Receivers Situation Isn’t Pretty
August 29th, 2010
"Olie, man. It's time to make some chicken salad, if you know what I'm sayin'."
Reggie Brown dropped passes. Michael Clayton didn’t play. And slow-to-come-along rookie Arrelious Benn didn’t get much of a shot.
That all came out of the Bucs’ “dress rehearsal” last night against Jacksonville.
Sammie Stroughter looks good. Rookie Mike Williams has been spectacular. Maurice Stovall has a bum ankle. And Micheal Spurlock has done everything asked of him.
So who makes the roster?
Regardless of the final five or six, the receiving corps appears to be shaking out to be what many Bucs fans feared; It might be the worst on paper in the NFL. Joe hates getting all negative, but it is what it is.
On top of that, the Bucs struggled to run the ball.
Greg Olson has a massive undertaking on his hands. He’ll have to get creative, maybe try again to get Jerramy Stevens and Kellen Winslow on the field together, because the Bucs have no identity on offense.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Did anyone inform Clayton that this year’s money isn’t in the bank?
Bucs didn’t play him hoping to trade him. He might survive the first round of cuts. Has anyone taken a look at that pathetic roster we have? There are plenty of no-names to go first.
I hope Clayton and Sabby do get cut though, just so I don’t have to hear about them anymore.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Sorry dude, there is only one Joe around here. Claiming you are Joe is a really good way to get banned.
the worst receiving corp in the league did you forget about the rams
August 29th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Well bryant has been cut by the bengals
August 29th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
So when Sabby and Clayton move on, who will become the NEW scapegoats to satisfy the excuses for Raheem Morris?
-Greg Olsen?
-Josh Freeman being hurt set us back?
They are starting to run thin.
I liked Raheem’s end of half quote onhis way to the locker room though:
“I will take the blame until I watch the tape.”
Oh yeah? Until you get time to ‘evaluate’ who gets to be the latest scapegoat?
August 29th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Reggie Brown i had high hope and Benn is a lil slower to start maybe next season for him so idk Micheal Spurlock can be that #3 or 4 i still thionk we are ok at WR
August 29th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I’m a big fan of Micheal Spurlock. They should let him play emergency QB, because Rudy Carpentaer SURE NEEDED relief last night!
August 29th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Bengals cut ties with injury-plagued, veteran WR Bryant…BUT BUT the bucs FO are A.HOLES
August 29th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Wow… it can’t be worse than last year’s WR group. Williams is playing as well as Bryant did, and we still have Stroughter. Clayton and Stovall started last year, they’re both still here, so that can’t be worse, just the same. Brown and Spurlock may also equal last years group. I don’t see how this is a worse situation, just maybe not better (except Williams is healthy, Bryant just got cut because his knee won’t heal).
Once again, it’s up to the O-line to prove they’re the “strength of the offense”, which I’m not so sure they are. They allow pressure on the QB (okay, so Penn didn’t allow a hit or sack, but the pressure was there to fracture the thumb). They don’t open holes for any of the backs (it’s not just Ward that’s not getting holes to go through). Zuttah can’t open holes on the left OR the right side. If the line doesn’t step up, this offense is in BIG trouble, and the D isn’t at a point where we can rely on them like we did in the late 90’s, early 2000’s yet.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Have to agree, how can it be worse than last year? We have two solid starters, maybe spurlock can be the third.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Turns out it was a very smart move by Dom to let Bryant walk. Bengals paid the guy 8 million for 1 full practice. The young receivers will take time to develop. That was pretty obvious to me when we drafted three receivers in two years. As long as Freeman can get over his thumb issue without a hitch, our passing game will be improved over last year. That’s not saying much but I’ll take what I can get considering these young receivers are still developing.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
The D did not do well last night.
Garrad threw for 212 yds last nigh in his 1/2 of game and one drive. A whole game and he would have easily hit 300 yds.
He threw that INT to Ruud in his own endzone. He could have easily ended up with 220 yds and a TD against us.
Point being, the defense was giving up long drives. Couldn’t stop the first downs. Couldn’t stop the Jags from movin the chains.
And do not forget that one of the greatest running backs (ranked 3rd on fantasy as a RB 🙂 ) Maurice-Drew Jones didn’t even play. How do you think our defense would have fared against that HB?
Stop trying to make our defense out to be some jugarrnaught. Hell, we didn’t even record a sack.
And does a pressure count if the QB completes a 10 yard pass?
August 29th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Clayton didn’t play because he is being traded this week to Washington IMO. And letting Spurlock try to be the 3rd string quarterback isn’t a bad idea. But he clearly should make the team at receiver. Brown might be the odd one out here.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Antonio Bryant was just released by the Bengals
August 29th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
When your chosing between Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown to make your team, major problems.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Lets not hang our WR’s yet. remember they are catching balls from a different less accurate QB. I think with Feeman back everybody looks better. Teams will have to respect the pass. In this game they were looking for Run Run Run. If your reading this Raheem and Dom, We need to pass before we can run!!!! We already proved that trying to set up the pass with the run does not work for us. we need to come out slinging and we can be fine.
