“A Step Quicker”
July 28th, 2023
Receiver/returner Deven Thompkins is all smiles at Bucs practice this morning.
Joe has a hunch a guy from southwest Florida is going to play a role with the Bucs this season, perhaps bigger than heralded 2022 free agent signee Russell Gage.
Yes, Joe knows oft-injured Gage played in 14 of the Bucs’ 18 games last season. Still, it seemed the guy was hurt as often as he caught passes.
He started out 2023 like he did his first Bucs season: injured during OTAs. Unlike last year, Gage is not yet ready to go when training camp opened.
So as a result, Joe has a vibe that second-year speedy receiver Deven Thompkins is going to get more touches. Joe knows that Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ eyes lit up this past spring when the subject of Thompkins came up.
And Canales did not throw cold water on the notion Thompkins could be a bigger part of the offense. So far in training camp, Thompkins is getting a fair amount of touches.
Quarterback Kyle Trask spoke highly of Thompkins yesterday.
“Obviously, when you think of ‘D.T,’ you think of speed,” Trask said. “As crazy as it sounds, it seems like he’s a step quicker. Maybe that’s just from being in the offense another go around, more confidence.
“He always is in the right place at the right time and is going 100 miles per hour. He definitely brings a great element to this offense with his legs and his speed.”
Speed kills, man. There is no substitute.
But Thompkins has hops, too. Joe remembers in OTAs Thompkins looked like Michael Jordan going in for a dunk from the free throw line as he skied high and hauled in a pass way over a Bucs reserve corner.
Joe is down with the Bucs finding a way to get more speed on the field. Speed can make a defense look stupid.
Thompkins working his way up the depth chart to No. 3 receiver? It may not be that crazy of an idea.
July 28th, 2023 at 9:13 am
Mini-Percy Harvin
July 28th, 2023 at 9:16 am
Russell Gage….Whipping Boy………
I do like Thompkins…..and he has great speed….but if you do the research, this is what you will find.
Devin Thompkins 4.42
Russell Gage 4.42
And, oddly enough Devin White 4.42
July 28th, 2023 at 9:19 am
Isn’t Thompkins also our primary returner Joe? Kinda wonder if the Bucs would use a #3 WR in the returner role . Possibility of injury to a smallish guy like Deven would seem to be awfully high playing both those roles.
July 28th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Gage’s hamstring injury last year most have been much worse than it seemed, he still has the same problem
July 28th, 2023 at 9:33 am
I love this kid, throw him the damn ball!
July 28th, 2023 at 9:38 am
Perhaps Gage will wind up on IR to begin the season which might open the door for one of the young UDFA WRs Warner or Rakim Jarrett.
That way Gage can heal properly and come back healthy with fresh legs.
July 28th, 2023 at 9:56 am
He was my 2022 underdog pick
Ronnie Brown is this years
July 28th, 2023 at 10:13 am
@ SB
Same here.
Rakim Jarrett is this year’s underdog pick for me…
July 28th, 2023 at 10:15 am
Overthecap says no/little cap benefit on a cut ($0) or trade ($1M) for Gage.
In 2024 its a different story – save $6.5M before June 1st & $10M after June 1st.
There’s no way Gage is here in 2024 if he doesn’t produce this year. If he spends most of it on the training table he’s most assuredly gone after 2023 season.
July 28th, 2023 at 11:07 am
Thompkins
Palmer
Jarrett
We have speed… assuming Palmer and Jarrett come along as rookies.
July 28th, 2023 at 11:28 am
I do hope he can see the field more and contribute to the offense. Would be excellent to have more speed on the field for sure.
July 28th, 2023 at 11:45 am
What is the Point of Gage still being on the team for we got enough coaches that’s not playing..Cut him like yesterday He consider a space being took up for nothing… We got Youngsters that’s playing.. like he washed up that’s why the Falcons didn’t resign him…We always taking leftovers OMG
July 28th, 2023 at 11:50 am
I LIKE TOMPKINS, BUT I ALSO LIKE ROOKIE TREY PALMER & THIS RAKIM GARRETT GUY THEY CLAIM IS THE FASTEST BUCCANEER.., BUT IF KYLE & TOMPKINS HAVE GREAT TIMING TOGETHER, THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD..SPEED KILLS & BEHIND EVANS & GODWIN, THAT’S WHAT WE NEED MOST..KYLE TRASK IS GOING TO WIN THE STARTING QB JOB..IF NOT ( THE FIX IS ALREADY IN ) HIS FUTURE DEPENDS ON HIM WINNING THIS ( SO-CALLED ) COMPETITION BETWEEN HE & MAYFIELD ( BAKER IS ALREADY FAMOUS, HE’LL HOOK UP WITH SOME TEAM NEXT YEAR REGARDLESS) KYLE TRASK HAS.MORE TO LOSE BECAUSE HE’S A VIRTUAL UNKNOWN..COME ON KYLE, SHOW THIS TEAM WHAT YOU CAN REALLY DO..WIN THIS STARTING JOB BY PLAYING SO WELL THEY CAN’T DENY YOU THE STARTING JOB BECAUSE YOU OUTPLAY BAKER BY A MILE & ALL THE (SO-CALLED ) EXPERTS SEE IT 1ST HAND..& KNOW IF BAKER STARTS,THE WHOLE LEAGUE WILL KNOW THE FIX WAS IN FROM THE BEGINNING..
July 28th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Their Are Coaches in this league that Actually Know how to Coach Rookies veterans etc.. Hell we’ve got beaten by Rookie QBs and all We should have Hired Sean Payton because With all the talent we have if we have a good Teacher/Leader what difference does it Makes… If You look at our Roster we should be top 5 in the NFC ….. Just saying that make You The reader So No way…but if it was a Name Coach here It will be different….Shame Shame Shame
July 28th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
I’ve always rooted for that kid. I hope he takes Gaged’s spot.
July 28th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Google “Fastest 40 Times at the Combine”
It’s a list of dudes you’ve never heard of with 4.2 speed. BUSTS! The truth is most “Burners” don’t make it in the NFL. Speed sounds awesome! … but it doesn’t translate to the NFL. For every Ty Hills and De Jackson, there are 100 4.2 guys that are cut before their rookie contract is up.
July 29th, 2023 at 7:20 am
If he can provide some big plays with that speed that would help our passing game all around perhaps keeping Mike form being doubled so often.
Go Bucs!