Stop Overselling Kregg Lumpkin
August 2nd, 2011
Joe’s channeling his math skillls here. Take a look:
2 carries + 4 catches = 27 year old RB Kregg Lumpkin.
It’s this equation showing Lumpkin’s career stats that has Joe scratching his head wondering why rockstar general manager Mark Dominik is so high on the guy.
Lumpkin had multiple injuries in college, went undrafted, and found the Packers’ IR list in his rookie season. Then he landed on Green Bay’s practice squad in 2009, before he was cut just before the 2010 season and joined the Bucs.
Dominik gave Lumpkin love on national radio last month and talked about Lumpkin’s experience Monday on the Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620. Asked about who will line up in the backfield on third down, this was part of Dominik’s answer:
“Earnest Graham, I think, is going to have a chance to play some of that third-down role. Obviously, Kregg Lumpkin’s coming in here doing a good job and he has a lot of history with Green Bay and then with us all last year in that role …,” Dominik said.
Joe likes most of the rockstar’s songs, but Joe’s not downloading the latest Lumpkin ballad to his iPad anytime soon. Joe sees Lumpkin as an older back with no experience and not an upgrade from Cadillac Williams.
Joe would take durable Cadillac — yep, after you play two years in a row without an injury, you’re durable — and his blocking talent, leadership and production over Lumpkin any day.
In 2010, Cadillac caught 46 balls, blocked like a champ, protected the football, and rushed for a whopping 6.4 yards per carry in the second half of the season (33 carries for 212 yards) when the Bucs put him in the third-down-back role that suits him.
Why should the Bucs gamble that Lumpkin can do any of that?
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 am
I’ll pass on both and move immediatly onto Allen Bradford who is much more Athletic, bigger and explosive than Either Lumpkin or Caddy. Lets see if he has the drive and motivation to play in this league, no doubt he has the talent, he was the most productive USC back playing in a great division averaging over 7ypc his senior season.
Give the kid a shot, if he flops then I guess we know we need to draft another RB next year.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:18 am
Now you are getting it Joe. The bucs are being cheap plain and simple. They tell you in one breath that they want to build through the draft and groom their own. Then they turn around and pick up other teams cast offs like Lumpkin, Crowder, Bennett, Okam etc. Excuse me, but none of these guys are the bucs draft picks. Ask Kyle moore how he likes crowder and Bennett taking his playing time. If they can pick up other team’s trash like Lumpkin, why can’t they pick up a proven player like Darren Sproles who’s contract wouldn’t prevent Josh Freeman from being resigned? Because they are cheap period. Like I said in a previous post, some of you can drink the kool aid of building through the draft if you like, but I see something different.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Tiny Tim
Kyle Moore couldn’t carry Tim Crowder’s jock strap.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:26 am
Agree with Tiny Tim. The Bucs are being cheap cause they can. The new minimum team payroll doesn’t start until 2013. So the Bucs can keep spending well below the salary cap and make more money. In the meantime, they expect us to buy their crap. You can’t tell me there weren’t better young FA players available at certain positions of need. Look at the TE position. Who is going to play that position this year? If K2 goes down, name the three TE’s we’ll carry???? All rookies or 2nd year players with little experience. Running back is kind of the same situation. And what if some of the players we drafted aren’t as good as others out there available? Are we going to resign them anyway?
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
Some of you guys need a rubber stamp: YOU SEE, THE GLAZERS DON’T WANT TO WIN
So stupid. Why is everything about money? Maybe they just love Lumpkin over Caddy, however misguided.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:37 am
The Lumpkin is just creating leverage for the Coddy negotiations. Caddy will sign within a week!
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:40 am
Don’t necessarily disagree Tiny Tim. Love the Bucs, however, until the owners and GM spend enough, consistently, to remove themselves from the bottom echelon of teams that persistently don’t spend then the owners motives will be in question.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:49 am
tiny tim you dont have a clue, we traded for Lumpkin, he wasn’t picked up from the trash. Pretty unreal you would question building through the draft after watching the team develop last year, did you even watch the games? I don’t think you did.
and Joe for an older back he has no wear and tear, Earnest Graham anyone? how long was it before he got his chance at being a RB in the NFL.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:54 am
Great Article Joe, I was just saying the same thing in a post yesterday.
