Bucs Making Move At WR (Again)?

April 4th, 2014
Lavelle Hawkins a Bucs WR?

Lavelle Hawkins a Bucs WR?

It seems Bucs general manager Jason Licht is not taking a lazy spring Friday afternoon lounging in his backyard with a cocktail, enjoying a warm and sunny day. The guy is busy.

First he traded starting wide receiver Mike Williams to frosty Buffalo. Now it seems he is ready to ink his replacement. And that would be a former member of the Titans. And, no, it’s not running back Chris Johnson.

Per NFL insider Adam Caplan, it appears to be Lavelle Hawkins.

@caplannfl: Buccaneers are expected to sign WR Lavelle Hawkins, source said.

Caplan usually has good sources and well-placed sources at that. It appears, just by looking at the stats, Hawkins is no Calvin Johnson. Hawkins, who last year played in four games for the Chargers but never touched the ball, had played five seasons previously with the Titans and has but one touchdown to his resume.

In 2011, Hawkins played in all 16 games and the only season in which he played in every game.

Joe’s going to guess the two words to describe Hawkins would be “camp meat.”

68 Responses to “Bucs Making Move At WR (Again)?”

  1. bucrightoff Says:

    I’m sure this will make everyone forget Mike Williams…

  2. Buc1987 Says:

    Camp meat. That’s not very nice Joe.

  3. Joe Says:

    Camp meat. That’s not very nice Joe.

    That’s what they call fringe guys. Hawkins hasn’t touched a football in a game in over a year. What, should Joe refer to him as a Pro Bowler?

  4. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    Also a Cal Bear. Another guy to, if nothing else, shows the others how his system works?

    Lovie and Licht seem to know what they want, and they are not shy about doing it.

  5. bucrightoff Says:

    ^ Future CFLer Lavell Hawkins?

  6. Name Required Says:

    At least he’s not from Rutgers…

  7. Jim Says:

    That guy is not a replacement. He has scored 1 TD in 7 seasons.

  8. KayPeazy Says:

    If Lavelle Hawkins?!?!?!.. Heres to hoping they’re making room Sammy Watkins

  9. KayPeazy Says:

    If Lavelle Hawkins is the replacement?!?!?!.. Heres to hoping they’re making room Sammy Watkins

  10. ButIt941 Says:

    Should have went after Golden Tate

  11. Couch Fan Says:

    So the defense gets all the good vets and the offense gets these kinda guys…. Ugh.

  12. coolman Says:

    He got speed jus relax folks at least gttn speed all schiano like was slow foot mfs

  13. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    @Buc1987

    Joe gets touchy after one of his “guys” gets traded or cut, See Freeman gets cut so he trashes Glennon every chance he gets.

  14. Patrick in VA Says:

    @ODB – if the coaches can’t show the players what it’s supposed to look like then they shouldn’t be coaching at this level. I don’t think we need Hawkins to be a medium between the coaches and players. I just hope we get legit 2 and 3 receivers to go in front of him and Hawkins comes in to do his party when called upon.

  15. Couch Fan Says:

    @Realist

    LMAO

  16. Joe Says:

    Future CFLer Lavell Hawkins?

    🙂

  17. Joe Says:

    Should have went after Golden Tate

    Absofreakinglutely!

  18. Touchdown Gus Says:

    @coachfan maybe because they are trying to get younger through the draft

  19. ander Says:

    Who is this guy. Lol

  20. BoJim Says:

    Jeez. Looks like they’re just signing anybody with a football uniform. “Can you breathe?” “Yes coach.” “Great, sign here.”

  21. Formaggio Says:

    He played for Tedford at Cal.

  22. DallasBuc Says:

    We just let another good football player go for nothing and did not upgrade the position. Nonsense

  23. teacherman777 Says:

    I am so hapoy we got rid of Mike Williams!

    We saved so much cash!

    Good riddance!

  24. Buc1987 Says:

    The_Buc_Realist Says :

    @Buc1987

    “Joe gets touchy after one of his “guys” gets traded or cut, See Freeman gets cut so he trashes Glennon every chance he gets.”

    I know, I know what’s going on here. lol

  25. zam Says:

    One can make the argument he’s even a downgrade from Tiquan Underwood.

  26. ElioT Says:

    I could care less about Mike Williams… I am however concerns about our offensive fire power. You would have liked to have seen them sign some decent FAs at the O-skill positions. Looks like they are going for the WRs in the draft.

    Sammy, Evans and/or trade down/up for Benjamin!

    Go Bucs!

  27. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    “Hawkins comes in to do his party when called upon.”

    Party? Whoah, let’s leave MW out of this.

  28. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Shakes head…

    So, their answer after trading Williams is to sign a guy who had no yards last year and only 62 yards the year before. Hoping camp meat will make fans feel better.

    Licht sucks.

