Too Early To Panic?
July 22nd, 2016
We are less than one week from the start of 2016 training camp. And a week from tomorrow, you too can watch the Bucs practice after climbing aboard Joe’s Training Camp Express.
In a breakdown of camp, Jenna Laine of BSPN threw out this little nugget:
Position battle worth watching: It’s a given that Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, but the third receiver spot is up for grabs. Louis Murphy is coming off a torn ACL. Bell can line up inside and on the outside. Adam Humphries is more of a true slot receiver, and he and Bernard “Speedy” Reedy can both contribute in the return game.
For Joe, it’s all about watching Murphy and how he rebounds from his knee surgery. This, to Joe, is critical.
Now Joe understands there are regular readers here who are no fans of Murphy at all. Joe thinks Murphy had his best season in the NFL under Dirk Koetter. The passing game of the Bucs never fully recovered from that dark day in Washington, you know, the Capitol Collapse, when Vincent Jackson and Murphy went down with injuries. The passing game perked up when Jackson returned, sure, but there was zero depth behind him without Murphy.
Joe knows the team is high on Adam Humphries. OK. But he can’t stretch the field or run deep routes like Murphy, and Humphries assuredly would be the No. 3 receiver if Murphy can’t go.
(Please, don’t get Joe started about misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteea Dye or read Joe the fairy tale of Kenny Bell this fine July Friday morning.)
If Murphy can’t bounce back from his knee surgery, then those dark clouds you see on the horizon aren’t just an approaching thunderstorm. That would leave the Bucs dangerously thin at receiver.
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:11 am
you can put down WR and TE for the 2017 daft for the Bucs!!! Its to bad that the Bucs are not further along, then maybe someone like Boldin would come as a #3 or #4, who is a solid receiver that is Great in run blocking as well!!! and this team does want its WR to run block!!!!!
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:13 am
I think they believe that Jameis will make the WRs better kinda like Peyton did in Indy. I mean who ever heard of Austin Collie or T.Y Hilton before Manning made them household names?
GO BUCS
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:25 am
I’m like 85% sure licht will grab a veteran WR before we face up against ATL
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:29 am
Good QBs make all the WRs look effective
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:29 am
couldn’t help but notice how teams like NE and ARI seem to build dynamic passing attacks and pile up a depth chart full of effective receivers despite the fact that most of the guys were nobodies before they got NFL snaps. I’m hoping Licht brought that formula with him and we are right to expect good things from previously unheralded WRs
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:30 am
and yes, part of that “formula” is a heady, effective QB
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:31 am
Wr is a need that should be addressed, but bucs realist I don’t see TE being a need this season, or a spot that needs addressing in this years draft. Between stocker, brate, and vitale I’d say that the bucs have good depth at TE. If ASJ would stop throwing fits, I think tb has a solid group of TE to work with.
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:31 am
The chick with the paper bag in the picture looks to have pretty good form.
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:35 am
^:)
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:40 am
Grab Anquan Boldin ASAP – we need the WR depth.
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:57 am
@Joe
Please tell me how playing 6 games and catching 10 of 18 targets for 198 yards is Louis Murphys best season in the NFL? And please explain to me how anyone could except that to be our #3 receiver. This is the first time Jenna Laine has made more sense than a fellow Bucs reporter
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
Hunch you may be right.
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
Ugh and you peg Humphries as a lock for #3!?!?!? What kind of fantasies are tossed around over where u work? Bell is the lock for #3. I know you have no eye for talent but open them a little, it’s pretty obvious.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:06 am
I like Louis Murphy but if we are counting on anything from him, we are making a big mistake.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:06 am
So look at the roster and tell Joe who is the No. 3 receiver if Murphy can’t go (hint: from talking to several Bucs types, the Bucs really, really, really like Humphries).
It surely isn’t the Stampeder.
Doubtful it is the Nebraska fairy tale.
It surely isn’t Benard Reedy.
Who then? Pretty obvious, isn’t it?
Joe doesn’t see Humphries as all that, but the Bucs do. Given how they like Humphries and how much he played last year, currently on this roster, he’s the No. 3 if Murphy can’t go.
Pretty obvious to Joe, sorry.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:07 am
It’s always possible the receiving corp can be better than fans think it is, nobody knows, but time for telling is near.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:08 am
Fsuking Says:
July 22nd, 2016 at 9:59 am
Ugh and you peg Humphries as a lock for #3!?!?!? What kind of fantasies are tossed around over where u work? Bell is the lock for #3. I know you have no eye for talent but open them a little, it’s pretty obvious.
——-
I get you’re a Gator hater but Bell is no lock for anything. He was close to getting cut last year. Only locks we have at WR are Jackson and Evans.
I’d love to know what NFL team you currently scout for.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:10 am
Joe’s just being fair. Murphy did little to nothing prior to last year and he really played well for Dirk Koetter.
