Page Purge Puts Patton In Power
August 24th, 2014
Former Buccaneer Eric Page
Rookie wide receiver/returner Solomon Patton didn’t do much against Buffalo yesterday, but he did prove he could take a ferocious hit as a punt returner and hold onto the ball.
It seems that play, and Patton’s consistency (but not greatness) this preseason led to him ousting the NFL’s 13th-ranked full-time punt returner in 2013. Eric Page was cut this afternoon.
Despite his stats, Page never impressed Lovie Smith. Back in May, Lovie said punt returner was “an area of concern” for the team.
Yes, Page made his share of boneheaded moves, but he was 21-years-old coming of major knee surgery when last season began. He made rookie mistakes but still managed to impress often.
Joe wishes Page well and suspects he’ll find a job soon, even if it’s on a practice squad.
Patton will be thrown into the fire. The drilling he absorbed yesterday gives Joe a lot of confidence that the Gators rookie has the right makeup. There’s no Dexter Jackson in that kid.
August 24th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Great title, Joe.
August 24th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
mamba…
August 24th, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Payton picked for premier punt position
August 24th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Pshaw, make that Patton
August 24th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
I left a comment early in the preseason saying that Patton has a good chance to make the roster and you pretty much laughed at me Joe, citing Pages stats last year. I knew page wouldn’t be able to hold on to that job
August 24th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Being the 13th best punt returner doesn’t sound like a compliment
August 24th, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Cutting Cousins Coming Closer Calling Cousins Cell
August 24th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
The sudden decision to go with Solomon Patton seems a bit rushed to me. Rash choices tend to not work out.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:17 pm
It appears Streeter …didn’t /couldn’t run his assignments…
August 24th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Bonzai,
They’ve had them both since Patton was signed. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a rash decision. I believe the staff feels Patton has more upside at WR too which is why they made the move.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
I rarely ever toot my own horn, but this time I’m going to allow myself to do it.
Andrew 1 Says:
May 16th, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Dammit. I’ve got high expectations for Patton, but it doesn’t sound good so far. Still think we will be our returner when its all said and done.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
@andrew
Nice call.
I don’t think this has anything to do with WR ability. This kid will have one duty. Unless he breaks a few nice returns the Bucs will address the punt/kick returner role next draft. Yesterday when he held on to that punt after getting drilled…I said to myself…”kid, you just earned a roster spot.”
August 24th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
After that catch yesterday, he won me over!
August 24th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
pattons preseason stats against future burger flippers were worse than pages full season stats during live action. patonts boneheaded play ratio was much higher than pages. there is a good time to call fair catch. but I guess deep in the hometown fans happy with a gator in there when I demps didn’t work out patton was there only go to guy. picking hometown heroes over proven pros sounds like a recipe for disaster. Lovie 18 months and out
August 24th, 2014 at 6:13 pm
Payton Pushes Page off Plank
…That is messed up