Kenny Britt And The Bucs
January 15th, 2017
Potential free agent target?
The Bucs have a Grand Canyon-like crater at wide receiver after Mike Evans (and if you want to throw in Rudy Humphries, that’s fine).
It’s a dropoff in talent like taking a dive off the skywalk at America’s largest natural hole in the ground.
When the Bucs, late in the season, had to depend on a guy at receiver who a year prior was driving grandmothers to their medical appointments for a living, what else is one to say? No wonder winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has said more than once America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, needs weapons. #WeaponsForWinston
Joe doesn’t believe there is a solid speed guy available in free agency, short of Desean Jackson, and good grief does this offense need speed.
So if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is going to shop in March with his pockets full of Team Glazer loot, depth at wide receiver should be and must be on Licht’s shopping list.
Would Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt be such an item? Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports believes so.
@CharlesRobinson: #Rams Britt fits “big target” mold of what #Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston likes. #Bucs are churning & burning looking for WR prospects, too.
Joe has never been impressed by Britt, who is coming off a career year with 68 catches for 1,002 yards. The former Schiano Man has been an OK receiver on crap offenses, little more. Joe doesn’t even think Britt would start on a good team, which is why, in Joe’s eyes, Britt would be fantastic depth.
Sadly, Britt doesn’t have the speed the Bucs need to stretch the field. Britt would be a nice signing but nowhere near the final solution.
January 15th, 2017 at 5:35 am
When it comes to FA receivers, my top targets would be a speedy number 2 receiver like Kenny stills/Desean Jackson. A reliable number 3 guy like Terrance Williams or Pierre Garcon. And a super explosive Returner/Depth guy in Cordarelle Patterson.
I trust Licht to go out and get it done.
January 15th, 2017 at 5:44 am
Thank you Joe for mentioning Desean Jackson. JBF fans keep bringing up all kinds of potential FA WRs, but none have the consistent performance that Jackson does IMHO. Granted, he’s small (5’10” and 178 lbs) and ‘old’ (30) but … he’s fast and he’s consistent. In 6 yrs with Philly, he AVERAGED over 1,000 yds a yr. In 3 yrs with Washington, he came close to that (900 yds/yr). Plus he AVERAGES almost 18 yds/catch over that 9-yr period. That’s CONSISTENT to me. Read something in a DC paper that they can’t pay both Jackson and Garcon, so will probably stick with Garcon they contended. Jackson should still be able to give us 3-5 yrs and that’s plenty while we draft & train up his replacement.
January 15th, 2017 at 6:30 am
“Joe has never been impressed by Britt, who is coming off a career year with 68 catches for 1,002 yards.”
To me having a 1,000 yard season when you are going up against a defenses’ #1 corner and you got Keenum and Goff throwing to you is impressive.
January 15th, 2017 at 7:15 am
Jackson has stated he wants to return to Philadelphia. Impact WRs can be found in the draft. Build there. We have a good foundation of young players to build on. Go free agency for depth.
January 15th, 2017 at 7:20 am
Kenny Stills is only 25, I believe (Jackson is 30). And his 40 time was 4.38 – that is pretty good; basically the exact same time as Jackson (4.35). In 2016, Stills was targeted 81 times, caught 42 balls for 726 yards and 9 TDs. That would be a nice complement for Evans, at least for a #2 WR
January 15th, 2017 at 7:27 am
Joeypoppema…Britt got most of those yards though in garbage time against prevent defenses because they were always losing. I really hope bucs aren’t looking at this guy honestly.
January 15th, 2017 at 7:28 am
In other words stats can be deceiving.
January 15th, 2017 at 7:42 am
@Americas QB Can’t really argue that. Good point
January 15th, 2017 at 8:03 am
No to Britt. Go after Stills n Pryor
January 15th, 2017 at 8:07 am
In Licht I trust. Last year, people were not happy with Ayers, and he is what this team needed. (Sorry Joe’s) Some folks wanted Mario Williams, who has turned in to a pile of turd. Grimes and Anger are both pro bowl caliber players, and were great pick ups. I hope Jason Licht fills some of the big holes in free agency, so they can crush the draft again. it doesn’t have to be the biggest name, to have the biggest impact, just like last season.
