Be Happy With Tim Wright
June 2nd, 2014
There may be no position outside of quarterback that Bucs fans wring their hands over to the point of rubbing their knuckles raw than tight end. Bucs fans never, ever seem satisfied.
For reasons Joe is unsure about, Tim Wright doesn’t pass muster for many Bucs fans and this depresses Joe. For a guy that never played tight end, not even on the college level, Wright was one of the best in the NFL. Look at the numbers.
Joe would think fans would be doing cartwheels. Nope. Still in search for the Holy Grail, despite having a rookie who finished in the top half of the league in tight end receiving yards.
Scott Smith, the multimedia maven of Buccaneers.com, is pestered with the same questions. One query he decided to field was a relevant but misguided question. No, Wright will not be moving to receiver. But there’s a twist as Smith explains perfectly.
I mean, there’s a reason Wright went undrafted. That’s not a knock on him. There are many good players that pass through the draft every year, and dozens of rookie free agents make it onto rosters around the league every year. That said, the majority of those players do not make it (there are only so many NFL spots available), so you’d be asking Wright to go back to a position where the odds were against him making the Bucs roster a year ago. On the other hand, if you keep him at tight end, you have a player who has already proven he can make it in the league, and one with fairly intriguing potential. And you’d be keeping him at a position where the Bucs had huge difficulty maintaining depth last year.
Furthermore, I don’t even think you have to switch Wright’s position to utilize his skills as a receiver. There’s nothing preventing the Bucs from putting him in the slot on any given play and forcing the defense to decide whether to cover him with a linebacker or a cornerback. You could also put him in a variety of places in the backfield as something of an H-back.
That’s a helluva point by Smith. What is to stop the Bucs from lining up Wright in the slot occasionally? That doesn’t mean he has to move to wide receiver.
There is very little we know about the Bucs offense, but by following the bread crumbs, it sure appears the Bucs want to be as diverse as possible, giving defenses more multiple things to fear on any given play.
One way could be to use a tight end (Wright) once in a while in a slot position.
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:31 pm
I agree, Joe. Not bad for an easy and cheap find. Take out the top 5 TEs and they are freaks anyway, and he is looking pretty good as compared to the rest of the league.
Now add the rookie we drafted and the FA guy (i dont know the names) and it is pretty decent on paper.
5 or 6 more wins this season sure looks possible.
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Knowledge Buc fans know Wright has what it takes to be a serviceable pass catching TE. Only thing holding him back his is blocking and experience at the position. The kid is a keeper.
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:38 pm
I think this is spot on. Wright had a very good season last year, particularly as a novice TE. Supposedly, his blocking was subpar, but he was definitely an above average receiving TE. I expect the Bucs to run a lot of 2 TE sets, with Wright being the primary pass catcher, at least initially. He has similar size to the other Dunkaneers and can create mismatches with LBs, especially if there is a real #2 WR to deflect attention in the secondary. It is clear that the Bucs plan on exploiting size differences in the passing game. Wright will help them do that more than any of the potential #3 WRs on the roster.
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:50 pm
The people that aren’t happy with wright are pretty annoying. He killed it for us last year. Even when teams would double him he still did a great job. Needs to work on blocking but he will be a fine TE in this league.
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:52 pm
wright depresses joe?
Wow. He was the one bright spot!
and why fix what isn’t broken? Don’t mess with the cannon to wright show! it was damn good last year. and that means don’t anoint our 2nd round TE. make him take it from wright, cause I see that as a tall task.
please
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:55 pm
serviceable???? where the hell have people been?
HE IS THE BEST TE TAMPA HAS EVER HAD ON ITS ROSTER!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2nd, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Joe Dunn, the rookie we got is Austin seferian-Jenkins and the FA name is Brandon Myers
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:04 pm
@robert8 I don’t know about best ever because we did have jimmie Giles who is in the ring of honor now but I agree wright is an amazing TE for us.
