Tim Wright About To Blow Up?
February 16th, 2014
Among the greatest in the league in 2014?
Joe knows Bucs fans tried to numb their anger with untold gallons of vodka last year over their disgust, and few subjects made them reach for a bottle of Tums more than the tight end position. It wasn’t so much who was playing the position, it was how the coaching staff of then-commander Greg Schiano approached it.
Yes, you’ve read here how the Bucs have the fourth-best quarterback in a four-team division (this won’t change with Michael Vick). Well, that also was the case at tight end. In a division with all-world Jimmy Graham, future Hall of Famer Anthony Gonzales and underrated Greg Olson, Bucs fans just wanted to rip the radios out of their trucks when they heard talk of how then-offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan did not use the tight end position much, as his offense was based on the Giants offense, where a tight end was reduced to a last resort in the passing game.
Now in theory, that isn’t such a bad offense, provided you have more than two consistent, reliable receivers. Kevin Ogletree did not fit this description, neither did Tiquan Underwood nor did Skye Dawson.
Enter Tim Wright. A former receiver who Schiano converted into a tight end, Wright opened enough eyes and Joe is confident the Bucs have something there.
That leads Joe to Andy Benoit of theMMQB.com. He thinks a lot of Wright. How much? Benoit really believes Wright has the makings to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Tight End
Tim Wright, BuccaneersWright is a converted wide receiver, and it shows. He has the quickness, change-of-direction skills and stop/start control to consistently beat one-on-one coverage from an X-iso receiver position or the slot. The beauty is, because the 6-4, 220-pounder is a tight end, he’s often facing linebackers in those one-on-one scenarios. That could change this year if Lovie Smith and new coordinator Jeff Tedford are less committed to the run than Tampa Bay’s previous staff. But even if Wright is facing safeties or backup corners, he can still blossom into a top-five receiving tight end by the end of his second season.
Joe isn’t so sure Wright can blow up that much but for a tight end he is a helluva receiver. As a blocker, meh.
How or if Wright improves depends a lot upon how offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford uses the tight end, how much Tedford intends to pass and, of course, who is throwing him the ball.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:14 am
“the Bucs have the fourth-worst quarterback in a four-team division”
Fourth-worst? That would make him the First Best.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:16 am
I like Wright, but am so tired of one-dimensional players. Tight ends need to block and catch. Running backs need to pass pro, catch, and run. The more dual threats you have on a team, the better.
That being said, I hope they move Wright all over the place and get the most out of him next season.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:21 am
Wright impressed last season. He got open and made catches – exactly what you want your tight end to be. I’m looking forward to watching him score a lot more touchdowns this season!
February 16th, 2014 at 9:31 am
Freeman was worst QB in division ever since Newton was drafted.
Nothing new about that. The only difference is that MG8 has a chance to be better than Newton or Natty Ice. A chance…
February 16th, 2014 at 9:45 am
When Brad Johnson won the Super Bowl was he the “best” Q.B. in his division?
The year before Michael Vick was the number one draft pick. He was the prototypical mobile Q.B. who could rack up yards with his legs. And Vick was able to get the Dixie Chicks to the Conference Championship.
Vick’s cousin Aaron Brooks started for the Saints and was their “franchise QB” for several years. He too was far more mobile than Brad Johnson. But then Joe is probably more mobile than Brad.
Carolina finally ended up with Jake Delhomme. I was never a fan of Jake’s but he does still hold all the Panther records soon to be eclipsed by Newton.
And so was Brad the 4th best Q.B. in his division when he won the S.B.?
I’ve never seen a group so obsessed with the Q.B. position. YES it’s the most important position, but it’s not the ONLY position and a team will win the SB not the the Q.B.
If you started a franchise today would Russell Wilson be your first pick? Brad Johnson? Trent Dilfer? Joe Flacco? Dan Marino. Figure out what separates Dan Marino from the first four besides the obvious difference in talent!!!
February 16th, 2014 at 9:46 am
Joe we are talking about a converted TE that played in a scheme that did not use one and therefore probably did not coach him.
The Lovie crew will get their chance on him, Glennon, and the rest of them that so dearly need proper coaching and plans.
Question – Can the coaches talk to any one between now and the start of OTAs and ask them to do or study anything or is it a vacuum until them?
