Bucs Seeking A Burner At WR?
February 11th, 2011
"You want weapons, Olie? I'll get you weapons. You got your O-line coach. I'll get you a burner."
Just when it appeared the Bucs were set at wide receiver with Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn, with a side order of Sammie Stroughter, Micheal Spurlock, Preston Parker and Dezmon Briscoe, plus Kellen Winslow, Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings has tossed a wrench into the mix.
In a Bucs notebook today for TBO.com, Cummings dropped this intriguing gem.
Wish list
It’s too soon to know how they will acquire it, but the Bucs believe they need a legitimate speed receiver who can really take the top off a defense. They have an abundance of short- and medium-range targets, but would like to add a player who can drag a safety deep downfield and create more room underneath for Mike Williams, Kellen Winslow and Arrelious Benn.
Whoa!
This is very interesting. If the Bucs want a speed guy to open up the defense underneath, then he obviously has to be on the field quite a bit. Perhaps the Bucs aren’t as enamored by Arrelious Benn as it seems?
Regardless, Benn just can’t be counted on to be ready and 100 percent for 2011, coming off ACL surgery. There’s no reason to bank on him for this season.
As Joe has written before, a free agent wide receiver could offer some solid insurance and would make a lot of sense with a young corps of wideouts.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Seems like that is backwards. Williams is the deep threat, and they need an experienced underneath guy. Ike Hilliard type.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Long time nemesis Steve Smith might be on the outs in Carolina. I wouldn’t mind him coming in and showing the young guns a thing or two.
Cue the haters…
February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Hmmm not much as far as impact WR’s likely will be left over after teams get to re-sign their own. Maybe take a chance on a guy like Legedu Nanee – he’s just so raw, but the upside due to physical ability is huge. Lance Moore is a fast abstard too that may be avail. V-Jax in San Diego could be great too, but I believe he will be franchsed as is rumored.
I could see Dominik taking a WR in the draft, gotta like his chances of findinga useful burner even if it would be a 3rd rounder or later.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Williams and Been are both really underneath guys. BEcause of Benn’s physical nature, he can go deep. ebcause of William’s ability to go up and get a ball, he can go deep.
I thought Parker was a speed guy?
Either way, I am not buying it. They might grab one free agency, but I do not see them drafting a WR unless it is round 5-7.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Eric,
Mike Williams rec’s 40+ yards = 2
Benn rec’s 40+ yards = 3
MW has far more 20+ rec’s (18) than Benn (5) though.
But most of those were due to his YAC. I realize that these numbers don’t prove a whole lot, but I do recall Freeman launching it to Benn more than a few times over the top. Some of those ended up drawing PI calls (ATL away game).
February 11th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Titus Young in the 2nd would be a great value, it would be a BPA if he falls all the way to us in rnd 2.
If they dont want to burn a pick on a WR, Santonio Holmes, Steve Breaston, or Jacoby Jones would all be great #2’s to Mike Williams #1 role. or at least hold down the fort while Rejus is 100% ready. I do like Briscoe’s potential though, the New Orleans game i thought they cloned Mike Williams and put him in a Briscoe jersey.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Most draft supposition coming out of One Buc is all smokescreen.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Hire,
That would be a good FA pick up(if he’s available) and if he’s gotten his teammate-boxing days out of his system!? Could you imagine, if we did sign him? When we played Carolina, now that would be some haters!
February 11th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Dave
Have to agree! I don’t see another WR high draft pick, unless there’s a Moss or Fitz-type WR out there in the draft?!
February 11th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Yeah, Titus Young from what I hear can be a Jacoby Ford kind of burner.
Most of you saying Mike Williams, Preston Parker, Arrelious Benn can be deep burners do not know what a deep burner is. Vincent Jackson is the only deep burner that could be a free agent and even he is not the fastest guy.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Oar,
Yeah, I’ve always loved Steve Smith, despite his little-man-angry outbursts. Hey you don’t get to the NFL at 5’9″ without some piss and vinegar running through your veins.
