Endangered Species: Robert Herron
June 16th, 2015
Robert Herron should be worried.
Right about now, the myth that speed equals football talent should be put to rest by Bucs fans.
Oh, Joe remembers how way too many jumped up and down on their beds when the Bucs got track star Jeff Demps.
Demps was a throw-in when the Bucs shipped malcontent running back LeGarrette Blount to the Belicheats.
As always, if Bill Belicheat is willing to part ways with a player, buyer beware.
About the only thing Demps showed with the Bucs was his prowess for fumbling in underwear football.
Enter speedy wide receiver Robert Herron. The second-year, sixth-round draft pick sure played like a late-third-day pick as a rookie. In practices leading up to the regular season, Herron’s greatest talent was stone hands.
Doesn’t matter how quick or fast a dude can run from Point-A to Point-B in a straight line, if a receiver cannot catch the ball, what’s the point?
(Cue blocking icon Michael Clayton.)
This leads Luke Easterling of Bleacher Report to type that Herron’s margin of error this offseason is razor thin, if he wants to make the final-53 cut with the Bucs.
But the undersized rookie appeared in just eight games last season, catching a mere six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. His hands were inconsistent, and he failed to make an impact in the return game, despite a weak group to compete with.
This offseason, it appears the Bucs may be willing to move on from Herron already on both fronts. They spent a fifth-round pick on Nebraska’s Kenny Bell, who has impressed in workouts so far and could end up getting starting snaps on the outside, allowing Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to work out of the slot and create mismatches for opposing defenses.
Tampa Bay also spent a sixth-rounder on Utah’s Kaelin Clay, who was an exceptional return specialist and has the skills to contribute in the slot as well.
Now mind you, this story was published Sunday so Joe is going to guess knowing the inner-workings of the publishing industry that Easterling likely filed his story before the Bucs claimed Tim Wright late Friday afternoon.
Yes, yes, yes, Wright is listed as a tight end and Herron a receiver, but if you had to choose a pass-catching target to keep, which player would you select? That’s a no-brainer. One guy has a ring, the other guy is a bubble player for a 2-14 team.
Herron is going to have to blow up this summer at training camp to be retained.
June 16th, 2015 at 9:11 am
This guy is as good as gone!
June 16th, 2015 at 9:14 am
“As always, if Bill Belicheat is willing to part ways with a player, buyer beware.” – JOE
Ahem. Tim Wright.
June 16th, 2015 at 9:17 am
bad hands are never a good quality in a receiver…duh…
June 16th, 2015 at 9:18 am
it’s sad so sad because all his has to do to secure a roster spot is do his main job which is freakin catch the ball. how do we keep getting these receivers that cant catch a cold or they shine in the offseason and disappear during preaseason
June 16th, 2015 at 9:23 am
True, but the Bucs aren’t buying. Didn’t cost them a dime to pull him from the trash heap.
June 16th, 2015 at 9:47 am
I appreciate the way you quickly respond to someone’s slick comment Joe,I find that quality refreshing.
June 16th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Bottom line, the only reason the Belicheats got rid of Timmy Wright is the fact that he is too morally sound. He’s just not into cheating and murder…not his bag.
June 16th, 2015 at 10:11 am
If Herron is cut….it is further evidence that Lovie & Licht don’t suffer from Dominick’s “Draft Ego”…..that’s when you hacg onto players simply because you drafted or signed them…..(Myron Lewis)….Bowers and many more.
Licht has cut Johnson, Cousins & Collins…..and I suspect Herron will be next.
June 16th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Just because the Bucs got him for free doesn’t change the content or meaning of your words. You know Wright is a liability in the ground game but you prefer to ignore this very important part of the game.
June 16th, 2015 at 11:17 am
The only think good that comes from Wyoming is Buffalo burgers.
June 16th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
I certainly wasn’t jumping for joy over Demps. Playing for Gators=non NFL production (unless you’re emmit smith)
June 16th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
That’s the funny thing about Stone Hands Clayton, he wasn’t even fast. He was a big, slow awkward receiver who couldn’t catch for four straight years. Of course it didn’t stop the Rockstar from giving him a 5 year 24 million dollar extension 😉
June 16th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
It’s a thing I’ve grown to like about Licht- he doesn’t waste time on mistakes.
So many GM’s( including the worst GM in the history of Football- Dominick!!) have such an ego, that they keep Bad players for Years- and Expect the Coach to”Coach’em up”. Dom was the absolute worst( like in so many things), but other GMs are guilty to a lesser degree.
If Licht sees that the players are just collecting checks- he drops the Ax on their Sorry Butts quick!! Under Dom- this play was the recliner palace! Just put your feet up, and collect the checks!
Licht has made it Clear- you earn your money here!
Herron is a different story. He has great speed- but not the Hands to play in the NFL. It’s to bad, but don’t let it get you down, Robert! The vast majority of us don’t have the skills to play in the NFL