Antonio Bryant Caused Interceptions
February 27th, 2010
Like most personnel decisions, the rationale behind the Bucs not re-signing talented wide receiver Antonio Bryant was based on a number of factors.
Sure, salary played a part. So too did his age. Also, his injuries were a concern.
But Woody Cummings, of the Tampa Tribune, did some research and through his sources learned the Bucs were concerned about Bryant freelancing too much on routes. In particular, Bucs staffers felt Bryant caused a few of quarterback Josh Freeman’s interceptions because he was not running crisp routes.
Precision was another issue. It turns out that Bryant is a bit of a free lancer when it comes to running his routes and that penchant for being off just a tad resulted in a handful of picks for Freeman last year.
Bucs insiders won’t say how many of Freeman’s 18 interceptions were the result of imprecise routes run by Bryant, but the number was apparently big enough and the problem chronic enough that the Bucs felt a need to move on and get someone else to be their top wideout.
Keep that in mind as the search begins for a replacement. What the Bucs want in their new top target is something of a perfectionist, someone who, in addition to making the great leaping catches that Bryant made, will further help his quarterback by running an 8-yard curl or a 12-yard dig when the play calls for an 8-yard curl or a 12-yard dig.
Now before people pile on, Joe knows that imprecise routes, even off just slightly, can result in unwanted results. Did Bryant’s spectacular catches and ability to stretch the field make up for freelancing? It appears the Bucs didn’t think so.
Consider also that the Bucs have admitted in no uncertain terms the main goal currently is to develop Freeman.
If Bryant’s less than accurate routes did indeed result in a number of interceptions, perhaps the Bucs feared this would lead to Freeman’s confidence being crushed and therefore, his development would be stunted if not destroyed.
Think this is trivial? Look at Freeman’s salary figures compared to Bryant’s.
February 27th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
What a CROCK OF SHIT. Freeman isn’t all that!! How many picks did Leftwich have because of him? How about JJ? Spin this Raheem, why didn’t your recievers coach improve theese bad habits? Your whole staff with the exception of special teams is medicore at best. They are too cheap to pay him!! How l;ong is Stone Hands Claton going to be here? I dare you to tell theTruth for once not your version of it you Buffoon
February 27th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I wonder how Bryant managed to obtain over 1200 receiving yards in 2008, while runing inprecise routes?
Yet more BS from these folks.
February 27th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Hey, here is some good news. It is only approximately 316 days till the bucs 2010 season will be over.
With any luck, that will mark the end of the Dream and Dominik regime, and perhaps a legitimate head coach and GM can be hired.
February 27th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Hey let’s give a raise to Michael Clayton. He get seperation. Unfortunately, it from the ball as it bounces off his hands.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
How convenient of those “sources” to drop that on Cummings. I’m sure the timing of it was a mere coincidence.
The AB as a “freelancer” has been the book on him for some time. He did it in San Fran, he did it in Cleveland and he did it (to the chagrin of the Tuna) in Dallas. The book on Dominik is that he didn’t want to sign AB, that it was others, including Doug Williams who put on the full court press to get Bruce Allen to sign the guy to a prove-it deal.
Dear Dominik, if you didn’t like the guy in the first place, you were probably concerned with his freelancing beforehand, why then, did you give the guy 10 million for one year? Was it because you were afraid he would be successful somewhere else and you would look like a fool? Or was it the fact you had to reach the cap floor without the benefit of a fluff contract from Albert Haynesworth. Well, if it turned out to be the former, most of your other decisions have already cemented that idea in most observers heads.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
In the next-to-last game Bryant did cause an interception by his route-running. He ran a square-in but slowed almost to a halt when he saw the Saints LB squatting. I downloaded the play & watched it about 8 times in slo-mo & I am convinced that is what happened.It was a play where Freeman looked terrible at first blush but it actually wasn’t a bad throw at all. Josh gave him an earful going off the field, as well he should have.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
First of all, none of us are in any position to say whether or not he runs correct routes, since none of us are coaches. However, it is still very possible to have big numbers being a freelancer, that’s kind of the reason for being a freelancer (you break off your route to run a route that will get you more open). However, you have to be on the same page as the QB, and last year he was battling injuries and he had 3 different QB’s, one of whom was a rookie. I’m not saying it was or wasn’t his fault (although Mike J is absolutely right about the Saints game), but I think there could be some merit to it. AB is gone, and there is more to it than us not wanting to pay him. I’m just really hoping we can find another WR at his ability or better, because if not we are going to be in big trouble.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Yes,Hawaiian Buc, that is true. But a lot of that may’ve been the number of practices Bryant misses, NTM camp time.
