Playing The Slot
August 15th, 2014
Bucs WR Robert Herron closed training camp on an upswing and could be in the mix as a slot receiver.
No one really knows what the Jeff Tedford offense will look like when the regular season starts. Of course, the pessimists say without decent guard play, the Tedford offense will look much like the first quarter last week at Jacksonville when Josh McCown was running for his life on each and every play.
A word that has been tossed around a lot is “versatile.” That may come into play with who could play at the slot receiver position.
While Tim Wright is listed as a tight end, he has been playing a lot of slot receiver formations, and played them well.
Then, of course, there is the monster Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who can play slot and is a frightening mismatch for both linebackers and defensive backs. Pat Yasinskas of ESPN believes there is another name in the mix for a slot receiver position.
There are several options here and the Bucs could use them all. Tight end Tim Wright has been lining up in the slot a lot. Receiver Chris Owusu could end up there. The Bucs drafted (Robert) Herron mainly to play the slot. He got off to a slow start in camp, but has come on strong lately. Herron could get more playing time as the season goes on.
Herron has been, at best, inconsistent catching the ball through training camp, except the past handful of days. It seemed like one big catch against Jacksonville gave him the confidence to catch the damned ball.
Yesterday, Herron caught a freaking bomb from Mike Glennon over the middle where Herron had to sky and outfight three defenders for the ball. Herron did just that and ended the play with six points.
Joe has never seen the Bucs this loaded with quality receivers, certainly not since the Super Bowl season in 2002. When you have three capable receivers to put in the slot at any time, that’s depth.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:09 am
Robert Herron? I know pat wrote it, but come on Joe.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:21 am
The thing to keep in mind is that the guy was a sixth round pick. If he had great hands and was consistent, he would have been a third round pick somewhere.
He is a project and hopefully can be a successful project.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:22 am
@ Baker Ryan
That is his name, Robert Herron. Or do you find the idea of him playing the slot ridiculous or something?
August 15th, 2014 at 7:49 am
No way he beats out Louis Murphy, keep dreaming Joe.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:51 am
Quality depth is a very good thing in the NFL and looks like we have that at WR and RB. I really hope he can come on as a return guy with all that speed I keep hearing about.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:52 am
Now we just need a qb.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:58 am
Don’t forget Chris Sims in the slot……he can line up in the backfield and shift to the slot or just simply line up there…..he has the ability to catch the ball and the speed after the catch.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:23 am
Looked like to me he came down hard on that shoulder on Friday. I hope it wasn’t anything serious.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:26 am
Too bad we don’t have a competent QB or oline. What a waste.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:39 am
Glennon connected a long bomb to Herron, in yesterday’s camp for a TD, against the 1st team D.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:40 am
Robert “the dark horse” Herron…. Don’t know why, but I like this kid.
August 15th, 2014 at 10:00 am
I think the point for 2014 is that no single player will be in the slot at all times. There’s a great potential for mismatch depending on who is in there. Each of them does different things, and the corner or safety covering them may not be the right guy doing it – depending on who it is. I give them credit for trying this approach. A short corner covering Wright would be a mistake. A safety covering Herron or Murphy is a total mismatch in speed. It could work out well.
August 15th, 2014 at 10:08 am
I agree with you Louis Friend. i like the players and believe it would be a game by game basis…or even play by play depending on the match ups they want to exploit. Of course the coaches no better than we.
August 15th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Herron & Murphy both should make the team.
August 15th, 2014 at 11:24 am
1. VJax
2. Mike Evans
3. Louis Murphy
4. Robert Herron
5. Tommy streeter
August 15th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Streeter in the slot
August 15th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Jesus did that guy just say put Chris sim(m)s in the slot? Homework time bud…
August 15th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Stevek Glennons bomb in underwear practice with no contact should be a given every time.
August 15th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
I agree and if we can resolve issues with the OLine we will be able to punish teams on the ground and in the air consistently!