The Bucs And Cameron Artis-Payne
February 6th, 2019
If you play running back for the Panthers and your name isn’t McCaffrey, then you’re screwed. You simply don’t get on the field.
Just ask C.J. Anderson.
We all know Anderson’s story of being buried behind McCaffrey’s 326 touches last season before Anderson was cut and became a hero for the Rams.
But who else is wasting away behind McCaffrey?
One guy is pending free agent running back Cameron Artis-Payne. He was a one-year stud RB for Auburn (1,608 yards in 2014) before bolting to the NFL and going to the Panthers in the fifth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Artis-Payne largely has been buried on the Panthers’ depth chart ever since, but he has been effective when he’s gotten a shot — 118 career carries has netted him a 4.2 yards-per-carry average and five touchdowns, including this one to close last season.
“I tell you, he’s got a tremendous work ethic going. His attitude has been great, just like it was last year in training camp,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera told the Charlotte Observer about Artis-Payne after Anderson was released in November. “One of the things I wish we had done was given him more exposure, just so we know what we’ve got.
“It’s a little bit of a learning process for him and for us about him, as well, so we’re excited for him to get this opportunity.”
Artis-Payne was a late bloomer in football, so he turns 29 years old this summer with that very low mileage on his tires.
Joe hardly sees him as an answer to the Bucs’ running game issues. But it sure would be nice to throw some highly competitive wild cards like Artis-Payne into the Tampa Bay running backs competition.
You just don’t know what he might really be. And the Auburn running backs certainly have been impressive lately, especially relative to their draft status.
Artis-Payne would come cheap and Joe sure hopes the Bucs do their diligence on the guy.
February 6th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
How much would he cost? Any idea?
Not much. Joe would guess $1.5 million a year maximum.–Joe
February 6th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
How about “The Bucs and Matt Bryant” ?
February 6th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Will he still be running behind our 30th – 32nd ranked o-line?
Then I would expect the same results with him that we’ve had with everyone else.
February 6th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
We have a guy like this name Barber.
I would refer we go get a guy like McCaffery who wont come off the field.
Of course we need better than a high school RG and a 75 year old RT if we are going to do anything.
Pistol
February 6th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
LATAVIOUS MURRAY
February 6th, 2019 at 1:34 pm
Still trying to find out what he is at 29? If we are going unknown how is this guy better than any rookie we could draft, he’s like the Ryan Griffin of running backs
February 6th, 2019 at 1:37 pm
The picture Joe has to go along with this article.
Yeah we need a better runningback.
The real story is shown in the picture—look at it closely.
I see what you see. Let us call a spade a spade when a spade is a spade. No more outside corner with VH3-that dude sucks!!!!!
Outside corner needed way way more than runningback. LOL!!
February 6th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Kareem Hunt and at least 2 offensive linemen please
February 6th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Still want Kareem Hunt asap please
February 6th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
Let’s assume for a minute $1.5 million gets it done for CAP. Then why wouldn’t the Panthers just re-sign him as their #2 if it’s that cheap and he’s that worthwhile.
Why did Panthers bring in CJ Anderson then down the stretch?
And…he’s 29 years old this year…29. At 225 lbs. Slow.
Small injuries fairly often at Auburn.
ORRR….we can evaluate a 23 year old Hunt, a very sensible Mike Davis at 26 also low mileage runs angry good stature. Behind those, wait out the market till prices come down on Coleman and Ingram in 2nd FA phase.
We have to UPGRADE the position from Barber to a 3 down RB.
Hunt or Davis.
February 6th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Pay Tevin Coleman.
February 6th, 2019 at 2:15 pm
V Hargreaves is still rated as the 5th best 5 Star Recruit for Florida Like EVER.
I’m pretty sure the dude doesn’t suck.
I would lean in the direction of an incompetent staff before I write off yet another player that leaves Tampa, and is GREAT somewhere else.
February 6th, 2019 at 2:19 pm
I would take him just to replace that bum quizz Rogers but for nothing more than that..barber can be our #2 but we need a true 3 down back in Arians offence and barber & payne are not the answer to that ! It’s draft one in the first 2 rounds or go get bell or hunt…I don’t even suggest that we take one in the first round like some sights are doing.they say Jacobs from bama going 5 overall , I say no way and go grab Henderson from menphis in the second or 3rd so we can get a top flight offencive tackle or guard after trading down in the first maybe another dline man…
February 6th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Why would a team with Ronald Jones on the roster feel like they needed to add a running back?
