Raheem Has A Soft Spot For Stovall
December 29th, 2010
There’s a bit of disagreement around the JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters about Maurice Stovall. Hardly a classic debate like the one over Rachel Watson and Carmella Garcia, but conflict nonetheless.
Some see Stovall as an oft-injured career stiff who choked on special teams against the Falcons and cost the Bucs a shot in the playoffs. Others see him as a talented, dedicated 25-year-old that has a lot of value as a backup.
Stovall caught more balls from Josh Freeman last year than any other Bucs wide receiver. He was slated as a starter in August but missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury. He never got his job back.
Against Seattle, Stovall saw time filling in for Arrelious Benn and caught the Bucs’ fifth touchdown of the day. It was a tender moment for Raheem Morris, per his comments on WDAE-AM 620 on Monday night.
“It was great seeing Maurice Stovall getting into it,” Raheem said. “I don’t think people understand how much these guys care about their teammates. You know, it’s kind of hard to see because we look like these shallow, you know, hardened athletes. But when you see a guy like Maurice Stovall get out there and you know how hard he’s worked overcoming injury, overcoming losing his starting position, becoming a playmaker for us on special teams, and then going out there and having an opportunity to play again and catching a touchdown, it’s special for me at least.”
Raheem also praised Stovall for “sealing the edge” blocking on LeGarrette Blount’s hurdling breakout run.
With Sammie Stroughter banged up, Joe suspects Stovall will play an awful lot in New Orleans on Sunday. If any Buccaneer is playing for his job next season, it’s Stovall.
December 29th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I’m happy for Mo’s opportunities but I also want to see what Briscoe is made of.
December 29th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Unless they delve into the free agents (which we all know is not a great possibility), Stovall is probably back due to Benn’s recovery most liekly lasting into training camp and hopefully not much further.
Williams, Spurlock, & Stroughter are probably the starters with Parker, Briscoe, & Stovall on the bench. Then when Benn is back they might keep 7 or move one to practice squad.
The truth is, Stovall is very good on special teams, that was one bad mistake. We’ll see what happens, but I think he is safe because of Benn.
December 29th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
I’ve heard for years that Stovall is the first guy out to practice and last to leave. But I’ve watched him, time and time again, make sloppy, halfhearted, plays on special teams.
Against the Redskins, Stovall fails to catch a punt on the 3. The ball hit him in the hands, while Stovall stood with his shoulders perpendicular to the goal line, instead of turning his back to the end zone, whereby pinning himself squarely between the end zone and ball. Luckily, the ball hit his hands and bounce 6 yards up field instead of in the end zone.
Against the Jaguars, this preseason, Stovall caught a bouncing punt on the 5 and continued to RUN THE BALL INTO THE ENDZONE, giving Jax a touchback.
For a guy who is so “Good on Special Teams”, he sure takes a lazy approach to the only part of the game where he’s ever truly contributed. The guy was a third round pick from Notre Dame. Remember when all the haters had their pitchforks and torches out for Benn because Williams was outproducing him. How come Stovall gets a pass?
December 29th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
HIRE GREG OLSON!:
Voila!
He’s supposed to be a special teams stud. He hasn’t been.
Dude’s been in the league how long and he is an absolute non-factor in the offense, playing behind two rookies, a second-year seventh round pick and a guy off the scrap heap.
December 29th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Joe I am in the latter camp. Stovall has had plenty of opportunities to shine and is somewhat of a Michael Clayton. When I watched the replay on NFL.com of that kickoff return it sickened me. From my perspective Stovall could have easily taken the guy out of bounds but seemed to pull up at the last second and our playoff hopes probably died on that play. I just can’t see why we still have players that make so very few plays and Stovall would be one of those. Great special teamer? No I think he lost that title versus Atlanta!!
December 29th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
If you look at one more thing I was checking out Desmond Briscoes production at Kansas and the guy was flatout productive. I think he deserves a shot over Stovall as we know what we have with him (an infrequent player who rarely makes the tough catch.)
December 29th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Gaines Adams (rip) – Traded.
Michael Clayton – Released
Sabby – Released.
Looks like the next man up philosophy applies to scapegoats as well.
Not to say that those guys didn’t deserve the critisism but Jesus let Stovall have his moment in the sun for crying out loud. The story is about how everyone on the team is happy he got to contribute and all you guys can do is beat the hell out of him.
December 29th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Move him to TE next year. He was blocking DEs on Sunday. He can help the running game and the passing game.
December 29th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
d-money all of those players you mentioned were busts who never did a thing here in Tampa. What is your point? Lets have some pity on the poor guy who probably makes more than you and I both?? No sorry I would rather pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for someone who actually produces on plays other than kickoffs and punt returns.
December 29th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
a player only gets a few chances into the spotlight….unfortunately Maurice has the talent and the stories that go along with the careers in the NFL that never blossomed
Paris Warren…due to injury…Jermaine Phillips comes to mind….
the guy in preseason as a rook was the “Terminator” in Red and Pewter as could have had a storied career
December 29th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Nick2-you are spot on with your opinion on that kickoff play.Biggest missed tackle of the season and Stovall was the reason.Just stood there and watched thinking the play was over instead of making sure it was over.If we beat the Saints sunday,that play will stick out as the main reason we missed the playoffs.