The Greatest Receiving Corps In NFL History?
July 26th, 2022
They’re playing real-world fantasy football at One Buc Palace and Joe’s loving every second of it.
But Joe’s not fantasizing here. The Bucs, after signing Julio Jones, may now have the greatest receiving corps in NFL history.
Put on your thinking cap for a minute. Mike Evans is on a Hall of Fame track after eight seasons and nearly 10,000 yards receiving. Healing fast Chris Godwin is a former Pro Bowler who caught 98 passes last season. Russell Gage is the highest paid No. 3 receiver in NFL history, per Joe’s research. And then there’s legendary Julio, a slam-dunk Hall of Famer trying to resurrect his career — at 33 years old and after an injury-riddled season, his first without the only quarterback he ever knew.
Joe is not betting a nickel against Jones, though Joe would bet on Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn having diarrhea tonight. Jones is a prideful, freakish athlete and a guy that will benefit greatly from playing with an elite quarterback and rarely getting double-teamed.
Anyone want to be a defensive coordinator prepping to face that bunch, if they’re all healthy? And throw in speed demon Scotty miller in a five-wide set just to make it fun.
Just imagine if all those guys stay healthy. Joe can’t think of a team that’s ever served up that much juice at wide receiver.
July 26th, 2022 at 5:45 pm
It’s going down lol Julio as a 4?? On safties and linebackers?? Gtfoh
July 26th, 2022 at 5:46 pm
I appreciate the optimism Joe but Julio is just a name at this point. Not a bad depth signing but he’s a fraction of the player he used to be.
July 26th, 2022 at 5:47 pm
Ouch!
July 26th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Julio is so far from a quality receiver at this point. Waste of a roster spot. Even if it is for league minimum. He will run one route and blow out his hammy. Worst signing ever. Makes me question the front office
July 26th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
He hasn’t been a difference maker in years. I doubt he stays healthy.
July 26th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
You guys are the single worst fans of all time lol everyone always bitching in the comments every post
July 26th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Just wondering Joe, did they work him out before signing?
July 26th, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Every time joe has enthusiasm and writes a positive article..some idiot fan has to rain on joes parade with downer comments.
July 26th, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Westernbuc, I have to disagree. Julio can flat out ball! Sure he has had a couple of injury seasons, but having him as your #4 receiver is just criminal. Who are you going to double team? Then throw in Rudolph or Lenny with those four receivers.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:03 pm
And don’t forget Jalen Darden! When he’s not busy getting 3 yard punt returns, and kickoff returns to the 20, he will be averaging 2 yards per catch!
July 26th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
If he’s healthy and 3/4 of what he was… at a #4? Evans, Godwin, Gage, Julio and either Rudolph or Fournette. Pick your poison. Again, he’s always been a #1. Now he’s playing as a #4. I’d kick the tires on that. An additional bonus is that I’ve never seen him do shirtless jumping jacks in the end zone during a game.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
I’m yet to be convinced that Jones has any speed left. Hope so, but I fear may be easily covered this year. And who cares about opinions about “best ever”? If you don’t win the Super Bowl then it does not much matter.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
If he gives two high safeties pause, it will be good for Brady.
Regretfully the move makes me think Godwin isn’t quite ready for prime time.
I wonder where he will fir with Grayson, Perriman, and Miller running by him.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Don’t always agree with Joe, but this time I do. I am equally optimistic about this amazing WR crew. Should be great fun to see!
July 26th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Where’s all the Richard Sherman washed out talk?? There should be.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:15 pm
I thought Tampa already had the biggest coaching staff in the league????
I really hope he has a huge helpful season for the Bucs. Maybe keep the double team off Evans, but he didn’t look good last year. I know it’ll be nice not seeing him abusing the Bucs this time and helping us win! He should be coming to Tampa for free…. He made so much money abusing the Bucs we should see a discount. Welcome Julioooooooo!
July 26th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
Jones is washed up.. not very exciting
July 26th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
Man you spent all last year talking about how Sherman was washed up and now you’re talking about Julio like he’s still in his prime. Brady or not you need to put down the pipe Joe.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Injury plagued receivers don’t get better at 33. If he’s 75% of what he used to be, great. He hasn’t been so that’s a hopeful projection. He’s a shell of his former self.
I’m not being a downer. This is who he is as a player. Even in the last of his good years, he’s disappear at times, only to explode and pad his stats.
