Madu Is “Shredding It”
June 10th, 2012
You remember Mossis Madu. He’s the speedy guy many Bucs fans yearned for last season after enduring far too much of Kregg Lumpkin.
Madu is a bit of a forgotten man since the Bucs drafted Doug Martin in the first-round and Utah State speedster Michael Smith in the seventh round during April’s NFL Draft. But Josh Freeman hasn’t counted out Madu. In fact, Freeman said Madu has been a standout during OTA practices, so he told Tampa Bay Times beat writer Stephen Holder yesterday.
“And one guy, Mossis Madu, that guy is shredding it right now. He is doing an awesome job. Our backfield is going to be great. I’m excited,” Freeman said.
It should be an interesting battle between Madu and Smith. Madu had eight carries for 25 yards last season against Carolina in December and drew hefty praise for that performance from former Buccaneer and current radio analyst Dave Moore. He also quietly caught 10 balls on the season.
Joe’s unsure of Madu’s abilities on special teams, which likely would be key to him beating out Smith for a roster spot.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Madu had his chances last year. i wanna see the new guys.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:33 am
May the best RB win, This is a good problem.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:43 am
I agree with Dini. Madu had some opportunities last season and never really shredded anything. Madu may be fast, but he didn’t play very fast. He could be better this season, but I would rather see what Smith can do. Someone has to return kicks which could allow 4 RB’s but 1 may be practice squad.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Lets wait to see what he does with pads on and actual contact. Its easy to “shred it” without any pads on.
June 10th, 2012 at 10:38 am
If Madu wins a roster spot over Smith we will know Greg Olsen is behind the scenes running everything.
June 10th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Maybe we should not assume it’s Smith vs. Madu… There’s nothing saying they can’t carry 4 RBs, especially if they’re only keeping 1 FB.
June 10th, 2012 at 11:57 am
BigMacAttack Says:
June 10th, 2012 at 9:43 am
I agree with Dini. Madu had some opportunities last season and never really shredded anything. Madu may be fast, but he didn’t play very fast. He could be better this season, but I would rather see what Smith can do. Someone has to return kicks which could allow 4 RB’s but 1 may be practice squad.
.
First, none of the RBs got a fair chance last year, not even Blount. Second, Madu only practiced with second string last year, and we all know how that can slow development. And third…sometimes it takes a season or three to get acclimated to the NFL.
Giving up on a player so quickly is the Jon Gruden way of thinking. And that got us NOTHING. The only season HE didn’t give up on players was his first year…and it paid off big.
George hit it on the head. We will keep 4 RBs this year…unless a tight end doubles as a backup FB.
June 10th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Let’s wait until after preseason is wrapping up and see if he’s injured by then. Lord knows some people are going to get shaken up getting into August.
June 10th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
This is about competition and it’s a good thing.
Fans with average intelligence know this.
I do like having a speed back on the team and at least two men competing for the job and apparently doing well so far can ONLY be a good thing in JUNE!!!!
Lots to look forward to for Buccaneer fans starting with this week’s mini and next month’s training camp start. The usual suspects will continue to whine and complain to garner the type of attention most adults don’t strive for though…..
June 10th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Correct me if I am wrong, but Madu is not all that fast. He does not have the speed of Smith. Smith has game changing speed, and Madu is just quick.
I think Smith has 4.3 speed, and Madu is 4.5 ?
June 10th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
I think that’s football fast Chris. After all, aren’t we typing about a 1/5 of a second difference in a forty yard sprint in track attire?
June 10th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Pete, I don’t think you totally got my point. I also inferred keeping 4 backs because someone has to return kicks, which is usually a WR, RB or DB players, speed. I think this is the spot for Smith, but they also picked up the other UFA RB with 4.3 speed too, so actually they have 5 backs, I believe. Pete, I went to every game, and watched them all. Madu did get some touches last year. I agree, not a lot, but he was in there playing. Madu was okay but never showed any real flash or dash. I know you want to give rookies time, but RB is the one position that rookies can shine. I don’t believe Madu will ever be a top RB, but maybe worth keeping. I’d prefer to see Smith and maybe even the other 4.3 guy on the practice squad. There is only one ball to go around and the belief is that Blount and martin will carry the major load. Madu had a shot to display his wares as a rookie and he didn’t shine. Blount as a rookie, lit up the field and ran for a grand. There is also no contact or pads right now.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I really don’t see much difference… Madu/Smith. Both more of a scat-back type. Madu showed some good hands and even good moves in limited time last year, although didn’t really “flash” much. Smith is a speedster. One was undrafted, the other a 7th rounder. Does it really matter which one we keep to be the occasional 3rd down/change of pace guy? We have a proven 1000 yard rusher and near 5 ypc guy that weighs in at near 250 with some nifty moves AND a first round pick spent on another guy that is supposed to be one of the best “all around” backs in the draft. We’re talking about a guy that may see 3 to 5 touches per game (about the same as the punter, maybe less). If Madu is “shredding it”, I’d rather give him those 3-5 touches. We’ve got WRs that can return kicks (Parker and Stroughter). I’m guessing one of them will make the team again this year (probably Parker) Put Smith on the practice squad if Madu out-shines him. People thought Kareem Huggins was the next great thing a few years ago (not that he couldn’t have been, but injury ruined him). Allen Bradford was supposed to another bruising Hulk out of the backfield with Blount last year. Hey, I hope Smith is good, hope he totally outplays his draft position, but I’m not gonna give the guy anything he hasn’t earned. Right now, he’s a step (or year) behind Madu.
June 10th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
I have only seen a couple college highlights of Smith, but I’d like to see more. I have seen Madu, and he wasn’t great. I hope he has improved since last season. With all due respect to Freeman, I’ll believe Madu is great when Coach Schiano or Sullivan says it. I hope Josh is focused on what Josh needs to be doing to improve his own game.
June 10th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Smith cannot go on practice squad, if it is true was Dominick said about another GM wanting to trade for him. Do not want to see Preston Parker returning kicks, that was despicable last year, coaching or not. Also, remember a real RB coach in Byner will like make a difference in all the running backs.
June 11th, 2012 at 1:04 am
If Madu is “shredding it” and looking better than Blount and Martin, this is a really bad sign. Free meant Madu was shredding the Yungry t-shirts and hats. We really need a true full back to give our backs a better chance to pick up some yards.