Major Missed Opportunities For Huff, Martino
August 2nd, 2017
The last two seasons, the lack of talent at the No. 5 receiver position bit the Bucs in the butt — hard.
That’s one reason Russell Shepard is wearing Panthers gear.
Sure, Tampa Bay is better at receiver this season with DeSean Jackson and rookie third-round pick Chris Godwin. But the depth isn’t there at No. 5 and nobody has really stood out through five days of training camp, per Joe’s eyeballs.
Today, the Bucs gave a two bubble receivers a lot of opportunity to shine catching balls from America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and they didn’t from what Joe could see.
Speedy Josh Huff and Freddie Martino, he of the velvet-lined lounge at the Vero Beach Ramada Inn, got lots of time playing with Jameis. They didn’t look ready.
You can see video below of Josh Huff dropping a perfectly thrown ball from Jameis, and you can see another video of Martino getting behind the zone defense for a completion. But Martino looked overmatched during other shots against the first-team defense. And Joe spotted Jameis emphatically coaching up Huff at other times.
Donteea Dye? He’s flashed a little this offseason, but Joe has never been impressed by the misplaced Calgary Stampeder. His questionable hands 2015 still give Joe the shakes.
None of the other receivers vying for No. 5 have really jumped out. There’s lots of camp and preseason games to go, but Joe’s not hopeful on Aug. 2.
Will the Bucs turn outside the organization for a No. 5 this year. Joe wouldn’t bet against it.
Huff Drop From Jameis
Martino Behind The Defense (and don’t miss the Brent Grimes hops/hurdle.)
August 2nd, 2017 at 7:41 pm
We are talking about a #5 receiver here?! Name a #5 receiver on 5 other teams? Shouldnt be a concern Joe! I’m more concerned with our RB situation.
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:07 pm
What he said^^^^
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Who cares!! As long as the #5 contributes on special teams and isn’t a problem in the locker room, then any of these guys will be good enough.
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:22 pm
I was under the impression that Derel Walker was doing pretty good (for a #5 WR that is). Plus it’s still early in camp; Huff & Martino (and the others) still have a lot of time to stand out.
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Guys, us of all teams should know the importance of the #5 receicer because it totally bit us last year? Saying the #5 receiver is irrelevant is very unwise, because you never know when the injury bug will bite, and that #5 guy that was irrelevant suddenly is thrusted into the #3 or #4 role in the offense.
I hope we’ll never have to see the likes of Huff, Martino, Dye, or
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Guys, us of all teams should know the importance of the #5 receicer because it totally bit us last year. Saying the #5 receiver is irrelevant is very unwise, because you never know when the injury bug will bite, and that #5 guy that was irrelevant suddenly is thrusted into the #3 or #4 role in the offense.
For that reason, I hope we’ll never have to see the likes of Huff, Martino, or Dye grace our huddle.
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Dye and Martino can’t get open in this league. Doubtful they ever will. Huff is supposed to be a playmakers on ST but trying to recall what did did for us last year makes me yawn.
Goodwin is our best chance to be solid depth but he ain’t our #4WR. Not yet
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:31 pm
I’m more concerned about the #5 playing ST’s…
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Joe what happen to Cecil short and the guy who wore red contacts? They seem like reasonable options at number 5.
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Who cares about number 5 wr. I haven’t heard of a number 5 wr making or breaking a season. I know we had issues but it started well before #5. It started at number 2. Now we have an extra te, a number 2,3, and 4 so I think we are fine
August 2nd, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Other media accounts have JW struggling today. Could be accuracy issues affecting the WR group?
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:00 pm
That’s irresponsible if not lazy thinking. That’s exactly why the Bucs missed the playoffs last year.
Would hope teams don’t sit around in August and say, “Eh, it’s only the fifth-receiver. Let’s pick a name out of the hat.”
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Joe what happen to Cecil short and the guy who wore red contacts?
Cecil Shorts, as you may remember, had his knee totally destroyed at San Diego. Gruesome injury. He may never play again. He still has to have additional procedures on his knee.
Not sure who the red contacts guy is but if that is the only thing people can remember him for, perhaps it is best that red contacts guy isn’t on the squad. 🙂
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Bobo Wilson is all you need to know Joe
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Short memories these guys have. Last season when vincent jackson got injured and louis Murphy never came back we had to rely on our 5th wr to START games. Lets hope we never have to do that again. But you never know how injured the team will get. Depth is just as important who is starting. Because if the starter goes down, guess who is now the starter…
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Just watching the rays and Longoria stands in the box thinking the ball is foul for a second then doesn’t run all out to first , 3b looks to second , then recluthches and gets Longo by half a step!!! I know this is not a Rays site but T Max this guy is also nice,friendly,very talented but just doesn’t bring what he could and that is bad when you have young guys looking to him as the leader !!
Cash should have a private meeting and rip his ass!!! Btw way Morrison followed with a two run shot instead of a three run shot!! It’s a shame Longo doesn’t bring the same intensity and effort that many other Vets on other teams in his division do !!! Not the first time I’ve seen Longo mosey through the motions and it’s about time he gets his ass ripped for his effort !!!! In my opinion Longo is maybe about 70 percent as good as he could be , just my opinion but I am sick of him getting a pass and also showing no passion !!!!!
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:34 pm
The red contacts guy was the once upon a time beast that Miami spent a boatload of money on..can’t remember his name…but he’s a FA right now..
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:35 pm
sorry..he’s not a WR..I’m laying of the Nightquil sauce..
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Who needs a #5 WR when you can line up Evans, DJax, Godwin, Howard and Brate all at the same time?
August 2nd, 2017 at 9:50 pm
As long as Joe isn’t defending Cancer93, I consider this an important topic.
August 2nd, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Already stated that I’d bet it will be Walker and Dye
August 2nd, 2017 at 10:11 pm
BOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBOBO
August 2nd, 2017 at 10:42 pm
So the question is how does bobo look? I seen him posterize somebody yesterday. He had to jump 5 ft for the pass, in the rain! Pretty nasty.
August 3rd, 2017 at 6:50 am
Preseason will be where the number 5 makes the team or we find somebody else that gets cut, its simple as that
August 3rd, 2017 at 8:26 am
Speedy Reedy has looked pretty good…
August 3rd, 2017 at 9:42 am
Based on our personnel and our coach’s proclivity to be a run-first, PA play caller, proclaiming the 4th and 5th WR as a reason to wring one’s hands is overrated. This offense will keep defenses on their heels with only two WRs and pound the rock late to close out games.
How can we be simultaneously concerned about who will emerge as a 5th WR stud AND that there aren’t enough footballs to go around to all these alleged weapons? What stud WR with a competitive spirit worth a darn would take Glazer loot to never see the field?
August 3rd, 2017 at 10:40 am
I really had hopes for josh huff. I don’t know if he makes it, but after re watching the chargers game, Freddy stepped up in that game, he caught everything that was thrown to him. Why no love joe ?