Actually, I think the offensive staff should actually work on breaking off routes when plays deteriorate to take advantage of Freeman’s escapability & strong arm; sorta schoolyard style.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
They paid AB $12 million for one year. How much could they have signed him for last year before franchising him? Three years for $18 with a $5 million signing bonus? is that too low? Seems like we might have gotten taken if you ask me.
February 27th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I can maybe see some truth in this. He had large yardage the year before not only because he played more but because he had an experienced QB who could deal with the free lancing. With Freeman they might be inclined to insist the receivers be exactly where he expects them to be.
February 27th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Just for the record:
I have no problem with the Bryant release…
I think it’s a sound decision.
I don’t even read the Bryant articles…
(but I read all the other ones……esp the Penn $ Ruud articles)
February 27th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Why dont all you complainers start your own football team Called the Sissy Girls
February 27th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Looks like folks have resorted to school yard name calling. Im thinking it could be due to a long delay in posting some more pictures of Ms. Watson.
I think everyone would play nice after that…………………..
February 27th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Guess everyone forgets how Dominik & Radio slandered the O-Coordinator after they fired him last year. Now they are slandering the only receiver that could catch a ball for us. Gee, I didn’t see Bryant make a circus catch more than once last year, to make Freeman look good! These geniuses actually gave Clayton a bonus for his play last year. Maybe Clayton will make some of his “wonderful” catches again this year and make Freeman look good. RIght! These guys always “slander” who they fire. Slandering AB is BS, but It’s their MO. If they reall, wanted to help the Bucs they’d both quit and go to work at McDonalds while we got some “real” coaches in here!
February 27th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I don’t think what they did was slander to Antonio Bryant. It’s not slander if they are stating why they chose not to bring him back. They are not saying he is not a very good receiver, just stating why they are not going to bring him back. Besides, it’s not like they went out and made a press release stating all his negative qualities. I think there has to be some explanation, because on the surface it seems like they should have at least attempted to sign him.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
tampa2
Why would you insult Mcdonald’s workers like that?
February 27th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
The move is all well and good as long as you find a better replacement.
Will they??
Time will tell.
One thing is for sure; If we go into the season with only Clayton , Stovall, and Stroughter…. kiss our asses goodbye.
February 27th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Joe, I agree with Eric, too much angst in here, you need to break into that secret stash of hottie pics you’ve been holding onto! 🙂
February 28th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Greg;
Joe believes he can honor such a request. 🙂
February 28th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Kind of reminds me of the time the Culverhouse administration blamed color blindness for Vinny T picks.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Once Antonio Bryant came back into the lineup and he started questioning openly to the media about why he wasn’t getting the ball, Freeman started trying to force it to him. I think the next game he threw five picks, three targeting Bryant. While Bryant is an excellent player, that kind of effect is unwelcome.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Im sure the musical coordinators, QB’s, and lousy game plans did wear on Mr. Bryant, who probably hated the humiliating losses………………I am under the impression that he was underwhelmed by Mr. Morris’ leadership. Go figure.
Amazing how he flourished under that idiot Gruden. Ill bet he had the gall to want the ball then too.
The true “deserters” are the Glazers.
February 28th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
can you say mid-season coaching change?
when is the bye week?
I will be going t o the games but i will be very loud in my criticism if these
guys don’t show marked improvement and real hope for the future.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Bryant cost the Buccaneers a few games this season. He is a self righteous individual skipping around the field short arming passes quiting on routes. He was mad because he was franchised and played the gimp game. Honestly Bryant got huge money last year. Steve smith money, Randy Moss money. Get the point money productive recievers get paid and you know what he didn’t produce. You play the games to win not to complain that you have a rookie quaterback throwing passes. I don’t see him making a third of the money he was paid to basically flop. Obviosly most folks on this post are Buccaneers fans and if you watched the games one play can end a drive , shift momentum, and cause interceptions and I witnessed Bryant mess up quite a few times slipping all over the field. Anquan Bolden is the best example of how to behave when posturing for money don’t put in words to the media put it on tape. Hey Bryant take a piece fpr your mouth because you know what two years from now no one will remember your name.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Garcia didn’t have problems getting AB the ball last season. Why is Freeman a special case?