Speed Kills
January 16th, 2017
Bucs need a burner who can also play football.
Yes, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said a couple of times in the waning weeks of the 2016 season that the Bucs need #WeaponsForWinston.
It’s hard to disagree.
Just watching last night’s Chiefs-Steelers playoff game was jarring when it comes to what the Bucs need more than anything: speed. Damn, it’s a wonder the Bucs outscored nine of their opponents this season with what Jameis had to work with.
(By the way, why do folks push this nonsense that Arrowhead Stadium is such a tough place to play? The Chiefs have won a grand total of two — two! — playoff games at Arrowhead Stadium since the crib opened in 1972. That’s brutal! That’s hardly what Joe calls a home field advantage.)
The Chiefs had Tyreek Hill, a true game-changer of a speedster, a hybrid running back/wide receiver who also returns kicks. On the other side, there is studly Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, who just blows past defenders. Brown, too, is a return man.
Joe hopes the Bucs can find a guy this offseason who while working out on the side with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, hollers at Jameis and says, “I dare you to try to overthrow me, homie!”
January 16th, 2017 at 2:45 am
Cordarrelle Patterson
January 16th, 2017 at 2:46 am
The Bucs have won just 2 home playoff games since RayJay opened. I had to think about that, but it’s true, Washington in Jan 2000 and San Fran in Jan 2003. Then again they won 2 playoff games in the first 5 years of the place being open.
Anywho speed is a big issue – watching yesterday’s game is more what made me ask the question – why didn’t the Bucs sign Hester? They Bucs needed a return man and a WR and they love signing old Falcons players, what did Hester do to get on Mike Smith and Dirk’s bad side that they never called him?
There might be some options in free agency, but to me why risk trying to draft someone – why not just trade for a player we already know can play? Most of these speed guys that are good returners could be had for a 2nd round pick – and then boom, probably solved for years. Yeah yeah I know we could draft the next David with that 2nd rounder, but then again we could draft a kicker.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:31 am
@Rod
Although I agree with you on the fact that we should’ve signed Hester. There are some things I disagree with you on.
1. Great teams are built through the draft
2. You couldn’t possibly know what a GM is willing to take for their players.
3. You can’t just pick the fastest guy and put him on the football field in the NFL.
January 16th, 2017 at 4:12 am
We’ve all seen tons of WRs who were blazing fast but never really made it in the NFL because … tada … they couldn’t consistently catch the football. Yes, several Bucs WRs come to mind during this century. Yet when I look at those who consistently perform at a high level, they’re all fast but don’t necessarily have blazing speed. For example, Julio Jones (4.39 secs in 40-yd dash), Antonio Brown (4.47), Larry Fitzgerald (4.47), AJ Green (4.50), Dez Bryant (4.52). All are pretty consistent performers … certainly fast, but not with elite speed. All seem to have great hands, all have great quickness in addition to speed, and all are incredible threats AFTER they catch the ball. WRs like that however, are really hard to find and grabbing them in free agency is difficult for obvious reasons.
January 16th, 2017 at 4:51 am
We just need someone that can help free up #13, someone who can keep that 8th and 9th man from creeping down into the box…I prefer Desean Jackson…I also wouldn’t mind taking a look at Brandon Marshall or even Pierre Garcon…This is a weak receiving draft class so Imo we need to find a veteran WR that can come in and hit the ground running…
January 16th, 2017 at 5:31 am
Corey Davis. (Assuming Dalvin Cook is long gone) then John Ross, if we haven’t addressed it by round 3, lets think about Dede Westbrook, and later (7th) Kermit Whitfield
January 16th, 2017 at 5:37 am
Although I know there are detractors to this suggestion, I really think Terrell Pryor could be something special in Tampa if we could get him down here. As has been mentioned before by other commenters on here, he has already worked closely with Mike Evans and Randy Moss. He has the desire, he’s obviously a hard worker, and he’s just scratching the surface of his ability and potential. Another big receiver like Evans in a faster frame. He could be a hell of a tandem with ME13 for years to come.
January 16th, 2017 at 6:17 am
Agree with lunch box and Pryor is not polished meaning he has plenty of room to be better than he is. I would love to see Monken get his hands on him. Anyone that says anything about him in the locker room doesn’t know this guy. Football is his life ,he has that Winston mentality and I didn’t see anyone complaining when he went down the sideline and shook the hand of ever service member there Veterans Day
January 16th, 2017 at 7:02 am
Both 5th round picks too..
January 16th, 2017 at 11:59 am
McCaffrey
January 16th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Steelers at Patriots should be a good game for the AFC title. The Steelers overall best SB record of 6-2 will be safe no matter the outcome. The Pats are 4-3 in the SB. The 49ers have won 5 SB’s. I like that the Bucs ate batting .1000 in the big game. When the Bucs get back to the SB, I’m predicting 2-0 right now.
January 16th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I’m all over the need for speed…want it…gotta have it.
But I’ve come to realize one place it’s TOTALLY overrated….kickoff returns.
What almost cost Green Bay the game last night. We’ve been there and done that TWICE this season. A moron kick returner who bobbles balls and doesn’t know where he is in relation to the goal line and or out of bounds.
That surrenders and almost sure 3 and out…field position..and an easy 3 if not 7.
It created a huge momentum shift in that game just as it did in our game.
In today’s games how many kicks are brought out. How many returned for long yardage…just rarely happens these days because of the kicker’s leg strength.
Punt returns are different…still a chance to do damage there. But there is NO excuse in my mind to have a KO returner who doesn’t know every last detail about protecting the ball at your own freaking goal line. I want a dependable set of hands with a brain! Find one with speed great…if not I’d rather be safe than sorry like we were twice this year…and the Pack last night.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
ROSS!!
January 16th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
John Ross just screams Reidel Anthony or Jacquiz Smith to me, would rather have Davis if we are going WR in round 1. (Mike Williams will be way gone, I believe)
January 16th, 2017 at 3:45 pm
If that’s the case, then John Ross. If Corey Davis is still around or we trade up I say take him all day. I just don’t really like the size of Ross as a #2 and I already like Hump as our #3.
January 16th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I was bigger than John ross IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!! You don’t draft SMALL slot receivers in the 1st round. Would any1 in the league send the Rams a 1st for tavon austin? HE11 NO. You want speed? I got some speed for u that we won’t have to WASTE a 1st round pick on. Curtus Samuels out of Ohio State us blazing fast rb /wr (think Percy Harvin without the headaches) K.D Cannon wr Baylor is also blazing fast and will be there in the 3rd or 4th round. Joe Mixon ( I know he broke a girls face) will be there in the late 2nd or 3rd round. Walter football has him as the 2nd best rb in this class behind DAlvin Cook, and IN FRONT OF Fournette. We could upgrade our speed in a hurry if we really wanted to. Just say no to John ross.
January 16th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
It would be special for the Bucs to nab a receiver who we can call the flash.
January 17th, 2017 at 4:05 am
Samaje perine rb. That kid has a high motor and is a battering ram.
January 17th, 2017 at 8:07 am
Terrell Pryor in FA and draft Dalvin Cook in the 1st…yes it may be a dream but I like it.