Potential Free Agent Targets?
June 29th, 2016
Could free agent WR James Jones help the Bucs?
Just because we are mere hours away from the Fourth of July weekend — Joe gets all giggly thinking about it — doesn’t mean a team can’t gorge still at the free agent trough.
Remember last year at this time, two guys not on the roster eventually became Bucs starters on the offensive line. So it’s common for unemployed players, or those cut in training camp, to find new NFL employers.
Joe Kania of Buccaneers.com looked at three guys currently unemployed that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht may be eyeing while enjoying a cold beer this weekend: defensive end Dwight Freeney, wide receiver James Jones and guard Jahri Evans. Joe will focus on Jones.
The Buccaneers have depth at the wide receiver position, but they’re still a young group. Between Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, the Bucs know who their starters on the outside will be. Adam Humphries, Donteea Dye, Kenny Bell and Louis Murphy, among others, will be competing for the third slot. So why take a look at Jones? For starters – he caught eight touchdown passes last year, which were twice as many as any Buccaneer. He also brings nine years of experience, which is more than Evans, Humphries, Dye and Bell have combined. If the price is right, keep an eye on Jones to find a home during camp.
Yeah, the Bucs have depth at wide receiver, if you define the word “depth” liberally. Sort of like saying Refrigerator Perry is big-boned.
The Bucs are deep at wide receiver in question marks and schlock. Yes, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are your starters. Some within the organization really get excited about Adam Humphries, OK, fine. After that, yeesh.
Joe loves Louis Murphy, but he was unable to take part in underwear football because of his November ACL knee surgery. Who knows if he can bounce back? Then, the Bucs are looking at misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteea Dye and long-shot Bernard Reedy.
And no, until or unless he makes one play in pads against the first or second team defense or in a preseason game, expecting Kenny Bell to be a key cog is like expecting a call at work today from Rachel Watson, cooing you to share a beach hotel with her this holiday weekend while you both frolic in the surf by day and wrestle between the sheets at night.
If someone wants to call that “depth,” knock yourself out.
Jones is not Jerry Rice. Hell, he’s not even Randall Cobb. And Joe has a tried and true steadfast formula that you don’t sign anyone who Ted Thompson lets walk away. The yoda of NFL general managers has an all-too-keen sense of when to let players go.
Still, it’s difficult for Joe to believe Jones, who caught 50 passes last year and was tied for the Packers’ team lead with eight touchdowns catches, wouldn’t be an upgrade over Dye.
There must be a reason Jones, who was targeted 99 times by Aaron Rodgers, is still looking for work. Those 50 catches were his lowest in five years. Maybe those low catch numbers and his age (32) don’t add up to more productive years?
On face value, would Joe like Licht to sign Freeney, who played for the Cardinals last year? Sure, why not? Can’t be worse than houseplant sackless George Johnson. But is there room on the roster?
Remember, Licht and Cardinals general manager Steve Keim are very tight. So you know Licht, if he were remotely interested in Freeney, has solid intel. You also have to ask, why doesn’t a playoff team like Arizona want him back?
As for Evans, Joe would be shocked if the Bucs signed him. The Bucs just dropped a wad of cash in the lap of J.R. Sweezy, and the team is far from throwing in the towel on third-year man Kevin Pamphile, who showed good promise last year.
Now if Evans could play center — he hasn’t taken a snap there in college or the NFL — that might change things. And yes, Joe would prefer Evans over Evan Smith.
June 29th, 2016 at 8:22 am
Not really sure how “Jameis Jones” can really help this offense. . . but I think a “Cup of Joe” could really help Joe this morning. Lol
June 29th, 2016 at 8:30 am
I’m all for the Bucs signing another receiver, nothing about Jones gets u excited except maybe his 8 TDs, but let’s not forget who was throwing to him and the pass happy offense he was in as well. Imo I doubt Licht will sign him or any receiver at this point unless there’s a injury ofcourse. It may look like we have depth now but soon as one of our main guys ggo down (wich history says they will) then we could be in the same scenario as last season when we had Dye and Humphries opposite of Evans. Ughh. Dot remind me. I think we already have a player similar to Jones in Murphy Jr but I don’t trust that knee one bit. He’s shown he can be a productive slot guy but can’t be counted on unfortunately. But IDK if Jones is any better than signing Roddy white who is already familiar with Dirk’s offense. The one guy who still intrigues me tho is Dwight Freeney. I’m suprised no one has snatched him up yet. The man had 8 sacks in limited playing time last year and would fit right in that same role here in Tampa, not to mention tutor and teach guys like Spence & Gholston a thing or two.