January 15th, 2017 at 8:13 am
No doubt about it we need an experienced, proven WR in FA. I’m not opposed to drafting a WR in early rounds too, but we need at least one good WR from free agency. I guess I’m just thrilled that collectively as Bucs fans we can agree about that. I’m enjoying reading everyone’s comments on who we should snag. I guess at the moment I’m just not all in on any of the FA WRs available. I assume my expectations are just too high…I want a true #1 type player and I’m not sure that guy is going to be available. The good news is we have a very good WR coach to develop whoever we bring in.
January 15th, 2017 at 8:27 am
Both Stills and Jackson have the skill set to excel for us but Desean is not someone I think would not be good for our locker room. Stills has had issues too but I’d prefer him because of his age.
January 15th, 2017 at 8:47 am
Said it last night, this is so freaking awesome, for the most part everybody’s getting along. The culture has changed.
We need to come up with a new name for our stadium JOE
I’m throwing out
#Waterworld
Lol, pirate ship, having other teams mascot walking the plank on the replay screens would be insane.
Oh then we can call Jameis Aquaman.
#theLagoon
Lol it’s early so I’m having fun with this, but what do fellow posters think
Good morning BUCS fans!!!!
January 15th, 2017 at 8:53 am
And then you Still would draft Corey Davis 1st overall Blake??? Hmmm peculiar.
January 15th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Look at the top 25 FA list and cross them off the Bucs hope list. Last year was a FA success and Licht grabbed ‘tier 2 FAs, which turned out very well. It’s a nice group of WRs no studs but some nice pieces.
January 15th, 2017 at 9:33 am
Kamar Aiken, 6-2, 215, 27 years old, no injury issues, plays in and outside, 4.4 to 4.5 forty. Not great player but solid and seems to have upside and not pricey. Ravens put a second round tender on him last year.. now UFA.
January 15th, 2017 at 9:54 am
I just looked at a list of FA WRs. Other than Jackson, not that impressive in terms of actual production. Kenny Britt, Kenny Stills, Cordarrelle Patterson, Pierre Garcon, Michael Floyd and then just a bunch of guys. Still, I’d like to see the Bucs sign 2 or 3 (or more) and then see if a couple can make the team. Watching guys like Dye, Kenny Bell and Freddy Martino in camp will be like watching seagulls fight over a french fry.
January 15th, 2017 at 10:00 am
Djax totally off table the Eagles want him and he wants the eagles, I want OL #1, then scouting dept do your job get a WR in round 2, the terrel pryor thing is interesting, i feel jameis would be alpha dog and pryor would work well here, him humphries brate and some have said a real TE like OH howard, go get an RB like mixon or perine or mack in 3 or 4, get the defense 2 safeties and a LB and DL in FA, then win division
January 15th, 2017 at 10:01 am
NEW TAMPA CHRIS….. GREAT analogy on the Seagulls!!
January 15th, 2017 at 10:15 am
Everybody talks about finding RB’s later in the draft…WR’s with big bodies and great hands and no speed are also easy to find later.
We don’t simply need another WR…what we need is SPEED! We need to have some players that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. I do not care how we get it but another WR with no speed is not critical.
Imagine for example we drafted speed in our backfield…speed at TE…
But there are FA’s out there…my first choice if ME and #3 and due diligence works out…Terrelle Pryor. He has the most upside of any WR out there…FA or coming out of college.
But I’m also really cool with Desean Jackson who I see as a move similar to the one we made with Joey Galloway….later in his career but plenty of speed left to threaten the back end of a defense.
Nobody in this draft gets me that aroused at WR…there are no JJ’s or Amari Coopers out there. Might as well look for a WR later…I just do not see a 1st round WR…who is a game changer. We already have ME…Brate has great hands…Hump….no more possession type guys…I want EXPLOSION!!!
Pryor or Jackson give us that.