I just hope your words are heard. Cadillac has heart and soul and a leadership that cant be replaced, and really looked to be a 3rd down threat with LGB softening the Defense for him.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 am
Hey kh, you genius you … I wouldnt insult people. Why dont you google search how we got Lumpkin.
By the way … What did we trade for him ??
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:57 am
I believe you’re wrong kh,
We signed Lumpkin off GB’s practice squad last year. I believe we traded for Crowder and Alex McGee…
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:01 am
@ kh “for an older back he has no wear and tear”
no wear and tear…he’s ALL tear! He got hurt last season breathing.
This team is on the cheap.
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:05 am
Dave is most likely right, leverage for Caddy to sign. Like Joe has said about a billion times, high payroll does not equate to wins in the NFL. Are we going to have to listen to you guys moan about the owners all year? If they have another winning season, will you back off and say the football people know more than you posters?
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:21 am
Hey news flash FA don’t = wins…let your young players see the field and develop. I don’t blame the bucs at all for not breaking the bank this year…I love this team, but they are not yet in position to compete for a Superbowl, even if you brought in a few big name guys, we are a bubble playoff team…I love that we didn’t go nuts in FA…I would have liked Jon Joseph on this team, and maybe a vet like Tulloch at LB but other than that I didn’t think we needed to make our move in FA yet….However Brent Grimes is still available and I would love to see him come in as an insurance policy for the secondary at low dollars.
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:54 am
I want to see Caddy back. His intangibles and character can’t be underrated. We have “rewarded” a bunch of slack jawed underachievers, and we aren’t signing anyone better, then we might as well reward someone who has actually sacrificed for this team, and shown loyalty.
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:57 am
@ Free4President
Grimes is available, but he signed a 1st round RFA tender, which would mean it would cost the Bucs a 1st round pick to snatch him up. after the way he played last year, and knowing their secondary was such a problem the year before, there is NO WAY Atlanta lets him walk. he will receive an extension.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
10-6 thats all i have to say
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I know this is out of thin air, even for me, but how would Caddy do as a tight end?
He blocks. He catches. It would be easier on his knees.
He’s a little small, but small doesn’ mean impossible.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I think this is a misdirection play. With free agents not being able to play til thursday, what is the hurry to sign them? With Caddies performance in the second half of the season last year, you would have to be nuts not to sign him. It could be a rest of sorts for him or just nothing, but it is a misdirection from someone.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Most Bucs fans don’t deserve a team as well-run and with as much promise as the Bucs. Bunch of stupid, griping, unappreciative morons masquerading as football fans. In fact, the bay area doesn’t deserve the Rays or Lightning, either, which are two more well-run organizations. I can’t wait ’till all three teams leave the area and head for greener pastures with better-informed fans. What a waste.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:34 pm
He would get mauled Pete.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
You are just a mere boy in dallas.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Pete Dutcher Says:
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I know this is out of thin air, even for me, but how would Caddy do as a tight end?
He blocks. He catches. It would be easier on his knees.
He’s a little small, but small doesn’ mean impossible.
====================================
You should be suspended from commenting on this site for at least one season…
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Bring back #24
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I heard he was dropping passes in camp. Not just a couple. Not feeling this guy as Caddy’s replacement.
