Sniffing Sanu
February 9th, 2016
Ever since the looming free agency frenzy at One Buc Palace was revealed, Joe has been studying the crop likely to be available when the dinner bell rings on March 9.
Louis Murphy had major knee surgery in November. Vincent Jackson is old. Donteea Dye is CFL-caliber. Adam Humphries is a quality No. 5 receiver. And Mike Evans is an extraordinary talent with a bad case of Vaseline hands.
If you don’t think the Bucs need help at receiver, then Joe suggests you see a physician.
One guy that might be a strong fit is Mohamed Sanu, the 26-year-old Bengals wide receiver who was their No. 3 or No. 4 man last year. He fixed his hands after a brutal Vaseline stretch early in his career (Perhaps he can counsel Mike Evans?). Sanu caught a whopping 33 of 49 balls thrown his way in 2015, and he’s performed plenty of good work in the slot.
Plus, he thrived under Greg Schiano at Rutgers. So you know he won’t have a breakdown if Dirk Koetter screams at him.
At 6-2, 215 pounds, he’s a big target with 34 starts under his belt for good football teams.
Joe has no idea whether Sanu will re-sign with the Bengals, but they have plenty of receiving talent and might not want to pay him. Sanu seems like the kind of guy the Bucs could snag with a modest three-year contract.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:08 am
I’ve watched him at Rutgers. This guy can make plays. Especially like the fact he’s versatile. Maybe a real gem in the mine Joe.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:14 am
That’s not happening. Cincy won’t let both marvin jones and Sanu walk. They goin to resign sanu since he is more important in that offense. We have a better chance at marvin jones which I still like as our #3
February 9th, 2016 at 11:15 am
Travis benjamin!!!!
February 9th, 2016 at 11:19 am
Agree Joe. I’ve seen him in several games with the Bengals. He was a very competent complimentary receiver to Green. As long as we’re not delusional like the Alvin Harper days. What a disaster. We brought in Harper, Irvin’s complimentary receiver, and expected him to be #1.
Another thing I like about Sanu is unlike Harper he is probably comfortable with his role on the team. There won’t be any anxiety with ME because he’ll still be the #1 guy…unless he keeps the vaseline hands.
I think our WR group is a bit like our OL last year heading into the season. We were all freaked about who will protect #3 and they turned out pretty well.
This year we’ll grip a bit on the WR’s, for the reasons you mentioned Joe, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see our WR’s turn into a very good unit, just like our OL last year.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:27 am
Cincy won’t let him walk.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:27 am
Can an old guy like Anquan Boldin still be productive or am I being a total FSU homer? Guys like him don’t really get old, he’s nfl man of the year and can be yet another mentor for the messiah.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:30 am
A healthy VJax, a mature Evans, FA like Sanu and some promise from Kenny Bell isn’t shabby.
That said, we need to draft VJax’s replacement this year and pick up a capable FA with some speed.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:32 am
We’ve got enough money and sunshine to get Sanu. He’s stand a better chance getting a playoff win here too.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:33 am
We need to add 4 new wrs to the 53 man roster. Shephard and dye dont belong in this league. I would like to see Koetter carry 6 WRs. One being a returnman also.
Evans
Jackson
New guy
New guy
New guy
humpheries can fight for a roster spot with a new guy.
And if cap gets to be a problem then release jackson and replace him too. Our wr situation is not in a good place. Evans is the only lock to return next season for our WRs.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:44 am
Riley Cooper is also available right now and couldn’t hurt as a depth WR
February 9th, 2016 at 11:52 am
Pass. Lotta drama, sinking results. Worst thing for Cooper (and Bucs) is to return home to play.
Cooper might want to resume his baseball career.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:55 am
Joe loves Kenny Bell but Joe also has to be honest: What did Kenny Bell show after the first two weeks of training camp that he belongs in the NFL? Only reason he’s still on the team is he got hurt and the Bucs hope the extra time with the club might give him an edge to make the final-53 this fall. Bell was completely invisible in preseason.
Joe hopes Bell becomes a stud but right now that’s just wishful thinking. Surely can’t base this on performance.
