Bucs Add Another Receiver: Lavelle Hawkins
April 7th, 2014
His last stops were in New England and San Diego
It’s not easy for an NFL receiver to last seven years in the league with only 71 career catches, but that’s the situation for the newest Buccaneer.
Today the Bucs signed Lavelle Hawkins, a former Jeff Tedford man at “Cal” and a fourth-round pick if the Titans in 2008.
Hawkins had one strong season with 47 catches in 2011, but he’s caught just five balls since.
Recently on WDAE-AM 620, longtime NFL scout Chris Landry said Hawkins, at best, is a No. 4 receiver in the NFL. Landry was responding to a question about the Bucs’ interest.
So the Bucs added another experienced body to battle it out with receivers Louis Murphy, Chris Owusu, Skye Dawson, Eric Page, Jeff Demps, Tommy Streeter and Russell Shepard for roster spots behind Vincent Jackson. Yes, the Bucs will be drafting a receiver next month.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
At least Tampa is a nice last stop before his eventual, final destination: Saskatchewan.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Looks like he’s the slot guy and Murphy is starting outside… Until draft at least. Sad to say, but it is an upgrade on last year (underwood & page)!
April 7th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
I hope people will avoid b1tching about this signing, and take it for what it is – a bottom of the depth chart possibility. That’s not a bad thing. You need competition for those bottom of the roster spots too.
April 7th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Murphy and Hawkins are not an upgrade. A side step at best. #32ndrankedoffense #stillworstQBindivision #worstWRcoreindivision #lovieball
April 7th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
Camp Body
April 7th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
@Captain Stagger:
You know this isn’t Twitter, right?
@Orca:
Well, hope springs eternal
April 7th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
I’m glad people on here are reading this right. This guy isn’t playing on Sunday. He’s there as insurance, another pair of hands for camp. He might make the team, but he’s not going to heavily contribute. We’re drafting at least one WR in the first 3 rds
April 7th, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I think this signing represents the idea of “depth” but I am not really sure. As a Bucs fan i have never seen “depth” before but that is what I think this is.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:02 pm
He’s as good as what we have on the roster now. At least he’s played in games, has dependable hands, and been in the league a while for multiple teams. He’s not bouncing around the nfl because he’s got pro bowl talent, it’s because he’s good enough to date but not marry! Sadly, I think he’s better than or equal to page and owusu until proven otherwise. Bottom line, he’s better than nothing! Nice safe veteran signing that takes pressure off the panic inducing lack of depth at wr! Still need to add a true talent obviously.
April 7th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Well, you have to bolster the position somehow, I guess. Clearly there will be more to come but just to point out the obvious we have one #1 receiver and a bunch of #4s and #5s. Please, for goodness sake, don’t tell me Murphy is anything better than a #3 or #4. Check the stats.
The greatness of Lavelle Hawkins! That makes me feel a whole lot better about trading Williams(total unadultered sarcasm!).
April 7th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Coach we have Johnny Knox on line 3…
April 7th, 2014 at 2:53 pm
You folks do realize T Wright and James had 0 snaps when they were thrown in!! The new regime will develop guys better. Our depth is so much better than last year. You do realize the problem was with a oc who never called plays before. The west coast Bucs fans are familiar with Cal. Why do you think Coach Smith chose him? Relax the offense will be fine and is in good hands!! You Debbie Downers have complained about every signing!!
April 7th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Captain Stagger Says:
Murphy and Hawkins are not an upgrade. A side step at best. #32ndrankedoffense #stillworstQBindivision #worstWRcoreindivision #lovieball
Have you seen the Panthers receiving core if you can even call it that? Right now former Buc and best Flat Top in the NFL (maybe all of sports) Tiquan Underwood is their best receiver
April 7th, 2014 at 3:00 pm
I don’t care if they are often injured. Bring in Sidney Rice or Miles Austin!
April 7th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
@Oregon- You really live in Oregon? You’re right, we shouldn’t be so down. There’s a looooong way to go before the season starts. I’m totally stoked!
Go Bucs!
April 7th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
People not bitching on JBF? Aiming your sights a little high today, aren’t ya…
April 7th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
#ThisIsntFacebookTwitterOrInstagramSoYourHashtagIsAsPointlessAsYou
April 7th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Wow! We surely have the most 4th string WRs in the league now…lol.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Thank you oregon buc……..
All you read is negative comments from these half-ass fans! The team has not played a single snap this season and we are already 100 times better than last year.
Now trade back and draft donald or cooks!
April 7th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Orca nailed it.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
It must be really hard for Joe to drum up enthusiasm for these most recent signings…
April 7th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
I know this cat. He is from Stockton ca. I live pretty close to him.hes talented but kinda lazy.when we had the lockout a few years ago I saw him (playing for the titans at the time) and asked him if he was doing workouts with other players to stay in shape to be ready when the lockout was over. He said “Na, I’m just chillin waiting to see if they call me back to work”. I thought to myself Damn no wonder your not starting.
April 7th, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Hey! I guess we won’t be drafting any receivers now. (kidding)
Any chance that Wright might be moved around a bit? TE/WR?
April 7th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
C’mon Guys, everybody is so interested in the Bridgewater visit and the Hawkins signing that you’re missing some big news out of OBP. The Bucs released Rutgers LB Marvin Booker today. Now that’s news! lol
April 7th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
@Captain Stagger: AKA Captain DOOM….worst record in the division? Is that a fact? Last I checked this time of year we are all tied at 0-0. Dont forget your Cymbalta and Xanax so your posts can be somewhat positive for a change.
