Tighter Slot Windows Coming?
May 20th, 2019
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Interesting data from one of the resident math/stat freaks at NFL.com who has access to high-tech tracking info the NFL largely keeps away from the public.
Cynthia Frelund was busy looking at “computer vision” and more to determine the most underappreciated players of 2018.
Her Top-5 (she didn’t go beyond that) included just one wide receiver: former Bucs slot guy Adam Humphries, who cashed in two months ago with the Tennessee Titans.
Only two wide receivers with more than 100 targets in 2018 had a higher reception percentage than Humphries (72.4), who made 76 catches for 816 yards. Context is important here because the Bucs did pass at the sixth-highest rate (63.1% of plays) and it certainly helps to be working in a receiving corps that includes Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. However, Humphries spent more than 82% of his snaps in the slot. I used computer vision to track his slot performance against other high-volume slot receivers (21 receivers had at least 50 targets in the slot last season) and it showed he was able to get at least five feet from defenders at the time the ball arrived at the fifth-highest rate.
Joe was most intrigued by the separation data at the end of Frelund’s analysis. That’s not interpretive; that’s computer-generated, NextGen stuff.
Unless Chris Godwin and Justin Watson can duplicate Humphries’ elite separation skills, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, will be throwing into tighter windows this season.
That’s ok. But with football being a game of inches and Jameis needing more precision in his throws and decision-making, Joe sure hopes the loss of Humphries doesn’t lead to more turnovers.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:13 pm
GMC Released! Holy crap!
Best for both parties at this point. Will be interesting to see where he signs and for how much.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Go get SUH!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Just saw the news about GMC. We knew it was coming. I’m wishing GMC luck wherever he goes. He might as well go to New England so he has a shot at the Super Bowl.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Is it possible Humphries’ separation was do to the extra coverage needed for Evans, Djax & our TEs?
Let’s hope that’s the reason because any slot receiver we use will have the same benefits.
But….if it was Hump that created that on his own…..tighter coverage on Godwin will challenge Godwin’s ability to win at the catch.
Godwin is much faster than Hump…..4.42 vs 4.53
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Hump also led the Bucs in YAC every year
And was always available to play
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Wow GMC released! Would’ve loved to see this headline in 2015″
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
you loser need a life, desperately
May 20th, 2019 at 7:20 pm
If you gonna cut..Cut all the way baby. Don’t be half-a**in around Bucs. Go ahead and cut JPP too. You are only prolonging our agony. He’s done. Free up that cash and find us a DE. Good luck GMC. You will land safely somewheres.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Bucs release McCoy … woo hoo
May 20th, 2019 at 7:23 pm
love how the fans scoop the bloggers
May 20th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
SOFTIE IS GONE!!!!!!!
SOFTIE IS GONE!!!!!!!!
OMG
IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!!!
YES…. WE JUST GOT BETTER!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Lakeland
But we were told he had no separation and was expendable.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
Addition by subtraction
May 20th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
May 20th, 2019
A GREAT DAY FIR TAMPA BAY!!!!!
CANCER FREE!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Joe how can you be late on this lol
May 20th, 2019 at 7:28 pm
I don’t know if we got better but we got financially better……
This had to happen….Bucs did GMC a service by cutting him this early…..now GMC can go where he chooses……he will have many suitors….but not at $13
May 20th, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Wake up tmax…..
You have one less thing to bitch about !!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
Slugglife,
Told by the management of the worst run NFL franchise
It didn’t take Jon Robinson long to scoop him up
May 20th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Culture just got better today
May 20th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Is it possible Humphries’ separation was do to the extra coverage needed for Evans, Djax & our TEs?
Um. Ya Do you think Edelman doesn’t have coverage rolled his way J Landry is going to benefit like humps did from the other talent. Humps is going to a run heavy team with a running qb and depending on C Davis to Challenge the safety to not crowd the box. Going to be tight-stacked boxes to navigate through unlike the go out and sit 5-7 yards out easy to get separation with your not there primary assignment
May 20th, 2019 at 7:33 pm
And the List will still continue and the excuses.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:33 pm
you losers need to go make a friend to talk too, or get a girl
May 20th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
When your not there primary assignment. Sorry for the lack of punctuation
May 20th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Any WHY did the Bucs throw the balls sixth most in the league? Because they were always down three or more scores in games early. Throwing that much will equate to more everything including turnovers.
