32. TOM Says:

    I’d much rather have an overachiever like Hump than a underachiever like lazy ass Smith. Sign him say for around 7 mil & get rid of Jackson.

  33. Andrew Says:

    John Brown. He is a player.

  34. JimmyJack Says:

    I don’t see what the big deal is. The guy is a good player. He’s an awesome postsason reciever and can make explosive plays once in a while.

    Letting good players walk is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions based on salary but Hump won’t cost that much for it to be a huge deal. 7M or so won’t hurt much.

    Y’all gotta quit fixating on salary CAP. We can dump a ton of players if we choose. What are y’all bent on keeping this 5-11 roster together.

    The goal should be to go into FA and sign good players. Purging whoever necessary to make that happen. Not only is Hump a good player but he’s our player so you know he can be productive.

    Resigning Hump is a solid football move. It’s not that costly so sign him then move on to other positions.

  35. JimmyJack Says:

    Possession**

  36. JimmyJack Says:

    If it were my choice I would rather have Hump then Brate. Brate makes 7M. I would find a way to get Brates number off the books and pay Bump.

    Then you draft a TE because it’s a deep TE class. Sorry but Auclair is a big stiff, not counting on that guy as my TE 2.

    And I like Brate but he has choked in too many clutch moments. Hump is way more reliable

  37. Kalind Says:

    Enter Hunter Renfro, stage right.

  38. Bird Says:

    Kalind

    I agree. Renfrow is Adam Humphries Clone.
    Wonder what round he may go in?

  39. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Bucs will not miss Hump, he did his thing here but good luck or stay for a team discount. His agent is doing hump a great service by saying multiple teams want him…let him walk and see if teams actually want him at that high price tag

  40. Frank Pillow Says:

    PAY THE MAN- he’s a RARE example of a Buccaneer who has completely and totally EARNED a second deal, via his on-field efforts. I also don’t understand the Brate-hate…OJ looks like the man, but he has yet to finish out a season. We are a better team with blue collar guys like Brate and Hump, than without.

  41. martinii Says:

    I agree with Frank P. Hump is a proven consistent commodity that plays his ass off, waits his turn and serves Jameis like Edleman and Amendola served Brady. Get rid of DJAX who can’t carry Humps jock when it comes to productivity. The guy has earned a payday and it’s not his fault we squandered good money on bad players. If you’re looking for something to regret next year so you can continue to hate and bitch about poor management and historically bad Buc decisions than let Hump walk.

  42. Bob in Valrico Says:

    Bird says: Edelmen is like Brady. they take less for the Patriots to win championships.
    With our salary cap issues this would be a great time for Jameis to show his leadership
    and take a little less to secure the guy that gets you a first down when its 3rd and 30 and he has depended on so heavily.

  43. StoutGospel Says:

    @Guzzie…nailed it. Two fine posts and spot on. Well done sir!

    Money needs to go elsewhere, easier to replace Hump, and other bidders will pay more for his services. Yes he’s a “good guy”, and that has nothing to do with the business decision.

    Brate’s $$$ being cut was already in my previous statements on “cut, cut, cut”. Keep cutting.

  44. ClwJB Says:

    Absolutely hate having to lose Hump, he is a stud in 3rd in 7 or less – but if we don’t get the home team discount rate, have to draft his replacement –

    In watching the BA offense, he wants Evans/Howard in the slot, a la Fitz, with speed on both flanks opening up those 18-25 yard patterns in b/w the hashes

  45. Bobby M. Says:

    Should have traded Hump and got something for him….He’s not staying here when other teams can offer more balls his way and better pay. We have too many weapons, not enough cash to go around and Arians wants to run more.

    All that points to Hump playing elsewhere.

  46. Pickgrin Says:

    Hump is well worth the $5-7M per year his play has earned him over the last 4 years.

    Hopefully Adam would rather stay here with the Bucs (who gave him his chance in the NFL) for a fair long term offer in that range – than chase the $ elsewhere.

    Hopefully Hump also realizes how good he has it here working so well with Jameis – even as a #3 receiver – and that the grass is not always greener in another (likely cold) town just because there are more (taxable) dollars available….

  47. passthebuc Says:

    What is our GM’s name again, or will looser due. Just look at the decisions he made in drafting, re-signing, free agents, etc. I’m guessing he has photographs of someone at the top level.

  48. Dabo Says:

    Draft Hunter Renfrow and upgrade to the new model – cheaper with less miles on it.

  49. Defense Rules Says:

    I agree with Waterboy … “Set a price point on what the position is worth and stick to it.” The ‘price point’ IMO should be $7 mil with a 4-year contract. Much as I love having Hump on the Bucs, we simply can’t break the bank for any one player.

    Think about how much money Licht put into ‘weapons for Winston’ in the past couple years (guys still under contract). ME13 – $82.5 mil for 5 yrs. Brate – $40.8 mil for 6 yrs. DJax – $33.5 mil for 3 yrs. OJ – $11 mil for 4 yrs. RoJo – $7 mil for 4 yrs. Godwin – $3.3 mil for 4 yrs. Watson – $2.7 mil for 4 yrs. Shaun Wilson – $1.7 mil for 3 yrs. Bobo Wilson – $1.7 for 3 yrs. Auclair – $1.7 mil for 3 yrs. Plus Jameis himself of course – $21 mil this year. That’s well over $200 mil just right there (not counting re-signing any REAL RBs or Hump at this point). That’s a MONSTER investment in ‘weapons’.

    What it’s meant is that other areas/position groups have to get ‘short-changed’ by default, resulting in an unbalanced team with marginal depth. The results speak for themselves: when injuries happen (which they always do in Bucsville), our marginal depth can’t compensate. That ‘depth’ also represents the players who man our special teams by-and-large, and the poor performance of our S/Ts also speaks for itself. Like Waterboy said, we’ve got to set ‘price points’ for the FAs we now need and stick to it.