Does Jeff Demps Have To Prove Himself?
August 13th, 2014
Will the Olympian be gifted a coveted roster spot?
Joe sees various media types issuing 53-man, final-roster predictions for your beloved Buccaneers. And they all include speedster running back Jeff Demps.
Even former Bucs DE Steve White, who was a coaching assistant on Lovie Smith’s staff this spring, says he believes the Bucs will keep Demps and work him into the offense consistently.
The problem Joe has with all this Demps love is Demps hasn’t done anything to be gifted a spot.
First, Demps has shown nothing on special teams. Speed doesn’t make a returner. Bucs fans saw Demps be impotent with kickoffs last year, as well as on Friday in Jacksonville. And Joe’s not seeing Demps show up in other phases and roles in special teams.
Lovie has said repeatedly that reserve players must be special teams contributors.
As for Demps’ role on offense, he’s had Vaseline hands in practice, and he’s not a better running back than the four guys ahead of him on the depth chart.
In practice, Demps has been lethal on wheel-type routes out of the backfield when the Bucs can get him 1-on-1 with a linebacker. Unless Demps can show more in preseason, that lone route would probably be the only reason he makes the final roster. Joe is having a hard time wrapping his head around that possibility.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:06 am
He’s fast, but not invisible. Bucs have 4 RBs better than he is, and will have to keep Page as the return man. Demps won’t make the team.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:11 am
Recently Lane has started to show up as a keeper. Lovie may want to keep a FB on the team…..If that happens, I don’t see how we keep Demps. Rainey is starting to get work as a returner. I would be reluctant to let Page go…..he showed some promise last year.
Speed alone isn’t enough.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:11 am
You think Belicheat would of let him go if he was any good. Not saying he does’nt have some upside potential, but his physical nature seems lacking up against the pro level. I hope I’m wrong if the Bucs keep him.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:12 am
Seeing as Demps is a totally “unproven” player in this league, then Commander Common Sense would say:
Yes, he does have to prove himself……Lovie wants the best 53, we do not know if Demps is one of the 53 best. He’s the fastest, yes, but the best?
August 13th, 2014 at 8:33 am
Not looking for my fellow Gator to make the 53. Ohh well, nice to see we have good depth at the position.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:34 am
I have to agree. He could be a weapon if an offensive coordinator is creative enough to figure it out. But we have too many weapons on the team right now, so why bother with the hassle? He doesn’t have vision, or strength. He’s really just a guy that runs fast to one spot. I hope he finds way to stay, but not at the expense of losing other guys who look better.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:48 am
Lovie really like this guy but I’m inclined to say Demps wont make the roster.
August 13th, 2014 at 8:58 am
Not sure I agree Joe. Demps was a pretty effective spot returner in college. Feel like he can learn the position in the NFL as well.
August 13th, 2014 at 9:24 am
Spot on Joe!!! demps would make offense predictable because he brings nothing as a runner, wheel routes are great but can’t do that all season, run better break a tackle, play slot anything please but being fast isn’t enough to make the roster. Gotta agree demps isn’t taking snaps away from anyone, we have so many potential targets. If he can win kick return keep him
August 13th, 2014 at 9:43 am
Demps has nothing to prove. We all know he is a waste of a roster spot.
August 13th, 2014 at 9:46 am
Bucfan40 Says
“Not sure I agree Joe. Demps was a pretty effective spot returner in college. Feel like he can learn the position in the NFL as well.”
The guy has been out of college forever. He has not shown and real football skills since.
When will people finally realize he’s doing nothing but costing another player an opportunity?
August 13th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Demps is getting his shot, let’s give him the rest of the preseason before we write him off the team. Nobody on offense looked good last week.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:02 pm
“He’s really just a guy that runs fast to one spot.”
Exactly! He is looking for contract rather than trying to avoid it. If he become more elusive then maybe he can make the roster but Friday it looked like he wanted to prove he could take a hit.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Why not use him as a multipurpose guy? He can run different pass routes other than a wheel… What about a slant or an out?? Or a reverse run play… Maybe a toss… Watch the gators highlights of him… Just needs more snaps guys… Youre telling me Eric Page or lavelle Hawkins are better??? What have they done?!? First off Eric Page is a bonehead did u not watch him last year??? Schiano was in his grill frequently… C’mon maaaan!!!!
August 13th, 2014 at 2:41 pm
As I have written on many of Joe’s Jeff Demps post, this is the only site that drags demps through the mud. Even when Joe was on with the bigdawg a couple of weeks ago, the bigdawg had a very different take then Joe did as it relates to demps. I have to question joe’s observation as it relates to Demps. Thats not to say he is for sure making the team, but Joe is considerably different than everyone else as it relates to Demps.
August 13th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
I’m going to predict that the top 3 will start by week 6. And the top 5, yes including Cousins have a good chance of winning the job. Apparently gruden is high on Cousins, go figure.
August 13th, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Many seasons have you taken from the NFL without producing one good season? He’s alternate track star.