“Home Run” Threat High On List, Koetter Says
January 10th, 2017
Wants juice badly. DeSean Jackson?
How fitting it is for the man wielding the official Bucs “big mother f%$^’n stick” to talk about scoring a “home run” this offseason.
That’s winning head coach Dirk Koetter.
And yes, Koetter pushed a big stack of the chips into the pot when addressing the receiver position on the Buccaneers Radio Network last week.
Bucs fan Gary in Pinellas Park: I think on offense some speed at the wide receiver position would really help Jameis’ development. I just want to get your take on that.
Dirk Koetter: Absolutely. Could not agree more. You know, it was unfortunate when we lost Vincent Jackson and, you know, we had to fill in with some guys. And it’s nothing against them, but we definitely would love to add a guy with some home run speed on the opposite side of Mike [Evans], I totally agree. I think it would help Jameis a lot. And it’s very high on our priority list. I can promise you.
DeSean Jackson anyone? He’d be awfully expensive after his strong year in what’s potentially a relatively weak class of free agent receivers.
But the 30-year-old can still fly, as was spelled out in December by BSPN and Redskins head coach Jay Gruden.
Jackson’s speed remains his best asset — he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the 2008 combine, and if he’s not currently at that speed, he’s close. Jackson often leaves a little in reserve on a route, allowing him to separate from defensive backs down the field.
“He’s not slowed down at all,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. “Sometimes when he’s jogging it looks like he’s running 100 miles an hour. He’s got great speed, obviously. He’s got great quickness and still has unbelievable hands. And that’s what you take for granted. You think of him just as speed guy, but some of the catches he made against Carolina, you saw the great hands and the great ball control and body control that he has. Exceptional player.”
Big decisions ahead for Koetter and general manager Jason Licht, the man sitting on the massive pile of salary cap cash available for 2017.
January 10th, 2017 at 10:53 am
I like Jackson, his health would be my primary concern. I would prefer Kenny Stills as a close 2nd to DeSean.
January 10th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Maybe the home run threat Licht trades up for in the 2nd is a long snapper
January 10th, 2017 at 11:00 am
And folks think these waiting around til draft night for a #2 WR. Free agency will tell us everything we need to know about the approaching draft.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:04 am
DJax wouldn’t and couldn’t play for Tampa, he too much of a thug. He likes to win and doesn’t tolerate losing. The “real buc fans” and media will want to kick him off the team bc of his attitude. His smile is just not big enough for the Tampa market. #Thug
January 10th, 2017 at 11:06 am
^^^^^ what he said
bucs have to win in all phases of the game this year…. Free Agency, Draft, PreSeason and Game Day
I am not sold on Jackson being reliable and healthy but there is no question he takes the top of the defense just lining up. He would really open up things nicely for evans, brate and jameis. Either way bucs need a PROVEN number 2 and a speed guy at wr.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Desean Jackson is overrated, but yes i would not object, but there is 2 other WRs that fit the offense better and give more value.
1.) Ter. Pryor
Just peaking in his career at WR. Runs a 4.38 40, is 6’3 so we still keep our big bodied WR lineup, and is only 27…
2.) Taylor Gabriel
I just watched this dude this year but he is the type of player im almost positive dirk koetter wants. Plus weakening the falcons is a win win plus he is young aswell.
