“Freeman Needs That Big-Time Target”
January 11th, 2012
One of the great mysteries of the 2011 Bucs was their unwillingness to throw downfield and/or give receivers opportunities to make big plays.
A key element of the 2010 success was Josh Freeman tossing balls up to Mike Williams and letting No. 19 go fight for balls. That didn’t really happen this season, and those efforts weren’t passed on to Arrellious Benn or Dezmon Briscoe.
Joe’s inclined to toss a heap of blame at Greg Olson, primarily because Joe’s not as down as many are on the talent of Williams, though he surely had an off year with too many drops.
But there is a growing call for the Bucs to score a speedster deep threat on the outside. Donald Penn is on board. And Ryan Nece, former Bucs LB and current Buccaneers Radio Network host, cites a No. 1 wideout as a primary offseason need, so he said today on The Dan Sileo Show on WDAE-AM 620.
“You’d like to see them get some more speed at the wide receiver position. They gotta find a way to stretch the field vertically,” Nece said. “Josh Freeman needs that big-time target to be able to have some explosive plays in the passing game. And that I think will really help open up their offense and allow them to do some exciting things with their play-action pass.”
Nece also said the Bucs should look to add impact players at linebacker and safety. On the coaching search, Nece raved about Marty Schottenheimer from what he’s heard from Schottenheimer’s former players, and Nece said fans shouldn’t shrug off Wade Phillips.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Vincent Jackson anyone?
January 11th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Desean Jackson! double jacksons this offseason w/ Vincent
January 11th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
There are some nice FA’s that may possibly be available to us.
Can you imagine Jermichael Finley for Freeman? I can.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
You mean that Williams, Benn, Briscoe and Parker are not Big Time targets. But that was the receiving group assembled by the pop star – our legendary talent evaluator GM.
Werent 2 draft picks (a2nd and 4th) used on the first two? Arent draft picks coveted? Whoops?
Sounds very un-pop star like.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Vincent Jackson! He’s in the prime of his career, is a big play target, and would be a perfect complement to Mike Williams. Williams would be an outstanding 2 I think with VJax spreading the field. Plus, Freeman can finally showcase his cannon arm. Too bad we won’t spend any money for him… Sigh.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Thomas 2.2 Says:
“January 11th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
You mean that Williams, Benn, Briscoe and Parker are not Big Time targets. But that was the receiving group assembled by the pop star – our legendary talent evaluator GM.
Werent 2 draft picks (a2nd and 4th) used on the first two? Arent draft picks coveted? Whoops?”
Sounds more like a “Chokenheimer” job by Karaoke Mark
Sounds very un-pop star like.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
You want to know the real “Chockenheimers” of football? Andy Reid and Marv Levy. Losing 4 NFC Championships? Losing 4 straight super bowls? C’mon man. Don’t hate on Marty.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
VJax would be nice. Blackmon wouldn’t hurt either, though I think we take Richardson.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
how about Josh growing up and not out chasing tail every night, then his teamates need to have some of Joshes drive and determination.a bunch of those ints were trying to hard and going to k2 to much…imo
January 11th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Assume Williams, Benn, Parker, & Briscoe. Gant & Webber compete. Bye to Spurlock & Stroughter. A proven NFL player in the WO room is an absolute need. (Along with several other FA’s in other rooms.) I would think Blackmon will be gone by 5th pick, or maybe that pick is just used on a CB. Is anybody ready to risk the 2nd round pick on Michael Floyd from ND? Or is everybody sick of rookies?
January 11th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
They should get a speedster at wideout, why not get two Braylon Edwards can be considered he is better than any wideout we got.
January 11th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
the wr from baylor is 4.3 speed but i saw where he might go in the 2nd rd….rg3 threw to him,he looks good
January 11th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Williams, Benn, Briscoe and Parker are talented and COULD be part of a GREAT WR corps if they get a big time number 1 who can stretch the field:
JUSTIN BLACKMON!!!!!!!!!!1
January 11th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
JUSTIN BLACKMON
is TO clone. I don’t know if he is as fast, but I never see him caught from behind and he goes up and out physicals everyone for the ball.
WIlliams and Benn and Briscoe could thrive with someone like that.
Nece’s other point on LBs and safeties is dead on, especially LBs. I think T-Jax, with a year under his belt after a year off is going to come back better. Because of that and Ronde and Talib possibly both leaving CB is a MUST after a LB and WR.
January 11th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
I would take a solid to great RT over a new WR any day of the week. What is the point of a buying a shiny new toy if you don’t ever have enough time to play with it?
January 11th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Raphael, when you’re 23, tall, handsome, and a multi-millionaire, you don’t have to chase tail, tail chases you! Maybe he should call Tebow and go on a mission or lock himself away in a monastery. Whatever works!
