Two Receivers To Catch The Bucs’ Eye
January 14th, 2012
While many Bucs fans fantasize about stealing Marques Colston from the hated Saints when the stud receiver becomes a free agent in a matter of weeks, former Bucs QB Shaun King has other flanker talent in mind for his beloved Bucs.
Long before the heinous debacle of the 2011 season, King screamed from rooftops, and his King David Show microphone on WQYK-AM 1010, that the Bucs did not have anywhere near enough dynamic playmakers on offense, especially in their receiving corps. King scoffed at the notion that Dezmon Briscoe would turn heads around the NFL in 2011.
So naturally King now says the Bucs surely need to bring in proven receiving talent to complement Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn.
Who does he like? Chiefs standout Dwayne Bowe, 27, and Laurent Robinson, 26, of the Cowboys. Both will be paid handsomely but neither would require top tier money like Colston will command, King said.
Joe would much prefer Bowe, who was a first-round pick in 2007, a Pro Bowler in 2010, and has turned in 1,000+ yard seasons with questionable quarterback talent tossing him the rock. He’s the real deal.
Imagine the confidence boost to Josh Freeman if/when he learns he got an offseason gift bigger than Luke Stocker to bolster his attack.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Bowe is NOT going to be a FA… if anything they would franchise him. He is that good.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:28 am
It’s all about 5 yet the pop star only rewards him by selecting Stocker then he let’s the best blitz picker upper go in Caddy. Yet he is still the GM. I’d love to see the Glazers make a few big moves in FA. If Colston is considered the cream of the crop the Glazers can’t afford to not sign the best. This franchise is at a critical crossroads. Signing the best coach, drafting the best available players in the draft, and proving they are willing to go after top FA’s is a must this year. Otherwise a full out mutiny awaits with only selling the team to prevent it. The Glazers stay tight with their wallets will have a huge negative impact.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Bowe will be more sought after than Colston…have you seen Bowe? He’s Megatronesque….he will be franchised. I like Robinson, he’s struggled with injuries but he is a talent. He has been a highly regarded WR for the past few years but just couldn’t get over injuries…Isaac Bruce had the same issues. Another guy to watch is Robert Meachum (sp?) he’s fast big, young and productive and he’s a FA this year as well and like Robinson might be a cheaper option who will compliment and complete our WR group.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Closet Chiefs fan here and Bowe comes with some baggage. Chiefs are as cheap as the Bucs and I wouldn’t look for them to franchise a receiver for the $11 or $12 million its going to take.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:48 am
HFXBUC,
I’ll second you on Meachem.
Not only is fast, but also plays tough and aggressive. Plus, removing all the talent we can on offense from the Saints is a great way to move up in the division.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Stevie johnson,desean jackson,also would look good in pewter.i still think we go wr(blackmon)in draft and go fa for def secondary
January 14th, 2012 at 10:57 am
Meachum and colston will not go from Brees to Free
January 14th, 2012 at 10:59 am
I’d keep an eye out for Pierre Garcon as well. He’s fast, and was close to 100 yards this year with zero QB play and nothing else around him. Has a nack for being open and is fast. Speed is something this team needs on O alot.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:01 am
I live outside of Philly and have the unfortunate option of either Eagle games or Redskin games…..I watch the Eagles to root against them. Jackson is a lil punk and most of the Eagle fan base do not want him back. He has no othe skill them speed. Once that’s gone you have a 5’8 170lb liability on the field and in te locker room. The Bucs need to pass on him.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:02 am
1000 yards. jesus i can’t type on this site.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:16 am
Bowe would be my pick although taking Colston away from the Saints would be nice.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:22 am
No doubt about it, Bowe is a beast. As far as $$$$ goes, he will be the highest paid WR in free agency. He’s younger and more athletic than the other guys, that’s how it goes usually. Colston will have the Saints salary cap and injury history dragging him down. The names you want for middle of the pack are Manningham and Meachem. Stevie Johnson maybe worth a look, but he may sign for as much as Bowe.