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:07 pm
@robert8
“For reasons Joe is unsure about, Tim Wright doesn’t pass muster for many Bucs fans and this depresses Joe. ” I don’t see where he said he is depressed by Wright.
He is depressed that people think that Wright isn’t good. He is good. Hope this helps.
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:08 pm
No love for Jim Obradovich?
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:09 pm
robert8 Says
“wright depresses joe?”
You really need to learn how to read.
Quote:
“For reasons Joe is unsure about, Tim Wright doesn’t pass muster for many Bucs fans and this depresses Joe.”
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:12 pm
robert8 Says
“serviceable???? where the hell have people been?
HE IS THE BEST TE TAMPA HAS EVER HAD ON ITS ROSTER!!!!!!!!!!!”
Oh, I see. You’re a fair weather fan. Otherwise you would know that’s not so.
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:13 pm
my bad. I knew I must have read it wrong. it was just unbelievable to be depressed by his play.
got it. and I was not around for Giles. so he’s the best TE I have seen in a bucs uniforms. 🙂
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:16 pm
I apologize for calling you a fair weather fan, robert.
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Robert:
There is a reason why Jimmie Giles is in the ring of honor. Very good receiver and an absolute crushing blocker.
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:33 pm
no worries
June 2nd, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Who are these ‘fans’ that are critical of Wrights’ play? *I* cannot recall a single poster that was negative towards the season that this young man had. What could they possibly say, “Well, since he wasn’t a first-round pick, he won’t ever be a ‘franchise’ TE.”? :^)
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:17 pm
I’m confused, but most TE these days all line up in the slot. I didn’t know that was an eye opening thought. I just assumed they would do it. I believe he lined up in the slot last year. I mean, Gruden use to line up Dudley, Stevens etc and TE’s with a lot less athleticism than Wright in the slot all the time.
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Hawk Says
“Who are these ‘fans’ that are critical of Wrights’ play?”
I’m guessing it was on twitter or facebook.
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Perhaps being in a division with Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, and Greg Olsen makes our TE position look weak.
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:37 pm
I did not really have the impression fans were not high on Wright; quite the opposite really. I have read very few negative comment on JBF about Wright, so I am surprised by this. Heck, My ideal lineup would include VJax and Evans split wide, ASJ and Wright in a double TE set with one of them in motion to the slot, and Martin or Sims as the lone back.
Heck, I LOVE that lineup. To me that could end up being the best set of O-weapons the Bucs have ever had. Wish I could say the same for our Oline.
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Tim Wright is the prototypical H back. I wouldn’t even mind him getting the ball on a handoff very sparingly, just enough to keep defenses honest.
This offense is starting to acquire weapons. VJax and Evans on the outside are a terrific tandem. SJ is the prototype for tight end. Wright can spell him as well as move all over the formation as an H back.
Now imagine a solid runner like Doug Martin or Mike James…then mix in a real wild card in Sims….and then mix up all of these players..and toss in a Demps for speed…Who do you cover? Who do you cover them with?
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Who are the fools that don’t like Tim Wright?
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
“I’m guessing it was on twitter or facebook.”
Thanks, Buccaneer Bonzai. I should have known it was likely a ‘twit’.
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:53 pm
maybe Joe exaggerated the idea that fans don’t like Tim Wright so he could write an article. I have a hard time believing their is literal disdain for one of the few offensive bright spots from last season
June 2nd, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Wright is going to be even better this year with all the other weapons taxing the secondary.
Hope he has the same chemistry with McCown an he did with Glennon.
June 2nd, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Tim Wright was about the only bright spot the offense had last year. With Vjax covered up and no #2 WR, Wright was the only guy getting open and catching the ball!
June 2nd, 2014 at 4:14 pm
I agree JOE. Just like I said in the past, we could even put VJax in the slot with Herron and Evans on the outside. There is no written rule that says a TE can’t be utilized in what are known as traditional WR positions. Who are these uneducated fans who can’t see value in Wright? Totally absurd. I don’t think I could answer a question like that without mocking the fan who asked it.