January 11th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Right now out of 22 starters, how many of those are impact players? We need help damn near everywhere. There are some really solid FA’s this year. Team Glazerhouse need to spend some dough.
January 11th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Thomas,
One time dude! just one time i would like to hear/see you type something positive. More so, your opinions on SOLUTIONS. Don’t be the guy who ONLY points on the negatives on this team. What do YOU suggest we need, What coach are YOU rooting for, Which FA would you get and why ?
All i ever see you post is something that relates to kicking a dead horse. We all get it, You can’t stand McCoy, Dominik, Morris, and prolly the whole dam team (which also surprises me as to why you are even a Bucs fan then).
January 11th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Ok Thomas …
Pre – Dominik
Mike CLayton
Anotnio Bryant
Maurice Stovall
Dexter jackson
Brian Clark
Post – Dominik
Mike Williams
Dez Briscoe
Arrelious Benn
Sammy Stroughter
Preston Parker
Ill take Post-Dominik every day and twice on Sunday. Your repeating yourself is Old. Maybe you expect our 7th round picks to be Pro Bowlers or him to hit on every single pick. By the way wake me up when you can show me any GM in the world that does hit every pick.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
King is high
January 11th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
I still think the Safety Position will be fine. IF and a big IF Cody Grimm can stay healthy for a full year. I believe Amhad Black is something special but (just like everyone else on this team) i think he was overly confident and didn’t play to his full potential.
With that being said we still need at least 1 solid Safety from the FA. Top 3:
LaRon Landry-Redskins
Michael Griffin- Titians
Tyvon Branch- Raiders
January 11th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I dont matter who the target is the fact is freeman isnt a accurate thrower… and never has been… if he dont fix accuracy issues and stop staring down recievers it wont matter who the target is….. Rg3 please
January 11th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
My wish list this offseason:
HC + DC and OC:
Marty Shottenhiemer-HC, Hue Jackson -OC, Nolan-DC
Draft:(first 3 rounds)
1. Morris Claiborne CB
2. Lavonte David OLB
3. LaMichael James RB
FA’s:
Asante Samuels – CB
LaRon Landry or Tyvon Branch – Safety
Curtis Lofton or D’Qwell Jackson- LB
Peyton Hillis(bash if you want), Michael Bush, or Ryan Grant – RB
WR: There is a good handful of them who could stretch the field. Pick your Flavor.
Give me your thoughts!
January 11th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I only picked 1 CB with the thought we get Morris Claiborne from the draft and Aqib Talib ends up staying on the team.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Is it just me or does anybody else think our WR’s are a whole lot better than our offensive game plan allowed them to be?? The play calling was terrible and it was no secret to the opposing team when we were going to pass. A good spread offense with a solid run game to sell the play action and I’ll bet our receivers look like totally different players.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@ Bobby
I agree 100%, The NFL is slowly turning into College style game plans.. Spread offenses is what all these young QB’s are familiar and excelling at.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
You can’t use facts on Thomas…that’s why he failed as a lawyer.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Bobby:
Ding! Good coordinators find ways to get people open.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
I think the systems go through a cycle. What is working now won’t work as well in 5 years. Look at the Tampa 2, once the most dominant defense (lasted 10 years), now it’s next to useless. In 5-10 years, it might be useful again.
January 11th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@tampa2ali
Really?
January 11th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@941-Bucs: the solution is that Mike Will is a possession #2, Benn is probably a #5 who will return kicks, run screens and reverses etc. Parker or Briscoe are #4 or #5 receivers.
You need to add size: 6’4+ receiver – Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson etc and a speed receiver to complement mike will. I would also include a game-changer TB, and a big Tight End – I would look draft and FA for these players.
As for the head coach: I would be pleased with Schottenheimer, Fisher, Cowher and would not object to Sherman. I think that there is some merit to Williams as SK mentions.
@Jvato: Somehow you missed Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway who accounted for 2400 receiving yards and 11 TDs in 2007-08. Both pro bowl caliber players. Garcia made the pro bowl in 2007.
I would and anyone else with a brain would take AB, Galloway and Ike over the scrubs that we have today.
@Pete: if you are going to bring facts, bring all of the facts. Yes, AB was injured in 07 and Galloway in 2008 so they only played partial seasons together. Benn has missed time as well.
The facts are that: our redeiving corps have never been this bad.
Btw Jvato and Pete : didnt your pop star resign Clayton to a 25 million dollar contract after Gru left? So, shouldn’t Clayton be on your post-Dom list?
If you are going to argue FACTS, you may want to check them or include all of them. LOL
January 11th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Joe:
Ding! Good coordinators find ways to get people open.
