“I Could Be A Good Waterboy”
June 4th, 2015
Don’t dare tell running back Mike James that last season was a down year for him.
Just the opposite, he passionately explained today after practice.
Yes, James was buried on the bench and was relegated to occasional short-yardage duty under Lovie Smith. His last action came in Week 10 against Atlanta, four carries for 16 yards
But speaking to Joe today, James wanted to remind fans that his versatility is alive and very well.
“I still got it. I still can do everything,” James said. “I don’t know what’s going on; everybody thinking I can’t do it all. I still got it. Alright. That never went away. Still can catch the ball, still can block, still can, you know, play tailback, fullback, a little receiver, a little tight end, a little h-back. I can do it all, and that’s going to help me. That’s going to help me. Special teams, defense if they need, whatever. I can be a great guy. I could be a good waterboy. I can do anything you ask me to do.”
Damn, is there any doubt why the last regime likened James to Earnest Graham?
James said he emerged from 2014 a much better player and man.
“It really taught me a lot last season,” James said. “And I can’t look at it as a negative because it humbled me, taught me patience, you know, and it really evolved me as a man, which is making me a better player.
“Oh, man. It’s propelled me. It moved me. You know what I’m saying. I’m thankful for last season, even thought it wasn’t like we all wanted it to be, like I wanted to be, I’m sure anybody who was a Bucs fan didn’t want it to be that way. But I know personally, speaking for me, it helped me in a lot of ways.”
June 4th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
I love this guy why we haven’t given him the rock more is beyond me.
June 4th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Damn shame! James shouldn’t have to beg for a job.
The 8th string rb back out of Miami dade catholic prep tech institute is better than any rb that has ever come out of WV. Please name me one RB out of WV, I’ll wait.
How do you start a journeyman from The football powerhouses Houston and WV over a RB from the U is beyond me. Now just for chits and giggles name me a rb from the U. Better yet, just name HOF rb from the U just to make it fair.
How does Lovie not understand this? I hate to use the word STUPID but I have a limited vocabulary and it’s the only word I can use to explain what I’m seeing here.
June 4th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Really like the guy, awesome attitude and everything and if that’s what we were solely judging than he’s probably the best RB on the roster. but in terms of talent he’s just not better than the guys ahead of him. Hence the reason why he is buried on the depth chart. If he sticks around he might have a shot at playing time if there are some injuries. Other than that I don’t expect to see much of him.
June 4th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
I agree. We seem to be very deep at RB. Including the rookie from Louisville. Hope he gets a shot too.
June 4th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
I remember Mike James when he was all- county at Ridge Community High School in Davenport. It’s not easy to be all-county in Polk County.
June 4th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo likes Miguel James (Hames)….Pablo thinks he’s a stud….but Pablo wishes Hames wouldn’t lower himself to being a “waterboy”…..Pablo thinks that he could be “America’s Waterboy”
June 4th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
“America’s Waterboy” has a name and it’s Bobby Boucher, Jr.
June 4th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
This article just pisses me off. This is the hardest downhill runner we have and after reading this it just makes me wonder why this guy isnt getting carries. A small part of me knows the coaching tanked last year for winston and knew james was what they want in a back….but than again they drafted sims and have publicky said its martins job to lose. I would like to see the best back get the most touches. If like to see the approach denver and baltimore took last year. When one guy doesnt perform for a game or two…NEXT MAN UP. Eventually forsett and cj anderson got theyre chances and took the job. The best back needs to get opportunities to show what he can do. Hopefully the best back wins whoever that may be but I doubt he gets a fair chance to show it during games aside for a touch here or there
June 4th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
By the way it wasnt the article itself that pisses me of just reminding me we have a good back burried on our roster does
June 4th, 2015 at 5:43 pm
FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told a FSU bud of mine when we got Graham that he would Love Graham by the end of his tenure………..He Did
Go Mike James!!!
June 4th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Unfortunately for James is that L&L drafted Charles “Bucs don’t need no Olineman” Sims last year. You all know how Lovie likes his favs. Such as when he had a hard on for Jenkins – wanting him to start at CB. Lovie can be blind
June 4th, 2015 at 8:54 pm
Lovie did not tank the season, mclown just lost the games.
Watch the tape and you’ll see there wasn’t one game they weren’t trying to win right up to the last second except the last game.
We were just horrific last year, simple as that!
June 4th, 2015 at 10:54 pm
It helped you? You did nothing to help us. BTW your getting buried.