June 2nd, 2014 at 4:28 pm
^^ I believe VJax caught 80 passes for 1200 yards and 7 TDs… I wouldn’t say Wright was the only bright spot, or for that matter the only guy getting open and catching the ball.
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:02 pm
I’m not aware of any Bucs fan who doesn’t think Wright is an outstanding talent at TE…
And now with him, Myers & the rook the Bucs are possibly the deepest at TE as I can remember…
Wright in the slot in a “trips” formation would drive a DC crazy…
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Me, I love Tim Wright.
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:25 pm
I dont know any bucs fans that are worried about wright….hell theyre all excited to see how he performs in this style offense that will obviously be using them to create mismatches. Wright came in and worked hard and has proved his worth. Id keep him over brandon myers if I had to choose between the two. Just another reason for fans to be excited. With our weapons teams are not going to be looking forward to playing us. GO BUCS!!!!! IS IT SEPTEMBER YET???
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:33 pm
I’d be happier if he could block. It would give our play action game more credibility if teams had to respect the run with him in the game. On straight up passing plays, he is a match up nightmare. I think ASJ will be that all around tight end that I haven’t seen in my lifetime (I don’t remember Giles)
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:34 pm
I think he fits in nicely – but only if someone can tell me if Tedford will be using two tight end sets?
I mean, from what I can see from the type of receivers they drafted – it’s going to be a roundball/fast break-alley-oop offense – which makes keeping Wright around at TE for the redOne offense a pretty good idea.
Plus, he’s cheap! If he can prove that last year wasn’t a freak occurrence – and if he continues to demonstrate ability in training camp/pre-season – why wouldn’t we create a spot for him?
June 2nd, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Our offense will be way better I could’ve called plays against us last year and had success More weapons ,better qb situation, better coaching we will be a better team. Oline is the biggest concern
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Just like last year, Tim Wright is the 3rd best receiving option (behind VJax and MW19 aka matress yard in 2013 and this year VJax and Evans).
Imagine a 5 receiver set:
VJax, Evans, Wright, ASJ, and one of: Brandon Myers, Robert Herron, Charles Simms, Doug Martin, or Jeff Demps.
This offense might actually better than average.
I’m not worried about the defense. We might be a year away, but I’m thrilled to see the radical change.
Starting over was the only thing to do. Thanks Malcolm! RIP
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Orca Says
^^ I believe VJax caught 80 passes for 1200 yards and 7 TDs…”
Can you believe one of the first names mentioned by fans to be cut was VJax? I will never, ever understand Tampa fans…or maybe it’s football fans as a whole.
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Bonzai,
I’m with you! It was crazy for Vincent Jackson to be cut. There’s only one Megatron, who Joe once claimed wasn’t worth a nickname. 🙂
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:12 pm
@SteveK
I gotta say, and I’m singling him out here…Demps is a huge question mark. I will not be able to imagine him even making the team until he can show ability, desire and work ethic.
By work ethic, I mean in regard to football. I got the impression every time I saw him that he was holding back because he didn’t want to ruin his chances in the Olympics.
I hear he is devoted this year. He said that at least one other time before, so we’ll see. I hope…HOPE…he really is and he really can do what people hope. He’s wasting years so far…well, football years at least. I admire him for representing USA of course.
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:20 pm
The guy is solid and he will only get mo better
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Go Tim Wright, do Rutgers proud 🙂
I like Wright, but I am wondering if he’ll be as effective this season if by some fluke he doesn’t have “the Cannon” firing passes to him?
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:35 pm
@ Buccaneer Bonzai
I believe that Demps is ‘committed’ to football. He had his run at the Olympics and now has to earn a living. He was in his prime (age-wise) for this Olympics and was just an ‘also ran’. In four years, he won’t even make the team. Football is his best option. Like you, I still need to see more ‘football’ ability, but I’m hoping that I’m pleasantly surprised by the time Carolina rolls into town.
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:35 pm
@ Bonzai
“I will never, ever understand Tampa fans…or maybe it’s football fans as a whole.”