Is it a good signing? Maybe, high upside with little investment, so it’s not bad. But everyone acting like he makes us unstoppable needs to reel it in. He had plenty of opportunity in Tennessee and it didn’t work. AJ Brown got hurt, Henry got hurt, Julio never capitalized. And that’s with a top-15 QB.
As for Sherman, I said he was trash then because he was trash when the 49ers paid him. He was washed out and it showed. Quite frankly I’m amazed he was even able to play last year after his insane arrest. Athlete privilege
July 26th, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Joe is venturing into the lunatic fanboy realm now. This is the worst group of pass catchers in Brady’s three years with Tampa. Jones doesn’t move the needle at all. He’s as washed up as GOB is. Rudolph will make the loss of Gronk more palatable, but it’s a downgrade. Godwin probably won’t play until October/November. Then it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll contribute. Gage is a downgrade from AB. We can all accept that as an axiom. If Joe had argued a year ago that they had one of the best pass catching lineups of all time, it would’ve made more sense. This team isn’t throwing 700 times. They simply don’t have the horses.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:38 pm
As I’ve been saying, I doubt he makes the team.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:39 pm
GOB,
Buddy where, oh where is your optimism? As I posted on a previous article, JJ, even with 3 steps lost STILL has other-worldly catch radius. I don’t envision JJ to be much of a factor 20-20, but on the 10-yard line? He doesn’t need to have any wheels to jump higher than a 5’9″ corner, does he? I think it’s *POSSIBLE* JJ might be a very good part-time player for us. Is he gonna catch a 10-yard slant or angle route and house it? NAW. He’s basically a basketball player on the goal-line for us, IMO. And I dare say, what is wrong with that?
If JJ can give us any more than a red-zone target, I’ll be surprised. I’m trying to be optimistic here. Can’t wait for week 1 bro.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:40 pm
If anyone cares to remember Julio has been tumbling down the proverbial cliff for 3-4 years. Even in his prime he was pretty inconsistent usually blowing up his 2 games against our Bucs then a few big games and the rest kind of meh.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Now all we have to do is convince the Saints to sign Ryan Smith.
July 26th, 2022 at 6:52 pm
We have a great WR corps…all 9 of them
July 26th, 2022 at 7:08 pm
@justsaying
So he only ever had a couple big games against us. Then the rest of the games meh. But leads the league in receiving yards since 2014 buy 1k or so. More than Mike evans. And he has two down years the last two. And still has 1k more. He is a lot more than a big number against Bucs and then meh. He isn’t coming here to be a number 1 or 2 he is a 3-4 receiver. If you don’t think he is better than Perriman, Johnson, Miller, Grayson right now your on something. Julio Jones is our number 4 playing a lot less reps then he has to stay fresh. I will call you out by week 3 when he has a 8 catches for 140 game. And your all boom Julio I told everyone he would ball out.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:08 pm
It will be interesting to see if Julio makes it through training camp. If he does, because he is healthy, then Joe is right.
Then my guess is Darden and Johnson may be the odd men out, and that’s only if they go with seven WRs
July 26th, 2022 at 7:12 pm
Champa Bay is gonna ROCK U!! LOOK OUT
July 26th, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Has he lost a step. Of course . Dude is 33 with hammy issues. He will not take the top off a defense
But the dude is a physical specimen. Pretty Close to manbeast megatron without doing all the weights
Nothing wrong with slower version possession receiver. I mean he will be lined up against some small very average 3rd or 4th db
He will be fine. He does not need to catch for a ton of yards or tds.
Should still have value as depth/rotation/ goal line dunkaneers
July 26th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
Hey if JJ plays at just 70% of peak JJ, this season should be spectacular!! Sorry folks who predicted more run plays this year, not happening!!! This move should shore up 32 points per game!!
July 26th, 2022 at 7:27 pm
D-Rok my friend, NO!!!!! I saw Jones make the greatest catch I’ve ever witnessed, in the superbowl against the Patriots. Sorry Jules, but Julio’s was better. I’ve always marveled at the guy, but I just think he’s done. I’ll even allow for the Brady factor, but still he’s at best a flyer. I doubt he makes the 53, and if he does, I have concerns he could stay healthy. If this were three years ago, I’d be on board. His presence maybe an attempt to motivate certain players.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
Great signings, Rudolph and now Julio.
Is it still 2016?