February 6th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
For a minimum deal, I’d bring him in. But the dude has done nothing. He has not been able to hold on to the no. 2 job in Carolina. Plus, when they used a third-down back before Mc they used Whittacker.
February 6th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
Kareem Hunt and at least 4 offensive linemen please
February 6th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
We need a stud fullback that can catch out of the backfield and to help the o line in run blocking.
February 6th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Free Agency is pretty flush with RBs. I’m not to worked up for the high risk guys(Bell/Hunt).
There’s enough options to put a solid player behind Barber while trying to find a playmaker with youth.
February 6th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Sunday
Wish it were so but sorry the tape talks and since the 2016 draft VH3 has been at best “ineffective” He was drafted to be an outside corner but gets put in slot because he is not any good at outside corner. He has only one interceptin that fell into his hands. He has spent more time injured than on the field. He is a first round pick bust that at best will play average at slot corner.
February 6th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Sign a rb, draft and sign new offensive linemen.
February 6th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Joe
Do you think the Bucs and Jags would be interested in swapping 1st round picks in the first round with the Bucs getting Leonard Fournette?
February 6th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
What is with highlighting guys that are worse than what we have already?
February 6th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
So for the people that want Hunt, what’s the plan for the first 4-6 games or even year that he’s suspended?
February 6th, 2019 at 5:16 pm
Wausa has an excellent idea!–love it, we get Fournette and they get our first round #5–that works for both sides!
February 6th, 2019 at 5:24 pm
JP_09- I think a lot of the “Hunt now” crowd have failed to consider that. To add to it, there’s re-acclimation to game-speed, hitting, etc. By the time he’s back “in form” it might be week 8, 9 or 10 before he’s full speed.
IMO, Hunt is not the solution. It’s win NOW. AND, if we don’t address the OL, will it matter who’s toting the rock?
Address the OL first, then RB. An average RB can succeed with a competent OL. It is NOT true on the flip side as we have witnessed for the last 3 years.
February 6th, 2019 at 5:42 pm
@JP_09 and @Bucsfanman…..
Actually NO ONE has “failed to consider” the delay in Kareem Hunt being available, is more intelligently a focus on THE UPSIDE.
See, for those of us, that take the time to educate ourselves on the language of the CBA….ya know, the thing that governs the entire way of how player’s conduct is reviewed and suspension CAN be handed down…..well, it states that 6 games is the MAXIMUM that a discipline can be for this type of punishment that Hunt perpetrated.
So Barber…on a RFA tender for a couple games, perhaps Darrell Henderson in the 3rd round of the draft who doesn’t look too shabby, but sure as hell isn’t the long term answer.
AND….the games he missed at the end of 2018 due to his release from the Chiefs is getting traction in the NFL front office, hence likely fewer than 6 games punishment. 3-4 games. If 4, Hunt appeals, knocked down to 3. So 3 games.
We have patch 3 games at the beginning of 2019. But you all….have to go and educate yourselves.
Go Bucs!
February 6th, 2019 at 5:44 pm
firethecannons/ a.k.a. Gene Deckerhoff- As much as I love Fournette, He hasn’t played in a full season since being drafted. Behind our current O-line, he might fare worse. That’s a lot of draft capital for a position that we can find later or in FA or on our roster, if given a competent OL.
February 6th, 2019 at 5:59 pm
Stout- “a lot of” doesn’t mean every! I’m all for intelligent conversation just so long as it’s not from a perch above a soapbox.
There’s no question about upside. He’s young. The question is whether or not the team can afford to sign a player for FUTURE production. We’re talking about the Bucs, for goodness sake.
My contention, like others is that the Bucs can find a RB elsewhere, even Barber, to produce NOW, and with less baggage.
I will trust that someone with more knowledge about the situation than you and I will make the correct decision.
It may not coincide with your oh-so-educated OPINION, but it very well may hold true. But, you failed to mention that, didn’t you?! 6 games IS a possibility, according to the CBA, is it not?
February 6th, 2019 at 6:29 pm
Blunt instruments….need not apply. I don’t know what else to say.
Re-read.
Go Bucs!
February 6th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Hunt is just that guy that sounds nice on paper. I just get a kick out of the fans that say we must get him. There’s a handful of seperate reasons they could pass on Hunt for ….even if they do want him.
