Bucs Sign Fullback Help; Spencer Larsen Returns
September 10th, 2013
Tight end Tom Crabtree got hurt lining up as a fullback in preseason. Against the Jets, tight end Nate Byham proved he can’t play fullback. And it’s obvious the New Schiano Order doesn’t think Peyton Hillis can play the position effectively.
Also, there’s no word on when starting fullback Erik Lorig can return to action after injuring his calf in July.
Today, the Bucs re-signed veteran fullback Spencer Larsen, who was cut from the Bucs midway through the preseason. He was on the Patriots last year and spent years in Denver. Rookie defensive tackle Chris Jones was waived.
It’ll be interesting to see if Larsen gets a shot Sunday.
September 10th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
We need all the help we can get to ignite this running game early and often.
September 10th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Oh I forgot about him. Rootin for you buddy. I find it interesting they don’t trust Hillis with that role. A guy would think he would be good at it. I guess that’s why I’m at home posting comments on a blog and not in the NFL
September 10th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
YES!!! thank God! a said it after the jets game we need a FB, any FB, to help fix our running game.
September 10th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
what about Demps? who will get released for him? its already a pretty crowded back field.
September 10th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I believe they have 2 weeks for some kind of special exemption where they can evaluate Demps and decide if they want to cut someone to keep him.
September 10th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
With John Connor out there, we signed Spencer Larsen?!!! WTF?!
September 10th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
^^Larsen already knows the playbook.
September 10th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Now they just need a TE and 3rd WR threat and they’ll be good to go!
Go Bucs!!!
September 10th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
bring in michael robinson
September 10th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I posted this on the comments of PFT, but it also belongs here:
For all the cap space the Bucs still have, they should have kept Larsen on the roster for the season and just guaranteed his contract. The lack of a FB really hurt Tampa against New York; Martin was barely able to get going, even with 24 carries. Not having Erik Lorig, an underrated FB to open up holes against an excellent Jets defensive line sank the Bucs as much as all of the unnecessary roughness calls and Freeman’s erratic play.
Knock the Bucs all you want, and after stumbling in New York the way they did, they deserve quite a bit of it, but let’s get two things straight;
1. The Jets aren’t anywhere near as bad as everyone said they would be. Will they win more than six games? I doubt it, but the Jets defense lost Revis early last season and remained a strong unit and they will carry the team this season.
2. For all the micromanaging Greg Schiano is famous (infamous?) for, where the heck was the sense of order in Sunday’s game? 13 penalties, 10 of which had nothing to do with roughness? Mass chaos because Freeman’s helmet radio stopped working early in the 1st, which led to confusion (and more penalties) on the sidelines? Schiano treated this game as if were the preseason and it sunk the Bucs in the end. Don’t blame Lavonte David for the loss; David had 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 INT, without his contribution, the Bucs aren’t even in a position to blow their small lead at the end. Don’t blame Freeman, as erratic as ever, he threw a terrible INT when he should have looked to throw away, but he was there on the final drive leading the team down the field.
The blame falls at the feet of Greg Schiano. Look at what he’s done to Josh Freeman. He won’t let Josh run and he’s overloading him with this college flavored micromanaging and it’s going to ruin Freeman. Look at the playcalling; like a lot of America, I’m watching unique offensive schemes unfold on Monday Night Football and rookie QB’s come in to places like Buffalo and possibly even New York and breathe new life into those teams, and over here in Tampa, we have a talented young QB shacked by the coaching staff and play calling reminiscent of a boring Big East matchup. Maybe things will change as it’s only been one game, but man, for a guy that’s touted as being prepared and disciplined, I must have tuned in and watched the bizarro-Greg Schiano, because what I saw as a fan with a team that is as loaded with talent as the Bucs are (8 pro bowl players 30 and under) was disgraceful, plain and simple.
September 10th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
^^THAT’S A BINGO!
September 10th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Sweet! Another back that won’t touch the ball.
We needed one of those.
September 10th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Good lord, why have Leonard, Hillis and James on the roster? Snook, you got that right
September 10th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
The Bucs might have a lot of talent but the OL sucks, the front 4 can’t pressure, we have no TE and the QB is average at best. There are simply too many holes to be a great team. I guess I’m one of the rare Buc fans with low expectations.
September 10th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Oh yeah..the blame goes to the reason why we still have holes and that falls on Dominick many years of extremely bad drafting. Keep in mind that the past 2 years were Shiano & Butch picks.
September 10th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
I’ve also wondered about John Conner. I admit most of what I’ve seen from him has been on 2 different season of Hard Knocks, but he sure seems like a bruiser to me. Obviously he has something working against him or he would have a job right now, but can’t we at least give him a look? We value the FB much more than most teams anyway. The job of a FB can’t be that damn complicated. You pretty much just run and hit somebody.
September 10th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
I hope he got his complimentary bag of Twizzlers.
September 10th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Off subject, do the Bucs website not replay the radio shows anymore. Im looking for it but cant find it. Its been there every year. I want to listen to last nights broadcast.
September 10th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
What I was told by a good source is that John Conner is a very good fullback but that not many teams use a classic the fullback (the ones that do aren’t unhappy with the one they have)and he is not versatile meaning he can’t play halfback, protect QB, catch well or most importantly play special teams. I knew most of this from watching hard knocks and general football knowledge but hearing it from someone collecting a check from the NFL confirmed it for me.
September 10th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
deathaneers- I can’t find it either. I usually listen in the podcast section on WDAE but it’s not posted. Maybe its just not up yet.
September 10th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
The j.e.t.s. have NE next…..watch them get OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
Thanks Stan,Ill check later
September 10th, 2013 at 10:16 pm
MadMax…the sad part about all that is I think if the Bucs were to replay the Jets this Sunday. The Bucs would kick the crap out of them too.
September 10th, 2013 at 10:30 pm
If Tampa can get the run game going, eliminate the penalties, get some kind of production out of a third wideout and keep playing solid defense then we can right the ship and have a winning season. We’ll see on Sunday what progress has been made in accomplishing any of the above.
September 10th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
JKTampa Says
“With John Connor out there, we signed Spencer Larsen?!!! WTF?!”
I have been begging for the Bucs to sign John Conner. Almost daily.
The guy had a season ending injury his first year and it bled into the following year. The Jets gave up on him before he even healed up.
His latest team cut him even though he was the better fullback…because the other guy was a more all around player.
John Conner will not be a pass catcher (not without development). He is more of a hard hitting runner and one of the most aggressive blockers I’ve seen since Lorenzo Neal. And he is stil young.
Exactly what the Bucs need. You send this guy at a defensive line and they fear the impact.
September 10th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
deathaneers Says: September 10th, 2013 at 7:12 pm
Off subject, do the Bucs website not replay the radio shows anymore. Im looking for it but cant find it. Its been there every year. I want to listen to last nights broadcast.”
The first show was yesterday. Give it a couple days and they should start showing up.
September 10th, 2013 at 11:35 pm
Good Post BuccaneerBonzai!
Few in Tampa remember what an awesome blocker Lorenzo Neal really was!
September 11th, 2013 at 5:58 am
I remember Apple. Had another good blocking FB in Johnnie Davis.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:30 am
[…] The Bucs have added some help at fullback. [JoeBucsFan] […]
September 11th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Keep in mind that the Bucs have no idea how to evaluate players. If they did Ogletree & Locker would not be on the roster. We also have so many great DLmen that they can afford to cut Jones & sign Spencer. I also agree that John Connor should have been signed. Also why is Wright still on the roster.