February 9th, 2016 at 11:57 am
@joe
Valid points. His production has tapered off the past 2 seasons
February 9th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Can he catch a football? If so I would say it is an instant upgrade over the pass-dropping corps we have now led by none other than the whiner-in-chief Mike ClaytonEvans!
February 9th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Travis Benjamin!!! He has the speed to be that deep threat as he runs a 4.3 and displayed multiple times last year, he went to the U and he would be a cheaper option.
February 9th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
I, personally, think that was done with the drafting of Bell last year.
I don’t disagree, though, that although we should sign a FA WR (I’d prefer Benjamin from CLE, but I don’t see Hue allowing him to walk).
February 9th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Again, someone has to show Joe what Bell has done to deserve these accolades. Joe wants Bell to succeed, but what has he done outside of practicing against beer truck drivers to demonstrate a roster spot much less be considered VJax’s replacement?
Joe can find fast guys at a high school track meet. Doesn’t mean they are NFL receivers.
February 9th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
All the message board chatter about Kenny Bell from Bucs fans is hilarious. He didn’t impress in his limited time and doesn’t have a NFL body
February 9th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
@DB55
I like Boldin so I have no trouble with your take. Ironically though since I was one who really wanted to make sure on the character issues with #3 during the draft due diligence…he has completely won me over.
I think #3 has grown up a LOT. I’m not sure he really needs any more mentors.
In fact he is the LEADER this year and he will be the one mentoring a lot of our players.
February 9th, 2016 at 12:41 pm
SPBF
you can never have too many positive influences in your life. As much as I love JW he is only 21-22? So surrounding him with great NFL players/men will only help him.
The question is can we afford Boldin? Do we want to pay 6-8 mil a year for an old guy?
February 9th, 2016 at 12:47 pm
Wow Joe no mention of Kenny Bell
Kenny Bell caught zero balls in preseason and didn’t play in the regular season. What do you want Joe to say? –Joe
February 9th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Maybe a fair point about Bell. A splendid splinter destined for the IR early.
I was only banging the drum for Bell in hopes that he can contribute since we spent a pick on him. That’s all. Find somebody, anybody better and it’s all good.
I’d be on board for Travis Benjamin but don’t see the woeful Browns being outspent here.
Rishard Matthews, Ruben Randle and Marvin Jones are all worth a look too.
February 9th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
WR Wish list:
Percy Harvin – cancer? Yes but that speed though.
Alquan Boldin – old? Yes but productive. NFL man of the year!
Sanu – doubtful Cleveland will let him go
Alshon Jeffrey – meh
Travis Benjamin – I have no clue who he is
Laquon Treadwell –
February 9th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Thank you Joe! So many posters talk about Bell like he is a stud. His injury was not season ending but they decided to put him on IR rather than release him. Did nothing on the field before he was shelved. Pretty sure this guy won’t be on the team at the start of the 2016 season.
February 9th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
@Joe,
It’s true that he didn’t get the opportunity to produce.
I still believe he was drafted with the intention to be Jackson’s replacement and will get the opportunity to show that this year (hopefully). I want to believe that was part of the reason they were OK with putting him on IR. They knew they had Jackson for at least one more year.
This doesn’t change the fact that we still need to find more bodies at the receiver position, just that I believe that their intention is for him to be Jackson’s replacement…
…and in theory, Evans is really Jackson’s “replacement”. They’re most likely looking at Evans as the #1 receiver, as Jackson was in San Diego and here, before Evans was drafted.
I’m still hoping for Benjamin, even though I don’t think Jackson will let him leave.
February 9th, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Percy Harvin – I’m more worried about his ability to stay on the field that the cancer that he is in the locker room. It would solve our returner issues, though, so I’d be all for that.
Anquan Boldin – I’d support bringing him in if they had plans on letting Jackson go. Otherwise, I’d rather get someone younger and let Jackson be their mentor.
Sanu – I think you meant Cincinati, but you’re general point is correct.
Alshon Jeffrey – I don’t think Chicago will let him go
Travis Benjamin – Clevelands leading receiver. kid has wheels
February 9th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
For me, the #1, #2 and #3, x,y,z etc. is less important on the field than in the playbook since you don’t always know what the coverage will be.
