Julius Thomas?
March 6th, 2015
The fantasy crowd loves Julius Thomas. The guy caught 12 touchdowns in each of the past two season from Peyton Manning in Denver.
A former Buccaneer also loves Thomas, and wants to see him signed by Tampa Bay immediately.
Yes, Thomas, 26, is expected to hit the free agent market, and former Bucs guard Ian Beckles wants to see Tampa Bay sign the basketball tight end. “Overpay if you have to,” Beckles bellowed this morning on WDAE-AM 620.
The Bucs, of course, have second-year tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the house, who they hope will become the red zone threat Thomas is. Beckles is unimpressed by ASJ, who had foot, ankle and back issues last year before landing on injured reserve. Beckles contends the Bucs have no threat over the middle of the field and can’t even run up the gut of a defense. He’d like to see a guy like Thomas come in and change the offense.
It sounds nice, but Joe can’t see the Bucs investing their money there, unless they have serious concerns about Seferian-Jenkins’s health. Thomas doesn’t block well, and signing him would amount to giving up on Sererian-Jenkins awfully early, unless Dirk Koetter is drooling at the thought of using two big tight ends.
This year’s draft class is dreadful for tight ends. With Brandon Myers re-signed with guaranteed money, and Seferian-Jenkins returning, Joe suspects the Bucs will look to bring back Luke Stocker (unrestricted free agent) as the No. 3 tight end.
No, that’s not to protect the legacy of former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s 2011 draft class, it’s because Stocker finally stayed healthy last year and proved he could block well and be very versatile on special teams.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
When you list those tight ends, it not a list that is going to strike any fear into an NFC South d-coordinator or anyone else for that matter.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:22 pm
If we could get him it would instantly make our offense look like a championship team.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I’d actually rather Jordan Cameron than Thomas, but I doubt we’ll go this route at all.
I definitely understand what Beckles is saying. ASJ has done absolutely nothing to deserve no competition and you bring in talent everywhere if you can…I just can’t see the Bucs doing it
March 6th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Please no! I’m sure he’s good but he had Manning to boost his stats.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
I agree with Ian. Overpay him of have to. Opposing defenses would hate life trying to cover vjax, Evans, Martin and Thomas. Then l we would have to do is make sure our offensive line could go e our future QB the time to go through his progressions. I know I’m just dreaming but man would this be a premium pick up. !!!
March 6th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Sign a olineman already damn!
March 6th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Peyton Manning can make any receiver look good. We have many other much more important needs.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
We do need more positions to be filled but this is one of them. Surrounding our future QB with weapons that can make things happen.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Another mega money free agent who would rather get paid than WIN? No thanks.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
He’s going to be one of the worst FA signings in my opinion. The guy plays soft and racked up TDs by playing with Manning.
ASJ has more potential than Thomas by far imo. Thomas had basically done nothing until Peyton arrived in Denver.
We are fine at TE. ASJ & Myeres are both adequate targets over the middle and better blockers than THomas
March 6th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Geez, have some patience, it took Julius Thomas 4 years to become Julius Thomas.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Yea – we addressed the Tight End position high in last year’s draft and should be fine there. I expect ASJ to have a good year (40+ catches assuming he stays healthy) – Myers can catch and block OK and Stocker is a good blocker. So we are pretty well covered at TE and have much bigger needs to address.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
This is not a roster worthy of turning their noses up at any position. Someone has to be able to stretch the middle of the field or it doesn’t matter how good the o-line is, we won’t be able to run.
If we have the cap room and are able to structure contracts appropriately a three year deal for a high dollar TE is a good idea. Winslow did wonders for Freeman early on.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:44 pm
I don’t see this as necessary. We have two big WRs to throw to and ASJ. I’d rather invest heavily in OL and defense. Our skill position guys should be good to go, if anything maybe a burner slot WR.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:52 pm
flmike Says:
March 6th, 2015 at 3:32 pm
Geez, have some patience, it took Julius Thomas 4 years to become Julius Thomas.