And speaking of Pryor…he has a borderline NFL arm…I said BORDERLINE…I do not think he’s an NFL QB and he’s realized it as well now. Having said that he was completing passes for the Browns last year.
So imagine this…DK’s creativity…Pryor and his 4.4 speed start an end around…what does the D do? Oh but Pryor stops in the backfield and hits ME or Brate…the possibilities are endless with a creative mind like DK.
Pryor can throw, catch, and run…he did all three last year! Flexibility baby.
January 15th, 2017 at 10:44 am
I’m hoping they found Vincent Jackson’s replacement in Deshaun Watson. We still need that speed guy though.
If the Buccaneers can address a spot on each line in free agency (with a starter), then I can see going after WR in round 1. So far as the offensive line, so much depends on Sweezy. If he can play and is good, then we only need to consider RT and Center (depending on Hawley’s recovery).
We MUST get a great DE. That’s what made the difference on the defensive line when we were good before (Rice). Licht should go after JPP with a thirst. I’m not sure JPP wants to leave NY though.
RB? If the other spots are addressed in FA, then I can see going after RB.
January 15th, 2017 at 10:44 am
I’m warming up to Pryor.
January 15th, 2017 at 10:50 am
Yea not sure on Britt however if bringing in a big bodied receiver to go with Evans perhaps Britt’s teammate Brian quick is an option. 6’6 and when healthy could be a good downfield option. It doesn’t have to be him I just can’t justify paying someone like Britt who has a history of attitude/ character issues who isn’t on the field consistently, especially if the plan is to draft a receiver early.
January 15th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Ha this tweet was at me yesterday. I actually wouldn’t mind getting Britt here as the number 2. He won’t command a huge salary and has really matured from his Titan days. He’s never played with a QB like Winston and a WR like Evans. You can still get the burner in the draft. As we all know this team needs much more than just one receiver
January 15th, 2017 at 11:16 am
Pryor has as much potential to be elite as almost WR in the NFL right now.
I’m saying that bcuz I know his work ethic… And it’s off the charts like Jameis or Kwon.
TP is the best athlete available in the free agency and the draft at the WR position.
Preach, St Pete, preach…
January 15th, 2017 at 11:18 am
Typo… I believe TP has as much potential to be elite as almost *any WR in the league
January 15th, 2017 at 11:22 am
I’d prefer Pryor (most potential, but most risk) Jackson or Still (underrated)
Britt would be a good fit for this offense though. If the Bucs sign Britt instead maybe they don’t think Jameis is there yet in terms of accuracy on the deep ball. Rather get another guy similar to VJax.
January 15th, 2017 at 11:25 am
we need playmakers that run after catch not dunketeers like gump got you sheep believing
last 2 years, we are ranked 29th in yards after catch
did you see atlanta reciever gabriel? we could have had him. He personally won 2 games for Atlanta during the season
Our huge other problem is koetters cant design routes. Remember cousins was throwing 4 ints per game? Gruden is a great pass route design playcaller to throw into space. Our clown doesnt know anything about this. You see all year our pass attempts was in traffic and congested.
wow! all those runningback pass completions against the weakest pass coverage linebackers…what a concept !
January 15th, 2017 at 11:30 am
Kobe…
Maybe you can send Dirk some of those wonderful route concepts you speak of. It’s hard to have uncontested routes when you’re rolling out talents like Martino, Reedy and having Shep as a number 2.
Gruden has really great talent at the WR and TE position in Washington. Kind of helps his cause.
I do agree the Bucs need a YAC machine like Desean Jackson or John Ross from U of Washington. But they also need another solid WR like Britt.
Lots of work to be done by Licht and co.
January 15th, 2017 at 11:48 am
Can’t go thru training camp without a Kenny at wr I guess?
January 15th, 2017 at 11:53 am
Nick?