June 29th, 2016 at 8:34 am
PASS.
The man is 32 and he has never even gotten past the 1,000 yard mark. I mean, sure…he might be a better option than Roddy White, but at this point I would rather see us bring in younger guys.
These “quick fix wide receivers” will do nothing but buy us a year. Frankly, I’m sick of quick fixes. I want to win, and I want to feel like we are going to win for years. Not one year.
That said, the wide receiver group has the most positions available on the team, so if any group were to have two old guys, I suppose that’s the place.
June 29th, 2016 at 8:36 am
I hope Licht has his eye on someone to upgrade the 3rd WR position. Obviously it was not Roddy White, who had 43 catches, 1 TD last year. Based on that, Jones would be even better. I hate not giving Jameis every possible weapon, especially when they would not cost much.
Funny you brought up The Fridge. It is sad what I read about Perry yesterday. Way over 400 lbs, heavy drinking, broke, in a home…
June 29th, 2016 at 8:36 am
@DemBoyzFromDaBay727
Jones has much better recent stats than White, and is two years younger. So I suppose I would consider him over White, though you make a good point about the offense and QB he played with.
June 29th, 2016 at 8:52 am
Rachel Watson :0
June 29th, 2016 at 9:06 am
??’s and schlock backing up the main recieving core, true there is really no proven force there to feel comfortable about, fairly weak spot needs attention. Not to doubt that a surprise or two may develop as reliable options. Not much to make me want to whistle Dixie.
June 29th, 2016 at 9:17 am
How about defensive tackles since the team has only 3-4 on the roster and i think they all were injured at some point last year for a few games
June 29th, 2016 at 9:19 am
Joe
You keep using the term “bounce back” or I belive “return to forrm” to describe Murphy. How does bouncing back from injury to a below average receiver help the bucs. You speak like Murphy is accomplished. His career stats are not going to frighten anyone. I get he’s a nice guy and one of those local feel good stories but if Murphy makes bucs roster the team is in a world of hurt at that position. He gets hurt every year. He does not play special teams which is crucial for a 5 or 6 receiver. He’s basically a one trick pony with a long injury history. For those who think he is a 3 or 4 go luck at his stats and then some legit 3 you will be in for a big surprise. There is a reason Murphy spent the start of 2 seasons on the couch and only the bucs came calling. Murphy is a waste of time and valuable practice reps.
June 29th, 2016 at 9:23 am
Glad to see that posters aren’t screaming “SIGN HIM, SIGN HIM” when Joe(s) throw out these names of guys who should be seriously contemplating retirement…..
June 29th, 2016 at 9:37 am
Speaking for Pablo
“The last thing Pablo needs is for Hames Hones to be a Buc. Pablo has been working on his “Js”…….Pablo has a tutor helping Pablo……Pablo thinks Hason needs another weapon for Haboo added to Hackson, Evans & Henkins. Hermaine Kearse is available but that only helps Pablo a bit”
June 29th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Yes, for his career, Murphy is below average, correct. However he may have had his best year last season playing under Koetter. Was a true No. 3 WR. No, not the best No. 3 receiver in the NFL, but the best the Bucs have had in a while. Certainly better than the Stampeder.
June 29th, 2016 at 9:58 am
Joe
Fair enough… I am scared to death the way bucs are gambling at wr… I’m pulling for Humphries and Bell to develop. Obviously the key to wr is vjax not missing games that will allow bell and Humphries some time to grow. Having a qualified wr coach should help bucs reclevers get to the next level
June 29th, 2016 at 10:00 am
Bingo!
June 29th, 2016 at 10:00 am
Jones has been my fantasy sleeper for a while and he was great last year. He is a baller. and if we get him cheap he would be an excellent spell for VJ and/or splitting time at 3/4th string
June 29th, 2016 at 10:24 am
There is no real financial reason for us to avoid picking up a FA WR…..we have the cap space…….I am quite certain that we have high hopes for at least two of our younger WRs to not only make the roster but excel……they would be Humphries & Bell. We don’t want to give up a roster spot and put one of them on the practice squad unless we have to.
I suspect our FA WR acquisition to be a very late decision if at all.
June 29th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Also….If Murphy fails to recover early….that could trigger a pickup….
June 29th, 2016 at 10:35 am
It better!
June 29th, 2016 at 10:47 am
We need to find our next Ike Hilliard, dude was a 1st down machine in the passing game.
June 29th, 2016 at 11:04 am
Pablo… I’m still trying to figure out why the Spanish pronounce J as H.
