Is Humphries A Lock?
May 18th, 2017
Job security?
Joe was comfortable Adam Humphries would be your starting slot receiver come September.
The drafting of wide receiver Chris Godwin didn’t even change Joe’s mind.
Joe was confident Godwin would be the next step in the pattern of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht: Fill a hole in free agency and draft his eventual replacement a few weeks later.
Two things led Joe to this conclusion: No Joe criticism of player on the roster — and Joe means “none,” not even close — draws more scolding from Bucs types than a shot at “Rudy.” Sometimes it is a simple tap on the shoulder, sometimes it is a bit more blunt.
When Rudy had an impressive, 10-catch finish in the season finale last year, Joe was convinced. Joe understood why the Bucs were so sensitive over Rudy.
But Joe has no idea what Bucs folks have told Jenna Laine of ESPN, if anything, about Rudy. It seems she too is convinced Humphries will start at slot when the Bucs travel to Miami to begin the regular season in less than four months.
Over at ESPN.com, Laine projects the starting lineup for the Bucs and lists Rudy.
Humphries will continue to man the slot, but you’ll also see the Bucs occasionally move other receivers in here. Evans has lined up here and Jackson could too, with Chris Godwin stepping in on the outside.
However, events have transpired that make Joe wonder.
Evans has lined up as a slot receiver. Dirk Koetter even said this after a rookie minicamp practice two weeks ago. There, Koetter was also asked if Godwin could play slot. Koetter enthusiastically stated, yes, he could.
So Joe is wondering if Humphries really is locked in as the starting slot receiver? It seems, now that there’s real depth (as opposed to no depth) at receiver, Koetter might plan on doing what he is doing with the offensive line — getting the best players on the field at all costs.
Godwin said on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week Bucs coaches cross-train receivers, just like the Bucs do with offensive linemen.
Maybe the best three receivers get on the field at once, regardless of X, Y, Z or OBGYN.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:04 am
Don’t be surprised if another name is talked about for slot come training camp.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:04 am
I’d think he starts at receiver. He’s been there a while, he already has the chemistry with Jameis, and knows the offense.
I’m just so excited that there will be all kinds of wrinkles in the passing game. Expect for the Bucs to put some points up this year, fellas. It’s gonna be a helluva ride.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Hump starts, no doubt. Its Godwin’s rookie year and I trust he’ll have a role too. Great problem to have!
May 18th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Hard Knocks will ensure that one is… we’re not talking #1 or #2 here, slot is where the backups fight it out to get field time. If Adam wants the starting job he’s going to have to fight off some pretty good competition this year.
And what’s wrong with that?
May 18th, 2017 at 11:10 am
Adam Humphries is a good player and I want him on the Bucs roster, but he should not be the #3 receiver. He is a very good number five receiver, but last year he was the Bucs number 2 receiver.
Adam has outstanding hands a good quickness and is a good route runner, but he has below average speed, and is small which prevents him from getting consistent separation.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:16 am
Lots of depth at WR this year.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:26 am
If godwin can play slot well, then he is the best option. I would also love to see 3 wr sets where godwin rolls outside and desean moves to the slot, i think he could really do some major damage from the slot.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:27 am
Whether he starts or not, he will still have a role in this offense. You want your best players on the field at all times.
These are the types of “issues” that we want to have.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:36 am
AH11 is the starting slot receiver, #3 Wr on the roster for Training Camp. That is all that is promised to him. All the other Wr that will be gunning for playing time will be after his spot!!!! May the best WR win!!!!! And the numbers /targets for that 3rd/ slot receiver will be down to the TE’s rise in numbers/targets!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 11:36 am
I think we make far too much of “starting” and at “which position”?
Yeah the starters figure to get the most opportunities but sometimes there’s not that great a discrepancy….especially if Koetter uses receivers/targets in a rotational basis between “starters” and “backups”
That’s one of the very interesting questions about this upcoming season. Any Nostrodamuses out there care to take a stab at a projection.
What kind of target dispersal do we suppose we’ll see. ME13 still the number one and favorite target? OJ? DJAX? Brate? McNichols? Sims? Godwin? Who is going to get the opportunities and at what % ?
That’s a lot of targets but if we move the chains we should get a lot of plays and more TOP.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Humphries will start the season as the primary slot receiver, but Godwin will unseat him at some point (at least as long as DJax remains healthy on the outside)
May 18th, 2017 at 11:38 am
it’s going to be hard for Hump to stand out this year. He simply does not have the upside of several of the new WR brought in. It’s time to raise the standards at best hump is a 5… great story but hump has never frightened a defender or coordinator.
sperbeck and godwin will both expose hump. I am not sold on evans Canadian buddy walker like some are but he too has more upside than hump
May 18th, 2017 at 11:39 am
BTW My prediction as to who gets balls thrown their way….
This will be determined by the defense. I think we’ll have four possible targets every play and depending where the defense is successfully covering the ball goes to the other WR or TE.
