The Elusive Third Receiver
October 22nd, 2019
Searching.
Yes, Joe knows why Bucco Bruce Arians did it.
Most Bucs fans pined to find a way to keep Adam Humphries. He turned out to be a helluva slot receiver and a favorite of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. And Humphries also got a lot of YAC as well.
It didn’t happen. Arians wanted speed at the slot position and Arians predicted Chris Godwin would shine as a full-time slot receiver.
Arians knew what he was talking about. He proved himself absolutely correct. Godwin has totally blown up this year and is now among the top receivers in the NFL.
So how could anyone argue with the results?? You can’t. Although sometimes, necessity breeds innovation. Breshad Perriman, who the Bucs thought could be that speedy guy down the sidelines, looked like he would be just that. However, Perriman has proven he can’t catch a cold or stay healthy.
That No. 3 receiver has been elusive for Arians, enough that Jenna Laine of ESPN is of the mind this has to be resolved if the Bucs hope to turn things around after the bye.
Even when Breshad Perriman was healthy, he had just three receptions on 12 targets (25%). Scotty Miller has fared only slightly better — catching three of 10 targets (30%). It might seem trivial to call these guys out with the success Chris Godwin (81.1%) and Mike Evans (50%) have had and the abundance of targets going their way, but a significant portion of Perriman’s and Miller’s targets have come on third down.
The answer to the No. 3 receiver riddle is staring Arians right in the face. It’s Godwin.
Look, Joe gets Arians’ decision. Don’t fix something that is not broken.
But rather than trot out the likes of Scotty Miller, who has yet to get separation, how about being creative if not novel? How about putting Godwin out wide and using tight end Cam Brate or O.J. Howard in the slot?
You cannot tell Joe that Brate and/or Howard would do worse as a slot receiver than Miller has done lined up wide.
The Bucs have the depth and the manpower to innovate. Let’s see it happen. When Perriman gets healthy, then move Godwin back to slot.
October 22nd, 2019 at 3:12 am
Look. I can buy OJ Howard being used for blocking primarily. It pisses me off because it’s a result of Licht “building” a crappy line with zero depth, but you gotta work with what you got at this point in the season.
But there is zero reason that… wait for it… BRATE AND HOWARD CAN BE ON THE FIELD AT THE SAME DAMN TIME! Use Brate as a receiver at this point. As much as I shill against Winston, I still want the team to win and I recognize that those two have CHEMISTRY!!! AM I TAKING CRAZY PILLS IF SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
October 22nd, 2019 at 3:53 am
I saw Miller open a few times last week and our QB couldn’t throw on target. It was reminiscent of Trent Dilfer (so we’re the picks). Humphreys did the dirty work. He also got creamed, the kid was tough.
Can anyone out there tell me our QB is accurate and leads our WR’s to the open/safe area to catch the ball? Hump would get crushed regularly, Evans has to contort to catch the ball (although JW three a dime to Evens drop, damn that was pretty), Godwin gets smashed too. I just don’t see the carnage for wide receivers from the games elite QB’s, which is the standard a number 1 overall should be held.
I feel the third receiver could easily be on the roster if our QB would play more accurately, efficient and smarter.
In BA I Trust!
October 22nd, 2019 at 3:57 am
Dirk knew how to move yhe chains with the tight ends. Brate was a first down machine. So the Bucs paid him what he deserved and now our current staff is struggling calling plays for 3rd down? Brate was running straight up the field from the slot and catching first downs all the time. Knew it was coming, could not stop it. Why is it so hard?
October 22nd, 2019 at 4:25 am
OJ wouldn’t need to moonlight as a right tackle if Licht had prioritized the offensive line in the draft. I’ve read many articles on this site that ridiculed the likes of myself for demanding we build on the trenches. At his age, Dotson is a solid backup and was bound to get hurt.
Regardless, the fact that Brate and Howard aren’t catching balls is a disgrace. We’re paying Brate, Jameis’s favorite target, good money for that. OJ is a freak athlete and should have more designed plays. Andy Reid could do it. Koetter could do it. Arians should be able to do it.
October 22nd, 2019 at 6:58 am
Being from Orlando And ucf …I was worried Perriman couldn’t stay healthy so had huge concerns with him starting the season
Some guys just can’t ever get healthy.
Put O.J. in the slot in some looks and Godwin outside. Again , don’t take away from Godwin but mix it up. OJ has receiver speed with the body of a tight end.
Get the man the ball. It’s not difficult.
October 22nd, 2019 at 7:31 am
Why is Watson not in the conversation?
October 22nd, 2019 at 8:19 am
Atlanta columnist calls for Dan Quinn’s head on a platter.
JOE,
TOLD YOU…LOL…
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 22nd, 2019 at 8:28 am
🙂
October 22nd, 2019 at 8:29 am
Yeah, Perriman seems permanently bitten by the injury bug. 🙁
October 22nd, 2019 at 8:32 am
Problems are pretty the same comparing to last year…… not the same but similar reaasons, WR are getting a lot of yards and throws……….Bad OL, Bad or medicore running games, this year TE are used for blocking duties, Mike Evans double teamed constantly, that´s the reason why Chris Godwing is having an extraordinary season, Again, similar situation as lasts years….We just have a good receiving game, not a running game…. you can see the results…. You will win ocassionally and everybody will get excited, but it´s like excrement in a pool, sooner or later they will come tu surface…….
October 22nd, 2019 at 9:26 am
The answer to the 3rd wr was Adam Humphry 2.0 which was Hunter Renfrow but we took a kicker instead. Plenty of weapons though still.
October 22nd, 2019 at 11:26 am
Use the tight ends bring up Tanner as well put all three of the on with Evans and Godwin it’s so dang easy and obvious if they don’t start using them it’s Lovie Smith all over again remember how he couldn’t use revis
October 22nd, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Prague I agree with you 💯. It’s not rocket science. The offense didn’t have a run game last year an the red zone scoring well some would say what red zone scoring lol but our pass offense was the best Howard got used before getting injured. Brate got used Evans got use hump got used geez BA take some notes on how dirk did it just in the passing game an nothing else plzz lol
October 22nd, 2019 at 1:28 pm
Sanu
October 22nd, 2019 at 1:48 pm
There is a star in Justin Watson just not getting a chance
October 22nd, 2019 at 4:51 pm
OC Leftwich needs to view 2018 Bucs video and how Brate and OJ Howard were used – successfully. Coach to the players’ strengths. Seems like Leftwich is trying to force square pegs into round holes.