Also consider that although they threw the ball more than most team, they targeted their running backs less than MOST teams. The placating was atrocious and predictable( which is not what Koetter was known for when he was and now is an OC) Jameis was FORCED to hold the ball and they never gave their backs real chances to be featured in the passing game. FIX THE DEFENSE,FIX THE TEAM!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:36 pm
JBF hasn’t reported McCoy’s release yet? C’mon Joe…
May 20th, 2019 at 7:36 pm
After all the years….GMC deserves to go play for a winner
May 20th, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Now the Bucs just need to cut the source of the losing culture, Jason Licht.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:39 pm
The Tennessee Titans got a lot better on offense when they signed Hump
Jon Robinson know how to build a football team
May 20th, 2019 at 7:40 pm
So the Jonah refused to restructure. ..figures. Now we know where his loyalties laid.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:47 pm
@Jean Lafitte
He probably was hoping to get cut so he can finally play on a well run franchise that ISN’T steeped in mediocrity.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:48 pm
Lmao what a sh it show this franchise is.
Lmao hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahA
May 20th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
I want to know if GMC balls out this year then what are the excuses going to be .
He never played that hard for us. ( 6 pro bowls – played through injuries)
He has better help this year around him. ( well that was his fault in the past right ? ).
But who knows he could suck out loud this year and all you pessimistic cry babies were right.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
I wonder what the Bucs received in trade.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:51 pm
@Season is Over
We got nothing because he was released, it wasn’t a trade.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:52 pm
The sad part is they could have got good value for him. But they waited too late and got nothing.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Any word on if we also cut HawaiianBuc too?
May 20th, 2019 at 7:55 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong here. GMC is the all time 3rd leader sack rusher for our Bucs and thats something. Hope he plays for a contender. He still got a lot of ballin left in his tank. Got this feelin, GMC will come back to haunt us like..many others have.
May 20th, 2019 at 7:57 pm
Gerald, we hardly knew ye…
May 20th, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Nobody was taking that contract. Not his fault the Bucs signed him to that. every-other sport honors the contract. People want you to believe he wasn’t loyal . Come on It’s a business and a short one at that for the players
May 20th, 2019 at 7:59 pm
I believe that reason for Humphries consistent “space” is the talent of the other receiver on the field like Evan, DJax, Howard, Brate, and Godwin…get a lot of attention. So, you can’t put the best coverage man on every receiver.
However, many people look at this is another reason to fire the staff and prepare for 0-16 or 0-20 if we count the preseason. I would like to at least see one or two games before I fly a white flag above the stadium. This team might just surprise some people.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Lmao Joe not typing about the bombshell yet since Stroud got the scoop!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:01 pm
DooshLaRue Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 7:54 pm
Any word on if we also cut HawaiianBuc too?
Why cut a real fan ?
Never mind your name says it all
May 20th, 2019 at 8:02 pm
Bucs are gonna release GMC. Write an article on it bro.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:02 pm
GMC93 won’t come back to haunt us.
All we gotta do is man up and power run scheme directly at him.
His run defense was getting flat out embarrassing…
Will be curious to see who signs him.
Yup I’m thinking we snag Suh for 2 year deal, maybe 16 mill guaranteed, or try & pry Jadaveon Clowney away from Texans since he didn’t sign contract…Now that would be a splash!!! Would then cut JPP as well.
I like either scenario…
May 20th, 2019 at 8:02 pm
GMC is GONE!!!! F…. Yeah!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:03 pm
I understand the move.
13 mil was a lot for his production And missed games.
However , Arians did not handle it professionally.
He was kinda a dik actually.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Any idea who the Bucs will replaced GMC with? Trade or FA?
