More Lovie Love
March 30th, 2014
New Bucs WR Louis Murphy’s yards per catch stats are better than Mike Williams’
The theme continues with Bucs free agents. Last week, when the Bucs signed wide receiver Louis Murphy, the St. Petersburg native echoed what other free agents have said: they were wooed and wowed by head coach Lovie Smith.
Sure, the check is nice. But Smith is a major reason they put ink to paper. In a video interview by multimedia guru Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, Murphy made no secrets he will be playing for his childhood favorite NFL team because of Lovie.
“Coach Smith is a great guy, a great stand-up guy,” Murphy said. From “friends who have played with him in Chicago, they have said nothing but great things about him. He’s looking for a lot out of me.”
Murphy, who played at Lakewood High School and at the University of Florida, had a couple of decent seasons with the Raiders in 2009 and 2010. While he has yet to crack the 1,000-yard (609 yards in 2010)plateau for a season, Joe really likes his average yards per catch.
For those still irked that Lovie is not going to throw fellow wide receiver Mike Williams overboard, Murphy’s yards per catch isn’t a whole lot different than Williams’ numbers, if you feel like reading anything into Murphy’s signing.
“It’s a dream come true for me and my family to finally come home,” Murphy said. “Being a Bucs fan growing up, it’s just awesome.”
March 30th, 2014 at 6:34 am
I didn’t realize he was such a fan. Now I’m a huge Louis Murphy fan.
March 30th, 2014 at 6:58 am
He’s faster than williams.
March 30th, 2014 at 7:14 am
With NFL players….just the slightest additional motivation can make a big difference with performance. Lets hope this is the case with Murphy.
We also can hope for Mike Jenkins to give his best for his home town team.
March 30th, 2014 at 7:25 am
Let’s see if this local kid can make good on his “Hometown Team Dream” and make it a successful and fruitful reality.GO BUCS!!!
March 30th, 2014 at 7:27 am
Don’t worry about Mike (house party) Williams, Joe. Its still a long way to opening day. There is still plenty of time for at least 4 more house parties, and all the shenanigans that will ensue.
March 30th, 2014 at 7:38 am
Cool to see these Florida natives coming back to play for the Bucs. Bortles could round out this group nicely…
March 30th, 2014 at 8:10 am
Another guy familiar with a spread type offense. Just saying….
March 30th, 2014 at 9:03 am
I am growing excited with everyday about our 2014 season.
A fellow Lakewood Spartan! Glad we signed Murphy. We have several different hometown players on our team now, like Leonard Johnson I was jumping up and down on his first pick six as he strutted into the end zone. Can’t say as I blamed him for it as I too dreamed of scoring a TD for my team as a kid living in St. Petersburg. Very excited to add more players who have had this dream as a kid growing up.
Go Bucs!
March 30th, 2014 at 9:04 am
More yards per catch than williams, plus faster than williams. This can only mean that he is better than Williams .
March 30th, 2014 at 9:30 am
How quickly everyone forgets what a talented reciever Mike Williams is. His ability to catch a contested football downfield is remarkable…Freeman really let him showcase this talent!
Williams is money. If Louis Murphy can put together some of his better game the our receiving corps could be pretty decent. Problem is still with our starting QB. Nothing matters with Mccown behind center
March 30th, 2014 at 9:50 am
pablo Says:
March 30th, 2014 at 9:04 am
More yards per catch than williams, plus faster than williams. This can only mean that he is better than Williams .
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Do you try to make stupid comments or do you just find it to come naturally?
March 30th, 2014 at 9:59 am
@Brandon. Hahahahaha. I was thinking the same thing.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:17 am
Like the Murphy signing too, but I am sure Watkins if there will be a Buc. Secondly, all these post about Mike awilliams, somebody please play the tape, all the way back to his first game and the incredible touchdown tip to himself. The guy makes plays despite the lack of speed, I take my chances with contested ball with Williams, IMHO.
March 30th, 2014 at 10:28 am
Mike has way better hands though @pablo I’m pretty sure that’s a factor too
March 30th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Joe,
Williams is a master of his own destiny, and much of that destiny is his cap hit.
Great #2 guy and this team needs his talent. For now.
To the sanctimonious many playing the MW victim card, bear this in mind, Lovie and Licht, will only tolerate him for about the next nine months.
March 30th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
I expect to see Williams and Murphy hauling in the passes.
March 30th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
New Bucs WR Louis Murphy’s yards per catch stats are better than Mike Williams’…. has murphy ever had a double digit touchdown season… mike williams healthy has put up damn near a 1000 yrd season… also no rookie has done what he done since randy moss… (dont forget that joe)
2010 65rec 964yrds 11 td mike williams rookie season
280rec 1,744yrds 8td luis murphy career
So basically mike williams has more TD in his rookie season than murphy got in his career… Dont want to hear nothing about better stats….. and plus mike did those numbers with freeman at Qb.. and raheem at coach
March 30th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Everybody goes nuts if any Bucs player makes some kind of mistake off of the field. If we’re always going to be this picky about every player, we’re never going to win again. Not every player on our team can be a saint. Williams is here to stay; GET OVER IT.
March 30th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Welcome home Lewis! I look for you to start having seasons like Wallace used to have with Pittsburg! Listen well to your excellent new Coaches and get all your patterns down and our new Offense and you will do great!!!
March 31st, 2014 at 4:35 am
Mike (house party) Williams has a nice ring to it. Bring out the mattresses.