“Hopefully It’s A Coming Out Party For Him”

September 27th, 2021

The party never materialized.

Yesterday was the NFL debut of Bucs rookie returner/receiver Jaelon Dardon. He got the call-up from the inactive list because of the injury to Jaedon Mickens.

Before the game, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was on the team’s radio network and said of Darden, “Hopefully it’s a coming out party for him.”

Joe saw returner who looked tentative and who tripped on what appeared to be the ghost of the bad Dexter Jackson on one of three efforts.

Darden got to snaps on offense and was swallowed up quickly on a quick-out throw and catch for no gain.

Joe’s not going to slap around any rookie in his debut. But Darden didn’t inspire confidence. Last week, Bucco Bruce Arians gushed on SiriusXM NFL Radio about how bright Darden’s future is and how Tom Brady works with him daily.

Joe looks forward to seeing Darden’s next shot, though with Antonio Brown returning on Sunday and Darden not adding a spark on returns, that shot might not arrive for a while.

17 Responses to ““Hopefully It’s A Coming Out Party For Him””

  1. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Too diminutive…for a non 4.3 speed guy no less. The Bucs already have Scotty Miller for that “role”.

  2. ModHairKen Says:

    Why are the Bucs not trying to acquire CJ Henderson???

  3. ModHairKen Says:

    PFT says Panthers are finagling a deal for CJH

  4. Steven007 Says:

    Honestly, he looked better than I feared he might. Granted my expectations were low. Couple of the kickoffs predictably went to the goal line but he didn’t do much with it. Also double clutched a fair catch. But no fumbles and no heinous errors. Something to build on.

  5. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Darden will be fine…..cut the kid some slack

  6. Buc-em-up84 Says:

    I’m a bucs fan and I really hate bucs fan that sit a home and coach from the couch. If you guys really watched the game you would know that this is only the end of week 3 we had a worst lost against the saints in week 9 of last season. And we still won the super bowl. I’m more concerned about our offensive coordinator than our players truthfully

  7. Brandon Says:

    Tampabaybucfan Says:
    September 27th, 2021 at 10:27 am
    Darden will be fine…..cut the kid

    ————————-

    He’s not fast and elusive enough to make up for his tiny frame. He couldn’t outrun the edge containment guy on the kick return that was being blocked. He’s got no special qualities right now.

  8. Rob In Land O Lakes Says:

    “Darden will be fine…..cut the kid some slack”

    TBBF, you beat me to it. Give him some time. His 40 was 4.46 which isn’t slow but his forte is his cutting and elusiveness. Look, maybe it never materializes but right now, we don’t know.

  9. Coburn Says:

    Saw one nice return where she beat the guy to the edge and then looked like a horse collar at the end

  10. HC Grover Says:

    The draft is looking below average for last year.

  11. Rod Munch Says:

    The only person on this team who seems to do anything with those awful quick screen passes to the WR is Godwin, who in 2019, was turning those into big yards. Since then, I’m not sure anyone has done anything with them.

  12. SB~LV Says:

    Just getting in the game with the ball in his hands yesterday will serve him well.

  13. rrsrq Says:

    It seems like the only receiver that can get yardage on those lil quick passes is Godwin. It’s like the DB always beats the blocker when throwing to Darden or Miller (even Mike and AB). Is that scheme or because we don’t disguise it very well.

  14. Ash Says:

    Darden was fine for his first time out as a rookie was a top draft pick not gonna expect him to be devin hester out there his first start

  15. Gulf Man Says:

    You lost one game to a very good team,while being down several quality players, the sky isn’t falling.

  16. John Says:

    Test

  17. Johnny W Harris Says:

    I hate to call out a man’s job but really it is our offensive coordinator truly too many weak plays on offense