  29. owlykat Says:

    If this is Licht’s only WR pickup to replace Williams I am very disappointed. They have freed up 1.8 million dollars, they could have signed Sydney Rice instead who could have been a starter for the Bucs for years to come. We would have been better off keeping our Rutgers receiver with the big hairdo! He had a lot more than one touchdown last year and had deep speed. (Though if anyone was near him he was chicken to catch the ball, because he was scared witless to take a hit)

  30. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    During draft:
    Bucs trade a 5th, 6th and seventh to acquire a 4th rounder. Licht-style.

  31. Bucs Fan Since '76 Says:

    Have we made one move on offense besides replacing Orlovsky with McCown, that has objectively improved the offense? Kinda scary.

  32. SSG MIKE Says:

    Crap! Just Crap. Would like to know a little bit about the offense we are going to run. Especially with the only decent WR being VJ. Isn’t that the problem? We had no WR’s that were considered a credible 2nd to VJ? Thus the continued double team and limited end state production from VJ.

  33. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    Dominik won the offseason Super Bowl often. I’m going to grade my GM on the regular season.

  34. INDYbucsfan Says:

    Living in Indy and reading all of the bucs fans react on this site is so funny! This guy is OBVIOUSLY not replacing williams. He’s just a camp body who could possible notch a starting roll if he gets better. After all the moves they have made you guys have to be brain dead to think L&L would make this guy our #2. Everybody relax we’re building what is called depth-it’s what the good teams do and this guy is probably on par with underwood. It’ll be nice having guys like this for camp bodies instead of relying on them. Probably won’t even make it to week 1

  35. Architek Says:

    STOP THE PANIC!!!!

    There is time.

  36. bucrightoff Says:

    Oil Derrick Brooks Says:
    April 4th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
    Dominik won the offseason Super Bowl often. I’m going to grade my GM on the regular season.
    _________________________________________________________

    Funny cause pretty much every analyst has said the Bucs won this offseason Super Bowl too…

  37. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    SSG MIKE Says
    “Crap! Just Crap. Would like to know a little bit about the offense we are going to run.”

    That’s easy. Tedford is forming the No Talent Offense

  38. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    The irony is a lot of Tampa fans still want to trade or cut Vincent Jackson.

    Jason Licht could probably land a 6th & 7th 2015 pick for him though.

  39. Mike Says:

    Was just telling a bud that these guys are making moves that don’t make sense and way to fast. I’m worried we gonna suck yet again! Whole draft is looking like WR and OL. This sucks! A 6th round? REALLY?

  40. tmaxcon Says:

    Sydney Rice is not the answer. Johnny first round WR Oden Becham 2nd round, David Yankey Guard 3rd

  41. Pro Libertate Says:

    The Bucs took some pretty big steps to improve the defense and get some depth there, and to start rebuilding the offensive line. Given the financial situation, they couldn’t address everything else in free agency.

    I suspect the draft will heavily favor the offense this time around, with a wide receiver in 1 or 2 (and maybe later), at least one guard in later rounds, and probably a QB in there somewhere. We can pick up more free agents down the road, too, when cuts start happening.

  42. Oil Derrick Brooks Says:

    “Funny cause pretty much every analyst has said the Bucs won this offseason Super Bowl too…”

    Yeah, but no games have been played yet. That’s when I’ll start judging how well a job someone has done. It’s April.

    I’m 101% on board with this new staff. After 5 years of Dominik (and all his glad handing around here), I think I’ll wait till midseason of the first year at least.

    Freeman and Dominik mostly blew for 5 years and got pass after pass.

  43. Chris Says:

    Hope we trade down and pick up Cooks…

  44. Buc the Haters Says:

    Great article about Mike Evans on rival site. IMO, (after reading the article) he actually seems like a better prospect than Sammy Watkins. He’s 30lbs heavier than Watkins and 4 inches taller, but he had a faster 20-yard shuttle time and barely a second slower 40 time; plus the best hands since Calvin Johnson. I’m all for Mike Evans now instead of Sammy, even if (miraculously) Sammy’s available at #7.

  45. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    “Up Tempo”

    It better be. Poor Vincent is going to have the whole defense on his heels.

  46. Glenningrad Says:

    Jackson could literally have the whole defense and our other receivers would drop every pass.

  47. BirdDoggers Says:

    It seems Lovie and Licht are creating more holes than they’re filling on offense. Proven talent is being replaced by players with question marks. They might’ve added a draft pick with the Williams trade but it might not be enough. It also seems like they’re telegraphing their draft intentions with some of these moves.

  48. Justin Says:

    Guy has 1 career touchdown in 6 seaons in the NFL?!?! Get out of here with this scrub…Bucs just took a big step back after coming so far in free agency

  49. Rob Says:

    Is there any veterans that could be brought in with low risk high reward like Holmes?

  50. Eric Says:

    Nobody said this is MW replacement. Camp body.

  51. Celly Says:

    Major Wright just signed one year deal….

  52. Newschoolbucsfan Says:

    No johnny football!! We just got rid of a diva in Revis.It will be Josh freeman all over again.or Ryan leaf.Or constant hold outs,No to Johnny showboat.
    Evans reminds me of 2 recievers,both drafted by detriot.No,Not megatron.Roy williams or mike williams.both highly touted out of college(even though mike williams had to sit out a year for ncaa violation)both big for nothing.If the bucs are smart,they will go Matthews first round.