No matter what, the Bucs will have to overpay tremendously to attract any young FA’s that are worth a darn.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Meachum and Garçon should be able to be had since they both have higher profile people in front of them. Just hope they don’t get tha Alvin Harper syndrome if they come here.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Or maybe we could get Riddick Bowe to come here and beat some sense into the Glazerhouses and Dominik.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Report on BSPN says the Bucs are about to hire Marty Schottenheimer. Joe loves BSPN.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:34 am
SgtMike…can you provide a link to prove that? I can’t find it on BSPN.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:43 am
They said Marty had a long shot.The attendance has approve with him
January 14th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
ANYONE BUT JACKSON! Ni worries about another Alvin Harper we don’t need 1 guy to carry the entire load. We need exactly what Meachum and Robinson do now 3-4 catches with 1-2 deep balls per game. Williams, Benn et al do the rest..
January 14th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Get both! 1 player is not going to solve our problems at wide out.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Vincent Jackson please.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@FlBoyinDallas
My son said one of the talking heads on BSPN said it this morning stating that they are in process of a deal. Couldn’t find a link. I guess we wil keep our eyes open.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Desean Jackson probably wont be available.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/02/desean-jackson-apologizes-would-gladly-take-francise-tag/
January 14th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
VJ is where its at fatmosh. The chargers have already stated they will not franchise him, he is probably our best shot of one of the top 3. V Jackson, Bowe, and Colston are tier one. Djack, Garcon, Johnson are tier two. Thenv you have guys like Meachum who i would love to have. The only thing we dont know is if he is a product of Brees or not.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Here’s a breakdown of UFAs and the cap situations of every team:
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/under-cap/2012/under-cap-2012-tag-projections
Brandon Carr (D Bowe), Rob Meachem (Colston), Laurent Robinson, Carl Nicks (Colston) have a higher probability of being had.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
( ) are guys likely to be franchised.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Doesn’t Bowe have a weight clause in his KC contract because he balloons up in the off-season, not a good thing for a WR.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I like to filter by latest date through Google on topics like this… I entered Marty Shottenheimer (it helped me spell it right 🙂 ) and low and behold, there is talk of the freshly spurned Miami Dolphins looking to make a run at the same coaches we have been talking with… even Marty.
Now all of a sudden, Marty can leverage the Dolphins interest on the Bucs, essentially raising his asking price.
If Mark Dom acts like an a-hole during the negotiating process, I’m sure it will turn these seasoned coaches away… and rather take a Raiders or Dolphins job.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
News is slow today!! I guess Dom and the Glazer girls took a day off today. Seriously they should be working tiredlessly while the dolphins are looking at every possible coach available including mike zimmer. While were here sitting on arses dokng nothing the coach that we want probably wont be there!! Get to work guys!
January 14th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I was screaming for a vet wideout before king. Could have had brandon Marshall for the benn pick.
Ok with me if the fins beat us to Sherman and chilly.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Joe you crack me up. Complement Williams and Benn? At best, they are complementary receivers, Williams would be a nice complement to a legit #1.
But Benn? Mr. 55 catches and 800 yards for his 2 year forgettable career – Benn has been so underwhelming that Briscoe and Parker have both elecated beyond Benn.
To think that we spent a #3 overall and early 2nd round pick on GMC and Benn in the same 2010 draft. 55 catches and 4 sacks in 2 seasons – 32 games.
In hindsight, That draft would make more sense if the pop star took Mike Williams in Mccoy’s spot and Price in Benn’s.
Personally, I would almost totally make over the receiving corp: sign a Free agent like Colston as a #1, make Williams a #2, draft one of those Arkansas burners as your #3 deep threat, keep Benn as a returner/reverse/screen player, let Parker and Briscoe battle for #5. Conceivably, both Parker and Briscoe could beat Benn out and you need to have a head coach with the balls to tell the pop star that Benn must go (even if it makes you look bad – which it should).
That revamps and improves your passing game.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
One name… STEVIE JOHNSON… yes he comes with a bit of the knuckle head factor but kid can play wtach the game against NYJ.. and see how he built a condo on Revis island
January 14th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Bowe will be a hotter commodity than Colston.
I want Pierre Garcon. Young, fast, perfect fit.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Sometimes Joe it seems like your gentle spin on the facts is a subtle attempt to assist your crush. Its okay, but obvious.