That’s what I’m thinking too Joe. I’ve seen Parker and Briscoe make plays and I know Benn and Williams have game. I’d even bet that Ed Gant could have an impact with the right coaching. We just need a good offensive game plan to make it all work. I’m actually every bit as much concerned with who ends up as OC and DC as I am HC.
January 11th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
If we can some how squeeze the money out of the glazers we should go get reggie Wayne in as a free agent.not only does he have speed but he can be that big play reciever Josh needs.plus he played with peyton.maybe even made peyton look better over the last 3 yrs.reggie Wayne should be on our gms radar
January 11th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Thomas….you’d be better served to just not post. Haven’t you ever heard the proverb “Better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you’re a fool than to open your mouth and prove it”? Galloway was traded to the Bucs in the 9th year of his career after playing for Seattle and Dallas. Ike Hilliard…also traded to Tampa Bay in his seventh season after playing for the Giants. Antonio Bryant…”sigh”…..also not drafted by the Bucs…he played for three other teams prior to being traded to the Bucs. You want to trash our corp of receivers which are primarily second year players and say how great we did prior to Dominik but none of those receivers you mentioned were drafted by us.
January 11th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
I think Thomas has been hanging out with T-Jax. To call him an idiot is an insult to idiots around the world. This guy hasn’t had a positive post in the 2+ years I’ve been on this site. Yeah, Mike Williams is a scrub! Sure buddy, I think it’s your turn to take a hit. He didn’t have a great year, but who did? However, he still had numbers that compared favorably to every 2nd year WR. But I’m just going to stop right there because you are never going to be wrong in your eyes, and you are never going to be positive about anything. Just don’t ever wonder why every single one of us can’t stand you and would love to see you disappear from this board forever. Always seeing the negative will always turn people away from you. But I’ll just wait for another negative remark from you, probably in response to this.
January 11th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
for more Blackmon would be a dream scenario..
Vincent Jackson is a fantastic top 10-12 receiver in the league but his attitude and 2 DUI’s scare me a bit.
January 11th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Thomas,
Are we really going to have to hear about Dominik every single post this offseason? Please tell me not. Your routine gets really old. Don’t just listen to me, listen to others on this board.
January 11th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
I didnt say Williams was a scrub, but the receivers as a group are scrubs. Mike will is fine as a chain-moving #2.
Bobby- those guys played in the league that long bc they are/were very good players. Benn and the others (save Will) havent proven to even be average players.
AB was a beast pre-injury, Galloway multiple 1,000 yard seasons, Ike was better than Mike Will at his prime.
January 11th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
How do you know anything about any of these receivers??? You’ve bitched about bad coaching. It was the worst in th NFL right? Well…it either was or it wasn’t. If it was the players then don’t balme Morris. No one could have won with this bunch if they’re as bad as you say they are. If, on the other hand, they aren’t that bad then good coaching will bring out their talent. Right now nobody, including you, knows how good this kids are.
Give your bul#@$$! a rest.
January 11th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
If he falls to the second round, I hope the Bucs have Dwayne Allen, TE from Clemson on their board. He’s the receiver they need.
January 11th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Bobby:
RahRah was mostly responsible for the defense which gave up a record 518 points – historically horrible.
The offense was not as bad, bc Olson is a better coach. The offense had the ability to move the ball, especially pre-EG injury. The offense struggled bc of too many inopportune penalties forcing obvious throw downs.
Then, we don’t have pass catchers who can get open consistently. They rarely win one-on-ones and create no separation and don’t stretch the defense to help the run game. No objective evaluator would tell you that we have an acceptable receiving corps – irrespective of coaching.
So yes, Rah was the worst head coach ever but his biggest influence was on the historically terrible defense. The offense was prepared a little better by Olson but struggled in the red zone, with turnovers and the offense still generally exhibited the unpreparedness and lack of discipline that Morris manifests.
You could tear up this receiving Corp and start over tomorrowvand be improved.
January 11th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Hawaiian:
Most would say Antonio Brown (1,000 yard season), Dez Bryant (just under 1,000 yards 17 career TDs), Demayrius Thomas (even though he tore an Achilles which impacted his start to this season) and Eric Decker have higher stock from the 2010 draft class today.
Will’s numbers are sure better than a disappointing receiver taken 2 rounds earlier (early 2nd) in the same draft: Arrelius Benn.
January 12th, 2012 at 12:02 am
justin blackmon with the 5th pick for josh. we havent seen a wr stretch the field since galloway and that was on the down side of his career even. a qb who can deliver the deep ball and a wr to go get it what a dream
January 13th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
DeSean Jackson!!!!!!!!