WR Depth Issues Grow Deeper
September 18th, 2016
Two down
Raise your hand if you think Vincent Jackson looks like a shell of himself through two games.
Joe’s hand is up.
Joe hopes V-Jax can snap out of it, but that’s two bad drops in two games for the Bucs’ $10 million receiver, plus V-Jax running a bad route that led to an interception last week.
His drop today in Arizona came late in the third quarter on a 20-yard pass from America’s Quarterback to the Cardinals’ 4 yard line. V-Jax got two paws on the ball and couldn’t squeeze it on third down.
The two-game totals for V-Jax are as follows: six catches on 16 targets for 62 yards and no touchdowns.
Ouch!
But those woes aside, newcomer veteran receiver Cecil Shorts made a gorgeous one-hand grab today for his first Bucs reception. However, a step or two after the catch, Shorts popped a hamstring. In the postgame locker room, Shorts said he told coaches when it happened and he got yanked from the game.
Shorts had hamstring trouble in his history when the Bucs wisely signed him just after opening day. They needed the depth and Shorts was a great fit.
Now two games into the season, Shorts has an issue, and V-Jax appears to be on a sharp decline.
Joe’s nearly in prayer asking the football gods to deliver a healthy Louis Murphy before November 1.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Promote the WR we got from the Ravens.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
make a call to tenn and see if we can trade him for Derrick Henry.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Maybe they could’ve drafted a wide receiver in one of the early rounds of the draft. I dunno, like maybe the second round.
September 18th, 2016 at 9:57 pm
While at the game today at one point V caught a ball and really didn’t receive much contact and went down like he was being chased by Ray Lewis, I just don’t see the fire in him so far this year. (cue Hawaiian for insulting comments). On a positive note the beer there was really cold and I drank many of them.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Humans age at different paces. Fitzgerald is 33 same age as VJAX.
33 is not ancient for a WR that never was known as a speedster. A half step on a possession receiver is not the same as a half step for Joey Galloway.
I can’t help but wonder if VJAX is nursing some injury and trying to play through it.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:06 pm
I don’t know what we end up doing but we need to do something at WR. If V Jax continues to look like this, we really might have to scale him back. He can’t be out there strictly as a decoy. He needs to produce. The first 2 games has seen M.E. producing at a high level but not much at all from V Jax except a ridiculous interception causing route and uninspiring play.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:08 pm
I dont want to hear about any of the receivers troubles from this week. Jameis was steaming hot garbage today
September 18th, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Hawaiian
In response to a previous comment of yours. I dont hate vjax. as a proud veteran i admire hin greatly. Vjax is arguably one of the top 3 free agent acquisitions in bucs history that being said he can no longer play at a nfl level much less take pressure off evans. You need to pick your battles better and stop with the BS I’m a better fan than everyone attitude. There is plenty of legit criticism for almost every player after the performance today. Being critical does not make one a lesser fan than you it just makes us realistic with highee standards. There is not a perfect player on the team nor is any player exempt frim criticism if their play warrants these are pros not tee ballers…
September 18th, 2016 at 10:19 pm
At least the team go their kicker.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Licht did Jameis and the offense no favors this off season
September 18th, 2016 at 10:26 pm
Jameis included tmax , or does he elude your strong criticism ?
September 18th, 2016 at 10:26 pm
Mike Williams, Clemson…..we’ll be picking in the teens and he’ll be there.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Michael Floyd will also be a free agent next year….bang bang!
September 18th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Chris
Jameis blew a$$ no doubt about it. No one is exempt.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
@Tmax
I luv ya bro but I think what Hawaiian is objecting to is the hyperbole.
You write off entire careers like that of GMC instead of a more balanced approach.
Sometimes it can be hard to understand your favorites. LVD was one of the very worst players on the field…he was out there right…he was freaking invisible but I do not say cut him or that he sucks and you do not seem to be worried.
Two games into this season seems premature to many of us to be making any definitive pronouncements. VJAX is struggling but so is his QB who has enjoyed one great game and one putrid effort.
I think everything..except the OL…was bad today. ME didn’t play that poorly other than losing that first one in the lights…he scored a TD on arguably the greatest CB in the game right now…the rest of the time the great CB played well.
We’ll be fine. The ball is not always going to bounce this poorly and #3 will not suck like this. Again imagine how the NFL hosed a team with confidence issues…first two games on the road…3 of the first five on the road and two of them the teams that played for the freaking conference championship and one of our home games against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
But look at the final 11…if we can beat LA and go into that final 11 2-3 we’ve still got a great shot at getting my ten wins.