I think #3 will develop a trust/bond with at least 4 perhaps as many as 6 targets where he’ll feel absolutely comfortable throwing them the ball…in which case the target simply becomes the open guy. He won’t have to force it to ME this year.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:40 am
it’s a real possibility that both sims and hump are not on team or inactive on sundays. climbing out of the basement requires talent
May 18th, 2017 at 11:45 am
The problem for Rudy isn’t necessarily competition for the slot starting job….it’s likelihood that we will use the slot less. With the addition of Howard, I see more 2 TE sets…..also we will mix Godwin, Jackson & Evans into the slot…in addition, we have RBs that can line up in the slot…..so, less use of Hump.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:47 am
Joe, you obviously have far more contacts and information than any of us, but it really seems to me you’re making more of Koetter’s statement than it seems. Just because Godwin “can” play the slot doesn’t mean he’ll take over for Adam Humphries, who has not only demonstrated he can play in the NFL and take the requisite hits and collisions, but also a chemistry with Jameis.
Cross-training the WRs to play multiple positions allows them to change out of plays on the fly, and gives greater depth to each position (as you alluded to). I don’t see Humphries’ roster position being in jeopardy; I see Godwin ultimately playing more outside behind D-Jax but also, like Evans, being able to play any of the WR spots to promote flexibility and a better offense overall.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:49 am
Hump was our 3 most productive skill position player after Cam Brate Last season.
He proved to be a valuable player on Wr/ Bubble screens. And he was the 11th best Punt returner in the league with an average of 10 yards per return.
Yes he will still have to compete, but the kid is one of the most dedicated workers on the team, and you can bet he has been and will continue to grind away and improve this off season.
Hump is poised to have a great year, given the benefit he will now have of only facing off against slower less athletic linebackers and safeties.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Well first, Koetter sure didn’t deny it, No. 1. No. 2, should have seen/heard him perk up when answering that question. The word “enthusiastic” springs to mind.
May 18th, 2017 at 11:56 am
He’s a lock we will keep 6 wide outs and he will be one at least this year.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Winston and Humphrey have chemistry don’t ever over look that! Ever!
May 18th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
CB84 and AH11 production will be way down from last year!!!! They were inflated by all the injuries!!!! These 2 position receiving options will be taking more of a back seat this year!!!!!! That is all!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
We’re not over the Hump…
May 18th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Realist, I’ll have to refer to you as The Bucs Psychic from now on … your 11:36 comment is exactly what I was thinking. And even then it’s only for Day 1 of Training Camp. No doubt in my mind that Dirk Koetter will put the best players in the best position to make plays … period. If Rudy demonstrates that he’s the best #3 WR, the job’ll be his. But like Derrick Brooks used to say (paraphrasing), every year is a new year, and each player has to prove themselves all over again.
Humphries was been fairly solid in his WR role last year I thought … caught 2 out of every 3 passes Jameis tossed his way. Not bad for operating in traffic, and very often those were 3rd down passes where every defender knew what was coming. Cam Brate had about the same success rate on just about the same number of passes. Jameis’ familiarity / chemistry with both of them probably gives them both a slight initial advantage over some of the other WRs & TEs, but that could quickly change in training camp & as the season progresses. Nice problems to have though.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
O.J.Howard is projected as a starter also. That leaves me to wonder, where will Cameron Brate play. If we go to a 2 TE Set, then Brate will be in the slot.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Cross training. Don’t get too wrapped up in the pre-training camp shuffle.
The reality is that in today’s NFL of situational football, there are more than 11 “starters” on O and D.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
I like Humphries and all but Godwin has infinitely more talent, so whenever he’s ready I’d much rather see him on the field than Humphries …. however … I also think we’ll be running more 2-TE sets than 3-WR sets so Hump may not be on the field anywhere near as much as last year.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
If Winston says he wants Humphries….he’ll get him. Winston has a connection/comfort with the guy that Koetter wont ignore just for the sake of fielding the best potential stats lineup. There are tons of players in the past and present that dont stand out athletically but on the field they simply execute their roles to perfection.
May 18th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
@StPete … “Any Nostrodamuses out there care to take a stab at a projection. What kind of target dispersal do we suppose we’ll see.”
That same question intrigued me a couple weeks ago St Pete. Forgive me for pulling a Buc Realist (oops, Buc Psychic) but here’s what I wrote back on May 5th on that same thing. Overall, I think the ratios will be in the ballpark: RBs 15% of the passes, TEs 20% and WRs the remaining 65%.
Defense Rules Says:
May 5th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
All this talk about our new high-powered offense, with all these RBs, WRs & TEs got me thinking … will there be enough passes to go around? Last year Jameis threw 578 times; in 2015 he threw 535 times. Most any Buc QB has thrown, in this century, is 592 passes. Let’s say Jameis breaks that this year and throws 600 passes. (Last year the Falcons threw 537 times, Saints threw 674 times, and Panthers threw 563 times for comparison).