John ross and Britt?
those 2 are frauds
GM Kobe Faker
give 1st and 3rd round pick to get Corey Davis
2nd round draft dede westbrook
use the rest of the draft and FA to address other holes BUT
the development of jameis winston is the only thing that is important for us to win superbowls….the only thing
January 15th, 2017 at 12:05 pm
1st round – OJ Howard
2nd round – Curtis Samuel wr Ohio state. This kid is the home run threat, (Think Percy Harvin without the headaches)
3rd round – Joe Mixon
4th round – Eddie Jackson S Alabama. Would be a 1st rounder if he didn’t break his leg
January 15th, 2017 at 12:16 pm
I have no problem with taking WR davis in rd 1, and then WR Dede Westbrook in rd 2. The Wr should be set for years. Only if they are BPA.
January 15th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
No to Dede westbrook. He is a middle school sized wr and will prolly be hurt alot. And most scouts have him as a 3rd maybe 4th round pick right now.
January 15th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
ty hilton led the nfl in recieving yards with 1448 yards and 91 catches
ty hilton is 5’9″ and 180lbs
all these tough big guys have hamstring,knee,ankle injuries because of their vertical jumping and landing awkwardly. denvers thomas , dall dez bryant, and julio jones are walking ham pulls
give me a small quick great route runner that can separate like pitt ab, obj, ty hilton, saints cooks, tyreek hill…..all the explosive recievers that will play easily for 10+ years with no injury
January 15th, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Lmao at Kobe comparing us to the Redskins..
Pierre Garcon / Desean Jackson / Jamison Crowder / Jordan Reed / Vernon Davis / Robert Kelly n Chris Thompson plus an all pro LT and G / top 10 o line if not better
vs
Mike Evans / Adam Humphries / Cam Brate / Jaquis Rodgers / ??? / bottom 1/3 o line
January 15th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
@NosBos No dude, If we got all those receivers in Free Agency, I’d want O.J. Howard, the best damn Tight End prospect I’ve seen since Gronk was coming out of Arizona.
Only difference between them is that Gronk was already having injury problems in college, and O.J. is already Bigger and Faster than Rob was coming out of school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p789rhDRfU4
Then after using our pick on a gamchanger like O.J. Ideally I’d want D’onta Foreman in round 2, but I’d be cool with a 3rd or 4th rounder too, seeing that the draft is LOADED with talented running backs.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
@MEGoat
I could go with your choices but do you suppose Samuel will be there that late in the 2nd round. I think his stock has been rising recently.
As 87 pointed out yesterday the draft isn’t until May…we’re not doing a very good job of pacing ourselves. LMAO
Two major things have yet to take place that will effect the draft dramatically and change many of our opinions.
First of course are our FA acquistions…they could dramatically impact our needs and therefore our draft.
2nd will be the combine. Some Chris Johnson type is going to smoke a 40 and become our next darling.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
I never really Let the underwear Olympics have that big of an Impact on my perception of a player. The only thing that can Change my thoughts are them Just completely sandbagging themselves in an event.
Something like Laquan Treadwells 40 time last year, 4.64 is Not Nfl speed at the receiver Position. That’s a red flag type time.
On the other side of the coin, If a player has nothing to show on film, and they go out and run a blazing fast 40, they still probably aren’t that great of a player.
The Film is the most important thing, The combine is just where you check off boxes and make sure nothing seems out of place. Granted a player with really good film that goes out and crushes it, yeah that can really boost a players stock. Think Vic Beasley out of Clemson, some where skeptical of him, because he appeared to be playing at a pretty light weight, but when he showed up to them combine at 245 and killed every single event, that sent him shooting up the boards.
For the most part tho, I just want to see a guy do what I think he is capable of doing based upon what I’ve seen.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
@ME GOAT I love the pick of Eddie Jackson in the fourth I have been calling for that since our season ended. Howard in the first seems to be growing into a favorite choice and I like him there too.
@Blake in the draft sims Foreman seems to be slipping into the fourth and fifth rounds so he could be there late in the draft.
I still want to see the Bucs load up on picks this year. At least one more first and then maybe a pair of extra picks in the second round. I’m really hoping we can address WR, S, and DL in FA.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
With winstons accuracy issues at times, it is important to give him large targets. Small speed dudes are harder to aim for. Winston over throws a lot, and a small WR can not adjust as well as a tall wr to a poorly thrown ball.