  53. Chris Says:

    Maybe Major Wright can catch passes.Geez…

  54. Mike Says:

    I sure hope he can! Cause our O sucks as of now!

  55. JFat Says:

    Christ, I don’t think I saw a press release saying this guy is our WR2. The negativity of this fan base is irritating as hell. There are a couple guys out there in FA still and probably a couple more post-draft. Sure it’s a bigger need now but this Licht sucks BS is coming way too soon. Look at the roster in May and then freak out if you don’t like it.

  56. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I wouldn’t have a problem with it if Licht had gotten a 4th rounder for Williams. Dominick would have. At least.

  57. Oregon Buc Says:

    Its freaking April!! April!! Next game is in August. I could sell a lot of swamp land to people wondering why #19 was traded!! Lou Murphy is a vet, T Wright balled out last year. Relax its April!!

  58. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Completely agree with Mike Evans. The guy sure was a complement to Mancrush. And the Bucs may be able trade down a couple slots and still get him, rather than having to trade UP for Sammy. It’d be like having two Vincent Jacksons on the field at once.

  59. JFat Says:

    How do you know that Bonzai? I’m sure Licht opened his negotiations saying “Alright, everybody Williams for a 6th first come first serve”. Who would give up a 4th in a deep draft for a decent receiver with maturity and injury issues? Dominic wouldn’t have traded him, he would have just blown our cap space on 2 players and hoped for the best.

  60. Alex Says:

    Maybe his offense is running 1 receiver sets consisting only of VJ…

  61. Orca Says:

    Amazing. The b1tching and moaning continues. Signing Hawkins would be for just another camp body. I doubt L&L are thinking of this move as anything other than competition at the bottom of the WR depth chart. There’s no reason to complain, or ask if this is their plan to replace Williams (it’s not)… Settle down. Do a bong hit.

  62. Harry Says:

    this is crazy. “Speed in space”???? What speed, what talent, what the hell? Since there is little left in FA, is most of our talent on offense going to come from brand new rookies who don’t have a clue? Are we expecting most of our TDs to come from the D secondary?

    Here you go all you ppl who were so excited to get rid of MW.

    Orca, I think you have had enough bong hits…

  63. Orca Says:

    Harry Says:
    April 4th, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    this is crazy. “Speed in space”???? What speed, what talent, what the hell? Since there is little left in FA, is most of our talent on offense going to come from brand new rookies who don’t have a clue? Are we expecting most of our TDs to come from the D secondary?

    Come down from the ledge. Check the date. How long until training camp? Is it really worth getting worked up over? Perspective, please.

    Orca, I think you have had enough bong hits…

    Only 1 so far. It’s a lot more fun than b1tching and whining about things that you have no control over. There’s a lot of time to get the WR position straightened out. They’ll be OK.

    See the problem is that everyone wants the answers NOW. You guys have no patience that there is a plan and that there are months to work on carrying it out.

    Now sit back in the couch and fire up that bowl…

  64. Kevin Says:

    If they don not trade down hoping they take evans. That would give us two BIG outside threats…JUST like McCown had in Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A young bud and a vet. Nice running game and two good pass catching TE’s…sounds good to me!!!

  65. Harry Says:

    @Orca says:
    “…See the problem is that everyone wants the answers NOW. You guys have no patience that there is a plan…”

    I trust Lovie, I’ll say that first. However, why I wrote what I did is that there are no longer great FA offensive players available (not that we even attempted to sign any). So, that means we will most likely be getting our “speed in space” thru the draft. A WR usually takes a year or three to develop (sure, maybe we will get lucky, don’t we always *sarcasm*). Mike Williams was worth more than a 6th rd pick – TO US. Because of his contract, I understand BUF not giving us more than they did. But when MW is on the field he is at least a good 2nd rd talent. So, no, I don’t like the move – it does’t make sense to me.

    Pass the bong please, I need a big hit.

  66. Matt Says:

    I think it’s obvious we are targeting Evans or Benjamin (early 2nd). Look at Chicagos offense. They have 2 big physical receivers. Evans is an immediate upgrade over MW but Benjamin provides an even higher upside. We could trade back and hope Evans is there and grab Benjamin if he’s not.

  67. Kevin Says:

    I’d rather take the proven guy…I see Evans as the guy we need. Watkins preferably but no way he will be there and it would be STUPID to trade up in this draft. Evans will be there at seven and would be a nice no.7 grab. Big fast and reliable. Good work ethic and a fierce competitor. He’s worth the investment and is a huge upgrade over Mike Williams.

  68. Poo Bear Says:

    Hawkins knows Tedfords playbook!! We have 4.3 speed in Demps and Murphy. We have a young Sproles in Rainey. Four set is VJax, T Wright, Murph and Hawkins. Experience, speed. The cupboard is not bare folks!! If we add Evans offense is deadly!!