August 2nd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Dont sleep on Armando Allen
HGO I agree…..there should be some sort of penalty for that post
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Its funny how some look at last year’s 10-6 record and automatically assume the bucs will be better this year just because. To the genious that questioned if I saw the games last year, the answer is YES!! The bigger question is did you see the games? Also, how many teams have won the superbowl in the past decade or so didn’t even make the playoffs the following year due to no changes or the fact that the previous year meant squat? That would be many like the Ravens, Bucs, Patriots, Rams, Steelers just to name a few. If a team can go from Superbowl champions to not making the playoffs then a cheap team that may have benefited from a weak schedule can go from 10 wins and not making the playoffs to 6-7 wins. Like I said if that happens, there better not be anybody saying Fire Raheem because it will not be his fault.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
We hire big names or other FA. You begin to hinder development of the younger people we have been picking up. Rebuilding is about a 4 year process. First u clean house, Then u build for a couple years through the draft and put them on the field to see what u have. You need at least 2-3 drafts and season to full evaluate what u have in stock… Meanwhile fixing your coaching staff to fit the players u have been picking up.Then and only then, do u go after FA’s. See that’s the blueprint A lot of “build through the draft teams” have done.. It is EXACTLY how the Bucs did it before they made a run for the SB. Mind u he entire team was draft picks and picked up off the waiver wire player. when we were ready for the SB run in 2002, We Picked up what we were missing. QB B. Johnson, Slot Reciever K. Johnson, and DE Simeon Rice.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:19 pm
I see the same people whine about every move the Bucs FO makes. From the drafting of Freeman and hiring of Coach Raheem to ” Not signing any FA makes us weeker”. Get over your selves, Go find another team to root for. I am tired of reading literally everyday about how wrong the coaches are, Dominik being a stupid GM and the owners consistently being cheap. Non of that matters to me. All i care about is WIN WIN WIN, and being able to say since 1999 that i am very excited about the team my Bucs are about to put on the field.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
seriously, f off tiny tim & go support the Ealges, we won’t miss you.
Blacks contract wasnt cheap and neither was Koenans.
When Josh Freeman gets 100m+ I’ll like to see you say it was on the cheap.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Plus If some of these studs on our young team start becoming Elite stars, u are going to be thankful as hell we saved all that money. So we can keep em intact for a good few years. Freeman is NOT the only valuable person we have to watch to not let go. Williams, Benn, Blount, GMC, Price, Clayborn, Bowers etc etc. We have growing stars who are going to command a BIG $’s contract within the next 2-3 years.. We go Blow it all on FA’s right now. and later on we are screwed. It’s Called Budgeting. Us grown folks know this.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Any free agent that is signed can’t play until Thursday at the earliest. The Buccaneers are being very smart. They are trying other guys before signing guys that they can’t evaluate right now anyways. Williams, still is far from being durable.. and his pass catching was vastly improved, but I would hardly call him a major threat as a pass catcher.
Earnest Graham is still the best 3rd down RB on the roster. He has the best hands, is the best blockers of all the RBs, runs routes, and can run the ball with power and breakaway ability (see how many runs he has in his career over 50 yards compared to Williams).
I’m not a Kregg Lumpkin fan.. or of anybody that has never been able to stay healthy. And even when he is/was healthy, he isn’t particularly explosive or powerful. He’s ok, he reminds me of a Mike Shanahan runner, good in that system but nothing special anywhere else.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Oh and just one more little piece of info that seems to have gone over looked when bringing up the spending habits of our front office. WE OFFERED HAYNESWORTH a BIGGER contract then the redskins did. HE chose to go to the skins… And it wasn’t just for the money … So, sock it on the going cheap method. There really isn’t anything out there right now worth spending money on over developing the talent we have now, just the fact that we can mold the entire team to what WE WANT, and not what they’ve already learned being in the NFL for years. ok /rant off. Just makes me mad to see people who claim to be Buc Fans consistently bash the team.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:31 pm
k h you f off. You can’t tell me who to root for. You are the idiot who thinks just because you disagree with the team it means you are not a fan. When you disagree with your wife or girlfriend, does that mean she is no longer your girlfriend (if you have one)? Get a clue and stop drinking the kool aid.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:38 pm
SRQBucFan you seem to foget that before the bucs signed Rice and Johnson etc. they signed Brad Culpepper to help Sapp learn which sapp has always credited culpepper for his development. They did not get rid of Nickerson. They allowed him to help DB grow. They signed rufus porter while Shelton Qualers and Al Singleton etc. developed. They signed Anthony Parker to allow for Donnie Abraham and Ronde Barber to develop. They signed Randall McDaniel and Jeff Christy in 2000 to help with the young offensive line. These are just a few examples. They did not wait until the superbowl year before they brought in impact free agents. I am sorry some of you missed that.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:39 pm
no seriously, go support the Eagles, they’re signing everybody for top dollar. You’ll like it there.
