The Stampeder Survives
July 25th, 2017
Survivor?
If this analysis proves to be true, it suggests this man has the same number of lives as a cat.
In projecting the Bucs’ 53-man roster for the opening week of the season, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com takes a gander at the wide receiver corps. And while she doesn’t foresee CFL legend Derel Walker making the squad, she does envision misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteea Dye surviving.
Again.
The Bucs have far more talent at this position than in previous years, with Dye getting the nod over Josh Huff and Bernard Reedy because of his kick-return abilities. But really, it’s a toss-up at this point, and it will come down to special teams.
The Bucs just can’t get rid of Dye. Last year, battling against a much worse group of wide receivers than the depth the Bucs now have, Dye didn’t make the 53-man cut in September and was waived injured with a hamstring injury before landing on the practice squad, as no other team wanted him. In fact, Dye was cut three times by the Bucs last season and each time the entire NFL sniffed, winced and walked away.
Solely based on the fact Dye couldn’t make the team when the depth at receiver was paper thin, Dye making this year’s team would be a surprise. To Joe, Dye would have to display dynamic return skills in the preseason.
To Dye’s credit, he has a good kick return average, though he hasn’t fielded a regular-season kick in the NFL since 2015. Dye has returned two kicks for an average of 18 yards a return. Not too shabby. Dye has not returned a punt in the NFL.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Josh Huff had a great kick return average in 2015 too … but was horrible last year
July 25th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
I’d like to see Derel Walker or the singer from Vero Beach make it.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
🙂
July 25th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
My money is on Martino! Come on man have a great camp!
July 25th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Haha…”the guy from the velvet lined lounge of the Vero Beach Ramada Inn”…the Joes were drinking the good stuff when he came up with that one for Martino!
July 25th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
I like Martino and Sperbeck.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Last I checked, he’s not a Stampeder. He’s a Tampa Bay Buccanneer…and has been the last several seasons
Making an NFL squad is a tough thing to do and whether you think a guy is “good” or not, he deserves the respect of being called an NFLer
July 25th, 2017 at 12:23 pm
You are missing the keyword here sir. “Misplaced.”
July 25th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Is Freddie Martino still around? If so, I think he makes it.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
“But really, it’s a toss-up at this point,”
BINGO…GO BUCS!!!
July 25th, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Dye has been pretty good using the reliability factor. Count on him!
July 25th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Dye has proved over and over he just cannot keep up in the NFL. If he couldn’t make our roster of beyond lackluster receivers last season, why should he make the roster this year, when our roster talent increased ten-fold? Get a fresh face like Derel Walker in there to spice things up. I hope we’ll never have to see the likes of Martino, Dye, or Huff grace our huddle with all the talent we now have.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Derel Walker WILL make the squad. I mean, come on. He got guaranteed money and he has extremely stick hands.
Did he even drop more than 1 pass during the OTAs?
Sorry, she;s wrong on this one.
July 25th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Evans
Jackson
Humphries
Godwin
Walker
Martino
Those will be the final WR squad…and that is one heck of an upgrade.
July 25th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
This brings up an interesting question which we have taken for granted.
Who will return KO’s and Punts.
Given the rule changes IMO KO returners are now a devalued group because of their lack of opportunity. But we learned last year that with kickers trying to kick high KO’s that come down inside the 5 it means we DO need a SMART KO return guy..even more IMO than a guy who can take it to the house. On KO’s the ball is LIVE…the returner has to make very tough split second decisions.
Punts are different. They do present opportunities for returns but also require a certain amount of brains to protect ball security. Hump was not spectacular. Never thought he was about to take one all….the…..way. But he was dependable and I didn’t have to hold my breath as I did on our KO returns.
So guys…does Hump keep his job? Who returns KO’s? Can’t Hump do both since he is smart and has good hands? So what…he can’t take it all the way…at least we wouldn’t be starting drives on our own 2 yard line.
July 25th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
I think it’s walker or bobo’s to lose
July 25th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
I think Humphries, Godwin or Martino. Probably Humpries.
July 25th, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Walker isn’t fast enough for kick or punt returns. They won’t risk Jackson or Evans. That narrows down the list somewhat.
Although I suppose they could use a RB or CB.
July 25th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
Derel Walker will make this team. His experience may be in the CFL, but it is vast and it is impressive. You simply can’t replace game-time touches, which he got plenty of in the land of ice fishing and maple syrup.
Ruddy Humphries will return kicks which will make Dye dispensable. Also, dispensed of will be the gang nobodies we’ve been carrying for way too long due to an absolute lack of depth at WR (Martino, Huff, et al.).
July 25th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
At this rate I’d rather resign Michael Spurlock to return kicks. I don’t care if he is 34 years old – he is STILL better than any of the other kick returners we have on the team – and probably still a better receiver than Huff, Dye, Martino, etc…
July 25th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
I like VH3 at punter returner. He really good in small spaces, super quick and very fast.
July 25th, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Lucky Whitehead anyone? Dontee Dye can’t be the right answer, Jenna Laine never is about personnel
July 25th, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Agree DB – Martino and Sperbeck most likely to come through as #5 and #6 WRs.
Not so sure I want to see Hargreaves returning punts though. Its a risky job.
Losing Hump to injury would be tough but losing VH3 would be much worse.
July 25th, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Lucky Whitehead anyone?
yes sir….special teams upgraded immediately….GO BUCS!!!
July 25th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
I’m hoping Bobo can win a job. Would be nice to have another slot option behind Hump with some speed.
ME
Djax
Hump
Godwin
Walker
Bobo
July 25th, 2017 at 3:26 pm
@thespiritof76 I’m with you!….bring back Michael Spurlock!…..lol
July 25th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Good point pick but all I see is a Deion esk returner in vh3
July 25th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Evans
Jackson
Hump
Godwin
Wilson
If we keep 6, Walker
Wilson wins out due to special teams, the fact he plays slot, and his chemistry with Jameis showing up in training camp.
July 25th, 2017 at 11:31 pm
Anybody but Dontae Dye who is too fragile for the job and poor hands to even catch the ball much less secure it.
July 26th, 2017 at 9:37 am
I would love it if Speedy Reedy could catch the ball consistently. He is lightning fast and fun to watch…