No Diva Receivers Wanted!

March 14th, 2010

If a Bucs fan hasn’t yet forgotten about the Bucs trying to lure Brandon Marshall, now would be the time to do so.

Seems the Bucs have no use for diva receivers. At least for the near future.

In a recent NFL notebook on ProFootballWeekly.com, it seems the Bucs waved goodbye to receiver Antonio Bryant not so much because they didn’t think he could still produce.

The Bucs unloaded him because they feared he wanted the ball.

Sources say the Buccaneers’ strategy for grooming QB Josh Freeman was part of the reason the team chose not to be more aggressive in its efforts to re-sign unrestricted free-agent WR Antonio Bryant, who signed with the Bengals March 10. Tampa Bay was concerned that Bryant might put pressure on Freeman and demand the ball be thrown to him, which is not an environment the team is seeking to create for its young quarterback.

Joe sort of understands this. Sort of. A headcase of a receiver could really mess with a young quarterback’s head.

Let’s be honest though, if Bryant was back in the Bucs fold, who the hell else would Freeman throw to, blocking icon Michael Clayton?

13 Responses to “No Diva Receivers Wanted!”

  1. nick Says:

    Now before we get the guys on here who automatically call BS and citing the cheapness of the franchise or the “incompetence” of the GM or coach, this theory has proven to be true. Last year AB called for the ball and I remember Freeman trying to force the ball to him, resulting in INT’s. Maybe that was what “he caused INT’s ” was all about

  2. sgw94 Says:

    This is what, the 5th excuse from anonymous sources of course, they have given now for not resigning AB? When is somebody gonna call bullshit?

  3. Joe Says:

    Steve:

    Joe believes Gary Shelton did just that.

    https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=25828

  4. Eric S Says:

    All of the best receivers want the ball. Jerry Rice complained constantly about not getting the ball enough. The Marks brothers in Miami would lobby for more balls. Boy scout Larry Fitzgerald got mad during halftime of a game where he wasn’t getting the ball enough. My point is that all of the best receivers do it. This is a total crap reason to get rid of AB.

  5. T Says:

    I agree with Eric, since the onset of Free Agency, there hasn’t been an elite wide out that hasn’t wanted the ball, and have at least one time made a statement about it. Some are worse then others (see TO), however there’s probably no position in football where the stats generated most accurately depict how good the player is (it’s not perfect, but I still feel most accurate). This meaning the best players want the ball to prove they are the best.

  6. Eric Says:

    Ill bet Josh Freeman has been playing QB since he was a little kid, and has probably run across receivers that like to have the ball thrown to them. He did not strike me to be so psychologically fragile that it would bother him in the least.

    As a matter of fact, the kid seems largely unflappable, which even the Dream commented on last season. In some circles, having a guy that can catch and score touchdowns actually enhances a young qb’s confidence and development.

    What a crock of crap.

  7. Louie Says:

    Wouldn’t have been smarter to keep AB around until they found a replacement? From the standpoint, of negotiating a trade I’m sure the Bucs would have had more leverage with AB on the roster. Without AB, the Bucs are desperate and teams with WR’s are going to hold out for the maximum compenstation. If the Bucs are just going to wait until a WR get cut after the draft, you can bet that player is not going to be the caliber of player they need.

  8. Tj Tillman Says:

    No diva recivers why do we have the little blaming bitch Micheal Clayton on the team then he balmes everyone for his problems

  9. JK Says:

    Just another reason not to spend money. That’s all and nothing less.

  10. Joe Says:

    Tj:

    Very good point.

  11. MTM Says:

    When you mean diva’s. Your talking about receivers that can catch passes. The Buc’s have never had a diva. Because that would mean they caught 70 passes in 1 season. Mc Cardell was probably they best and quietest receiver they have had.

  12. bippy28 Says:

    Joe Jurevicius was a damn good player that catch and run to shut down the vet was the statement catch of this franchise. He played the game to win. They want recievers to run the routes that are called in the huddle keep it simple.

  13. Radio Mushmouth Says:

    “bippy28 Says:

    March 14th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
    Joe Jurevicius was a damn good player that catch and run to shut down the vet was the statement catch of this franchise. He played the game to win. They want recievers to run the routes that are called in the huddle keep it simple.”

    Does jogging through the route called like AB did last season count ?? LOL