The Jackson-Williams Bond
June 20th, 2013
When Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik landed the big fish of wide receiver free agents last offseason, Vincent Jackson, the transaction wasn’t just to have him haul in bombs from Josh Freeman.
No, Dominik wanted Jackson to be a leader, to take young receivers under his wing and show them all of the off-field work it takes to be a solid player.
Not only did Jackson jump at the chance to do just that, fellow wide receiver Mike Williams was more than open-minded and the two quickly developed a bond.
Per the Sports SportsXChange, the way the two grew together is why Williams is on the cusp of stardom himself.
“I see the changes in Mike over the last year,” Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. “Mike is becoming such a more seasoned pro. Mike always had the passion for the game, way back from when I knew him when he was at Syracuse. I mean, this kid loves to play football. But all the little things about being a pro, I think Vincent (Jackson) has brought that into the room and certainly for Mike and for all those guys.”
Joe has a hunch; the same thing is happening on the defensive side of the ball. Dominik also signed safety Dashon Goldson and traded for star corner Darrelle Revis to mentor the younger corners.
And both have jumped into that pool both enthusiastically and with both feet. Joe believes they’ll rub off on the young corners the way Jackson did on Williams.
June 20th, 2013 at 8:26 am
Sometimes you really get your money’s worth with a big dollar free agent.
June 20th, 2013 at 8:51 am
And other times, you get 2 big dollar free agency that get suspended, hurt and barely played 9 games between the 2 of them.
June 20th, 2013 at 8:56 am
This is why signing a Vet Defensive end would be helpful to the young unproven defensive ends on this squad. Hoping to make a playoff push with a pathetic pass rush, is almost as smart as relying on Talib and Wright to be your Corners going into 2012.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:00 am
there’s that realist morning perkiness!
when you wake up, is your alarm clock the sound of a trombone going “wah, wah, wahhhhhhhhhhh!”
June 20th, 2013 at 9:14 am
no, my alarm clock does not sound like that. I just don’t get overly excited when the pop-stars 1 for 3 with his big dollar free agents and act like it is the greatest thing ever.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:22 am
just be patient. some sources are saying Revis can already cut, Goldson is out there putting in overtime. you know what, this debate is meaningless.
how about acknowledging your GMs diamond-in-the-rough 4th round draft pick? and dont follow it up with a couple of busts either. its too nice a morning for all that.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:25 am
No doubt Joe. None.
The absence of veteran talent exposed the fallacy of Youngry.
Pro Bowl players set higher standards for themselves. They put the work in.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:31 am
^^ smh @ the “youngry” years.
at least he didnt go with hungry and young -“hung”. freakin Raheem.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:40 am
but yeah, signing these vets with crazy work ethic pays off. I remember watching a espn or fox clip of Chris Carter, and it showed how he’d wake up at some ungodly hour cause he wanted to get up before Jerry Rice got up to put in work. and Chris Carter, with his work ethic and veteran leadership, rubbed off on Moss and is why Moss jumped out of the gate focused and trouble free.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:45 am
TonyTwoCents,
Randy Moss did what he wanted to do on each and every play. He is the single most talented WR to have played the game (Megatron might have something to say about that).
Randy Moss is an athletic freak, and it was all about “want to” with him.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:46 am
@ tony 2
Every team has roster questions this time of year. Health issues too.
I’ve been critical of Dom and deservedly so. But credit is due for doubling up on the VJax experiment and getting Revis and Goldson in here.
Lots of young and impressionable talent in the secondary who can benefit from having real pro’s in the room.
I hope it translates to the field.
And yes, MW may be Dom’s finest pic!
June 20th, 2013 at 9:49 am
@ Steve K
Bold statement about Moss but you forgot about all the hardware in Rice’s jewelry box.
He made everyone around him better. Moss didn’t.
