Overlooked Rookies
July 1st, 2014
One SI.com NFL analyst has lofty goals for Bucs speedy WR Robert Herron.
Yes, most Bucs fans are fixated on wide receiver Mike Evans as a rookie who will or should make an impact. Then, of course, are the other guys drafted on the second day of the draft, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Charles Sims.
A good, solid draft, however, is finding gems on the third day of the draft.
That was the discussion in a recent podcast with Doug Farrar and Chris Burke, both NFL types for SI.com. The two were asked what late-round rookies they think can make an impact with Tampa Bay.
Doug Farrar: The Buccaneers got a guy Kevin Pamphile from Purdue. He’s not an experienced offensive tackle. But when you watch him, he has tremendous physical tools. If you develop this guy for a year or two and bring him up to NFL standards, I think by 2015, you are looking at a starting left tackle.
Chris Burke: Another thing on Tampa Bay, a guy I really like in the sixth round. Robert Herron. Here is a guy that can really fly. You put him with Vincent Jackson and [Mike] Evans and [Austin] Seferian-Jenkins, guys that are bigger and who will win those physical battles and demand a lot of attention on defense, there will be some chances to stretch the field. Herron is certainly a guy who can test safeties deep. If he is on the field, there will definitely be some home run plays for him.
First, Joe will touch upon Pamphile. Thus far, he really hasn’t shown much of anything during underwear football. It seems guard Kadeem Edwards already has risen up the depth chart, having logged plenty of practice time with the No. 1 squad while Carl Nicks was watching practice wearing his floppy hat.
To suggest Pamphile could start as early as next year means starting left tackle Anthony Collins does not pan out like general manager Jason Licht believes he will. Remember, Collins as yet to start a half-season much less 16 games. Also, if one expects Pamphile to start, and Collins is in fact a stud at left tackle, then that means right tackle Demar Dotson is either hurt or cannot hack it. Neither scenario is a pleasant thought.
The way Joe sees it, unless something dire or unforeseen happens, Pamphile will be nothing more than depth in the near future.
Now Burke’s take on Herron is very interesting. Yes, with the “Dunkaneers” on the field at the same time, defenses will key on them and perhaps forget about, or not bother much, with Herron, and that would be a major mistake.
Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford talks about speed in space and Herron sure has that speed. It’s evident in practice. Joe can easily visualize defenses concentrating on the “Dunkaneers” leaving Herron open underneath and he simply goes all Road Runner and leaves defenders eating grass clippings.
July 1st, 2014 at 10:08 am
Joe
Will we do this in the preseason games or wait?
July 1st, 2014 at 10:32 am
@Joe I’m very supervised you didn’t talk about the article that came out with Devin McCourtey saying Schiano is harder to play for than Bill Belicheck.
Joe didn’t find it interesting. Many college coaches are tougher nuts than their pro counterparts. –Joe
July 1st, 2014 at 11:08 am
Sims in a single back set with ASJ, VJ, ME19 & Herron……even telgraphing pass…..trouble for a defense….and….no stacking the box with that player group……perfect call…..RUN!
July 1st, 2014 at 11:29 am
We’ve got several weapons now that can play out of the slot and totally stretch the defense.
Herron, Demps, Owusu, etc.. Herron will certainly be in the mix if he can hang on to the ball.
All these new rookie offensive weapons have even gotten me over the trade of mattress slingin’, door bustin’, knife wearin’ WR Mike Williams.
July 1st, 2014 at 11:45 am
The Amazing Unstoppable Dunkaneers…. Where are those idiots who don’t think we have one of the most talented offenses in the league?!? Anyone see DBuc today?
July 1st, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Chaz Sutton might be the one who steals the show. That kid is lined up to be a primary sub on the d-line and is going to get plenty of reps. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he turns into the surprise rookie find of 2014.
July 1st, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Talent means nothing by itself. Can they play together? How is the play calling? Can they get it done in crunch time? These are all questions that have not been answered. Nobody is denying they have potential… but sheesh you are acting like these guys are all pros already who’ve played together for 10 years. Lol
July 1st, 2014 at 12:33 pm
yup, go Vjax, evans, then oops, there goes herron along the sideline….as sean peyton craps his pants. ahh, we can dream
July 1st, 2014 at 12:39 pm
@Couch Fan
I remember Lee Flowers (a pretty good Steelers safety) calling the Bucs ‘Paper Champions’ back in the day. And he was right when he said it. They had all the talent but just couldn’t finish big games off (usually because of their offense).
In this case, we’re the ‘offseason champion’ with ‘talent upgrades’ and ‘loads of potential’ but haven’t yet put on pads on 2014. And here some people are proclaiming them a playoff team. Hey, all power to them because it’s worth as much as what the ‘experts’ are saying – absolutely zilch. Not even the Bucs know how good they’re going to be, but they’re just as hopeful as some fans I’m guessing.