I like what Smith would bring to our offense, a seriousness that would rival Freeman’s. Not to mention that he would give our receiving corps great info on how to beat the top corners in the NFC.
Signing Steve Smith could reignite his career. If he is affordable, it would be a great pickup.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Say no to Titus Young.
In fact, say no to most WRs out there. Let’s focus on the lines this off-season.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Uh, isn’t Spurlock a burner?
February 11th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I don’t take any of that as the Bucs aren’t happy with Benn. I took it as they’re not happy with what they’ve got after Williams and Benn at WR.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
We already have our guy and his name is Michael Spurlock. I still don’t understand why they didn’t use him more. He had 17 catches this season and 12 of them were for first downs. He’s fast as hell and doesn’t have any problem getting downfield.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Spur is fast, but in his three-team 4-year career at WR, he has only started once and played in 27 games. May be a reason, for that?
BTW don’t get me wrong! I have always liked Spur and hope they would use him more, but..
February 11th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Spurlock Holmes is the man (except for that one-armed horses**t effort against the Ravens in the end zone!!!). But again, my man Oar is absolutely correct. Something is holding the young man back behind the scenes.
Although I wouldn’t put much faith in the front offices that released Spurlock (Bruce Allen in TB, Whoever has been running the show in SF; AZ was just stacked at WR)
February 11th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Here’s the deal with Arrelious Benn. He’s a speed threat but not a top top shelf one. He managed a 40 time in the 4.3 range at his pro day but was in the 4.4 range at the combine. So he’s got some speed. Probably the highest top speed of any current Bucs reciever. But he’s not that Randy Moss(in his prime), DeSean Jackson, Calvin Johnson type guy. Those guys are gonna run a sub 4.4 40 every single time. Benn has speed but its just outside the the range of the guys everyone thinks of as the NFL’s true burners. Now I happen to believe his superior physicality makes up for that quarter step of speed some other guys have on him. I mean as STRONG as Arrelious is, if he can master the art of the subtle pushoff he will never have trouble getting big separation downfield.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Eric would love it if we brought in Joey Galloway. For depth at RB, we can also bring back Michael Pittman.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Dexter Jackson is a burner
February 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
4.36- that was Benn’s exact 40 time at his pro day. Thats pretty damn fast. Now he was A LOT slower at the combine- 4.48. So which time more represents the real Arrelious Benn? Probably somewhere in between. But I have to think that any guy who can EVER manage to post a sub 4.4 40 yard dash time, even if inconsistently, would have to be considered a legitimate NFL deep threat. He’s just not quite on the same level as some of the guys out there.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I don’t see any FA “burners” any better or faster than what the Bucs appear to have.
I definately do NOT see them drafting another WR before round 5.
Defensive front 7 will be hammered by DE and LB picks.
THem saying they want a burner might be smoke or it might mean Benn getting healthy, although he is more catch and run because of his physical nature.
Most people think burner they think a guy goes deep and no one can stay with him.
In that sense, DeSean Jackson and Mike Wallace are probably the only two in the NFL right now.
Like I said before, it is probably irrelevant because I would be very surprised if they selected a WR before round 5. Actually, I would be very surprised if they took one at all. I think they would be more inclined to take a speedy RB in the late rounds because they can’t be feeling too comfortable with Huggins and how he keeps getting injured.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
What is Cliff Branch doing these days?
February 11th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
You can tell Roy is running out of crap to talkbabout. We are set a WR.
Williams is a beast. Been is the burner ask Hall in the Washington game!!!!
Spurlock & Sammy can make a play or two. And this kid Briscoe will make the roster, he is physical. Roy don’t have a clue,we need bookends DE’s and will be alright. Go Bucs !!!
