Bucs Sign Ex-Sullivan Pupil WR Derek Hagan
June 13th, 2013
There’s a new wide receiver in the mix for the Bucs. And he’s got experience, and he knows Mike Sullivan’s offense.
The Bucs have signed Derek Hagan, who enters his eighth season in the NFL. He spent part of 2008, and all of 2009 and 2010, with the Giants, where Sullivan was his position coach.
Tom Coughlin once called Hagan an “excellent contributor on special teams.” A Raiders blog this year characterized Hagan as hard-working and reliable, and a guy the Raiders wanted to return. Hagan has 129 career receptions, including 20 with the Raiders last season.
Greg Schiano craves competition, so this move comes as little surprise, and it shakes up the battle at the bottom of the receivers depth chart. After Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Kevin Ogletree and Tiquan Underwood, the Bucs have Hagan, David Douglas, Eric Page, and Chris Owusu seemingly slugging it out for one roster spot.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
I see him as a special team guy. I’m Underwood and Ogletree will lockdown the 3rd and 4th spot.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
I’m sure*
June 13th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
With the competition, I’m not sure Underwood is a shoe-in to make the team unless he shows some return ability. If Ogletree beats him out for #3, does he stick as #4 if he doesn’t offer special teams ability? And what if Owusu outplays him for the #4 spot? This could happen if what I’m hearing about Owusu’s performance thus far is accurate… I’m figuring you’ve got to have a receiver on the roster to return punts, since it doesn’t sound like any of our RBs or DBs can do it. So, if Ogletree and Owusu beat out Underwood for the 3rd/4th receiver position and Page or Douglas stick as a punt returner, Underwood might be out of a job (again). Of course, the same comment applies to Ogletree if he’s not #3 or #4, but I have the impression he’s ahead of Underwood for the 3rd receiver… Owusu is rising.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
It doesn’t get mentioned often but the Bucs Special Teams have been significantly upgraded this off season. New coach, Casillas, Wannstedt, Demps (maybe), Leonard, Crabtree, Z. Miller are all quality special teams additions.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
If Hagan can return kicks, he would have a leg up on the bottom 3 out of four. Eric Page also has return skills. I’ve been hearing so much good out of all of them during the underwear camp. Seems we’ll have a good competitive receiving corps doing battle in camp. Whoever doesn’t make the roster will be on speed dial for sure during the season, if not signed to the practice squad.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
I just realized that Stroughter is no longer a Buc.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Derek Hagan is a nobody and will not even make the final roster.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
^Idiot who doesn’t know anything about players on other teams. Damn I’m embarrassed to be associated with certain Bucs fans sometimes.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
The competition at the WR position this year has tremendously improved and it looks like we’ll have some nice depth for a change. I’m seriously liking this focus on competition and depth at every position, even ones who previously thought they were untouchable (Koenen, Barth, Freeman). These guys are building things the right way, finally.
June 13th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
I think we keep 6 WRs if you count the KR/PR who for the recent past has worn the title of WR. Not sure, could be a RB this year.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
FLBoyInDallas,
You said it! “These guys are building things the right way, finally.” AMEN! About time we start building a competitive roster. No more crowing guys what they are not, untouchable.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
FLBoyInDallas, were you addressing me? If so, explain yourself. Because whay I said is 100% true.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Just to prove my point, Hagen only broke 300 yards once…and it was eight years ago. Since then, he only broke 300 yards twice. A nobody.
June 13th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
“Since then, he only broke 300 yards twice. A nobody.”
I meant he only broke 200 yards twice.
June 13th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
What Bonzai said. Yawn. I guess Markey Mark has to sign one camp fodder guy every few weeks to make it look like he’s doing something. Besides being a horrible GM
June 13th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
I disagree that Mark Dominick is a horrible GM. I think he’s great.
June 13th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I for one am glad they are bringing in other guys to push for spots. It only makes the good better and sometimes it uncovers a jewel that has been hidden or neglected or even misjudged. Give him a chance what’s there to loose but a little pay, food and clean uniforms.
June 13th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
I get the feeling that the Bucs’ brass wants to create some match-up problems for opposing secondaries, esp. at the slot, by being able to vary the type of player that lines up there. Also, I am starting to think that they want to keep Jackson outside the hashes more in 2013.I would love to see a chart of where Vincent caught what from what position in 2012.
June 13th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Derek Hagan will make a great gunner on special teams; if he makes the final cut.
June 14th, 2013 at 6:28 am
I know more about Festus Hagan than I do Derek Hagan. But it seems just a little biased to criticize Mark Dominik for bringing a guy to Training Camp with experience in the offensive system, who is familiar with the coaching staff rather than some kid from USF with no chance. Some of you people just look for virtually anything to twist in an attempt to prove your bias.