Im not trying to knock on Winston, but he has some tendencies. We should be trying to exploit strengths and hide weaknesses. So keep getting him those big targets. He likes them. A tall dude with speed would be a plus.
I hink the best addition to this team would be a combo TE, someone who can run block at a high level and catch passes at a high level. With how much we run and play action we need a TE that can do both. A nice big target for Jameis and another road grader for the run game. 2 birds, 1 stone.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Completely disagree. Rams offensively are absolutely terrible. With a good qb and defenses focused on mike Evans , he would be licking his chops. Why not if he could be had for right price !
January 15th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
@Trubucfan22
While what you just said is basically right, for passes in the short to intermediate passing game, But think about of the deep balls, On go routes and Fades, Where winston over threw his guy by a step or two, In those situations, small dudes with speed can have the Juice necessary to turn an over thrown deep ball, into a bread basket completion for a TD.
Don’t get me wrong though, If you can find a speedy guy that also has size, that is ideal, but those guys with size, speed, and hands, are rare cats.
I also will say that it takes all kinds, Small receivers have been balling out in this League for years and years. Just look at AB.
January 15th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Winston did well with the deep ball at fsu with the faster smaller WRs
January 15th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
To those who dont want small receivers, look what NE did last night with theirs. Now granted, JW will have to work on his accuracy more and tighten the windows, but those small shifty WR’s who can catch are to be taken serious. Im ok with drafting or signing another one to go with Hump.
I’d still like to draft Davis though….unless Barnett falls close to us and we move a few spots up.
January 15th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
I’m still sad we didn’t make the playoffs. But in my opinion, I love talking about free agency and am glad we can now. It’s good stuff to hear
January 15th, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Rashard green was his favorite target at fsu. Winston and Cecil shorts starts to look like a promising connection.
This Winston needing a big wr stuff is nonsense
January 15th, 2017 at 10:30 pm
OMG if we could get Howard, Davis, or Barnett in round 1, I would cry just like I did when I heard Scmitty was wrapped up for at least a couple more years. Howard and Cam Brate in Koetter’s TE scheme with a nice, speedy #2 for Mike, I will be pissing my pants till next September.
January 16th, 2017 at 4:22 am
pass
January 16th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Pass as well, please stop with the Kenny Stills crap, he has stone hands and lightning legs-so does Dontae Dye. D Jax for a year or 2, I would also get Patterson for 5th or 6th WR but kick returner as well. T Pryor is the wild card. Dude has so much potential it is insane. If he can check his ego at the door, then welcome. Winston is and was a better QB, Evans is and was a better WR, so if he can come in and learn from both and be a team player…sky’s the limit. Then we can do anything in the draft, BPA. We have to get at least 1 WR, but now that we need a running back (or 2) that really hurts our draft. IMO still need O-Line if we can’t get FAs to come-right tackle and Center are needs- love Hawley and his nastiness but he is just not big enough, athletic enough and always seems to be hurt. Need a guy for the future.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:25 am
Here is what I would do at GM if I had Litch’s job. I trust him even after K in Rd 2 but he tends to find adequate in FA and Draft core players to grow with current leaders.
FA pickups:
O – Stills, Pryor or Aiken (which ever cheaper) – 2 WR’s and Wagner- RT, Groy -C, Juszczyk – FB, Crowell RB weapons all still young to grow with Winston….
D – Cyprien or Jefferson – SS, Short or JPP – DL, Hightower – LB all under 28. JPP might want to come back home but don’t break the bank… If can’t pry away Hightower need depth at OLB.
1st round – OJ Howard, TE ALABAMA (Great Value, never leaves the field)
2nd round – **trade with Cleveland our 2nd & 5th, McCaffery, RB STANFORD
3rd round – Marcus Williams, S, Utah
4th round – Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
5th round – **Trade with Cleveland
6th round – Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU
7th round – Ezra Robinson, CB, Tennessee State
We have $70+ MM to sign our guys and get a couple good FA. If Sweeny can get back to form he should be good, and swing