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best post of the day……you don’t get into a bidding war for a tight end when you spent a 2nd round pick on one the year before and just got rid of tim wright
March 6th, 2015 at 3:52 pm
any tight end would look impressive with peyton manning throwing to him. pass! this guy has eric decker written all over him , great in Denver ,but average anywhere else.fix our 0-line and all those other issues will fade away.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:54 pm
“The fantasy crowd loves Julius Thomas. The guy caught…”
Trust me on this one Joe as a guy who went 12-1 in my fantasy league only to loose in the first round because of Julius Thomas (and Luck) I can say fantasy guys only loved him prior to his shoestring stubbed ankle. My team rolled over so bad in the first playoff round I should have called them Marvin Lewis and the Bengals
Anyway on topic…Thomas is far too injury prone…we already have an athletic TE who is injured more than he plays in ASJ
March 6th, 2015 at 3:56 pm
DUMB move….oline and lots of dline. Trent Cole, Jabal Sheard, Ayers, resign CLAYBORN, resign Bowers, solid depth on the dline and oline is where we need to focus in free agency. Not top priced free agents they rarely pan out as we have discovered over the years.
March 6th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Meyers is our best te. I like the kid from Harvard, Brate. I’d use sticker as a FB and ASJ as a rz target. Meyers and Brate can work the middle. What we really need is a #3 rcv that can return kicks aka jacoby jones eddie royal Herron?
March 6th, 2015 at 4:01 pm
Peyton Manning: Getting average coaches and receivers paid since 1998.
March 6th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
lol our offense would not look like a chamionship team with the addition of julius, come on be serious
March 6th, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Brandon Marshall for a 5th rnd pick and we can’t grab any of these bears players. I thought everybody loved playing for lovie? Hester peppers Marshall Briggs. We can’t get Briggs? If the Bears are throwing away their best players I’d gladly give you a cheeseburger on Tuesday for a former probowler today.
March 6th, 2015 at 4:05 pm
shastada is absolutely right on every point in that comment
March 6th, 2015 at 4:14 pm
I dont think Tampa needs to spend big money on Thomas, like stated before it is likely he was so solid because of Manning. Instead Tampa should focus on signing a slot receiver when it comes to receiving options, both Eddie Royal and now Percy Harvin are available. As far as tight ends ASJ will be an impact starter if he can ever replicate his college career and stay healthy, Myers is a decent backup and Stocker proved he can play both TE/FB if needed as long as he stays healthy. Tampa needs to keep both Cameron Brate and Taylor Sloat on their practice squad and maybe pickup and undrafted rookie after the draft to develop in the future if they think ASJ is not the answer.
March 6th, 2015 at 4:18 pm
With ASF more of an inline TE and Thomas more of a flexed TE, I could see this really helping out a young QB. The say the two best helpers of a young QB is a good running game and a good TE… two would be extra helpful.
March 6th, 2015 at 4:22 pm
I’d take him. We don’t have a TE now.
March 6th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
tight end
March 6th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
We have some cap space…but we can’t sign every FA out there….let’s overpay if necessary for a couple of need positions….Oline, DE, MLB…..not TE
March 6th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Jermaine Gresham would be cheaper, and most likely just as effective…
March 6th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
More targets? Yes, please.
(But don’t forget to upgrade the offensive line. )
March 6th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
I think he’s a product of the system. Not to say he’s not good but the eye popping numbers are attributed to Mr Manning.
March 6th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Joe
I keep reading about signings, trades and transactions. All I’ve heard from the bucs is Lansanna, Jenkins and mcdougle. What’s up with that? Jacoby Jones signed w the Chargers, Brandon Marshall is a Jet now and we’re “looking at” Trent Cole? Can we “look at” Percy Harvin or is he too much of a “risk”?
March 6th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Folks keep talking about all our cap space, but it can go very fast. Lavonte’s contract will be coming up, and it’ll take a few bucks to keep him. Beyond that, we’ve got some big needs on our OL and quality experienced linemen don’t come cheap. Pretty much the same for a quality DE and MLB, both high priorities I’d hope.
TE is pretty well set … in comparison to those needs.
March 6th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
This appears to make no sense with bigger needs to be addressed. So I fully expect the Bucs to sign Thomas next week.
March 6th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
They will stick with ASJ as their top TE. TE could be considered a position to upgrade but not at the kind of money Thomas will command.
March 6th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
His talent is too hard to ignore, and if we could get him for a fair price, I’m all for it. Joe, don’t be so skeptical, instead see it as another weapon at Winston’s disposal.
March 6th, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Will draft runnjng backs and tightends in the draftmbecause were dumb..