July 26th, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Julio has not been jealthy and will most like have jamstring issues here. We may be shifting back to those vets coming in to pick up a check, like the old days…which were just a few years ago
July 26th, 2022 at 7:31 pm
JeffBuc,
Bro slow your roll! 8 for 140 would be phenomenal, and I would be ecstatic. Is it possible? Maybe. I think our red-zone production will be, because Brady loves to spread the wealth, will be about 5 players catching 5+ TD’s this year. Evans, Godwin, JJ, Lenny, maybe Gage. Adding JJ just makes the Bucs red-zone O very difficult to defend. I just don’t see JJ catching 5-8 for 100-140 on a per-game basis. That’s what Evans will get this year.
Let’s not forget the other WR’s on our roster who could make a splash this year.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Don’t get too deep into that vigorous shaft-stroking Joe. Jones is a big “we’ll see” since he’s had hammy issues the last few years and people say he can’t run anymore, not like he used to anyway. That said, a healthy Jones, even a step slower is still a damn good #4 receiver. It’s all about keeping him healthy.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:38 pm
O snap GOB,
I agree. That Edelman catch was miraculous. However, The Julio catch on the sidelines in that same SB was one of the sickest catches I’ve seen in 40 years, and I still love me some Jerry Rice catches. Moss too.
All I’m saying is MAYBE JJ has a few jump-balls left in him. The next few weeks will tell us if that’s a possibility or not, assuming he makes the team.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:41 pm
I haven’t seen any positive comments regarding JJ with his bad hammies getting the chance to incorporate the TB12 workouts to improve them??
You know Brady will hook his trainer up with JJ to help improve them..
Remember ME13 always having bad hammies during training camp. Since he’s been incorporating some of the TB12 regimen, we haven’t seen the hammy issues at all early in the season the past couple of years…
Just sayin 🤷🏻♂️!! Food for thought folks!
If JJ has better hammies, then this might be a fun season!!!
July 26th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
Toms probably had him on the TB12 Method for awhile now. Let’s wait and see. The more the merrier. Less wear and tear on Evans and Godwin. Get to the post season healthy.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:45 pm
So, fellow Bucs fans, IF JJ passes the physical, makes it through TC, and is listed as a starter or #4 WR week one, will you think JJ might be an asset to this team?
July 26th, 2022 at 7:49 pm
Julio’s issue is injuries. He has hardly lost a step. Best CBs on the opposing team won’t be lining up against him. He won’t play every snap. As a result, every time he is in he will lethal. TB12 is best at reading defenses and go to the best mismatch. Expect great things of this signing.
July 26th, 2022 at 7:50 pm
I read OBJ’s tweet about the signing. He’s sending subliminal messages that he’s upset about the Bucs choosing Julio over him. I’m assuming he feels betrayed because he and Brady are friends, and they’ve always discussed playing together. I think OBJ is way better than Jones at this stage in his career. OBJ would’ve been the better choice. Watch OBJ sign with the Saints to spite us
July 26th, 2022 at 8:01 pm
In 2020 JJ played in 9 games 51 Catches 771 Yards
in 2021 JJ had 31 catches for 434 yards and his qb was Tanyhill.
How many yards did our 4th WR have?
July 26th, 2022 at 8:06 pm
lDardung most definitely will not make the team now, nor will any of the UDFA guys, though they might find the practice squad.
I;ve doubted Julio makes the team because he’ll pull his hammy getting into his car after the first day of camp. But if he does make the team, then…….
I think Tyler Johnson needs to have a very good camp but believe he will stick because he has flashed the hands on the difficult catches, and blocks like Godwin. The other bubble guys are either Grayson or Perriman. Perriman doesn’t seem to play well anywhere else but with the Bucs, although the Saints would grab him in a heartbeat if we let him go (Jameis made him some money at the end of 2019).
Evans, Godwin, Gage, Julio, Miller, Grayson, Johnson.
If Julio doesn’t make it, Perriman.
But this is why I’m not happy about Julio — he’s going to cost a young promising guy a spot for what will be his last year and almost surely won’t have stats mch better than with Tennessee.
July 26th, 2022 at 8:15 pm
Not even close to “greatest ever” receiving corps with the current Julio, who is closer to a non-factor than prime. Can he even run on that hammy? If he can stay healthy, can he still catch? That’s where he could come in handy: big possession receiver, red zone. Conceptually, partially compensating for no Gronk. Value of this one depends on how much cash they used on him.
Any remaining $jack should be spent on D. Nothing more on offense, unless it is trenches.
July 26th, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Some of you guys make me SMH. Might he have a hamstring issue? Yes. So if he does, you promote one of the young guys to the active roster. But in nearly tropical Tampa, he might do just fine. Don’t over play him. Be particularly careful in cold weather games. And get home field advantage. The one thing he doesn’t need is to go to Green Bay in December and tighten those hammy’s.