Sure, you take the primary read and all, but I’m throwing to the guy that’s open.
February 9th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Celly, thanks
February 9th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
We need speed to compliment Evans, Vjax and AsJ and Brate. Humpheries showed flash, let him fight it out with whoever we bring in. But this offense needs pure speed.
And to the national heads, I would be dissapointed if we let VJax go. We could use his veteran pressence for another year
February 9th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
Keep VJax. His mentor skills are important, too. Also, Humphries is a solid #3, slot, #4 receiver. He might be a little short, height-wise, but he catches the ball over the middle. He also is intelligent.
February 9th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Joe Says
“Joe loves Kenny Bell but Joe also has to be honest: What did Kenny Bell show after the first two weeks of training camp that he belongs in the NFL? Only reason he’s still on the team is he got hurt and the Bucs hope the extra time with the club might give him an edge to make the final-53 this fall. Bell was completely invisible in preseason.
Joe hopes Bell becomes a stud but right now that’s just wishful thinking. Surely can’t base this on performance.”
I have to agree.
I wanted Bell here…as a returner. He was never given a chance to prove himself though. I never expected much from him as a pass catcher. Purely returner duties.
February 9th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Sanu is a BEAST!!!!! I thought last season was the first season the bengals fully utilized him. Damn if he were here that would add another big weapon to this team. I am still very eager to see what kenny bell brings to the table. I see him as being a dangerous threat getting open deep down field the way he can shake guys off.
February 9th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I enjoy and agree with many of the above post…..but does anyone else think maybe the team needs to focus more on the defensive side of the ball??? Just Saying.
February 9th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Ive always liked this guy despite the one bad yr.
February 9th, 2016 at 7:57 pm
GhostofSchiano Says:
I enjoy and agree with many of the above post…..but does anyone else think maybe the team needs to focus more on the defensive side of the ball??? Just Saying.
———————————–
Fair question. As Buc fans, we’re starved, no famished, for an offense that can put up points. We prefer to win games by being explosive, not demanding your defense score points too.
On the D, personally I think we have some very nice pieces in place and that much of the problem was the staff. And henceforth, a poor attitude.
But there are needs. I’d love to drop a thumper Mike in there and let Qwan and LVD blitz.
February 9th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
The key guy here is VJax. He doesn’t really have to be a 1000 yard receiver but he provides a legit threat that can only help Evans. As long as he is full go next year the Bucs should take a shot at one of these WRs. I would bring Lance Moore in…. I hated his productiveness in NO.
February 9th, 2016 at 9:30 pm
I said this weeks ago. Sanu or his teammate Marvin Jones would both be great fits. Sanu is one of the most athletic players in the NFL. Signing either guy would be a great move.
And I would put V Jax in the slot like Arizona did with Fitz. That is if he is on the team next season. If you hear him talk, he wants to return. So its in the Bucs court. I would keep him there for one more year to be a mentor. If we get 600-700 yards and 4 or 5 TDs. I think that would be just fine at this point in his career.
February 9th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Kenny “Larry Brackins” Bell
February 9th, 2016 at 10:21 pm
I’ve BEEN beating the Marvin Jones/Muhammed sanu drum for close to 2 months. Either one would look great in this offense, and give JW another reliable weapon.
Also look into Jakeem Grant wr Texas tech. Tell me this guy is not a legit return man/home run hitter.
Late round prospect
February 10th, 2016 at 1:27 am
You guys are CRAZY. Cincy are not letting him go. They will pay him…
February 10th, 2016 at 2:02 am
I’d rather get Marvin Jones, he’s a good number 2 and can fill in for Vjaxs who at most has 2 years of production left in him. I expect licht to draft a WR within the first 4 rounds and target some free agents. It looks like we have built a solid offensive that will improve and now we need depth at WR, Dye got too much playing time last year, expect him to be waived or bumped down to practice squad under the this staff.
February 10th, 2016 at 9:53 am
We need SPEED! we have no home run hitters in this offense. Add a guy like travis Benjamin to this offense and it brings a whole new dimension. We have enough slot guys we need someone who can stretch the field. The last guy we had that did that was the great J.Galloway.