Fyi- I know that you now have acceptable the undeniable that Rah’s coaching was horrible – and you use that fact to protect Dom’s roster decisions like wasting an early 2nd round pick on Benn – but renember undrafted Parker and 6th rounder Briscoe were playing under the same coaching and undeniably more effective than the early 2nd round Benn.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Wont sign either. Dominick has no skill at all with evaluating Veteran talent. Team apparently refuses to spend money.
Sorry Josh, you coulda been somebody. Just refuse to resign at all cost, and go somewhere that’s commited to winning. I used to think that was here, but I was wrong.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I’d tip the waiter from Indy over all the other free agents he has separation speed and runs great routes and doesn’t drop passes or have any propensity to over endulge in the menu as D Bo tends to do in the offseason. The Buccaneers need a shifty elusive scatback type of player like Danny woodhead who hides behind blocks and shoots upfield for big splash plays
January 14th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
DeSean Jackson or Garcon also LaRon Landry for safety great fits
January 14th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@ Thomas,
Wait i think you have that Wrong! If i remember correctly the draft order went as such:
round 1: McCoy
Round 2: B. Price
Round3: (traded up) A. Benn
Round 4?: Williams
January 14th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Correction. We traded BACK INTO round 2 for Benn. Then Myron in the 3rd round and Williams in the 4th.
Benn was a low 2nd round pick.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
941: Benn was 39 overall – early 2nd round (I know it feels impossible).
Benn was drafted ahead of: Gronkowski (pro bowl), Jimmy Graham ( pro bowl), Antonio brown (pro bowl) to name just a few.
Pop star?
January 14th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Joe, I would rather pick up Vincent Jackson, who is about to hit the FA market. Your boy Mike Florio posted a story on profootballtalk.com saying he would not get franchise tagged.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I won’t even mention that the pop star drafted Myron Lewis in the 3rd round with Jimmy Graham still on the board who was taken by a real rock star Sean Payton later that round.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Thomas i agree that was a big mistake, but this can only be said because of the benefit of hindsight. Jimmy Graham was incredibly raw coming out of college, didn’t have a whole lot of experience in football. there really was no way for ANYONE to know how productive he would end up becoming, especially this early. but u also have to realize the main reason for his success isn’t his freakish athletic abilities, its Drew Brees. Graham always credits Brees for spending extra time with him, working on minor details and helping him out. and Sean Payton is also probably the best in the league at personnel groupings, and creating mismatches to put players in a position to make a big play. of course there is no way to prove this, but i don’t think he would be as productive if he wound up with any of the other 31 teams in the league….at least not for a couple more seasons.
to be fair, Myron Lewis was fairly productive in college. of course he wasn’t considered a sure thing, but he also wasn’t considered to be as much of a project as Graham. you also can’t predict injuries, which has really hurt Lewis’ development tremendously. its hard to develop when u can’t stay on the field and take reps. that being said, i think he might be a better fit at safety anyway.
my whole point is that i see what ur saying, but its really easy to make an assessment on something like that based purely on hindsight.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
i really like Bowe, he makes a ton of plays and is very productive. but i dont think he has enough speed, which is what this offense needs….someone who can be a consistent deep threat. Vincent Jackson also isn’t the fastest, but he knows how to get open downfield and use his body to create separation. i’d like to see the Bucs make a move for Vincent Jackson, or spend a little less $ for Robert Meachem. i really think Meachem has the size and speed to be productive for Freeman. We don’t need someone to catch 80-90 passes, we just need someone to provide us with big play capabilities, making plays downfield and creating space for everyone else.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Lets hope the new coach has the upper hand on personnel and draft decisions…Dom has been aweful at assessing free agent talent. Leave Dominik in charge of late round picks, undrafted free agents, and picking off of other peoples practice squads. Realistically that is his only success since becoming GM.. everything else has been below average.
I think maybe we should call him the wedding singer…he is definitely no rock star!
January 14th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Big Marlon: very astute comments, I mostly agree – although I was much more intrigued by Graham the prospect than Lewis. Payton is the master of using personnel to create mismatches – so yes – Graham Gets a benefit from Brees and Payton.
As for your comment about hindsight, drafts and draft picks can only be judged accurately through hindsight.
Squadoosh is correct. Dom is a decent diamond in the rough, late rounds, practice squads, evaluator of talent. What he stinks at is spending the big money contract roster spots (early draft picks, free agents) wisely – this is how you establish a top level NFL team.