May 20th, 2019 at 8:05 pm
Cut JPP and trade for Clowney . Now that’s real talk. I can get on board with that
May 20th, 2019 at 8:05 pm
Still laughing at all the Hump haters saying we lost nothing when we lost him.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:06 pm
No value!!!!!!!!! could not get a 3rd day pick!!!!! Could not trade for a backup RB!!!!!!!!! She-mc had no value!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Thank God McCoy is gone! Release JPP and trade for Leonard Williams.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:13 pm
CUT JPP!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Is anyone home at JBF?…..where is the GMC article?……It could have been prepared months ago……”GMC Released”…….after 9 years…..stud DT Gerald McCoy has been cut.etc,etc,etc.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:18 pm
@Dougyballs
Sweet that you’re sticking up for your Poi Boi.
….and just what does your name imply?
That you like Dougy’s balls?
Strange,
Go Bucs!!!
F the losers!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Wish him the best hope he wins a super bowl! Great man and player truly a sad day in Tampa Bay!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Howdy TBBF! Good to c you again. I think the Joes are too busy drinking right now and that is ok with me.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Hump YAC can be attributed to the fact that the majority of screen plays was to him. BA has stated he prefers larger WR to play the slot most likely #12 and probably some plays to Mike Evans. A bigger slot WR would better be able to block on running plays. The other outside WR will be played by a duo of speed WR’s rotating to stretch the field. Hump did not possess the speed required to play outside WR in BA’s offense. Good luck to Hump in Tenn.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:22 pm
I concur Scotty. Dominik AND Licht failed him. You can’t Not spend a decade without drafting him help. Sad how this franchise has no ability to run at a high level. Spurts is all I have felt in my 43 years.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
This is all on Jason Licht. If he doesn’t blow valuable cap dollars on his lousy FA signings the past couple of years this wouldn’t have been necessary.
Imo, Jason Licht should never be considered for another GM job after he gets fired here.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
Cmon Joe if you don’t want to write the GMC obit at least have the intern do it! I expect more from you.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
GMC could have had 8 mill here he won’t get more than 6 anywhere else
May 20th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
See ya McCoy——chop-chop chop—more dead wood needs to fall.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
Joe, are you ok? You usually scoop florio by a few minutes on any bucs articles. (I’m convinced you guys talk and have an arrangement..) but today on McCoy, I’m pretty sure its been a couple of hours.
Hope all is good in your end joe.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Well said TexBuc
May 20th, 2019 at 8:29 pm
Tmax just ran out of material..
May 20th, 2019 at 8:29 pm
Maybe Joe is at a screening of Avengers Endgame ? Movie is over three freaking hours long!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
And imagine Godwin who many forget coming out of college , one of his strengths was his blocking. And I’m sure Arizona had him on there board but you pair that with OJ Howard who can block and that’s something. And both are dangerous in the flats on play action. And Evans like mentioned above can do the same as Godwin. We have all seen Evans blocking 🤭
May 20th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
I think many moves & non-moves were made last year to try to save Koetter……Djax should have been traded…..GMC could have been traded….later in the season….Rojo & Cappa should have seen more playing time…..maybe move Benenoch to RT for some snaps….
Licht certainly saw the 2019 cap situation unfolding and should have anticipated the problems.
I don’t go as far to blame Licht for the JPP accident like some do.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Tmax has a never ending list.
May 20th, 2019 at 9:39 pm
Talented player but was not the savior that he was pegged to be. Just as was transcribed by so many haters. He is a great man with good intentions. btw……how has Sue been holding out for work? Overpriced………..overpaid…………….Wow. How about an crazy idea. What about getting paid for production just like a piece worker does? 1 sack = $25,000 next year, 1 QB Pressure = 10,250 etc.
Here is one for you. Ziggy Ansah was not the answer. Detroit couldn’t have gotten him out of motor city any sooner. Maybe Mo Wilk but again, is not the final solution to the D-Line woes. hmmmmmmmmm.
May 20th, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Humphries was open a lot because maybe teams just didn’t pay attention to him much. It’s not like he’s Larry Fitzgerald in the slot.
May 21st, 2019 at 2:12 am
Humphries was The buffoons biggest offseason error, aside from bungling the McCoy situation
Fire Licht tonight
Glazers are a bunch of sissy’s
May 21st, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Tight windows… That’s JW’s biggest strength!
I kid, I kid…