For all we know the owners have said they won’t sign any checks for that guy. Then y’all will blame the GM who had no choices. This is when the complains starts getting ridiculous.
I would like to see Hunt get his 2nd chance here. At the same time I can’t blame the team for deciding no…..especially since we won’t know the exact reason, among a lot of negatives.
February 6th, 2019 at 6:34 pm
RB’s run very deep this draft.
February 6th, 2019 at 6:47 pm
Last I heard they were estimating Hunt’s suspension to be 6-10 games. Has there been some news I missed? I love Hunt as a football player but if you get him you can’t expect much contribution until the last quarter of the season.
February 6th, 2019 at 6:52 pm
JJ- If the owners colluded to blackball Hunt that would be illegal. Offseason Speculation is a big part of the fun. How popular would the draft be if fans didn’t speculate?
February 6th, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Stout- I read it chief! Perhaps you might re-read yourself, provided that you can see it with your nose in the air and all!
Talking down to people doesn’t make your point any more poignant. It’s ALL opinion.
P.S.- You know exactly what you can do with your “blunt instrument,” Mr. Intellectual. Oh, I’m probably not supposed to be smart enough to know that’s an insult, right?! Oooops!
February 6th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
I’d love to stay and exchange pleasantries but I have much better things to do.
Keep it classy!!!
February 6th, 2019 at 7:15 pm
🙂 🙂 🙂
All hail blunt instruments.
All the original comments, as always…are accurate and supreme.
(Multiple sighs)…..
February 6th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Unless we get both multiple second and third round round picks, you people thinking we’re getting a RB before the fourth are off your rocker. We got a RB in the second round last year that totally bombed and they’re hoping to get him the rock and see if he can improve. Not going to risk bombing on another early round RB when they know they need the OL to fix the running game anyway. kareem Hunt is what needs to be done. He might not play for the first 6-8 weeks, but he’s 23 years old. He could be a franchise RB for the next 10 years. Hunt, PB, RoJo, and Wilson is a nice set up in the backfield.
February 6th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Lol Stout, so you want to bring in hunt and use a third rounder on a RB. You can’t make this sh@t up, but I’m the uneducated one
February 6th, 2019 at 7:49 pm
Stangglass. If our owners did not want Hunt for PR reasons it would not be the first a team last didn’t want a player for behavior reasons.
1 set of owners is a blackball dude, what are you talking about? And there’s nothing illegal about it. They don’t have to sign a guy that’s facing a suspension. What kind of freaked my law would that be?
February 6th, 2019 at 7:50 pm
**is not a blackball***
February 6th, 2019 at 8:42 pm
I’ll be okay with whichever RB we get, even the older guy (AP). With improved coaching and a few new OL additions we’ll be fine. AP’s 2018 highlights: https://youtu.be/Q4ttjYWV090
February 7th, 2019 at 1:02 am
If one owner set came to the decision independently it’s fine if all 32 team owners decided as a group to not hire him it would be illegal. I doubt all 32 teams will decide not to give the guy a 2nd chance with his talent. And I don’t think Hunt has had any other issues other than this one albeit bad situation.
February 7th, 2019 at 1:09 am
Very few teams want to deal with the backlash that ones from signing Hunt, I mean the guy killed a woman after he knocked her down. Ow I will say from the video she basically deserved it and Hunt clearly pulled the kick and didn’t put anything into it, but in the day and of hashtag lynchmobs, this is a PR disaster. The other part is that there’s nothing that says Hunt is even all that good. He was easily replaced by guys who would have a rough time making the Bucs roster. It’s like looking at CJ Anderson and watching him run behind the Rams o-line and then saying we need to sign him when he was cut by what, three teams? The scheme and the offensive lines matter and Hunt never looked special – he looked fine, and for the backlash that comes from signing him he needs to look better than fine.
February 7th, 2019 at 7:27 am
@Munch
“I mean the guy killed a woman after he knocked her down.”
And then, “She basically deserved it and Hunt clearly pulled the kick and didn’t put anything into it.”
If your take was the only source of information on this matter I would take that you approve of murdering an unarmed, but mouthy, woman as long as you give her a soft kick afterwards.
In the future, you might want to edit your comments before posting.
February 7th, 2019 at 8:52 am
Stout- LOL! Thank you Supreme One! That made my morning!
February 7th, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Huh? So go get the guy who platooned with Barber at Auburn in 2014? And is 29 years old?
This website reaches OFTEN.