3.) Is where i would put D jackson, only because he is older, more milage and already peeked in his career and could cost more then both WRs above. plus he gets hurt evert year…
January 10th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Let’s get DJax. We have the cash and he is a proven vet. Still draft a solid potential #2 at WR at pick #19.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:15 am
The more I think of it the more I like the idea of Jackson. Maybe we get the more mature, vet savvy, post 30 version of him but still with big play ability. I don’t see how it would hurt bringing him in and drafting another guy in his mold in the early rounds. Between him, Evans and Winston our passing game would definitely have some “swag”.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:28 am
I would take a shot at the young guys. Like Robert Woods, Terrelle Pryor, Kendall Wright.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:29 am
Sign Jackson and Patterson. Draft
1st: Solomon Thomas
2nd: juju smith-Schuster
3rd: Budda baker
4th: Samje Perine
5th: ol
6th: ol
January 10th, 2017 at 11:31 am
Still rather have Pryor 4.39 speed, younger can grow with Jameis, can you imagine Pryor or Evans going against a number 2 cornerback, they would wreck this league, besides JW overthrows 6’5 targets all the time, Desean isn’t the biggest guy
January 10th, 2017 at 11:33 am
DJax is a thug? Maybe once upon a time but I haven’t heard or seen anything from him recently to suggest he’s still the same immature receiver. I’ve been pining for Desean ever since VJax went down. VJax looked like a slower version of himself even before the injury. It’s probably safe to say that VJax is either gone or will be reduced to a WR4. No such slowdown for DJax and after seeing Grimes play at such a high level at the age of 59, I believe there is plenty left in the tank for a 30 year old DJax. I like K Stills but he’s a cheaper, less explosive version of DJax and too many mistakes are made based on age. Stills is only 24 but he’s a boom or bust type whereas D Jax can make an impact all over and has great hands. I wouldn’t be upset to land Stills but D Jax is the home run threat with consistency. My only concern is I am not so sure that DJax, who lives in NJ, would be interested in playing in Tampa. I think he ends up back with the Eagles.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:34 am
desean jackson and cord patt or d jack and draft one mid rds. j peppers i think would be fun to see on our team also
January 10th, 2017 at 11:35 am
We have wasted enough cash on FAs that can’t play over the last few years so what do you have to lose? At least you know DJ can ball.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:37 am
@Ben,
That would be the definition of insanity. We are not a team that is only a WR2 away from the Superbowl. We either land our #2 WR in FA or draft, not both. We have needs at RB, DE, C, Safety, CB. The FA class for WR’s is fairly deep which should allow us to get our WR2, In the draft, we could spend that #19 pick on a RB if Dalvin falls to us (which he won’t) or the best available DE.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:38 am
too much of a thug?!?….when was the last time he was in trouble with the law?….he’s been as quite as a mouse….he’s just the type of player we need….a professional who hates losing….I hope we get him….GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Cmurda – thank you. My lord some fans are kind of in fantasy land. Get DJackson and then use a #1 pick on another WR. SMH!
Actually I know he was joking about the thug comment (posters above must have missed that), but wasn’t he let go in Philly because of rumors about gang affiliations he had?
January 10th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
DeDe Westbrook would be nice 2nd round pick. Has speed plus 6’0 a little skinny but his off-season pre-draft workouts should add some weight to his frame. Monken can coach him up make him a great player.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Good to see the coaches actually acknowledge our deficiencies unlike Lovie who would just say “I think we have good speed, you know Evans is a 4.7 kind of guy, that is fast enough in this league.”
January 10th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
but wasn’t he let go in Philly because of rumors about gang affiliations he had?
————–
Those were neighborhood Crip gang signs,” an LA police detective told NJ.com
Dawg talk about real recognize real. Ya really want djax to come in here and call out your heros? Y’all ain’t ready for Steve Smith Sr you really think you ready for DJax? Come On Man!!! Lmao.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
3 possible targets in FA. Djax, Kenny stills, and Terrell Pryor.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Stick to Christian Mccaffrey (lmao) and my boy humphries. They are perfect for the real buc fans of Tampa bay.
Although I will say Koetter likes bad boys, he real af so he can handle men like DJax but those glazier boys and the Bucs booster club hmmm not so much.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
I would love to see Mike Williams from Clemson lining up opposite of Mike Evans.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Nope to Terrell Pryor. – #Thug with an attitude problem.
Maybe Kenny Stills – (must review full extent of smile before making final judgement.) but as of now very real possibility. Oh yea really big smile he might be a keeper Oh wait I see tattoos they prob gang related. #thug #nopelook at that
January 10th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
I feel you DB.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
@cmurda
That would be the definition of insanity. We are not a team that is only a WR2 away from the Superbowl.
—–
Ok to disagree, but “definition of insanity?” That’s a bit much. It’s not insane to surround your young franchise QB with top-flight weapons. We got a pretty decent DE in the 2nd round, it can’t happen again? JW needs the weapons more than we need a DE. He was ignored completely last year, time to do him, and the fans, a solid and bolster the playmakers on this offense.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
TouchDownTampaBay Says:
January 10th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Cmurda – thank you. My lord some fans are kind of in fantasy land. Get DJackson and then use a #1 pick on another WR. SMH!
—-
LOL!!
January 10th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
You’re on today DB55! When did you get all hashtag crazy though?!
The bottom line is that we need players that can play. PERIOD! We’ll jump-them-in to our gang, the Buccaneers!
January 10th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
The Bucs don’t want to overpay for a vet like DJax, when we have ME up for an extension. K.D. Cannon is a speed WR-KR from Baylor, we can get him in the 3-4 round.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
What Dylan Krempfel and Lakeland Buc said!
January 10th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
The locker room is now strong enough to handle a DeSean Jackson type. You better believe theyre going to make a play for him. I say no on Pryor.
Bring in vet recievers across from Evans and develop middle round recievers behind the vets. Evans is going to require a huge investment shortly and they don’t need to be signing someone like Pryor to a big contract two years from now too. DeSean Jackson would be a great stop gap for the next two or three years.