March 6th, 2015 at 6:06 pm
As of today (off paper) we have no one at TE! I don’t see how it hurts to get a proven success over the middle that’s played with Peyton Manning, to be there for a rook QB.. sign him, easy
March 6th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Peyton manning made that guy….notice when he was healthy they rarely threw him the ball. We dont need to spend big money on a te we have one. Asj was battling injuries through training camp and season and actually missed training camp and when he did play it was under no oc…..this would be a waste of money we could put toward a slot return guy ol or pass rush……use the cap money wisley bit on an average tall te that peyton made a name for
March 6th, 2015 at 6:24 pm
You’re going to trust a 2nd year TE with THEE most important position in Koetter’s offense and not bring in one heck of a TE that could be just as good or dare I say better than Gonazlez? Joe… there’s no excuse for this football idiocy, AND YOU PLAYED the game! How can you be so wrong, so much ABOUT THIS!?
March 6th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
I just got home from work so I read this on the Jameis article. Im not Anti Winston and Im not pro Mariota. I do however think this was well said.
bucrightoff Says:
March 6th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
If Winston outplayed Mariota because he had to make tougher throws against a good defense (which is hilarious, Oregon’s defense is not good), then doesn’t that mean Cardale Jones is a much, much better QB than Winston? He shredded that Oregon defense with even better throws than Jameis made.
#FailForCardale2016
……………
Once again for those that don’t know me I am NOT Anti Winston. I have become however Anti ‘Winstonites’ because of the lack of objectivity most of them have due to a prolonged period of defending him.
March 6th, 2015 at 7:08 pm
nate Says:
March 6th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Sign a olineman already damn!
………………..
What nate said.
March 6th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
lol
Efficiency at its best
March 6th, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Anybody remember a couple of guys by the names of Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon? Peyton Manning made those two guy look like Pro Bowl wideouts. Garcon is doing ok with the Redskins, Collie fell off the face of the earth.
Don’t even think about “overpaying” for an overrated TE you don’t need before you sign some offensive linemen for this atrocious clown circus of a team that DESPERATELY needs help on the line.
March 6th, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Did everyone see how the great Eric Decker did in new york. Fix the O line first
March 6th, 2015 at 8:28 pm
So almost TWO HOURS later my comments are STILL awaiting “Moderation”?
Neither of my comments are offensive or have any cuss words. I say YOU personally Joe write the four letter “S” word.
THis is just ludicrous man.
March 6th, 2015 at 8:30 pm
That comment where I called your system “ludicrous” got through but Hours later the innocuous comments are still “Awaiting Moderation”………..LOLz
March 6th, 2015 at 9:37 pm
TEs aren’t anything without a QB. Name a top TE that doesn’t have an top QB throwing to him.
March 6th, 2015 at 9:54 pm
I mustve missed it.. how exactly is this related to jameis? :).james casey, one of most underrated and underutilized eagles last cpl seasons is wonderful utility tight end, imo..he always finds himself open (route running) and is true professional
March 6th, 2015 at 9:57 pm
You can’t give up on a rookie (ASJ) after one year.
March 6th, 2015 at 10:12 pm
No to cancer Percy Harvin…terrible influence for our young QB!! Myers and ASJ need to play much better this year…with Koetter it will happen as he will be using the TE to bail out his young QB.
Really surprised Bucs made no attempt at Jacoby Jones….this team has no real return threat and they swung and missed at Hester last year another complete fail by Lovie…Herron is a bust in my mind since he cant seem to hold onto the ball.
Speed of the game is going to be the biggest adjustment for either MM or JW. Neither of these guys are ready for the speed of NFL lineman.
March 7th, 2015 at 12:46 am
I believe in ASJ too. Manning could make Stocker look like a great pass catching TE.
March 7th, 2015 at 2:39 am
Winston faced far more nfl talent..in fact he faced the #1 collection of defenses last season. They both will have to adjust to speed, like luck to this day.. but jameis has benefit of facing stiffer competition..ill use your language to prove you totally wrong.The acc>sec in producing nfl starters/ pro bowlers the last 20 years …this is a documented fact, not opinion. Stop letting espn make you sound like groupies..these are facts and if you really wanted your team or its fans informed you wouldnt lie about them. Hasnt stopped winston haters before..oh, and a return man, dorsett? Get a nice slot speedster to groom for your boy jameis and i know you’re pleased as punch..
March 7th, 2015 at 8:51 am
Here we go again another drunk ready to give up on young talent that hasn’t been given the chance to see if he can reach his full potential and the dumb masses agree but you guys got the nerves to want Lovies head on a platter. Just another day in Gooberville.