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Don’t sleep on Armando Allen. Upset we didn’t bring in Sproles or Bradshaw, but Allen could definitely fill this void
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:44 pm
This just in…
We may lose Talib to suspension sooner than we think. Everyone had the impression that Goodell would give it time before handing out suspensions, but after resigning with the Skins yesterday, Phillip Buchanon (a former Buccaneer CB) was suspended today for the first 4 games of the season.
No reason was given.
Talib wouldn’t need a reason given either…because we already know the why’s if it happens.
Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but once Goodell starts handing out the suspensions, it’s only a matter of time.
The only good news is that so many players screwed up during hte lockout that it might take him time to work his way to Talib.
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Pete, you are reading too much into it. Typically when no reason is given it is a substance abuse case, not a legal one but a random drug test. He will wait for the legal system before he punishes Talib.
Tiny Tim, the Bucs did infact let Nickerson go, and Brad C as well. Along with most the other guys you listed. I get what your saying, but the Bucs were in the NFC championship game in 1999, so you cannot compare the 2000 and later signings to what is gooing on with the Bucs right now…compare it to the 96 signings, and that would be fare. They will not do it the year of, but a couple years before. Hey, they may get lucky like GB did last year and make a run backing into the playoffs.
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@ Big Marlon
I didn’t realize they slapped the RFA on Grimes…thats too bad that kid plays the zone well, he gets beat when he tries to press but still has great ball skills ( 2 of the 6 ints free threw!)
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Dutcher,
P-Buc most likely violated the substance abuse policy. Just because he was suspended, doesn’t mean it came from Goodell as part of the conduct policy.
But you’re making such brilliant posts today… really, nice work.
Caddy at TE was a classic.
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Just because the organization doesn’t tell the media the reason for the suspension, doesn’t mean “NO REASON WAS GIVEN.” No reason was given to the PRESS.
The NFL doesn’t just suspend players without reason. They notify the team, the team crafts the press release.
Next: How a bill becomes a law…
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:52 pm
MC Buc you missed my point. My point was although they eventually let brad culpepper and Nickerson go, they allowed them to play with Sapp and Brooks for at least 3 years until they learned how to truly play. While playing along side of these vets, the bucs were able to make a run at the 99 championship game. Add a few veterans to this team and we could possibly make a run at the superbowl now.
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:54 pm
HGO…LOL, good one!
SRQ, welcome to the party, it is nice to see a logical poster. There are many, but always another one is a welcome sight. The year round guys all are on the same page, except of course thomas 2.2, but he helps keep things rolling along. I do not remember you from last year, but you have found the best Bucs fan site on the internet, hands down!
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Travis took the words right out of my mouth, besides the Bucs being cheap. Let Bradford have a chance, sign Caddy if the price is right, and say goodbye to the pumkin, I mean Lumpkin.
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Tiny Tim, gotcha…I may be remembering wrong, but Nickerson and brad C were already on the team when we drafted those guys, and I do not remember Brad being a “big time” free agent…Hardy was fur sure. If I am remembering correctly, a better comparison would be the Bucsww keeping Ruud and Styles. Of course I thought they would keep Ruud. Either way, it is what it is. Maybe we could make a run at it with a couple guys, I would have liked a vet DE. That is really the only place I would have spent the money if I were Dom. I persoanll do not give a rats ass about payroll, since it rarely turns into a “lasting contender”. Anyway, welcome back and Go Bucs!
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Lumkin always makes me think of “Digital Underground”…”My anme is humpty and I will lump thee” You guys remember, The Humpty dance?