I’m going to wait and see them hit the field before going too insane in the membrane.
July 1st, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Here’s a rookie no one has been overlooking…
J. Football, those Hollywood patties at Bieber’s house will surely bolster your NFL stock. Great way to learn a new playbook!
I can only smile inside knowing that Lovie and Licht are laughing inside!
July 1st, 2014 at 1:32 pm
@ Louis Friend
“In this case, we’re the ‘offseason champion’ with ‘talent upgrades’ and ‘loads of potential’ but haven’t yet put on pads on 2014. And here some people are proclaiming them a playoff team. Hey, all power to them because it’s worth as much as what the ‘experts’ are saying – absolutely zilch. Not even the Bucs know how good they’re going to be, but they’re just as hopeful as some fans I’m guessing.”
The Bucs are 0-0…..tied for first or last in the NFL….all the predictions, prognostications, theories, guesses and rankings are pretty much meaningless….some make you feel good….feel bad….and even indifferent. Let’s get it going….can’t wait!!!
July 1st, 2014 at 1:57 pm
Go bucs!!! Finally have a bonafide burner
July 1st, 2014 at 2:10 pm
@ Couch fan & Louis friend
Good points, guys. I can’t disagree with any of that… I’m just envisioning our potential & it sure seems like we could/should be unstoppable.
July 1st, 2014 at 2:52 pm
So I was thinking we drafted Mike Clayton, Mike Williams, and now Mike Evans. So does that mean 3rd Mikes a charm?
July 1st, 2014 at 3:03 pm
@ SAMCRO
I like the positivity… We had a couple moves this offseason that were kinda tough to deal for me, too (Zuttah, even Penn & Joseph; bcuz of my heart more than my head); but damn we have added some seriously dynamic talent everywhere on the field that more than makes up for the losses, IMO. Hopefully, our OL can hold up & then we should be good to go…. ALL THE WAY, that is.
July 1st, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Doubt it. Why tip your hand?
July 1st, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Does anybody know if Josh is organizing any more OTA during this down time before camp. If so does anybody know where and when? Mike Evans said in an interview that he would be working with Josh during his time off.
July 1st, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Another article so Joe can over use his favorite word ‘underwear football’. Yawn.. Wake me when training camp starts.
July 1st, 2014 at 5:06 pm
I believe that there is a very good chance that Teford will try to get Herron the ball during preseason. What better way to free up one of the ‘Dunkaneers’ than to send Herron on the field on 3rd down? Will it matter whether they cannot cover either VJ, Evans, Jenkins, Herron, or Sims?
If you are being held 6″ below the surface of a pool, are you going to be any less drowned than if you were 6′ under?
July 1st, 2014 at 7:05 pm
@Joe
Developing Pamphile into a starting LT doesn’t have to mean that Collins or Dotson are failing or injured or anything of that nature. If by next year Pamphile is showing that he’s ready to start then all that means is we have a starting caliber back-up who allows us to move on from Collins’ contract after the 2015 season.
More importantly, if Pamphile is looking like a starter next year, we now have the option to move Collins inside to either G position if Nicks is still hurt or Edwards doesn’t pan out. Just because there isn’t an opening for a player doesn’t mean that the player can’t develop into a starting quality player without starting.
You call our line paper-thin but when the prospect of a rookie developing into a starter at a position with an entrenched starter comes up, it automatically spells doom for the current starter.
July 1st, 2014 at 11:09 pm
The real sleeper is Tedford himself. Everybody thinks he is just a college coach with no Pro experience. WRONG!!! Tedford himself was a Pro QB in the Canadian Football League and that is where he learned to coach, first as a QB Coach, then five years calling plays as an Offensive Coordinator. That is how he was prepared to succeed when he became a Coach at Oregon. He has a lot more Pro Experience than Kelly, and I think he will be even better than Kelly. Lovie knew what he was doing teaming up with Tedford and I hope they stay together! Hope everyone on the other NFL teams underestimate what he can do, like some of our doubting posters. His Offense will leave them in the dust!!!
July 2nd, 2014 at 12:09 am
Please document when Tedford coached on an NFL sideline. Just because Bud Grant and Marv Levy had success doesn’t mean every CFL coach is destined for greatness in the NFL. Ever hear of Hugh Campbell? How about Mike Riley (who is a helluva college coach)?
July 2nd, 2014 at 2:02 am
Robert”Roadrunner” Herron
Yup. The physicality of our other Recievers will demand help in Coverage. Few If any CB can match up one on one with Jackson.
Now Evans has the same potential.
The “Roadrunner” in the Slot will have plenty of one on One mismatches, due to the attention demanded by the Others.
And this kid can Play, and he can Run!
He may quickly be the talk of the Town.
Good nickname for him, Joe. He’ll be a lot happy than the Equally funny “Muscle Hampster”- which I don’t use because Doug hates it.
Gonna be a fun offense to watch.