Vincent Jackson Aging?
June 24th, 2015
Vincent Jackson is your new “Z” receiver.
There is no crueler being than Father Time. Oh, you may feel 25 and your mind tells you that you are 25, but Father Time has a whole different perspective.
Father Time is unforgiving. He gives no quarter.
Bucs stud wide receiver Vincent Jackson, now 32, may feel 25, and Bucs fans may want to believe he is 25. But Father Time listens to no one.
So it is interesting that new Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has moved Mike Evans to an “X” receiver position and Jackson to a “Z’ receiver position. This will allow Evans more deep-field targets, but Adam Levitan of Rotoworld.com believes the move shows Jackson is in the unwavering clutches of Father Time.
Like so many receivers before him, Vincent Jackson is shifting into a Z and slot role as he enters his age-32 season.
This is not a bad thing. Jackson can wreak havoc on defenders. Imagine Jackson being matched up with a linebacker or a safety, as Evans was at times last year? That is just unfair.
Joe does know that the Bucs love — absolutely love — Jackson. Once they had their mind made up to draft “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, Jackson was going nowhere despite knocks on the door looking for a trade.
The way Jackson is a mismatch, he’s going nowhere.
June 24th, 2015 at 9:33 am
He’s not the same as he used to be but he is still damn good and a big mismatch. He is a huge asset to both jameis and evans. His numbers may drop but he is still very valuable and worth the high salary number!
June 24th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Now, if we just had a 3rd quality WR. Hopefully someone will step up and surprise us in camp. With the many misses the Bucs have had in trying to find that 3rd WR, just by the numbers one would think we are due to get lucky. And there is nothing better than getting lucky, right Joe?
June 24th, 2015 at 9:45 am
the only bad downside to V.Jax matching up on a linebacker is that most LB’ are probably faster than him. V.Jax is a solid #2 but he had already lost a step and a half by the end of last year. He still has good size and is a crafty vet but separation will be an issue this year even in the slot.
June 24th, 2015 at 9:50 am
Other teams still got to game plan for him which makes him valuable!
June 24th, 2015 at 10:09 am
I had to look up “X” and “Z” receivers. I’d better bone up on my “Football for Dummies” before the season starts.
June 24th, 2015 at 10:10 am
I am 47 yrs old and can still deck a roof faster than any 25 yr old I know. Fock Father Time!
June 24th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Keep talking about his lack of speed, he will still somehow manage to be a top ypc guy in the league, like he has been his entire career.
June 24th, 2015 at 10:15 am
vjax ha sido embrague para Tampa! Sólo espero que él no tiene que jugar la mayor parte del año a través de otra muñeca rota.
June 24th, 2015 at 10:33 am
32 is not old really. Then again, taking hits from faster younger elite athletes while running is a recipe for an aching body at that age.
June 24th, 2015 at 10:40 am
Holy crap offseason sucks. This year is finally going to be the one….the year the bucs become relavant again. Woooohoooo!!!!!
June 24th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Harry…….Kenny Bell
June 24th, 2015 at 11:53 am
Jackson’s speed has been suspect since he has been here… I have never seen a receiver get run down from behind as much as he has… He better not get much slower or he is done…
Not to mention his hands are suspect at times. I’ve seen more than a few passes bounce of the guys chest…
I bet our next first round pick will be another big, tall, fast receiver to replace the high priced V. Jax…
June 24th, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Really mac…I bet it’s a DE or another o-lineman.
Then again I won’t bet anything physical…I don’t have good luck with collecting on my bets.
June 24th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
V-Jax is a Stud! He’s in awesome shape and is still a mis-match for almost every DB in the NFL. I hope he plays another 3-4 years as a Buc.
Go Sucs!
June 24th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
he will go down as one of the best most consistent free agents ever top 3
June 24th, 2015 at 1:44 pm
You have 2 great receiving tight ends in Jenkins and Wright to go with one of the young guys in Bell. Koetter knows how to use the tight end so the receiving corps is not a worry unless injuries play a big role in game plans. Lets see how well the OC uses the players he has.
June 24th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
1987, look at the bright side, at least nobody has to read his posts anymore. He still may come through, with an excuse.
June 24th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Time is undefeated against the best athletes the world has ever seen.
Simple as that.
June 24th, 2015 at 2:11 pm
Despite all the “tall target” hype, speed is essential to creating passing lanes and mismatches. Big, slow WR’s were never the prototype for “slot” receiver.
Smallish, speedy guys with great routes and hands, like Wes Welker, come to mind.
Jackson also blocks really well and should be able to provide good blocks on running plays as well as being a hybrid TE (WR3?) on passing plays.
This smells like innovation on offense which is always welcome…if it works.
Stay Tuned….
June 24th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
If jacksons in the slot – look for him to pick LBs/CBs at the line and Simms to come free in a wheel route.
June 24th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
Ak427r- you don’t have any clue what you are talking about.
Again- so tired of the clueless
June 24th, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Mo- downs
If midget receivers are the answer, and idea why Vincent Jackson lead the league 4 years straight , in yards per catch?
No answer?
Didn’t think so
June 24th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
I guess that puts Evans at #1 spot. I bet Bell is the Bucs secret weapon.
June 24th, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Its time for Louis Murphy to put or shut up 7 years in the league its time to see if he can be the Harry Douglas for this Bucs offense that was in Atl that made Koetter’s offense dangerous. If not its time for a youth movement Kenny Bell,Kaelin Clay,Rannell Hall,Donteea Dye. Russell Shepard only stays around for his special team skills. Robert Herron out of Wyoming. The 5’9″ speedster had a productive four-year college career, managing 2,025 yards on 152 catches with 20 touchdowns. There are some questions about how he’ll hold up physically in the NFL and how he’ll deal with contact, which is why he’s available this late.( Its do or die Robert)
June 24th, 2015 at 7:52 pm
@ 1987
I could see a DE but not another lineman… It will depend on where we pick and who is available when we do…
Jackson is turning 33 next year and we don’t have anyone (that is very good) to play the slot… Not to mention our depth…