Have NFL Hits Caught Up With Jackson?
December 7th, 2013
Look, this is no knock on Bucs wide receiver Vincent Jackson. He is questionable to play in Sunday’s game against the bungling Bills with a sore hamstring. It likely will hobble Jackson the rest of the season. Hamstrings don’t just go away in a few days.
But Bucs commander Greg Schiano said something Friday during his daily press briefing that made Joe’s antennae perk up when he spoke about trying to keep Jackson healthy.
“A guy like Vincent can [prepare mostly mentally] because he has so many cumulative reps and he works so hard when he is out there,” Schiano said. “My biggest and our biggest job with Vincent is pulling him back during the week. We have to limit his reps because he just goes all out in practice every time he runs a route, and then he finishes the route for about 30 yards and then he runs all the way back. Our biggest thing [wide receivers coach] John Garrett has done a good job of limiting his reps, because we know he’s going to go that way, which we love, but limiting his reps so he’s ready on Sunday. A week where he doesn’t do a lot is actually not a bad thing for Vince as long as the game plan hasn’t totally changed where he doesn’t know what we’re doing, but that’s not – we don’t do that.”
Uh, oh.
When was the last time you heard a Bucs coach limit a key offensive weapon to save his body? That would be Raheem Morris with tight end DJ Toes on the Line, who in his final season with the Bucs (before he paved his way to get thrown off the team by Schiano) was clearly on the downside of his career if not the sunset of his NFL days.
And the Bucs coach before that who did his best to limit snaps for veteran players? That would be Chucky, specifically in his final season with the Bucs. He was smart to do that. The final weeks of his final season showed most of his defense was too old to play effectively for 16 weeks; they could no longer handle the rigors and physical punishment delivered each game for a full season. They simply ran out of gas.
Reading Schiano’s comments about Jackson put a chill up Joe’s back. Hopefully, limiting Jackson’s reps isn’t the same reason Morris pulled back on Sgt. Winslow and Chucky rested his 21st Century version of the Over the Hill Gang.
December 7th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Eh, the Lions seen to do the same thing with Calvin Johnson. Better to have VJax physically able to compete on gameday.
December 7th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Joe, Do you think as VJAX gets older/slower, he could be moved to TE?
December 7th, 2013 at 11:30 am
I say we draft Brandon Coleman or Kelvin Benjamin
December 7th, 2013 at 11:32 am
It continues to spiral out of control with all these injuries
December 7th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Thinking the VJax decline thing might be a bit overblown. He may not have breakaway speed anymore, he’s still having a productive season despite being the primary Bucs weapon that opposing defenses are game planning to stop.
December 7th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Doubt it.
December 7th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Vjax still has plenty in his tank….resting him during the week is smart….we need him to play.
December 7th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
This article is why I have been touting for the Bucs to invest a high draft pick in a stud WR/TE. I know we have other pressing needs, but I think VJ is getting old and slowing down, Mike Williams is a good WR, but not a #1 and not a burner. In order for this offense to get to the next level, they need another legitimate receiving threat other than VJ. Most good teams with NON-ELITE QB’s have this… Atlanta (White & Julio), Chicago (Marshall & Jeffery), Dallas (Dez & Witten), Philly (Cooper & Jackson), Cincy (Green & Sanu), Detroit (Johnson & Bush), etc.
Glennon is obviously NOT elite. Payton, Brady, and Rogers can compete with dudes off a high school squad. Glennon (or whoever else may be our QB) will need as many offensive weapons to stretch the field as possible.
December 7th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Could Coach Schiano be hinting that WR will be a priority in FA/draft?
December 7th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@Nate_Tweetz
I couldn’t agree more. This team simply has more pressing needs than at Q.B.
I’m not a member of the Glennon mob and you are absolutely correct that he is not an “elite” Q.B. But as you show teams can win without and “elite” QB if they produce at other spots, especially DEFENSE
I like your draft strategy and won’t be upset if we get a great Tight end or wide out that is a “burner”…Ted Ginn/Reggie Bush playmaker.
But I really wish we could draft another “elite” pass rusher. I think the back end of the defense with Goldson, Revis, Banks and crew are up to the task if we get a pash rush.
BTW selecting a QB in the first round guarantees nothing but a huge hit to the cap. Remember Jamarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Ryan Leaf?
December 7th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Jackson is definitely on the downside of his career. MW19 is what he is, which is not a number one. This draft is full of good WRs…. I think we should grab one.
December 7th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
@StPeteBucsfan
I would love to pick up an “elite” pass rusher in this draft. Unfortunately, Mark Dominick’s picks in the DE department have been awful. I’m scared having him spend another high pick on a guy in that position. But who knows, maybe the 5th time will be the charm! lol
December 7th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
If putting up those numbers is the downside of his career than give us another contracts worth of them please 😉 lol.
And if Clowney is available at our pick there is no way in hell we pass on him.
Mark my words on that.
Do you know how long it’s been that we have been looking for and have not found a DE?
December 7th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
How often did Galloway practice when Gruden was here? That worked out OK.
December 7th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
The Bucs used to do this with Joey Galloway while he was putting up 1200 yards a season.
December 7th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Vincent Jackson will be fine. I’m not buying the injury hype. The Bucs need to pick a QB in the draft. It’s a quarterback driven league. If you don’t have an great to elite level QB you are going to struggle to win games. For the Bucs to succeed with an average QB the rest of the team must be very good to great. That’s not the case at this time. Pick up DE’s and WR’s in the later rounds.
December 8th, 2013 at 2:13 am
Trade while you can.