Before last season, Joe would totally agree with you. Koetter (or Jameis?) got a lot out of Murphy.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:13 am
I really do not understand why Bell isn’t being given more time at returns. He was great at it before the NFL.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:17 am
Ben the Ga Buc Says
“Bell is no lock for anything. He was close to getting cut last year.”
LIE!!!!!
Bell was put on injured reserve last year before he had a chance to show his stuff. He was never in danger of being cut (unless it was to put him on the practice squad).
Before you make statements like that, at least do the research.
Bell is a return specialist. That’s what he is best at. Just like Michael Spurlock was. Why he isn’t being given a shot there, I have no clue. But if we want someone to actually score 3-6 TDs per year on returns, he is the one that could do it.
As to playing WR, I think he is a square peg being forced into a round hole. He can play the position well enough, but the Bucs are missing the boat on his true skills.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:19 am
I think a vet will be signed at some point. Just to buy a year.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:19 am
Look, Joe was banging the drum before the draft to pick a receiver. If it was Joe, he would have chosen a receiver in the second round over Robert Aguayo.
Just talking about what is on the roster now. Currently. Go surf through Joe’s (free) archives. Joe wasn’t sold on Murphy at all before last year. We’re talking about No. 3 receiver, not replacing Mike Evans.
Again, not sold on Humphries but Joe gets scolded by Bucs folks all the time when Joe brings him up. The Bucs really, really like him. Add that to how much he played, if Murphy is a no-go, it’s clear from the players currently on the roster Humphries would be No. 3.
Not saying that is a good thing at all. Just, that’s the way it is.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:24 am
This is why I was against the kicker pick. Stand pat and take Jon Bullard in the 3rd and Pharoh Cooper in the 4th.
@Joe…. Thanks for providing great stuff thru the painful dog days of June and July!!!
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:25 am
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
“Bell is a return specialist. That’s what he is best at. Just like Michael Spurlock was. Why he isn’t being given a shot there, I have no clue.”
I believe you are getting Bell confused with Kaelin Clay. Clay was drafted more for his return skills, Bell was drafted as a receiver.
As for the part about Bell getting close to being cut, Joe himself reported that Bell was “very much on the roster bubble” before his injury. If you feel that is misleading, take it up with Joe.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:27 am
(Ahem).
Bell had a chance to “show his stuff” in the final two weeks of training camp and in a preseason game before he was hurt. He did nothing.
Bell looked awesome in underwear football (yes, Joe was there to watch) and early in training camp. Then, the pads came on and Bell started to vanish.
When Bell went up against the first- and second-team defenses, he was invisible.
Joe’s willing to lay cash that if not for Jason Licht’s dad, Bell would have been cut. If he was an undrafted free agent, he would have been cut.
Joe likes the guy a lot . Cool hair. Smart dude. Hope he blows things up this summer. Right now, Kenny Bell is little more than a fairy tale. Great stories, a lot of hype, but zee-roe evidence to back up the feel-good, kiss-the-kids-goodnight stories.
Fellow Underwear Football MVP Tommy Streeter did more.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:31 am
Ben/Bonzai:
Bell was a very good gunner at Nebraska on punt and kickoffs teams. Thinking he has to do a little more than just be a gunner to lock up a roster spot.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:34 am
KENNY BELL HYPE! lol
BucRealist, BuccaneerBonzai, Buc1987 and I have the same total receptions as Mr production Kenny Bell…
When do we get our own 1 on 1 interview (quality time) with Casey Philips
#45yearoldvirginsexlivesmatter
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:35 am
It’s nice to see that we’ve identified the leader of the Kenny Bell Hype Machine on JBF.com, though.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:47 am
Interesting comments about our WR depth behind VJax and Mike Evans … or lack of it. Personally I think we have lots of depth for 3rd WR and beyond, just not in the WRs themselves. Neither Murphy nor Humphries nor Bell is likely to set the world on fire, although they should all contribute.
However, Bucs have some excellent potential receivers in Martin, Sims, Vitale, ASJ, Brate, and yes, even Stocker & Myers. Even a couple of other potential candidates (time will tell). The key I think is in Coach Koetter’s game planning and game management, and of course how well Jameis does this year.
July 22nd, 2016 at 10:47 am
Licht needs to enlist Jameis Winston to recruit Anquan Boldin to Tampa for a 2-year deal worth about $4M per season. Boldin is a Super Bowl Champion and an outstanding team leader; hopefully, his ties to FSU will draw him to Tampa to help ensure Winston’s ascension to a true Franchise QB.
July 22nd, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Charles Sims and/or Vitale may well be spending as much time lining up in the slot position as a 3rd receiver this year.
I think Kenny Bell is going to show us all that he belongs in the NFL and will do some good things.