Last year our RBs got 15% of the passes, TEs got 20% and WRs got the remaining 65%. Assuming Bucs stay roughly the same in terms of percentages, RBs would be targeted 90 times, TEs targeted 120 times and WRs targeted 390 times for the 600 pass total. That’s realistic for the RBs, but low for the TEs & WRs given the personnel that we’ve got. Tony Gonzales used to average 120 targets a yr all by himself. Brate got over 80 last yr all by himself, so 120 for Cam & OJ sounds low. But the same thing happens with the WRs. Jameis now will have ME13, DJax, Hump, Godwin plus probably 2 more to throw to. DJax has been averaging 100 targets a season. Mike Evans got targeted 173 times last yr & Hump had 83 targets. That’s closing in on the 390 total right there.
Gonna be a challenge for Jameis to spread the ball around and keep everyone proficient. But … what a GRRREAT problem to have.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Cam has some definite competition for playing times this season and it won’t be from O.J. Howard “the new age John Mackey”. It will come from Anthony Auclair. I don’t know about Stocker’s and Meyers future with this team but I’m telling you Anthony Auclair is making this team. I feel confident in saying that because he is probably just as effective a blocker as O.J.is and more than capable pass catcher. 6’6 250lbs. Did I know anything about him a month ago,NO. But after some research on him I strongly feel he will be keeper and will make the 53 man day 1 roster. Thers’s highlights on the tube,dude is str8 pancaking some people.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
And before anyone says anything about Luke Stockers blocking ability, I’ll say this young man has the same blocking ability younger and clearly a better athelete.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
ST, PR, KR participation, as previously stated by Koetter, will be the criteria used for WR 3-6.
So, if like last year all the speedy/shifty guys can’t produce on ST, those that can (RUDY) will make the team.
“Rudy” was a willing PR/ST player and even had a PR/TD. Everyone worried about Rudy making the team or having a starting spot should keep in mind his ST contribution and heed the HC’s stated criteria for WR’s (beyond Evans and Jackson) making the team.
I would also remind everyone that “attrition” is REAL and will have the final vote on who sees the field and how often.
So, stop trippin’ about RUDY..!! Send him some flowers and a box of chocolates (weight maintenance?) instead.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Luke Stocker shouldn’t even be in the conversation. We have wasted a roster spot on him for years. it’s time to send him packing.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Not sure I 100% agree LakeLandBuc. I doubt he would’ve lasted as long as he has without some value.
Is it time to move on from Stocker? If you’re replacing him with better talent, yes.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
The further down the depth chart the better and more effective he’ll be. Not a dis – but he lacks size and the speed to get seperation – we saw that last year. In ATL Dirk loved the bubble screen – that would be something Hump would excel doing.
May 18th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
It’s nice to have too many quality receivers! One thing that really impressed me about Godwin… is his blocking ability. His solid blocking probably gets him a few extra snaps and some of those from the slot.
May 18th, 2017 at 3:38 pm
You fans are so fickle. Can’t judge every position based on pure athletism. Have you ever heard of the term “role player”? It’s not something announcers just say to sound educated.
Hump is our possession receiver. Nobody on this roster is good enough in that spot to handle the job. If this Penn State kid prooves to be better in that role so be it but I doubt that’s what they were thinking when they drafted him.
In case some of you don’t know it takes more then pure athletic ability to win in the league. Now I hear somebody writing off Stocker because they saw a highlight reel of some undrafted kid…….freaking hilarious.
May 18th, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Seen all of this bubble screen stuff but I would much rather have djax take the bubble screen opportunities. Sims too for that matter.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
What is hilarious is Stocker was beaten out by a undrafted second year free agent out of Harvard not exactly a football factory.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:50 pm
They visited the shrine game practices with Auclair as one the players watch to that week. Had O.J. not fallen chances are good they were going draft Auclair in the later rounds. If you wanna know how they already feel about him go listen to the TEs coach mention him on Bucs.com homeboy.
May 18th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
And you right dude those tube vids did impress me, there’s a 2:32 one breaking down his blocking ability. It is why I believe not only Stocker but Cam also should be looking over his shoulder.
May 18th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
If someone is Bergen then hump I’m all for it.
But I don’t see it
May 18th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
K2 Says:
May 18th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
It’s nice to have too many quality receivers! One thing that really impressed me about Godwin… is his blocking ability. His solid blocking probably gets him a few extra snaps and some of those from the slot.
Ding ding ding. We have a winner folks
May 19th, 2017 at 7:33 am
Godwin doesn’t have the sauce the play the slot. Technically, Jackson is our only guy with the right amount of sauce for the position and he is way to valuable to lineup their often. Adam Humphries has a tiny amount of sauce but it’s more like some nasty vegan hummus drizzle than it is sauce.
May 19th, 2017 at 7:33 am
*there
May 19th, 2017 at 10:38 am
I have no idea what you’re talking about Fsuking, but you’re making me hungry!