February 11th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
All that being said, I wouldn’t cry if the Bucs drafted a guy like Titus Young, especially if he manages to run in the 4.2 range at the combine, which he is claiming he will do.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Every team in the NFL is always looking for a super fast WR. They are rare. Even with the incredible group of WRs we have here, you can always upgrade. And vetting Josh more weapons is always a priority.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I agree with all of you that want Titus Young. He was, by far, the fastest player on Boise State, and compares to Desean Jackson or Mike Wallace.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Hawaiian Buc .. Cmon man .. get real .. No way we can play Galloway and Williams on the field at the same time.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
gitarlvr Says:
February 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
4.36- that was Benn’s exact 40 time at his pro day. Thats pretty damn fast. Now he was A LOT slower at the combine- 4.48.
==========================================
$50 says gitarlvr bites his nails over player ratings in madden. Any takers??
gitarlvr,
lesson #1, it’s not how fast you run; it’s how fast you PLAY.
February 11th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@jvato24,
That’s true. If Chucky couldn’t do it, then it quite simply can’t be done.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Hire
“lesson #1, it’s not how fast you run; it’s how fast you PLAY.”
and/or it’s how hard/tough you play! (ie: see Dexter Jackson)
February 11th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
HGO- Yeah. If there is one position where paying a little attention to 40 times does matter its WR. My point is that Benn has proven he does in fact have enough straight line speed to at least have the potential to be a great deep threat if he learns how to “play” fast. I think he’s already started to do it. I guess your insulting GM’s and coaches across the league too since they do in fact pay some attention to things like athletic measurables.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I found this interesting post on an NFL Forum. The guy sounds pretty legit.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
I’m confused about which games some of you guys were watching.
As an Iowa season ticket holder and somebody who records and watches the games at least two more times throughout the week, Clayborn WAS double (and sometimes triple) teamed more than anybody in the Big Ten. Now, it wasn’t “every play” but it certainly happened a lot. Like others have said, Clayborn is partially responsible for the improved play of Daniels and Klug. IMO, Clayborn should be drafted in the 15-25 range.
Last I heard, he said he was up to 297, so unless he cuts weight before the combine he will likely weigh in pretty heavy. Great size for a five-tech, although, like others have said, he got abused in the run game pretty badly this year compared to his play in the past.
Also, I’m not allowed to give details on injuries (or else I could lose my job), but Clayborn was not 100% healthy this year. He was actually playing through a knee injury that would have sidelined most players. His lack of initial burst when passrushing was obvious this year and largely due to his lack of health.
I realize most of you won’t believe me and that is fine with me. I’m not here to “pimp” my connection to the team.
=================================================
I’m still on the fence about Clayborn. We’ve had such trouble in the past drafting a DE. Is Watt considered a first rounder or second rounder?
February 11th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
I agree with micronole that this is a smoke screen. WR that are true burners AND great players don’t come along in every draft (like true franchise QB). It doesn’t sound like that guy is out there this year, so as Matt says, focus in the D-line/O-line.
I like what I saw from Benn deep this year. Steve Smith sounds like a good idea short term. I don’t watch enough college football to have an opinion about anybody out there, but if Dom can find that hidden gem in the mid rounds tha would be cool.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Randall Cobb. Fast elusive multi-purpose WR.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@HIRE: Watt is considered a first rounder…..
February 11th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Hire,
Quit insulting those coaches and GM’s would you! Your giving this thread a bad name! LOL!
February 11th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
That Chucky rule only applies to Tampa Bay Buccaneer Super Bowl victories.
As for receivers, depth would be helpful.
Love to Steve Smith idea.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Excuses are like a**holes and crap players have a mountain of them .. Ryan Kerrigan was basically the ONLY threat on the Purdue Defense and he seemed to do OK.
And for GTRLVR about 40 times .. Go back and check Anquan Boldin’s 40 time .. How did he turn out.
I dont even know what Mike Williams ran .. He did Ok
But Dexter Jackson .. that man runs in 4.3s I tell YOU!! BEAAST
February 11th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
@Pete: There are plenty of legit burners in this draft. I sense that the Bucs will find a great sleeper in mid to late rounds.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
So according to the brilliant minds at TBO, another TE and a speedy WR are top priority at One Buc.