Although Graham was green in 2010, if given the choice between a big, slow underwhelming corner and a 6’7 athletic but Raw tight end – most GM’s would have grabbed Graham. Not to mention his pre-draft workouts were reportedly draw dropping.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
They should try Lewis at Free Safety. His transitions are way too slow to play NFL corner.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Ted Ginn. No joke.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Wow IF we could sign Bowe…OMFG!!! Talk about NASTY. Williams, Bowe, Benn!!! YES SIR!! Robinson runs great routes so he would be nice too. What about signing them both and have 4 WR sets that include Williams and Benn on one side and opposite would be Bowe and Robinson in the slot!! DBs couldn’t cover that for more than 3 or 4 seconds if that!!! Lets just hope Josh could get the ball to them!
The Offensive FA class the offseason is insane!! May be the best ever. Thats why we need to draft young Defensive studs besides LaMichael James in the second round and sign the WRs and OL in FA. We could make our team top notch with just spending money and drafting no brainer picks! I hope the Glazers open their HUGE wallets and man up and get these guys!!! Superbowl could be a real thought if they do!!
January 14th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Williams Bowe and who? That is like saying: Kobe, Lebron and JJ Redick.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
JJ Redick would be the perfect player to be on a team with Kobe and Lebron. But Kobe is way above Lebron. Not even close. Kobe is there with Jordan and no one else can say that. Lebron is too big to be in the same category as Jordan. 6’8″ 270 lbs. with that athleticism. Not right…unnatural talent that is in a class of his own. Atleast he finally accepted the fact that Wade is better than him, and he needs to defer to Wade whenever possible. That helps both of their games out! But Lebron blows!!!! KD35 all day baby!!!!
January 14th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
I wish but Bowe will not be available. KC will franchise tag him. That’s notan option. I like Robinson though.
January 14th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
We need SPEED at WR and the guy I kinda like, who’s a dark horse, but will be a FA, is Pierre Garcon. He won’t cost that much but the dude can FLY and he’s got pretty good hands, unlike Stevie Johnson, who I also like but would cost too much money and doesn’t have the most Reliable Hands. In a Perfect World, I’d shoot for Vincent Jackson but I think his Price will be too High based on the Market for his skills. So, in summation, I’d sign Pierre Garcon and then pick the Best CB in the Draft in Claiborne. Just an Opinion of course.
January 15th, 2012 at 12:01 am
If Trent Richardson is there RUN to the podium and pick him. Then get Bowe and a good TE in free agency…build around #5. Take a look at whats going on in football today, you don’t need a good D to get in the playoffs
January 15th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Oh trust me. I don’t care for the so called Rockstar GM. I believe he was just as much to blame. I mean he is the BOSS. Everything happened with his watchful eye. Yet he gets a smack on the wrist and a chance to keep going?
I’ll admit he has made a few decent calls, but has also made a few bone headed ones. Either way he is here for now and I have to deal with it.
Didn’t relize he was 39 overall. I guess you’re right he was up there. Overall i still believe both flashed great talent from time to time. So i still stand by my statement.
I want to see them all with a full off season together and actually good coaches. If by this time next year, we are still questioning them. Then it is time to move one.
I also believe we do need a Veteran WR, QB, MLB, and DB to help teach up these youngsters. Showing them some things they’ve learned over the years. All I ask is give this very young WR corp 1 more year to shine or fall.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:35 am
On Subject. I personally like Dwayne Bowe, Stevie Johnson, Pierre Garcon, Vincent Jackson, and Robert Meachem (in that order).
All of these guys are capable (if not already) number 1 receivers, with good years still ahead of them. All of them are very quick if not flat out fast.
We do need someone who can stretch the field and allow (Williams, Benn, Briscoe) stick to the intermediate routes. This is where they shine, with the ability to make plays after the catch.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:37 am
@bucthis
I believe the FA is before the Draft =)
January 15th, 2012 at 3:19 am
Wont get either one. Bucs dont do free agency.
January 15th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Lets not forget Benn blew out his knee in year 1 and that has an impact on year 2… Next year will be his true measure.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
The only thing that’s going to wake the owners up and spend some money is if Freeman decides to leave after next year. I hope to God that doesn’t happen, but if the owners refuse to spend money for top tier talent, then our most talented players will go elsewhere to try to win.