July 26th, 2022 at 8:39 pm
Haters will crap on anything, this guy wasnt brought in to be a 1, 2 or even 3 WR.
remember 3rd and williams? its gonna be 3rd and julio this yr
July 26th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
I agree with goatfarmer’s last paragraph. Remember that it is better to get rid of the player a year too early than a year too late. I’d just prefer to have the roster spot taken by a might be vs a has been.
July 26th, 2022 at 8:45 pm
D-Rok, here’s Julio’s production the past three years.
Receptions: 91, 51, 31
YPG: 93, 86, 43
TDs: 6,3,1
If he makes it through all those hurdles you mentioned, then maybe he could contribute something. But, that’s only if he remains healthy during the season. He hasn’t played more than 10 games in each of the last two seasons. If he does make it through camp, it almost assuredly means cutting one of the kids
July 26th, 2022 at 8:47 pm
But didn’t your lord and savior ab just leave? Still the greatest ever hmmmmm. You gona effing crown em ?!?!?! You gona crown em?!?!?! 🤣
July 26th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Dang, GOB, that’s a bleak picture. Well crap, you have managed to curb my enthusiasm a tad. But still – his catch-radius makes him a red-zone threat to be respected until he’s found to be washed up, right?
July 26th, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Believe me D-Rok, I’d like nothing more than to be wrong. From all accounts, Jones is a pros pro. I’m holding out hope he gets on the Alex Guerrero “program”. My Patriots will be lucky to make the playoffs, so I cheer for everything Bucs and Brady, with the obvious caveat if they meet in the superbowl. Go bucs, go Jones, go pats!!!!
July 26th, 2022 at 9:31 pm
But willy g he ran 7 yards cutting three times and ducked away from the hit and yes got maybe two yards !!
Oh he did juke some guys in underwear practice
July 26th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Hey all the bandwagoners know more than TB12 and J Licht about Julio Jones ability and health. So glad we have you guys supervising our GM. He is really bad at his job after all and TB has no idea which receivers he would like to throw to. 33 years old isn’t that old, probably about the same age as AB. If healthy JJ makes us impossible to defend and deeper at the WR position than any other team. Let the competition begin
July 26th, 2022 at 9:41 pm
I’m starting to have some issues the more I think about this signing. I just think it’s gonna cause so much discord in the locker room. The NFL site has already crowned Julio our number 3. They referred to it as a deadly trio. Gage is our number 3. He’s being totally disrespected. You don’t think players hear and see this stuff? A noisy locker room rarely succeeds. Look what happened with AB last year. Too many mouths to feed. How long until we get anonymous quotes about favoritism in the WR room?
July 26th, 2022 at 9:41 pm
The Bucs are said to be taking a “flyer” on this acquisition. That being said, its Julio Jones. Much lower risk than AB, and with an ok payoff. Its a great move by Licht to bring him in, and lets give the GOAT a chance to figure out what he has left. No downside to this pickup because if he cant play, he wont take up a roster spot.
July 26th, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Julio in a wheelchair is still better than 90% of the #2 WRs in the league, and he won’t be anything more than the #3 or #4 receiver on this roster. Brady will know how to make the best use of him, whether it’s as the primary target or as a decoy. Brady will make him better than the QBs he has had in recent years. I worry that ME13 might not extend his streak of 1,000 yard seasons. Brady just has too many weapons to work with. I hope I’m wrong.
July 26th, 2022 at 10:34 pm
BUCSFAN13
I saw them talking about the trio also. First thing I thought was how disrespectful to Russell Gage. But, Evans and Godwin are very humble receivers and they have Brady as the leader, he’ll keep it all good. Plus none of them have the mental ineptness of AB
July 26th, 2022 at 10:34 pm
I am more excited about the Gage addition. But dang, we are gonna have one hell of a WR rotation if we can get all these dudes healthy.
DBs aren’t gonna be able to catch their breath with all these weapons we will be throwing at em.
July 26th, 2022 at 10:35 pm
Also no such thing as greatest recieving corps in NFL history in July hahaha.
July 26th, 2022 at 10:37 pm
GOB
Yes, the last two years his production has been pretty low mostly because of injury. I seriously doubt he fell off that hard. If he makes it through training cramp and preseason and is healthy, he is one hell of a third or fourth option to throw into the mix.
