“It Definitely Feels Good”
August 7th, 2014
Injured in the 2013 preseason opener after a standout training camp, 24-year-old speedster wide receiver Chris Owusu is ready for another clean start to the season to prove himself.
This year he’ll be trotting onto the field Friday in Jacksonville clinging to an honor bestowed upon him by Lovie Smith.
Owusu was named a starter, along with Vincent Jackson, for tomorrow night’s game at Jacksonville. Yeah, depth charts mean little in early August, but Joe’s learned that players have a different attitude about it.
“It definitely feels good when, you know, coach has entrusted you with a spot like that,” Owusu said yesterday. “But it’s not set in stone. We just all have to keep working.”
In the case of Owusu, the starting nod is a clear indication that the regime likes him — for now — more than Louis Murphy. As for Mike Evans, he’s likely down the depth chart because he’s a rookie, and Lovie has a prove-it attitude towards rookies.
Speed-obsessed Lovie already has raved about Owusu’s 4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash. And Owusu has made some sick catches in practice.
Owusu says he’s an improved player, in part thanks to new wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker.
“Every receivers coach has their own things they stress. We work on a lot of releases, very detailed on the releases,” Owusu said. “[Hayes-Stoker] says that’s where it starts, and it does, and it’s a different level of focus. I’ve gotten a lot out of that.”
Of course, there have many August legends in Bucs history, guys who couldn’t cut in September. Hopefully, Owusu can get over the hump.
And if you’ve missed all his training camp highlights, click here for one of the very best.
August 7th, 2014 at 9:27 am
#80. Blech!
August 7th, 2014 at 9:38 am
Hope he makes it. Speed is good. As long as he holds on to the ball.
August 7th, 2014 at 9:39 am
# 80 Michael Clayton?///lets hope not
August 7th, 2014 at 9:55 am
I remember last year when everyone complained of the “plan” at wide receiver. This seems like we are banking on even less experience behind the two starters (of which one is a rookie, although he will be a beast). If we stay healthy doubt people will complain.
August 7th, 2014 at 9:59 am
It’s obvious they want the future wide receiver working with the qb of the future! #MGM
August 7th, 2014 at 10:02 am
I wish Owusu the very best in his debut as a starter.
We know exactly what we are getting with VJax, but I’m anxious to see how the revamped WR corps does. Lot’s and lot’s of new faces.
August 7th, 2014 at 10:07 am
I personally hope Owusu and Streeter can put it together to go with VJax, Evans, and Murphy.
August 7th, 2014 at 10:11 am
With all of this newfound speed maybe Tedford can design some plays where a speedster can trail Vincent Jackson for a lateral before he gets caught from behind.
August 7th, 2014 at 11:16 am
I admire Owusu, I really do. But I question whether he should even be on a field at all. His concussion history is gruesome, and he’s risking some extreme problems later in life by even trying to stick. I can’t doubt his passion or commitment, but I really would hate to see this guy go down hard.
August 7th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Louis Friend Says:
August 7th, 2014 at 11:16 am
I admire Owusu, I really do. But I question whether he should even be on a field at all. His concussion history is gruesome, and he’s risking some extreme problems later in life by even trying to stick. I can’t doubt his passion or commitment, but I really would hate to see this guy go down hard.
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He’s had ZERO as a pro and three as a collegian, the last two of which wiped out the majority of his senior season. As more and more time goes by, the less susceptible a player is to getting another concussion, whereas players thrown back into the mix shortly after getting a concussion are far more likely to get another one.
By my count, Owusu hasn’t suffered a concussion in nearly three years. And as far as I can tell, he’s smart enough to make up his own mind on whether he should play or not, he went to Stanford, his brother goes to Harvard, and his sister goes to Columbia.