Here is a question. How many of us thought and still think that this team will be a lot better the final half of the season as young players continue to grow and the D masters Smitty’s scheme? I think most here thought that before the season ever started. I see no reason to change now.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:49 pm
I’d say this game was more on Jameis than the wide receivers. At least 3 of Az’s scores were directly Jamis’s fault.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Stpetebucsfan
We knew last year it would be a stretch for vjax to make it back from 2 separate knee injuries yet lucht who i like for the most part did not address weapons for winston. Vjax has not just played bad these first two weeks he has looked embarrassing at best. Love the guy personally but it’s time for him to join you at the pinochle table at the retirement center.
I still think 9 wins but they need to puck up 2 wr ASAP shorts is hurt too
September 18th, 2016 at 11:12 pm
VJax is costing his team. With Evans blanketed by Peterson, our expensive #2 has to get open. He has to get his head in the game. Jameis is going to have games like the one today, like play makers (Rb’s, Wr’s, Te’s) have to step up. Evans was really the only playmaker doing anything, and again, this was while neing covered by the best Cb in the league.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:25 pm
When you use 2 premium picks on a kicker, you won’t have depth.
We are tall, but overall, no team speed on offense
September 18th, 2016 at 11:35 pm
Corey Davis, Central Michigan
Thats our dude 👌
September 18th, 2016 at 11:44 pm
@ LargoBuc
What do you want VJax to do, throw for Jameis? Even if VJax was wide open JW would have overthrown him. Jameis is the reason Shorts is hurt right now. He overthrew him but Shorts stretched out and caught it with one hand then pulled his hammy. Everyone is ragging on VJax but Jameis gets a pass for a 4 INT game again? Franchise QB’s usually take better care of the ball than that. America doesn’t want to watch a QB turn it over 5 times in a game.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:49 pm
Put nothing on WR this game after a terrible game buy Winston , maybe they are surprised ball hit them this game. Winston will bounce back and we will be alright.
Should have signed Benjamin from Cleveland when he was FA , speed and kick returner.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:51 pm
1-4 starting to look inevitable. Put your heads between your legs and hold on, Bucs fans, ’cause this plane’s a goin’ down fast.
September 18th, 2016 at 11:53 pm
Jameis is only as good as his running game, that was proven at FSU. And it was proven last season, Jameis is not that good against nickel or dime defenses. I know a lot of fans hate this comment, but it is what it is. Live with it and accept reality, at least you have the draft to look forward too. Wait a minute, Jason Licht will screw that up too. Lakeland is out
September 18th, 2016 at 11:57 pm
If only the Bucs had drafted a stud WR with that 2nd round pick instead of that terrible kicker…
September 19th, 2016 at 12:11 am
Amen, America’s Commenter, I’m with you on that.
September 19th, 2016 at 12:15 am
Can’t believe all the hate here dam it’s one game all of a sudden licht is bad Winston bad lvd bad jax bad come on guys calm the ….. Down
September 19th, 2016 at 12:36 am
Drafting for need gives us Noah Spence — 1 tackle so far in 2016
Drafting BPA would’ve given us Sterling Shepard — 11 catches 160 yards 1 TD so far in 2016
September 19th, 2016 at 1:42 am
Bucs suck
September 19th, 2016 at 2:07 am
Jameis was bad, but our highest paid receiver certainly isn’t helping. The receivers are almost as guilty as Jameis was today. Didn’t VJax drop a critical pass on third down, at a time when a comeback wasn’t yet completely out of the question? Yeah Jameis was bad, but help the kid out.
September 19th, 2016 at 2:39 am
If vjax was a dog they would be making plabs to put him down. He’s finished. Great free agent acquisition and tremendous person but his time is up. No shame in it. he had a great career but it’s over
September 19th, 2016 at 2:59 am
BigStinky
Part of the reason Jameis overthrows so much is because his #1 and 2 receivers are 6’5 behemoths whose main strength is their elite catch radius, not their ability to get separation. I think the lack of separation plays a huge factor in why he tries to force the ball where only the dunkaneers can reach it and ends up overthrowing it
September 19th, 2016 at 3:21 am
Im sorry how was tipped footballs Jameis’ fault??? Have you ever played football? If you are a WR and you can get a hand on a pass then you better catch it. Its your fault. But of course Jameis will take the blame because thats what kind of leader he is. And its fans like you that will think it really is his fault while his teammates will love him even more because they know its theirs.
September 19th, 2016 at 8:54 am
“Shorts had hamstring trouble in his history when the Bucs wisely signed him just after opening day.”
That’s debatable. I was against that signing from the start. The reason? Because he has never…NEVER…stayed healthy in a season. Every year of his career he missed time.
Jason Licht sucks at free agency.
September 19th, 2016 at 11:32 am
I love Licht and Aguayo.
But we really should’ve drafted a WR in the 2nd.
Next off-season…
Josh Gordan and Terrell Pryor need to be signed.
Mike Evans and Josh Gordon will give Jameis a chance at a Super Bowl.
Terrell Pryor will be our insurance in case either Josh or Mike go down.
Plus, Terrell Pryor and Mike Evans both train with Randy Moss in the offseason.
So it makes sense to unite them.