They took a chance with AB and it worked for about a year. If they could get 40 to 50 receptions out of him as a fourth option, why not
July 26th, 2022 at 10:38 pm
As for passing 0BJ for Julio…
1. They don’t have the money for OBJ
2. OBJ‘s not even available until the second half of the season probably
July 26th, 2022 at 10:48 pm
BUCS13. Seems very bizarre that you brought Odel Beckham into the discussion then later said your worried THIS signing could lead to discord.
Im not really worried at all about that end. Jones is a couple years removed from the prime of his career. He probably didnt sign a big fat contract like hes used to because he knows his role. He knows theres 3 high paid guys in their prime in front of him. He will get tons of snaps rotating with the young guys.He probably came here to play with Brady and contribute to a SB winner.
July 26th, 2022 at 11:23 pm
Let me see, McCoy, Bell, Sherman, now Rudolph, Jones, and some of you guys want OBJ too. I’m wondering if Adrian Peterson still wants to play. Or maybe Fitzpatrick. For fcks sake let’s not get faster and younger!
July 26th, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Wanna bet JJones is a Brady pick?
July 27th, 2022 at 12:01 am
Dumpster diving
July 27th, 2022 at 12:12 am
As a number four oh my goodness yes. Some of you fans are depressed or something so much negativity. Wow! football is almost back baby I’m hella optimistic go bucs!!!!!
July 27th, 2022 at 12:38 am
As bad as you guys think Julio was last season, take his name and past greatness out of the equation, are you really arguing his last season isn’t a good season for WR#4?? I really don’t know what y’all are expecting that could be better from a WR4, you have ludicrous expectations. That wasn’t a season where he was #4, now he’ll be on an island, free to exploit whoever the opposition’s defense can cobble together and has left! He’ll get NO ATTENTION, haha, that’s crazy. The only bad part is health but even at worst, he could be WR6!!! He isn’t a do-or-die addition.
July 27th, 2022 at 3:52 am
Hey let’s be logical for a moment fans. Last year Jones had 48 targets and 31 receptions (434 yds) in ten games with Tannehill (freakin Tannehill) not exactly a world beater at QB in a very run heavy offense. Anyway if you compare Jones’ numbers to previous his catch rate and yds per reception were pretty typical for his career even those years his yds was in the 1500 plus range. If he gets like 500 plus this season that will definitely be a plus in this offense.
July 27th, 2022 at 5:13 am
Julio was damn good in his prime, but his touchdown numbers are pathetic for a supposed hof player. Just like Nickerson and Alstott, he belongs in the hall of the very good.
Now, if Godwin comes back close to 100%, Gage comes as advertised, and Jones is even 75% of his former self, adding all of them to a top 10 all time receiver like Mike would be insane! Easily the best receiving corps ever.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:48 am
We do have some dumb fans. Jones had horrible QB play last year and was injured for most of it. If he stays healthy the Bucs will have the best #2, #3 and #4 receiver in the NFL along with a dominant future HOF as their #1.
This is not only the best WR group in the NFL, but this is the best group ever assembled.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:27 am
Wait until the season is over. Examine the results. Then, as objectively as possible attempt to rank them compared to the WR’s on past great offenses. To do it July is about as relevant as ranking Miss Universe contestants when they are in grade school.
July 27th, 2022 at 10:10 am
Remember Moss at 30 only had 530 yards for the Raiders after an ankle injury before breaking records in 2007 with Brady. Not saying it will be that kind of season for Jones, but this is the right kind of situation for Julio to be in, and 500 yards and 6 TD’s would be great production from a 3 or 4th option.
July 27th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Hello, Julio Jones’ injuries last year were all hamstring, not “career-ending” category injuries.
And, ya, he hasn’t had the good fortune before of having Brady figuring out how to optimize his current abilities within the offense.
Imo, there’s a much better chance for Julio Jones to have a big comeback year than the other way around.
July 27th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
maybe the biggest plus is the reduced chance for injuries to evans and godwin. when we get a lead we can rest them far more often and let the former falcons handle the time grinding possessions
July 27th, 2022 at 7:36 pm
Julio loves playing on the grass in Tampa bay.
July 27th, 2022 at 10:38 pm
Based on performance only, Darden, Miller and Johnson should be on the bubble. Julio may not have the speed he used to, but his route running and great hands make him the kind of possession receiver Brady always had in New England. Darden was a bust last year, Miller is a one trick pony and Johnson is inconsistent. If Julio draws the #4 db or a linebacker in coverage his route running and sticky hands are what Brady will love. Just get the ball close and he inhales it. And his sideline tip toe catches are almost impossible to break up. Brady will love Julio as a possession receiver.