January 10th, 2017 at 12:54 pm
What about a guy like Kenny Stills? He ran a 4.28 40 time and he is only 24 years old.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
DB55… Pryor isn’t a thug, far from it, the reason he isn’t liked by some teammates is because he’s a sore loser, not everyone is like Gerald McCoy, some people have a burning desire to win, and Pryor actually gets pissed off when his team is losing
January 10th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Fuzzies
It’s pure sarcasm. My impression of how “real buc fans” think. I like him and DJax but they smiles not big enough.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
We need a couple of guys 6’2″+ who can run. DJax would be nice too, but he’s gonna be expensive and we still need to pay Evans.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
Yes DB55 is saying all white Buc fans are racists. FYI DB we are not all racist and I know I certainly am not. Although the fascination with a white guy taken in the 6th round last year did have me questioning our fan base for a bit.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Not all.
January 10th, 2017 at 3:43 pm
@DB55- YOU better be smiling when you say that!
January 10th, 2017 at 3:54 pm
I like Pryor but I’m not sure about Jackson. I think Pryor is a better long term solution than another short term stop gap player like Jackson. One article says Pryor is looking for a big contract and I think it said 4-5 years so we could have him locked up for the rest of his career. Then we just have to lock up ME on a similar contract to be set at WR for the next few years.
January 10th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Any chance the Bucs get Pryor AND Stills?
January 10th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
*********************
“Terrelle came in last year as a QB convert — he was going to wide receiver and I still remember the first practice. I’m like, ‘This kid is terrible. There’s no way this is going to work.’ You know how hard it is. This is not going to happen. He’s 26, 27 years old, he’s not going to do it,” Hawkins said. “There’s not a player that has worked as hard as Terrelle Pryor. I’m talking about putting the time in. Terrelle will text me at 1 o’clock in the morning like, ‘Hey, do you think this play is going to get called?’ I’m like, ‘Terrelle, I’m off the clock. Don’t talk to me, I’ve got kids.’ He’s like,
$$$$$$ ‘AW, YEAH MAN, I HAVE NO LIFE. THIS IS MY LIFE. SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH ME.’ $$$$$$
But this is who he is. He’s the first one in the facility, he’s the last one to leave … To see where he is now is amazing.”
*********************
I think Jameis would LOVE Pryor!
January 10th, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Why are you guys letting DB55 “Troll” you. It’s obvious that he is being sarcastic..lol. I don’t care about Pryor being a sore loser because I expect to win if we sign him. He is on a team that won 1 game so if he is not pissed, he is part of the problem. Just imagine, Evans on 1 side, Pryor on the other, that is a nightmare for defenses. I like Jackson, but he stays hurt to much.
January 10th, 2017 at 7:23 pm
Anybody else here ever get the feeling that Licht didn’t call DallasBuc back the next day?
January 10th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Jaboo Buc for the win!!!
Now that was some seriously funny snark!
January 10th, 2017 at 8:05 pm
Stop looking @ tree an step back an look at the forest !!! It takes a love for the game to not only make to the NFL but not stop there change position after you get your foot in the door!!! A football junkie if you ring a bell ( Jameis Kwon Tandyman) Trerrelle Pryor = Fast Freak has not only made but has to be football Junkie an has put in the time an effort to not only change positions but has did so with no hope (Browns) then as you have seen this year we have built an elite punt team we are missing one piece from having an elite Punt & kick return man that can also play WR!!! Cordell Patterson!! Then you have not just a Oak in ME13 but now you have forest!! U can do a lot with a tree!!! But what could JW3 do with a forest
January 10th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Joe,
are u saying we should bring in the guy we meant to draft in 2008?
Ya I’m all in on burying the hatchet and ending what some may call the “Desean Jackson curse.”
January 10th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
He does tend to throw alil high at times so y not play to Jw3 strengths get him some big tall guys that are fast an Physical after the catch!!! Remember team Glazer is not scratching a broke a$$ !!! Then we get Poe & JPP & Eric Berry !!! Then the draft the easy part!!! BPA in the first (OJ Howard) then just let smitty if we still got him(fingers crossed ) trade the 2nd 4th an5th back up in the 1st an get the DB FL Quincy 6.1 4.3 speed to cover the bigger faster WO we face ever yr!!!
