Sully’s Guy Fighting For A Gig
August 7th, 2013
Veteran wideout Derek Hagan’s got a career in broadcasting ahead of him if he wants it. Joe had his first chance to chat with Hagan yesterday.
Battling for a gig in Bucs training camp, Hagan is eager to prove his value tomorrow night in the preseason opener. Hagan acknowledged he’s here because Mike Sullivan wanted him.
“Sully, he was my receivers coach when I played for the Giants for a few years and, you know, we had a good relationship and I know the offense,” Hagan said. “Once Steve Smith retired [in Bucs spring camp] it gave me an opportunity to come in and fight for a job.
“It’s pretty much the same offense [we ran in New York].”
Yes, Hagan appears to be on the outside looking in among the wide receivers corps, but his known special teams prowess shouldn’t be overlooked.
“I’m able to come in and move the chains on third down, or if they need me on punt, kickoff, kickoff return, anything. I’m just there to do it. I just look at myself as being complete receiver because most receivers don’t want to play on special teams, and I’m actually one of the few who wants to do it,” Hagan said.
Free-agent pickup Kevin Ogletree has gotten the majority of the reps at No. 3 receiver in training camp. Chris Owusu is unproven but very impressive in practice, and Tiquan Underwood has been battling hamstring issues. Hagan, with 129 career catches and a history with Sullivan, does have a chance, and there’s always a shot the Bucs keep six receivers.
Remember, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik kept seven receivers to open the 2010 season — Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Sammie Stroughter, Preston Parker, Micheal Spurlock, Maurice Stovall and Reggie Brown.
August 7th, 2013 at 10:48 am
So only 1 receiver remains from Freeman’s best season? Not sure why that stuck out to me but just seems odd.
August 7th, 2013 at 10:56 am
@couch fan
cause that is how the pop-star rolls.
August 7th, 2013 at 11:23 am
I like this years roster more than the 2010 one. Free should too.
Maybe Dom should trade Tiquan to Philly for a DE.
August 7th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Yeah realist…Pop-star is such an idiot for trying to upgrade that star laden line up of receivers…Let me ask, do perpetual haters like you even consider that in 1 post you kill a guy for not bringing in talented players, then in the next make a sarcastic comment about him for trying to upgrade talent?
August 7th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
We will probabaly go with these receivers on the roster to start the season: VJax, Mike Williams, Kevin Ogletree, Tiquan Underwood,Chris Owusu & Derek Hagans. I can’t see us keeping 7 receivers and I could envision keeping only 5 and keeping more RBs. Thoughts?
August 7th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@Imiss #40
You are cool!
You are the kind of fan Mike Alstott would love!
Respect!
“We need a world without haters.”-Jesus 2.0
August 7th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Use the guy with the best hands No.5 will put the ball there
August 8th, 2013 at 6:25 am
No matter what fragrance is in the air Realist finds a way to make it stink.
August 8th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Newsflash! Underwood is as good as gone. #4 or 5 WRs that don’t play special teams won’t make many teams. Owusu and Ogletree are proving themselves at WR and as much more valuable game day options than Underwood.