I’m not sure which is more disturbing. The fact that people get paid to write this garbage, or the fact that people actually believe it.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
I say give Benn another year, but we need to take the pressure off of Mike Williams next season by putting another threat on the opposite side of the field.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Definitely interesting tidbit on Clayborn. I don’t care about the cab punching thing but it seems like some injury red flags are really popping up on this guy.
Watt is looking like a possible first rounder if a 3-4 team likes him as a 5 technique. Looking more like a second round talent as a 4-3 DE because there are too many better edge rushers ahead of him. I couldn’t imagine the Bucs taking someone like Watt if a better edge rusher like Houston, Kerrigan, or Aldon Smith is still on the board at #20.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
jvato- I hate when people read things into a post I didn’t put there. Your responding to me like I said 40 times are all that matters with recievers. We are talking about whether Benn is a true deep threat and all I was saying was that he’s put a smoking 40 time at least once to suggest that he does indeed have enough straight line speed to be one. The conversation was about a deep threat and I don’t know what Boldin’s 40 time was but I hope your not suggesting that he’s a guy who takes the top off defenses because he’s not. He’s an awesome possesion reciever.
February 11th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
On a side note, from what I’m seeing reported , Arrelious Benn’s rehab is, in fact, on track for him to be ready for the training camp that might not even happen. 🙂
February 11th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Believing in Benn this year is fools gold.
February 11th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
@Joe: Can you please stop these fools??? Benn is not a bust. He just took longer to catch onto the game and didn’t start until almost the mid-point of the season…!!!
February 11th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Our receiving core is fine as is. Benn will be Benn around midseason and will continue to improve. We don’t need a so called burner to get downfield. I’ve seen guys a lot slower than ours get open deep with play design and stellar route running.
As hard as it is to sack Freeman, receivers will be open. DBs can’t guard for that long.
February 11th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
@ Hunter, the question is how many of the legit speed burners play the position well enough? There are always a lot of fast guys, but one who also plays the position well is the trick. I hope you are right =o)
February 11th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
@Pete: Unfortunately we won’t know until they play an actual NFL game. Oh, and I hope I’m right too, LOL…
February 11th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
40 times are great but they’re useless if the guy doesn’t know how to play. Look at DHB out in Oakland as an example. They need to be able to get off of bumps at the LOS and need to have a good first ten yard split in order to get that separation. Calvin Johnson has a super fast 40 but he’s a strider and doesn’t have a great burst off the line to get that initial separation. Either way, I don’t think they stop adding weapons to this offense but I can’t see an early pick being used on one unless somebody unexpected falls and then they have to go best player available.
February 11th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Hunter:
Of course Benn is not a bust. Hardly. Geez.
February 11th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
@Joe: I know, these guys are acting like WR is our biggest need right now…..lol
February 11th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
No of course, everybody knows WR isn’t our biggest need. They will go D-line/LB (so we think). What I see being said by all here is if Dom, Rah & Co. can “pull a Mike W./Cory L.” in the later rounds, that would be sweet.
February 11th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
TITUS YOUNG PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 12th, 2011 at 12:30 am
I think WR is one of the areas of strength on the team, but Titus Young does seem like a very interesting prospect. After Williams and Benn, our other receivers aren’t anything impressive. Stroughter is ok for a 7th round pick I guess. Spurlock has made plays at times but he’s more suited to be a punt/kick returner. Same with Stroughter. Parker didn’t excite me at all last year.
I don’t really think receiver is an area of need in the draft, as there are plenty of guys in free agency available that we could sign (I like the idea of bring Steve Smith in here). Though, I wouldn’t be upset if the Bucs took a speedy, playmaker like Titus Young. He seems like a great player. As long as we’ve addressed LB and D-line, that’s fine with me.
Williams, Benn, and Young. That seems like a potentially elite receiving core!
February 12th, 2011 at 1:34 am
Been praying for one for a while now…Definitely can use a DeSean Jackson type player with our wr corps.