Lets not leave winslow, stevens, and the RB’s out of the back field. hell earnst grahm caught a TD at FB.
last year we had winslow and a few other guys.
This year we have Winslow, Williams, Straughter, and a few other guys we are definatly not worse off. BUT they need to justify passing on Marshel, Holmes, Bolden, EXT, EXT.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
@eric
“When your chosing between Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown to make your team, major problems.”
If they were in the mix as starters, I would agree with you. But when you’re talking about plugging in former high round draft picks as your 4,5,6 guys then I don’t think it’s a terrible place to be. Most teams only use the top 4 guys anyway.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
All we need is a solid number 2 reciver if williams can keep this up with sammy in the slot and we could be damb good
August 29th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Has anyone ever thought that it’s not as simple as pass more or run more and in whatever order, or what the defense is showing, but it’s more of an execution issue with this team?
And that poor execution is a derivative of poor coaching.
We need better coaches people.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
The lack of qb depth seriously affects this position. Players like Benn and Spurlock dont get reps because the second and third team o-line and qb is terrible. Add to that Raheem dosen’t even give huggins a single opportunity to run behind the first team o-line is unreal. I don’t think this coaching staff understands competition. Last year they declared the Leftwitch McCown competition and McCown got zero reps with the starting o-line and then they ran Bryant for Nugent in that competition? Give players competiting the same opportunities with the same personnel, how else can you evaluate players head to head. I like Raheem but we need a head coach that understands personnel.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I think all of you are forgeting that the preseason is to EVALUATE YOUR PLAYERS
August 29th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I think all of you are forgeting that the preseason is to EVALUATE YOUR PLAYERS, not tell your opponents your playbook either offensively or defensively. You also want to evaluate certain formations and packages.
Playing one quarter and then stopping for awhile disrupts the flow also.
Since every quarterback throws and counts different, there is a change in tempo. Rudd interception was great, but with at least two troopers with him, if they would have blocked instead of celebrating early, it would have been a TD.
Was the game plan to evaluate blocking/running or win the game, only one person knows and he is like the Shadow, not talking.
The first game of the season will tell us about the real team.
As for receivers, they seem to catch the ball when thown to them this year, especially the one that I think are going to be on the team.
August 29th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
OB, time is running out with those excuses bro.
Time is running out.
August 29th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Come on Joe while were not the Colts and Freeman is not Peyton(yet)you can when games with new talent at wide out! Why does everyone keep saying Huggins is undersized he is almost exactly the same size as Chris Johnson.
August 29th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
oops I meant Win games
August 29th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@Bucsfan
JJ is more accurate than Freeman– he just needed an O-line that actually defended him and enough trust to move better in the pocket.
August 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Joe:
“It might be the worst on paper in the NFL. Joe hates getting all negative, but it is what it is.”
Really? Worst on paper in the NFL? Have you seen the Brownies depth chart? They’ve got Massoquoi and Robiskie listed as #1 and 2.
The Raiders? Heyward-Bey and Chaz Shillens.
I’m not even sure I’d be terrified of the Titans duo of Nate Washington and Justin Gage.
Now, I know beyond the top 2 or maybe even 3, there are huge question marks. But I’m pretty good with Williams and Stroughter starting. If Stovall is in for 2 WR sets or even Brown/Spurlock on occasion, I’m good with that. Not the worst, definitely not the best.
I think you ran out of paper, because “on paper”, we’re at the bottom of your list, look at the next page, there’s more there…..
August 29th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
1-Mike Williams is a rookie (only Bucs fans and guys playing in dynasty rookie keeper leagues seem to know of him… and only Bucs fans have annointed him a hall of famer (see Caddy in his first 4 NFL games; Michael Clayton in his rookie season). Note: i do like MiWill a lot.
2-Even Bucs fans don’t know who will the #2 at this point. Stroughter is more of a slot WR btw, which means WR#3.
3-Stroughter (promising slot WR)
4-Again question mark.
5- et al
Maybe in your eyes we have a good WR corps. But other than Williams, I am not sure anyone else has done much. Our offense has been pathetic thus far. Although I like Stoval a lot as the #5 or #6.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Yeah, winslow, stroughter, and williams starting is just horrible. Stovall, benn, brown, spurlock, and parker competing for reps is just hopeless. Gimme a break. We have what could be the best group of recievers ever in tampa and you wanna call it the worst in the NFL…stfu.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Even if they use Williams/Stroughter, then move Stroughter to slot in the 3 wide sets, it’s still better than Massoquoi/Robiskie or Heyward-Bey/Shillens. Our WRs are not the worst, even on paper, and as I said, not close to the best either. We may not know right now exactly where they rate, but it shouldn’t be the bottom.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
@Javier n Wimauma, (who said):
“I’m a big fan of Micheal Spurlock. They should let him play emergency QB, because Rudy Carpentaer SURE NEEDED relief last night!”