While I will concur I’ve never seen fans loathe a record setting rookie the way some loathe Glennon (though I think Lovie’s endorsement has some at least willing to keep an open mind about the kid) I really think it’s football fans as a whole that have some wild opinions (good and bad) about players on the team they follow. Passionate ain’t too far off from fanatical which is damn close to crazy!
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:36 pm
First off, I’m a big Wright fan. I think he did great last year. He showed good hands and route running.
I’ve not seen many dissenters. Those that do sometimes mention the “drop” in the back left corner of the end zone. I watched the replays many times and just don’t see it. That would have been a very special catch few would have the arms long enough to make. If only that pass had a little less zip and he was a small fraction of a step faster… you get the point.
Wright and ASJ in 2 TE sets will prove very interesting. Im wondering if they will opt to keep ASJ back as a blocker more often due to his superior blocking skills and size? Regardless, as others have said having all those weapons on the field at the same time is going to cause many sleepless nights for DCs.
Long live the Ginger Cannon and Friends!
June 2nd, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Joe, would you agree as you said on top that the Bucs did not have an offense that gave teams something to fear, anything. Then 19 and 9 does not seem like a bad performance considering teams had nothing to fear and he was a deer in the headlights rookie. Checking down was maybe the only way to complete anything in that horrible offense we had last year. Your argument that he was the reason for the statistical results of the offense is totally biased to your point and you don’t give credit to all the circumstances, hence your lack of credibility on the issue.
June 2nd, 2014 at 7:01 pm
shiano product gone right. The kid was a beast.L&L have said they liked Wright, but still needed to add new TEs. Wright didn’t let us down, It was stocker and a bit of Crabtree. Always injured and never productive. This year that spot is 3 x’s better.
June 2nd, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Imagine VJax’s production when he’s not constantly doubled…
Keep in mind to cover all the TE’s and WR’s means limiting LB blitzes…
June 2nd, 2014 at 8:07 pm
Robert- You should check out some of the ’79 Bucs games on Youtube. I know they have the playoff game against the eagles. You are in for a treat that defense was nasty.
June 2nd, 2014 at 9:34 pm
I’ve never seen a single comment here, on bucsnation or pewter report that showed anything but love for Wright. If Joe is hearing negatives, it’s either self-imagined or being grossly exaggerated from some Facebook post gone amuck.
June 2nd, 2014 at 11:12 pm
Wright has good hands and is only going to get better with experience. In addition when VJax retires and our first round pick becomes the number one receiver, Wright has the flexibility to take over the number two receiver position. That is a valuable player for Lovie to keep. For now he will be valuable in the two tight end offense for over the middle and middle length routes. The beauty of our second round pick is he can take passes on deep routes to keep teams from from cheating up to stop the run and he is excellent at run blocking and blocking down field if Wright catches the ball and tries for yards after the catch. He is going to be a super offensive weapon for this team like Jimmy Giles was and Giles used to be one of my favorite Bucs.
June 2nd, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Wright = Rutgers = Schiano = Some fans don’t like him.
Same thing with Glennon.
Schiano likes Glennon, fans hate Schiano, fans hate Glennon.
June 2nd, 2014 at 11:56 pm
@87
Some are starting to warm up to Schiano in the sense he knew talent. Of those, I think a few still aren’t sold on Glennon like they are on Wright. Wright is definitely above average and IMHO is a long term keeper.
June 3rd, 2014 at 12:15 am
Wright is a tremendous young TE. One of the best Rookie seasons for a TE in quite some time. Love the kid, and can’t wait to see him play this year.
Just wish he wasn’t from Rutgers! Lol
June 3rd, 2014 at 1:37 am
Joe would think fans would be doing cartwheels. Nope. Still in search for the Holy Grail, despite having a rookie who finished in the top half of the league in tight end receiving yards.
++++++++++++++++++
@Joe shouldn’t this argument be used in evaluating Glennons performance last year if we are to be fair and honest?