June 29th, 2016 at 11:08 am
^^^Agreed Beer! All Hilliard did was make 1st downs. Wasn’t the saying “3rd and Ike”?
I see people screaming for a speedster and that’s all fine and good, if he can catch. I don’t think we need an Olympic sprinter if we have a guy that can move the chains.
Don’t get me wrong, it can’t hurt to have speed. I’m just saying that on 3rd and whatever, just make it to the sticks.
As far as Jones or any FA, if it helps the team pull the trigger. This is a “win now” league (and team!).
Go Bucs!
June 29th, 2016 at 11:18 am
The 2016 NFL Draft was loaded with receivers, and we’re going into camp on a prayer. Praying that VJAX and Louis Murphy can stay healthy, I hope Evan Spencer can rise up during the preseason.
June 29th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Precisely T-Max. I haven’t given up on V-Jax at all. His injuries last season weren’t”old man” injuries. Any young buc would have been sidelined. Jackson is a Tony Gonzalez type. The type that takes great care of his body and he’ll still be able to beat single coverage and he still can really hurt teams who want to foolishly play zone. If 83 stays healthy, this offense is going to be the best we’ve ever seen in Tampa.
June 29th, 2016 at 11:47 am
Joe, Jones/white/cotchery are washed up. Might as well let youth gain experience in the last spot. I am not a Humphries fan but let him compete with Bell and Reedy for the starting slot position. I thought Hawley was the starting C.? God help us if thats the case…he nearly got Jameis killed in indy last year, Joe. Id take Evans at center if thats the case!
June 29th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
@bucfan37
Speaking for Pablo
“How about Jose, Javier…for example”
June 29th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
You may be the only one that prefers EDS over Hawley.
June 29th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
@ Bucfan37
“To answer your question, Pablo has no idea…..Pablo thinks it may have started with the baby Jesus (Hasus)…….Pablo also wonders why the J coupled with the U is pronounced as a W…..as in Juanita and Juarez…….Pablo has always thought that English was wrong until he joined Hoe Buc Fan”
June 29th, 2016 at 12:49 pm
I thought Hawley was the starting C.? God help us if thats the case…he nearly got Jameis killed in indy last year, Joe. Id take Evans at center if thats the case!
You may be the only one that prefers EDS over Hawley.
———————————————————–
“Now if Evans could play center — he hasn’t taken a snap there in college or the NFL — that might change things. And yes, Joe would prefer Evans over Evan Smith.”
No, I thought you meant you’d prefer Evans over Smith at Center…I should have clarified by using Smith’s name…..as Smith nearly had Winston killed (think Remmers vs. Von Miller in the Super Bowl nearly decapitating Cam) in Indy. Hawley played well for us at Center….though depth is key.
June 29th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
@tmaxcon
I agree with you on Murphy. I said the same thing the other day.
June 29th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Hawley is a great center. We DON’T need to replace him at all.
June 29th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
i still say Anquan Boldin is the guy we want. Toughest receiver and best locker room guy ever.
June 29th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
He’ll sweat to death trying to wear his hooded sweatshirt under his pads in Florida.
June 29th, 2016 at 3:08 pm
No JW wants Hawley at Center. Evan was talking smack when the rookie got to one Buc. He did a interview saying the vets would put 3 in his place. We seen who got put in there place. I think Evan is better at playing center because Hawley looks a bit clumsy out there. During film study I witnessed him stumbling around more then once. On JW miracle run in the Alanta game go back and watch Hawley. I asked myself what is he doing. Look at Dig Doug top ten runs and focus on him. I can’t put my finger on it. Sometimes it looks like technic then it looks like his mind is faster then the body. Then I say IDK what it is.
June 29th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Joe don’t start filtering the truth. I didn’t use any profanity or Ebonics. I was politically correct.
June 29th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
If we picked Boldin up that would instantly put us on the best receivers in the league list. Vincent, Mike and Anquon please we would kill it. Interchangeable parts at the X the Y and the Z. That’s a no brainier.
Joe would Vick be a good Back up QB if we trade MG8? Does he know Koetters offense or has he play against M.Smith defense in Camp?
June 29th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Yeah, how dumb was that? The Bucs draft the franchise and EDS, of all people, got all indignant.
June 29th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Wouldn’t go that far, but the offensive line clicked with him at center.
June 29th, 2016 at 8:42 pm
I would take Jones over Roddy White, but Jones was also always a great fit in gb. Cant believe they dont want him enough to put him on the roster. He wasnt any good when he left gb so im not sure
June 30th, 2016 at 8:40 am
Lol don’t think he’ll be rocking the Hoodie under his pads here…