January 10th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
He does tend to throw alil high at times so y not play to Jw3 strengths get him some big tall guys that are fast an Physical after the catch!!! Remember team Glazer is not scratching a broke a$$ !!! Then we get Poe & JPP & Eric Berry !!! Then the draft the easy part!!! BPA in the first (OJ Howard) then just let smitty if we still got him(fingers crossed ) trade the 2nd 4th an5th back up in the 1st an get the DB FL Quincy 6.1 4.3 speed to cover the bigger faster WO we face ever yr!!!
January 10th, 2017 at 8:54 pm
I say leave DeseanJackson alone and try for Stills. If we swing for a “home run” this offseason, it should be Eric Berry.
January 10th, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Been there done that so there’s no point going to get another old receiver especially another injury prone old receiver. You just celebrated a Winston birthday he needs another YOUNG receiver to grow with him. Jackson doesn’t strike me as a mentor type either. No thanks I’ll pass, what else ya got?
January 10th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Honestly I really like Marvin Jones in Detroit. He had an off year this past season but was one of Daltons most reliable targets ( and in the league ) when he was in Cincy.
He fast, he’s young and he plays HARD!
Don’t see anyone else that impresses me in the WR free agent pool. Djax is injury prone and aging….not sure he’s the guy tp add right now.
I’m not expecting a Super Bowl in 2017 I just want to see continued building of a contender.
Jones is young and with the season he had last year, you could sign him to a decent deal without overpaying.
January 10th, 2017 at 9:25 pm
Crap wrong year FA list…nevermind!!!
January 10th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Don’t see any WR FA’s that I’m crazy about….screw it sign Djax
January 10th, 2017 at 10:45 pm
Kicker in the 2nd round
January 10th, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Dallasbuc is right–let’s go after the longsnapper in round 2
LOL!
January 11th, 2017 at 4:56 am
I say make a trade with New Orleans for Brandon Cook!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 6:04 am
no ty, on an aging WR, not trying to rent a WR for only 2 ish seasons.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:54 am
I’m usually against “renting” older players, but we still have a very young QB to groom and we need to surround him with reliable, professional receivers to do so. We have cap space and could certainly entice a productive veteran with a front loaded deal the team could dump before the next round of re-signings comes due (JW, Kwon, Ali, DSmith, etc.). Pick up a young WR in the draft (or even better in free agency) to groom next to the vet and focus on BPA in the draft (Cook, Barnett, etc.).
January 11th, 2017 at 9:14 am
Agreed offensively is where we need the most help so not looking at free agency yet but my draft wishes would be ” Dalvin Cook ” overall #1 which would not only keep defenses at bay but would aid in America’s Quarterback progression… Not downing the WR position but America’s QB can’t play from his *** !!! so can we please hurry and get a replacement for Cherilius!!! now that that’s out of the way on to WR… we need big,fast,young and has great or outstanding upsides to his potential not just a big name guy an actual places all on the line guy like Kwon and doesn’t settle for nothing less than all or nothing!!! Now with those three mentioned and the salary cap space I’m sure we’re building in the right direction!!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Really disappointed in those of you bandwagon fans stating to go after a long snapper!!! Only true BUCCANEERS fan here!!!! Please I’m talking about the ones that have stayed like being in a bad marriage and endured the ups and downs and now the great times are around the corner and now everyone wants in so if you’re not true
The H*** with you!!!!!
January 11th, 2017 at 11:03 am
What good is a home run threat when your QB will overthrow him by 5 yards.
January 11th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
I’d prefer Pryor over any other Free Agent – he is faster than Evans but is that big WR with a huge catch radius like Evans…and is better suited to Winstons current skill set which does not include long ball accuracy…yet!
January 11th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
I say we give desean a shot..grab a safety off free agency..trade Doug martin maybe for a trade up for dalvin cook and draft a o line men in the 2nd Rd.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Move up and take Cook, while keeping Rogers, sign Pryor as our number 2 WR, and then build a strong middle of our OL with D. Smith at LG, move our RG to Center keeping Hawley as a backup C/G, with Sweezy at RG. Cut Cherilus, play our RT at LT until we can get a Great Can’t Miss LT with the 2018 draft, and use our current LG at RT because pass blocking is his forte. I think Ryan Smith will be a speedy CB for us who can step in for our best free agent CB when he retires. Get a proven Safety in free agency to pair with Tandy, get a speedy proven free agent returner so we can keep Hump fresher, get BPA for rest of the draft, and proven back up DTs in free agency, and we will be able to beat any team in the NFL and definitely make the playoffs.
January 12th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
I’d like to see Alshon Jeffery opposite Mike Evans. Big body 6’3″ with 4.48 and good hands. Put up good numbers in 2013/2014 when his QB was reliable. Only 26 so right in the mix to grow with Evans and Winston.
January 13th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Kenny Stills over DJax. Is this even a debate?