February 12th, 2011 at 1:50 am
For the love of god DO NOT draft any player from Boize state…
February 12th, 2011 at 1:52 am
LIke I said earlier, if they pick a WR in the draft AT ALL, I would be surprised alittle. If it is before round 5 I would be surprised ALOT. DE & LB and LB & DE. Throw in an OT & a safety…. leaves one pick. I see that being a speedy RB.
WR seems set to me:
Williams
Benn
Stroughter
Spurlock
Briscoe
Parker (who plays very quick and fast by the way)
Stovall – probably odd man out… once Benn shows he is healthy half way through camp, if there is a camp 🙁
February 12th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Dave- exactly what I expect to happen also!
February 12th, 2011 at 7:05 am
Williams, Benn, Spurlock, and Parker are all”fast” recievers. Every team is looking for a WR with game changing speed- I.e. Devin Hester, Desean Jackson, Mike Wallace. Problem is, there are only about 6 of those “superfast” guys in the league. But, naturally, every GM always broadcast every spring that he’s looking for one. I can’t ever remember NOT looking for that guy! Lol
If anyone watched Benn last year, and still thinks he’s even a chance of being a bust, really doesnt know anything about football. He’s getting almost as Much talk as Mike Williams. And all the experts are talking Mike a lot!! I think we are in great shape at WR. The search for “the Flash” never ends.TE is a much bigger concern.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:32 am
It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see MD make a move much like the Reggie Brown deal last year. This draft should be all about focusing on the OL, DEs and LBs. I think Ruud will be back but Hayes and Black need to be pushed. Unless there’s huge value at a LB or DE when it comes time to pick, I’d like to see them go OL in the first round.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I would have wanted Steve Smith a few years ago when Chuckles was still here, but not now. He is getting up there, a bit fragile, and his temper may be one of the worst in the league. As for Benn, I like too many things about him and feel his strength will enable him to be very productive in catches for 1’st downs and blocking out on the edge. I think Josh Freeman could make any receiver look good.
February 12th, 2011 at 10:24 am
We won the Super Bowl with the slowest group of receivers outside of Sun City Center. They were excellent route runners and had great hands.
I think Stroughter will be the odd man out. Either him or Parker. I really like what I see out of Brizcoe and I still believe Stovall can be a red zone threat. Stovall is also a special teams beast (yes, I was at the ATL debacle).
February 12th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Espo- man, I kept wanting to believe in Stovall, but I don’t think it’s happening. Think he’s the odd man out. He’s just never accomplished much in His time here. specialty is special teams
February 12th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Sammie Stroughter isn’t going anywhere. BELIEVE IT
February 12th, 2011 at 10:47 am
And, the 02 Eagles secondary begs to differ with espo’s assessment of Joe Jurivicious’ speed…
February 12th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State, 6-2,207,4.36-low 4.27. 100 meter Natl Champ, will be a UFA unless he moves up in the combine. I would take him in the 7th. Great kick returner, doesn’t matter if not great receiver, he could be a greyhound rabbit to draw off coverage downfield to open up the middle for Benn and Williams. Then there is Joe Morgan, 6-1,185,4.37-low 4.28. I dug this kid up at Walsh ( Wherever the H that is), he may be another rabbit. He started at Illinois but transferred to Walsh. Worth a look. Maybe.
February 12th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
You see, this is what happens when you give Cummings a forum. You hear wonderful BS about how we could spend a premium draft pick on a TE and also go after a speed WR. Because apparently that’s what our decision makers think we need according to the well-connected and knowledgeable reporter.
I just wish that after all is said and done and neither of these things happen, maybe we can post his BS articles a little less? Maybe?
February 12th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Honestly, as much as we desperately need a DE I would be very pleased if we take a CB like Jimmy Smith (6’2) in the 1st round. He’s very, very impressive when you watch him on tape. As far as WR goes some deep sleepers include: Cecil Shorts, Jeremy Kerley, Armon Binns, Jeff Maehl, DeAndre Brown, Darvin Adams, etc.