I like Spurlock also. On the old Bucs forums, I was a strong supporter of him, and was ticked when he got cut the first time. This guy brings his all, and he’s becoming a good WR. Considering he was a QB in college, that ain’t half bad.
However, hopes that he can be a 3rd string QB? I doubt it. He wasn’t that good in college…I know because I researched that aspect.
I do think they should use him on some gimmick plays and the WildCat formation. With him in it, the defense will never know when it’s going to happen.
As to Rudy Carpenter, he did look pretty bad, however, keep in mind that the Bucs had 3rd stringers and tryouts playing for him, and the Jags were only just getting to their 2nd stringers.
That’s why I hate playing the Jags in the preseason…they always play their starters late, knowing if they fall behind they can come back in the second half against 2nd stringers.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
With Winslow and Williams no way we are the worst. K-2 himself is a top five tight end. Shudder to think where we would be without him.
But everybody else is either a proven tomato can or has so far been non-productive.
Whats up with Benn? One catch all pre-season? None against the Jags? Very dissapointing so far, especially since we traded up to get him. I can’t believe he will “flip a switch” and do much this season.
Remember also no one has “game planned ” for Williams yet. September is sometimes quite different than August.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
jdouble:
Now who really needs to — in your words (?) — “stfu?”
Check yourself dude. Seriously.
August 29th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
AS TO THE RECEIVING SITUATION:
The way I see it, we’re much better off than last year. In 2009 all we had to catch the ball reliably was Winslow.
Now we have Winslow, Williams and Stroughter. We also have Spurlock, who is further developed than Benn right now. I predict next years WR battle to be between Spurlock and Benn.
As secure as I feel in the receiving game, I feel horrible over the running game. Of course, as I said earlier this week, the chances of us having a running game are slim and none until they address it properly in the draft.
We need a solid blocking fullback (not Roy Miller) and a running back that is better than anyone on this team, including Huggins (the golden child right now).
I’m not happy with Caddy or Ward at all. Graham had potential, but lets face it, he’s not fresh anymore. Gruden blew that chance. We need to either draft someone or trade for someone, but whoever we trade for, in order to be good, will cost us big.
August 29th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
It’s frustrating to see Benn thrown to only a few times so far through three preseason games. How do you make it such a priority to get the guy in the draft and give him almost no opportunities in games to date? I don’t get it.
I’m not too worried about the receiver position though..we have pretty good talent there (Williams, Stroughter, Winslow, (maybe Benn if we could ever see what he can do)) even though most of it’s young.
The running game is more of a concern to me.
August 29th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Benn will have his chance. he is one of three Wr’s that isnt going anywhere. Rah is trying to give the other guys a chance to battle because at least one of them is gone here soon. I think if we started two rookies and did bad then raheem would be gone. benn didnt have a chance to be number 2 like freeman didnt have a chance to be number 1 last year he will come into his own you watch.
August 29th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Actually I’m kinda glad that the Bucs don’t have that “good” of a receiving corp – maybe this will be the year the OC actually tries to RUN THE DARN BALL!!!!!
Look last year the OC got Freeman into a lot of bad situations with the playcalling. Freeman is still a ROOKIE and while I liked his performance and maturity let’s pound the darn ball PLEASE!!!!
How about
1. Run off tackle with Caddy – 4 yards
2. Run FB up the gut for – 2 yards
3. Slant to slot or drag to TE for 4 yards
Wash, rinse and repeat…
August 29th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
The Jags run defense is also pretty good. It is preseason, so let’s not all get doom and gloom already…in fact their D is pretty good in general. Our first string may have given up yards, but only 6 points. Who care abiut yards!? Points are what wins games. Yes Ruud changed the drive in the end zone, but how many times did we see DW or RB do the same thing on those great Bucs defenses. I am not saying they looked great, but I did not think they looked awful either.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Oh Pete Dude.
Weren’t you running around last week talkin bout how bad JJ was and how great Rudy Carpenter was?
Did I just see you qualify how Rudy didn’t play well because of 3rd stringers.
Listen dude, you ain’t getting off that easy. I almost forgot about it and who was preaching about it until you just made yet another ploy for Carpenter.
We will have no more of that non-sense. By backing Rudy Carpenter as you did, and proving how wrong you were, you need to do 2 things to redeem credibility.
#1 Admit you were wrong about Carpenter being better than JJ, straight up.
#2 Stop making excuses for failure.
Start with #1.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:44 am
The Bucs WR’s have a lot of potential, but clearly it is just that, potential. That being said, they certainly are not the worst, no matter what paper you’re looking at.
And Joe, unless there’s a third Joe I haven’t seen, neither of you are young enough to say ‘Check yourself, dude’ even if the person does need to check themselves. Check yourself.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
‘It’s frustrating to see Benn thrown to only a few times so far through three preseason games. How do you make it such a priority to get the guy in the draft and give him almost no opportunities in games to date? I don’t get it.”
Because , in case you haven’t noticed, he can’t get open …against the other teams 4th stringers no less….
He’s garbage.