February 16th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Hey Stevek shhh! A chance, lets keep that down mate. Don’t need to enflame the masses.
Looking forward to what Mr. Wright brings to the team this season.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:53 am
OB-Players under contract are not only allowed to talk to coaches, but they are allowed (encouraged) to use the facility for training, therapy, and film-watching purposes.
It was stated right after Smith and Tedford were hired that Glennon had spoken to them at length.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:54 am
OB:
Yes and no. Coaches can talk to players but hands off until minicamp/OTAs.
February 16th, 2014 at 9:55 am
Brandon’s correct.
February 16th, 2014 at 10:21 am
You can talk, yes… Just not about football.
February 16th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Well one thing we know is that he can catch. But, before I can comment on whether he will blow up this year, I’d need to know more about the Tedford Offense and how he will be used.
Will he be used as a situational TE, 3rd down or red zone, or will he be a possession WR in the vein of Keyshawn Johnson or Andre Johnson/Texans?
Safe to say he has weapon potential and will be used. I just don’t know how?
February 16th, 2014 at 10:33 am
Glennon made Wright look good!
February 16th, 2014 at 10:49 am
When you look at the bigger picture (new coaches) we will do better because there is no Schiano Order in control of the plays being executed. Schiano fed the fans and media how Sullivan made the offensive calls but we all know he had the final say on them. Sullivan was smart enough to score in the second half of games.
We should see improvement with Wright and even Glennon (pre-season). Although, I still want Vick and Garrapolo on our stable of QBs.
February 16th, 2014 at 10:50 am
Who cares how he blocks? Jimmy Graham can’t block worth a crap. And everyone thinks he’s a Top 5 TE.
February 16th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Joe, why does everyone insist on him continuing his career as tight end if he can’t block and we are in need of a good slot receiver? Yes, he is relatively huge for the position but I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing.
February 16th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Snook…
“Jimmy Graham can’t block worth a crap. And everyone thinks he’s a Top 5 TE.”
I agree 1000%…there are very few TE’s (if any) in todays NFL that excel at receiving and blocking…Tim Wright kinda reminds me of Shannon Sharpe…
Cant wait to see how Wright will be used this upcoming season…he has excellent hands; I only recall seeing him drop 1 pass last year. On that play Glennon was under intense pressure when he threw it so it was uncatchable yet Wright still almost managed to haul it in…
February 16th, 2014 at 11:56 am
Good catch.
February 16th, 2014 at 11:57 am
Tight ends are matched up on linebackers and safeties (often). His height is a major advantage over the middle. Against cornerbacks as a receiver, Wright struggled.
February 16th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Wright made some awesome catches last season and shows he belongs, but at 6’4, 220 lbs., he makes for a very nice #3 slot receiver in a run-first offense.
February 16th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
How about converting Wright back to WR & making him the slot receiver?
February 16th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Damn that Schiano guy for bringing in all those ex-Scarlet Knights…sorry I couldn’t resist the low hanging fruit 🙂
Hopefully Wright can build on last season, but I’m guessing the new boss will want to get rid of a lot of the old bosses guys (at least the undrafted ones).
February 16th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Wright can’t be converted to a WR. The reason he wasn’t drafted, is because he is too slow to play WR against NFL CBs and safeties.
Against LBers? He has very quick change if direction, and runs good routes.
He ussually won the matchup against LBers.
Hope he can put on 20 lbs of muscle, and still be quick enough. That would make him multi dimensional.
February 16th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
I thought Wright played great last year. I expect him to blow it up this year.
He will be the one lasting great player from the Schiano era
February 16th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
I thought Wright played great last year. I expect him to blow it up this year.
He will be the one lasting great player from the Schiano era. Wright has enough quickness and toughness to create problems for any DC.
Hope he is even better this season!
February 16th, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Vodka?!?
February 16th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
Wright is that good and other teams were game planning him like he was once they realized it last season.
February 16th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Bacon infused Vodka!!
February 16th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
With the addition of Maneri as our main blocking TE and the emergence of Wright as apparently our receiving TE I think the days of Luke Stocker in Tampa are over. We’ll see what happens with Crabtree.
February 16th, 2014 at 10:51 pm
Is Stocker still on the Team?
Hadn’t noticed.