Hometown Guy Made Good
September 28th, 2014
Louis Murphy’s clutch 41-yard catch on the Bucs’ final drive set up Vincent Jackson’s game-winning touchdown. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
It sure seemed like Louis Murphy’s days with the Bucs were done. Not long after hurting his back in the final game of the preseason, the St. Pete native was released in the final cut.
Last week, the Bucs re-signed Murphy cutting loose Chris Owusu. Murphy sure seemed like a guy who was out of football for nearly a month when he dropped a sure touchdown from Mike Glennon and, early today, generally played like crap.
That was forgotten when quarterback Mike Glennon found Murphy open in space down the right hashmark for a clutch 41-yard gain to the Pittsburgh-5, setting up Vincent Jackson’s game-winning catch.
“It was kind of fitting for a local guy who loves the Buccaneers and would do anything,” Bucs coach Lovie Smith said. “While he was out, he stayed in contact with us. He was one of our guys, you are right. It says an awful lot about him to come in and be able to contribute like that.”
When it was mentioned to Bucs general manager Jason Light after the win how clutch the Murphy’s catch was, Licht became near breathless searching for words on Murphy.
“Are you kidding me? Louis Murphy was unreal,” Licht said. “Right now, I cannot think of a player who came in one week and had an impact like he did” in first game.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
He’s the guy I kept saying to my wife through the whole game. Who’s number 18 honey?
September 28th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
why did we cut him, co strange. Great job though. hope he sticks. wouldnt mind bringing streeter back too
September 28th, 2014 at 7:25 pm
Hey joe do you have any recent videos or links to Lichts pressers or anything? Not much coverage in Indy
September 28th, 2014 at 7:27 pm
Only reason he was cut bc of his injury, now healthy and back.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Something interesting:
With 1:35 left Fox posted that teams starting out 3-1 have a 65% chance to make the playoffs and below that it said:
“Pittsburgh: 3-1”
Haha talk about countin your chickens before they hatch. But I suppose Bucs fans were thinking the same.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
I remember during the preseason that Glennon seemed to have a good connection with Murphy. So glad he came up big for us today! If Evans is out for a while, he may see even more playing time!
September 28th, 2014 at 7:44 pm
We needed someone to come to come up with a game changing play and LM came up with it from a nice pass! Very well done and wow we needed it!
September 28th, 2014 at 7:52 pm
He’s Glennnons new go to guy now that wright is gone
September 28th, 2014 at 7:54 pm
I don’t remember him playing like crap prior to that last drive Joe. Where do you come up with this stuff? Kid was fine, he ‘sort of’ dropped a touchdown. I’m pretty tough on our receivers and even I wasn’t irate at that one. Now, talk about VJax catching about half the balls he should catch and we can have an intelligent conversation. VJax is under delivering. Period.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:11 pm
@Indy. Usually the official Bucs site has plenty of pressers from L & L.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Agree with Tony. I don’t think at any time did Murphy play badly. He was out there laying his heart on the line. Love that. The TD pass would have been a tough catch although I think it’s one he should have made. Glennon could have led him to the corner but back-shouldered it and it was actually well done. I just finished watching the plays from the point that we kicked the FG to pull within 3 in the 4th qtr 3 times. I watched all of those plays 3 times. Glennon really came through with some great plays and smart plays. If he gets sacked on the first down on our last game-winning drive, we lose. Instead he was smart enough to throw it away. That showed maturity. How can you not jump on board the mob with such a clutch outing from MG?
September 28th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
The Bucs won this game on sheer determination. MG deserved a game ball for his effort. The whole team played with frantic grit to pull out the win.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
The WR’s looked like they did during OTA’s & fall camp.
September 29th, 2014 at 6:13 am
All I can say it’s nice to wake up Monday morning, look at the score from yesterday’s game and still be in a good mood. It certainly beats the wailing and the gnashing of teeth that we have all grown accustomed to.
September 29th, 2014 at 6:40 am
Murphy played an incredible game. V-Jax caught the winning TD but had way too many drops. Jackson kept looking for bail out calls from refs in the end zone.
September 29th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Great Win! And all three of our division rivals lost.