Assuming Murphy is fully healed and ready to play come early September – our receiving core as the roster stands now will likely be:
Evans, VJax, Humphries, Murphy, Bell, Shepard
July 22nd, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Patience…..Patience…..Patience
We are waiting to see how Murphy recovers along with the progress of Bell, Humphries & Reedy.
It’s too soon to pull the trigger on a veteran WR….there are several available.
Picking up a WR now would take a roster spot away from a younger receiver and I’m not sure Licht/Koetter want to do that yet.
FYI….the sa
July 22nd, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Patience…..Patience…..Patience
We are waiting to see how Murphy recovers along with the progress of Bell, Humphries & Reedy.
It’s too soon to pull the trigger on a veteran WR….there are several available.
Picking up a WR now would take a roster spot away from a younger receiver and I’m not sure Licht/Koetter want to do that yet.
FYI….the same thing goes for the DT position.
July 22nd, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Hey at least licht got a stupid f&@king kicker!! Duh, he has balls and be a genius says buc homer.
July 22nd, 2016 at 1:38 pm
For those of you calling for the Bucs to pick up Anquan Boldin or Roddy White, as has been mentioned before, if they signed either now their contracts would be guaranteed in the event of injury. I want them to sign one of them too, but I believe it’ll happen after week 1. That will allow them to see what they currently have during training camp and after week 1 their contracts won’t be guaranteed. That’s what I believe their thinking is.
July 22nd, 2016 at 1:51 pm
@Lunchbox
To be fair, who would you rather give a guaranteed contract to, Boldin or Louis Murphy??? Boldin had a bad year with 69 receptions and missed 2 games last year. Louis Murphy has never been close to that in receptions (41) and has not had a 16 game season since 2012!!!!!
Problem with Boldin is that he wants to play with a contender!!!!
July 22nd, 2016 at 1:52 pm
@Lunchbox –
I disagree. We have a division opponent week 1 and we need depth before then, plus they’ll need some time to acclimate to the offense. Also, I’m completely ok with a guaranteed 1-year contract. We have enough cap space to handle it.
July 22nd, 2016 at 1:56 pm
I’ve never seen a fan base be so hard on a rookie over a couple pre season games. ITS PRE SEASON! Bell has plenty of talent, he was a brand new rookie, that redshirt year will help him immensely. Don’t get caught up in the 0 catches narrative that the Joes beat to death.
July 22nd, 2016 at 2:01 pm
I remember Jameis missed his first three passes in his first pre season game. BUST! Again, it’s pre season.
July 22nd, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Well..I am team Andre Davis, so I would love for him to get a shot at one of the spots..
We’re not going to get Boldin or Roddy..ain’t happening..they both want a SB bound team..even though I do believe we are close..Maybe when those so called SB potential teams don’t have the cap space or the need to get either one..then maybe, just maybe, they will lower their expectations down a bit..
But I think we have a chance getting Roddy over Boldin..
July 22nd, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Joes making to much Sence in the comments to argue with him. Not bad for a guy who speaks of himself in the third person.
July 22nd, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Not panicking… not even concerned. We have plenty of weapons, and some good candidates to develop into a #3 receiver. OK, so we don’t have any candidates who would eventually be a strong #2 receiver, but you can’t have everything.
July 22nd, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Bell Brigade reporting for duty, Sir! “Winston back to pass, over the middle…..caughhhhhhhhhhhhhhht Kenny Bell, Touchdown Tampa Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Tbbucs you can’t blame Joe he is so used to losing he doesn’t understand it takes patience and development to build quality football team.
July 23rd, 2016 at 4:01 am
I’m on the Kenny Bell bandwagon until proven otherwise. You have to remember he hasn’t played yet. He COULD be the next Jerry Rice. He’s the second fastest, potentially most agile, most versatile receiver we have. Plus he has the most natural hands and best hair on our team. And he’s got incredibly fresh legs. Adam Humphries works hard but has problems with athleticism that may never be overcome. Louis Murphy is the only active NFL player to catch a TD pass from JaMarcus Russell, desperately clinging to the notion that he still belongs in the NFL. Enough has been said about DD. Russell Shepard exists only to whack people on punt returns. Am I missing anyone who could be our 3rd string? Just return to this post around week 3 and tell me I was wrong. I have faith in anyone Licht spends a draft pick on
July 23rd, 2016 at 4:12 am
@Joe
“Doubtful it’s the Nebraska fairytale”
Just saying, I consider a guy who was fourth on his college team in receptions his senior year to be a fairytale. Not Nebraskas all-time leader in receptions and yards who’s father played in the NFL and one of the NFL’s top GMs though was worthy of a draft pick. He’s just a football player to me. That short, slow white guy who couldn’t crack his college teams starting lineup. Fairytale!