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:50 pm
The funny about free agency is it has to go both ways. Meaning players have to want to come here as well. Doug Free wanted to go back to his team and we tried to pay him more than Penn. We never had a chance at Nnamdi he didn’t view us as a contender. What free agents would have been better that we could get would be better than what we have? The Answer: no one knows…Jonathan Joseph may not of wanted to come here. So the only way you can get them is to grossly overpay for them. We have been down that road of salary cap hell, it cost us Sapp and Lynch cause they didn’t want to take pay cuts. Do we really want to go down that path again.
Give this team sometime how many times have you doubted Dom and Raheem? I know I have a lot and every time I have had egg on my face. Josh Freeman was the first and then going with young WR’s last year. Give them a chance and have some faith. There is a ton of talent on this roster. I also believe they love this roster and thats why you haven’t seen many signings because who ever they bring in means someone is getting cut off the 53 man roster.
If we want to attract Free Agents in the future the image of this team has to be overhauled to the public. We know ESPN isn’t going to do it. I am not talking about blindly following but this is the team we have so why not show support for #5 and the rest of the young talent instead of the bitching about being cheap.
If they truly wanted to be cheap they didn’t need to open the wallet to the tune of 19 Mil for a “punter”. Next time someone brings up that punter crap to you educate them. That “punter” was third in the league last year in Touch Backs and the kickoffs move up 5 yards this year. He will be our best kickoff coverage man. Think back to that Atlanta kickoff return for a TD and how it broke your heart. We had that game won. Next year we won’t have many kicks brought out of the endzone. Making a team go 80 yards is huge for a young defense.
August 2nd, 2011 at 3:53 pm
one last thing ask yourself why those players who are Free Agents are? Because the team they have played with for numerous years don’t want them more times than not.
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:17 pm
McBuc
You are right! Hardy Nickerson(Steelers) was here before Brooks and Culpepper(Vikings) was here before Sapp, too! Funny, they were both FAs brought in by Wyche, whom also drafted Sapp and Brooks.
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:26 pm
HolyBuc, I agree with you, except…Lynch was not resigned because he had an injury that the Bucs thought would slow him down…they were wrong…and if memory serves me, Monte talked Gruden into letting Sapp go, at least that is how Sapp tells it.
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:38 pm
OAR…Wonder what Wyche would have doone with a couple more years. I love Dungy and Monte, but you do have to wonder. He was handed crap and started to build something, but was cut short.
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
McBuc
That’s how I remember the Lynch non-signing and the Sapp non-signing. To bad the doctors misdiagnosed Lynch’s neck, but they did seem to get Simeon’s injury right. 1 out of 2 ain’t bad, I guess?
Monte’s thinking that Booger would able to step into Sapp’s shoes was one of his biggest misstakes! I guess it shows, even the best make them!
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Honestly, they waste too much time looking at castoffs like Kregg Lumpkin. It’s only in rare cases, 1% of the time, that you’re gonna find a LeGarrette Blount out of these kinds of signings (UFA or practice squaders).
One mans trash is always another mans treasure. Why don’t they pay money to get some proven talent for once and quit being so damn cheap? They could’ve gotten Darren Sproles, but instead our D-line will have to deal with him twice next year. Seemed like the Saints got him for a pretty reasonable price too. 4 years, $14 million.
August 2nd, 2011 at 4:50 pm
McBuc
I have often thought that and that he didn’t get his total chance at his team! His no-huddle offense was very innovative at the time. He did take the Ben-gals to the big one! So it would have been interesting, I think!
I think him not having a solid QB hurt his offenses here. Testiverde’s last year here, drafted Craig Erickson, and then ended up drafting Dilfer. So he never really got a chance to get his offense off the ground and who knows how Dilfer would have turned out under him. Look how his draft pick Esiason turned out for him.
August 2nd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
OAR, so true…
Patrick, did you forget your meds today or something, you are going to have a heart attack. it will be all right, just like last year.
August 2nd, 2011 at 6:09 pm
I remember the Humpty Dance, but I also remember the Bump.
August 2nd, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Every time I hear Lumpkin, i think of Lumberg
“Hey Peter, what’s happening? Uh….. I’m going to need you to work on Saturdayyyyy…. and I almost forgot….. I’m going to need you to come in on Sundayyyyy too….. thanks.”