April 7th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
We got the second best coach in the Division.
April 7th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
I’ll throw this out for what it’s worth. Read somewhere that the Bucs may move Tim W back to WR. If they think he can handle a spot maybe we will be back to a QB in RD. 1 and a guard (Yankey) no2 and a WR at third rd. Again, just trying to think inside the bucs war room
April 7th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Josh Freeman visiting the Bears today! Trestman is a QB guru. We could see Freeman again as we play the NFC North this year! Wouldn’t that be a blast!
April 7th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Former Cal, a playmaker in Jeff Tedford at Cal.
http://youtu.be/C9SEeMlrAME
April 7th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
@ Macabee
Nooooooooooo! Not Marvin Booker! Anyone but him! lol
Out of this group of WR signings Louis Murphy will probably be the guy with the most playing time. But its like someone else said before, you still need solid guys to round out your roster. Every free agent is not necessarily going to be starting material, but that doesn’t mean they’re worthless. They can still hope out in smaller doses.
April 7th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Familiarity with his offense.
Cal guy.
Good move.
Competition is good. Still just 27. Solid signing.
April 7th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
And I know some people are still upset about the Mike trade, but he was a solid number 2 and nothing more. Just Imagine if we draft Watkins or Evans, we would then have two legitimate number 1 WRs lining up for us. My point is relax, our WR situation might look even better than it did before.
April 7th, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Our top two targets are back in VJax and T Wright. Both big targets with great hands. Murph has 4.3 speed and will take the top off. Hawkins already knows the playbook. Tedford will develop Shepard and Page. Add a stud from the draft and we have more than enough weapons. The offense is a hybrid New England/Chip Kelly Oregon style. Will be fun to watch!!
April 7th, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Joe,
when is that surprise for mobile users comming?
April 7th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
From Rutgers south to cal east. Haha
April 7th, 2014 at 9:23 pm
Come on guys! What is the strength of the draft? Wide outs! We went into free agency to bolster positions that were weak. Side note: Davin I love ya but you were a turn stile last year.. I know your knee was tore up, but come on. Williams was fired because he did not take his rehab seriously. $135, 000 in fines means ONE THING, I dont give a F*%#ck about me getting better. I dont care if you take Evan or our Clemson guy. BOTH these guys i an upgrade to Williamas. And I am a huge fan of who Mike. Get your s@#$t together. I’m going to pray for you. I have been im your same situation, THey told me Mike, you cant get the job done that we paiad you for. I had achilles tendon surgery to fix my problem. MIKE! THERE ARE GUYS LIKE US THAT CANT GET THEIR JOB BACK. be our hero!!!!! work hard…and F854CK EVERYONE. miKE WE ADMIRE YOU AND YOU INSPIRE US. dONT YOU DARE TAKE THAT AS A fan JUST ASKING YOU TO HIT A HOME RUNI THE GAME. I MIGHT BOT MAKE ALOT OF SENSE BUT mIKE PLEASE mAKE IT WORK. i LOVE YOU!!
April 7th, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Listen to Oregon-Buc, he is right on. I would just add that Tedford will also develop Demps too. I feel strongly, though, that Page will make a good Slot receiver after Tedford’s instruction. He showed good hands catching punts so I know he can catch passes. He has great speed and elusiveness and is a tough kid. He just needs to learn the playbook and master his routes and he will give Murphy plenty of competition. I think they both will make it tough to start any rookie there. Wright as a receiver can match William’s production. We are set
April 7th, 2014 at 10:07 pm
panhandle buc Says:
“The team has not played a single snap this season and we are already 100 times better than last year.”
Oh how naive some people can be.
5-11 here we come. Is that negative enough for you?
April 7th, 2014 at 10:16 pm
And a lot of you people keep talking about Tedford as if he’s going make a great transition from college to the NFL. As if fans are confident in it. I don’t have any clue as to where that confidence comes from. Maybe it’s because Dilfer, Akili Smith , David Carr, Joey Harrington and Kyle Boller all coached by Tedford in college were just SO DAMNED SUCCESSFUL in the NFL. Is that where the confidence comes from? smh
Spurrier was a college offensive genuis before he flopped with the Skins. Keep that in mind.
Is that negative enough for you. It’s called realism. There is a difference.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:53 pm
@ Buc1987
you could look at it that way, or you could look at look at it like Tedford got Dilfer, Akili, Carr, Joey, and Boller took look like first round QBs to begin with! That in an of its is pretty impressive. His offense is rumored to be like Chip Kelly’s, and look how well he fared taking his offense to the NFL level. You can call it REALISM, but none what knows whats REALLY going to happen.
April 7th, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Courtney Hawkins lil cuzin!
April 7th, 2014 at 11:48 pm
Lets not forget about Myers he had 126 catches combined over the last 2 yrs. obviously another good weapon
April 8th, 2014 at 1:24 am
SB winner coached by a COLLEGE COACH!!!!
April 8th, 2014 at 7:26 am
Dilfer did win a SB.
April 8th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Ghost Says:
April 8th, 2014 at 7:26 am
“Dilfer did win a SB.”
Quick someone call the Hall of Fame…