June 20th, 2013 at 9:53 am
@realist So your argument is that Dom knowingly signed these agents under the presumption one would get knocked out early in the season and the other would take a banned substance with Talib? Though Wright was a reach at the time, thats not bad signings, just bad luck for Dom. The only mistake i can see Dom making was not getting rid of Talib sooner.When Muscle Hamster runs for 1000+ and our offense is steamrolling teams with a healthy Nicks and Joseph lets see what you say.
June 20th, 2013 at 10:13 am
BucsfaninChina said “Hamster runs for 1000+ and our offense is steamrolling teams with a healthy Nicks and Joseph lets see what you say.”.
Man, I like the sound of that.
June 20th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Yep, …Josh controls his own destiny. …and there’s a huge carrot waiting for him at the end if he can put it together.
June 20th, 2013 at 10:31 am
oops wrong thread
June 20th, 2013 at 10:40 am
Wow! Preseason optimism? Hooda thunk-it?
@ Buc China
Also love the sound of Martin runs wild. I’ll add MW grabs for 1000+, Buc safety’s among most punishing in NFC and Bowers eats pineapple with double digit sacks.
June 20th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Biff Barker,
Jerry Rice is the BEST WR of all time, no doubt.
Randy Moss was the most TALENTED, it doesn’t mean he put it to his best possible use.
Megatron could be one of the all time greats when it is all said and done.
Remember, Joe, trying to nullify the “Megatron” moniker. Dude is a flat out BEAST.
June 20th, 2013 at 10:55 am
Ill take Megatron over Moss all day every day.
June 20th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Realist, you’re just man because I got to post a positive before you tainted the thread with your hate.
June 20th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Make that ‘mad’.
June 20th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
No, not mad at all. I just don’t understand the sheep around here. The pop-star is 24-40 and think he is the greatest gm in the league. I guess I should not be surprised when he goes 1 for 3 in big money free agents and everyone is singing his praises.
June 20th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
@Realist
I think its far to early to label Dom as “1 for 3” after just 1 season when all 3 are still here. 2 contributed heavily until one got injured (which only an absolute idiot would blame Dom for) and the 3rd is still being counted on to play a big part in the defense, albeit at a much cheaper cost than what he was signed for.
This is why people think you are a troll. You take the dumbest things and try to use it again him when there is no need for it.
June 20th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
@stevek
I get how talented the guy is, or was. I remember when he became a national phenomenon after beating our bucs up in Minny.
but without the veteran leadership of Carter, his ego would have driven him straight to the CFL. so anyways, there are few things more important for a young team than veteran leadership and guidance…setting by example.
but anyways, Im happy for Williams. I did a double take when I first heard his contract numbers after he got drafted.. at that time, he basically said he just wanted to hurry up and play. he must have told his agent to say yes at Doms first offer.
June 20th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
I cant believe we finally have an offense that has the potential to produce 2 1000yds WRs, a 1500yds RB, and a 4000 yd 30 TD QB..
I wonder how many of these “pessimists” remember the Dilfer, Emmanuel, Anthony, Shaun King, Jaquez Green days.. we all knew Dilfer had no upside. we all knew Shaun “baby hands” King was riding on the back of Kiffins assult weapons. so Freeman and his top 10 offense are just fine. my biggest concern is that our defense finds its balance.
June 20th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
@tonytwocents
I think that’s what he is doing now with his contract too. Loves football and will take and increase that he think is reasonable. That’s why I think he will sign before the season starts.
June 20th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
At least try to be real realist. You jump first into every thread you can to post the same irrelevant hate. (You must have lost a big bet someplace.) There’s lies, damned lies, and statistics. The same statistics you cite show that Dom improved the team’s win total by nearly 100% in the very first year with the head coach of his choosing. My how statistics can be made to show what you want them to show. Get over your hate, you’ll be better for it.
June 21st, 2013 at 6:21 am
Here’s an analogy to ponder. You sit down at a fine restaurant (Joe Buc Fan site), a perfect meal is placed before you (article). You pick up your knife and fork to cut into the juicy steak (comments) and there it is out of nowhere; a fly (Buc Realist) lands right on top of the Bearnaise sauce. Yuk!