Fleck Aided Davis’ Development
March 4th, 2017
Former Bucs WR coach P.J. Fleck had a big hand in developing WR Corey Davis.
Western Michigan receiver Corey Davis could be the second receiver picked in the NFL draft. And he thanks a former Bucs coach for that.
P.J. Fleck, Schiano Man, spent one year as a Bucs receivers coach before he bolted back to college where the high-energy Fleck took over Western Michigan in the MAC. There, he took a large, raw talent and molded the young man, Davis, into an expected first round pick.
With the Bucs in 2012, Fleck molded damned near two 1,000-yard recievers. Vincent Jackson arguably had his best year under Fleck with 1,384 yards and an average of 19.2 yards a catch, which led the league. Mike Williams, who melted down after former Bucs commander Greg Schiano left, had one of his best seasons with 996 yards.
So yesterday at the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center, Joe asked Davis how much Fleck’s influence could be attributed to his rise near the top of the draft. Davis said a lot.
“Tremendously,” Davis said. “He’s been a great leader to me. He’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to. He’s one of the reasons I am who I am to this day, not only the player, but the person. He’s helped me mature greatly over these four years. He’s coached in the league, so he knows a lot. He’s someone I text multiple times for advice. We’re always talking. He’s definitely a big part of my success.”
Davis did not discount some NFL-level advice he got from Fleck that raised his game.
“One of the big things this year, and one of the big reasons I came back, was [working on] the contested balls, the 50-50 balls,” Davis said. Fleck “helped me with that tremendously, especially this previous offseason. We were always in the weight room and always working on ways to improve that, and improve my strength.”
Joe can only imagine Fleck, a former 49ers receiver and a Type-A personality if there ever was one, working with Davis in the weight room. Dang.
The more Joe looks back on how many guys on the Bucs offense began to lose it after Fleck left, that means Fleck had more influence with Bucs players than perhaps previously thought.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:47 am
Yeah, this is who we should trade up for if we dare do so….top 12-15 pick at the least.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:47 am
Over/under 13.5 posts before tmax brings up gmc
March 4th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Or trading up for Zay Jones if we go a different direction with our 1st.
March 4th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Disappointed to hear that Davis doesn’t plan to run the 40 at the combine or his pro day. I was impressed by his route running skills based on the game film that I’ve watched but wanted to see how he compared to the other guys since he didn’t play in one of the tougher conferences in college.
March 4th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
John Ross ran 4.2 something. Maybe a first rounder for bucs again. Could he be the next Terek hill?
March 4th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
I’m actually glad Davis opted out of the 40…he’s injured and perhaps he could somehow fall to #19. I’ve read that he’s pro-ready enough to start day one. This is exactly what the Bucs need…best fit of all wide receivers in this draft for the Bucs in my opinion. Ross is damaged goods and Mike Williams has the same name as a former Buc…that didn’t work out well the last time they doubled down on a “Dexter Jackson”. 😉
March 4th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
John Ross just ran an unofficial 4.22! Wowza! Talk about taking the top off of a defense. Does anyone here know Desean Jacksons game well? Has he ever done well outside of streaking down the sideline? If so, maybe a matured Desean Jackson in FA and John Ross in the 1st to help groom the youngster?
March 4th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Where was all that 4.2 when he faced bama???
March 4th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Did I just hear JohnRoss ran a 4.22
March 4th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Let me add to my “Ross is damaged goods” comment…( whoops )! His medical history scares me a bit. It’s rather lengthy…but “Wow” sub 4.3 is right!
March 4th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
John Ross is gonna break the record. Wow
March 4th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
John Ross got injured early in that game against Alabama so no real numbers. Took hit on quad in 1st quarter
March 4th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
No to John Ross. Hes fast but got hurt freaking running!
March 4th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Gimme speed
How fast will he go
Can he get me
A touchdown quickly
Montgomery Gentery
Lol
March 4th, 2017 at 1:03 pm
I like Curtis Samuel more for us. He could be our out of the backfield matchup nightmare
March 4th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Dirk wants homerun potential, 4.2 qualifies for that. Wasn’t that high on Ross, but if Cook, Fournette, Davis, Williams and Howard off the board, then yes to Ross
March 4th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Well John Ross made some coin today
March 4th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Alabama didn’t really shut down Ross, his QB and offensive line got dominated
March 4th, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Its official…Ross 4.22. Those injuries though! And now he’s done for the day. Nope, not on my team, no thanks.
March 4th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
He’s a good route runner , and he can leap out of the building too, the injury thing is a concern
March 4th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Guzzie, Ross made that guy look good, in the couple if games I watched, Ross woukd have to slow up for the guys noodle arm. And on others, he woukd take a 5 yrd pass and turn it into something. Jameis definitely can’t outthrow him
March 4th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Here’s hoping John Ross gets over-drafted now so Davis can fall to the Bucs.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
We don’t need Ross rub a dub in the tub all the time:) Davis seems way more durable.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Give me Corey Davis over John Ross any day.
Davis is the FBS all-time leading receiver, a prototypical 6-3 209 pounds with great body control and routes. Well known work ethic. While he’s recovering from offseason surgery, you don’t set all-time receiving records for a career because you missed games due to injury (see: John Ross).
If you want a guy that you can bet will be able to line up each game across from Mike Evans and actually fulfill the promise of Licht’s “Dunkaneers” wet dream, it’s not going to be from an injury-prone 5-11, 190 pound speedster who has exactly one year of production and injured himself on his one 40 attempt.