Who Is The Sleeping Giant?
July 22nd, 2015
An unknown stenographer for FOX Sports selects a Bucs sleeping giant.
Joe likes to give credit where credit is due. But when Rupert Murdoch’s outfit is so ashamed of a reporter it hides his byline, what’s Joe to do?
That was Joe’s dilemma when an unknown typist for FOXSports.com wrote about who could be or would be the Bucs’ rookie sleeping giant.
Joe understands why FOX doesn’t want folks to learn of this typist. Said typist referred to past rookie sleeping giants as Victor Cruz, Doug Martin and Odell Beckham.
Now, hold up! Sure, Cruz was a surprise. But c’mon, you cannot include first round draft picks as sleepers. Anyone with a lick of football IQ knew Beckham was one of the top receivers in the draft. Joe would want to hide behind a grocery bag, too, after writing something so silly.
Still, this unknown typist made a compelling point for a Bucs rookie wide receiver to burst upon the scene. That would be Kenny Bell.
The rookie from Nebraska has some serious upside, even though he was only a fifth-round pick by the Bucs. While there have been rumblings that Bell could potentially push Louis Murphy out of the No. 3 wide receiver role, he’ll have some work to do in training camp.
While Bell’s a bit of a longshot to make that huge jump in his rookie season, if he can get time on the field then he’ll get his fair share of chances. When you’re out there with the likes of Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, it’s hard to not imagine that you’ll be looking at great matchups on a consistent basis.
One thing that really stands out about Bell is the fact that he was productive in all four years at Nebraska. He caught 32 balls for 461 yards and three scores as a freshman, then averaged 49.6 catches per season over the next three. He averaged 17.05 yards per catch during his sophomore and senior seasons, while dropping to just 11.1 during his junior year. Bell’s 18 touchdowns over his final three years are also impressive, and he may be the definition of a dark horse in this talented Bucs offense in 2015.
Thus far, through underwear football, Bell has done nothing to dampen the excitement of the Bucs. Barring injury (Bell sat out June minicamp with an undisclosed ailment), it’s difficult to imagine Bell not being in a Bucs uniform come Sept. 13.
And if all goes better than planned, Bell very well could usurp Louis Murphy as the team’s No. 3 receiver.
Joe is geeked to see what Bell can do catching passes from “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.
July 22nd, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Same thing a beat writer for N.O saints said a week or so ago. But go ahead nancy’s the floor is yours. It’s just funny folks that do this pro football thing for a living feel different from many of you. I wonder why.
July 22nd, 2015 at 12:19 pm
I love the speed that Bell has. It will will be perfect compliment to the size of VJax, ME and ASJ. This may well be the most talented offense the Bucs have ever put on the field. Not hard to do when you consider our history. But exciting none the less.
July 22nd, 2015 at 12:27 pm
If our Oline can just be average….we have great players & depth at all the skill positions….QB, WR, RB, TE
July 22nd, 2015 at 1:53 pm
And look what all these folks said about this team at this same time last year. I can’t imagine why fans are cautious right now. Show me first. Talk is cheap.
July 22nd, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Bell could very well have been a steal in the 5th round. I didn’t watch much Nebraska football so mainly going by reports and his highlight reel – but its exciting to think that we may have gotten a good receiver with a late round pick like that. Speed is always a good thing and Bell is apparently pretty fast – but what intrigues me the most is the reports of what a physical player he is for his size.
July 22nd, 2015 at 4:02 pm
Yea like they were suppose to come out and say hey everyone these guys will be tanking a season to garner they’re franchise QB. Not.
July 22nd, 2015 at 4:28 pm
2 hours later that’s the best you could do Nole? They had no more idea than anyone what would happen . So you really think they knew the Bucs were going to tank the season? Only management knows for now. maybe someday it will come out.
July 22nd, 2015 at 4:42 pm
The next victor cruz….even LOOKS like him!!!
July 22nd, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Anyone who needs to be told the bucs tanked last season or shown proof….must have been watching other games and just keeping track of the bucs score. Its was painfully obvious lovie was strategically throwing those games. I dont really give a crap what other fans think. I will put some serious skins on the bucs sweeping the falcons this season….possibly sweeping the panthers…but at the very least splitting with Car and NO. THIS IS THE YEAR
July 22nd, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Kenny Bell is a physical player as indicated in his run and screen game. Bell had the second-highest run blocking grade at the position by Pro Football Focus. Considering all the competition at WR this year, that is an accomplishment. Bell also possesses an extra gear downfield and has the ability to adjust to off-target throws. He is experienced as a kick returner, averaging 25.0 yards per return in college. Bell finished 3rd at the combine in the broad jump. His leaping ability and sure hands should make him a red zone target. Best fro since Randy Moss.
July 22nd, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Blah blah blah wake me up when they start winning some games
July 22nd, 2015 at 6:51 pm
If our Oline can just be average…
the Bucs reach my mark of 10-6 and one an done in the playoffs.
Next year we draft a DE and fill any leftover needs and continue to build depth so that we can be legitimate contenders in 2016.
July 22nd, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Easy, @Stpete. That has been my position since capt dirk n Winston came aboard. I don’t post much but yea i agree, 10-6… one and done in the playoffs. Shout out to @Kyle for giving me hell for such a claim. lol that was fun! I love the comment section sometimes more than the article because of u guys
EAT. BREATH. LIVE. DIE… BUCCANEER FOOTBALL!!!!
YO JOE!
GO BUCS!!
July 22nd, 2015 at 8:17 pm
The original “Kevin”…just leaving McClown at QB is all you need whether they were tanking or not. In fact I’m sure you us McClown as evidence in a court of law as far as the tanking goes.
July 22nd, 2015 at 8:18 pm
just leaving McClown at QB is all you need whether they were tanking or not. In fact I’m sure you could use McClown as evidence in a court of law as far as the tanking goes.
July 23rd, 2015 at 12:48 am
Oh yeah, it was major Tanking.
And its the first thing this team has done right in years.
Now- this year is where the fun starts.
Like I’ve been saying since the Draft- next year we add DE and Safety- plus Depth, and we really start the climb.
But still think we need need two more Vet -Olinemen, and one more DE, this offseason
Dont have to be superstars- just decent journeymen
July 24th, 2015 at 12:15 am
Saying that the Bucs tanked an entire season is ridiculous. They tanked against New Orleans in week 17 by pulling their best players after the first half. Where you guys come up with these delusions is beyond me