One More Move
May 13th, 2024
More receivers needed?
The NFL calendar never really slows down except for the five or six weeks after June minicamp until the start of training camp.
It is at that point where Bucs employees and players bolt out of town. Usually, One Buc Palace closes for at least a week usually surrounding the Fourth of July. The final day of minicamp is like the last day of school as a kid. You couldn’t escape fast enough to begin your summer.
So don’t be shocked if the Bucs make a move in the next month.
Gordon McGuinness of the PFF tribe is not overwhelmed by the Bucs receivers after Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. McGuinness seems to be OK with Trey Palmer and noted rookie Jalen McMillan is an unknown. After that, he suggests the Bucs’ wide receiver room is barren and one more signing would tighten up the group.
He’s not wrong about the backup receivers, not named “McMillan.” Deven Thompkins is meh. Joe can remember him making one good play for a score in New Orleans. Other than that, his impact was minimal.
Rakim Jarrett? His impact was similar to Thompkins’.
But you know what, Joe is eager to see what new offensive coordinator Liam Coen can do with these guys. Joe really believes Palmer was mostly misused. Given the fact he was the quickest in the NFL to begin his routes, yes, quicker than Cheetah Hill, Joe would use this guy on slants until a defense proved it could slow him down.
As for Thompkins, let’s see how the new kickoff rules play out. If these new rules really do open up the kickoff return game, then Thompkins could have more of an impact.
While Joe gets what McGuiness is trying to push, Joe’s more apt to see how Coen works with what he has.
The area where the Bucs really need depth is inside linebacker. If Joe is going to ding Jarrett for minimal impact, then second-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis is a total unknown. He added nothing last year.
If Lavonte David or K.J. Britt go down, the Bucs could be in a world of trouble.
May 13th, 2024 at 7:25 am
I wish the Bucs had kept David Moore. I thought when given a chance he was pretty solid. He would’ve signed on the cheap too most likely.
May 13th, 2024 at 7:35 am
@Lt Dan,
He only came over because of Canales. It was obvious he would leave with him too.
May 13th, 2024 at 7:35 am
Isn’t that 6 week period also the time of year when Joe hammers his loyal and faithful readers with national story after national story? Ugh. As if Durango isn’t already cranky enough first thing in the morning.
May 13th, 2024 at 7:35 am
We could also use a vet TE…….Otton goes down & what do we have?
May 13th, 2024 at 7:41 am
I dunno…I like what this quick new guys were doing at the end of last season. More of that please
May 13th, 2024 at 7:49 am
Voss Dennis will be ready to play this year Joe. You’ll see….
The WR room is more than fine now with the drafting of McMillan. Palmer should make strides in year 2 – and don’t sleep on Jarrett – he’s got talent.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:06 am
I think DT will prove to be a better player than Palmer with the new OC , other than yet to be seen Bucky , DT has the best open field running ability of any player on the team.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:08 am
Don’t forget that the Bucs drafted Devin Culp TE Washington in the 7th. The guy is really fast for a TE:4.47, 40. I would expect him to be used more as a WR in some situations.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:08 am
Say Joes
Are signed players allowed to use the weight room at OBP this time of year and if they are is the cafeteria/ training table open for them?
TIA
May 13th, 2024 at 8:10 am
Agree, let’s see how the kick-off rule plays out. There is a lot to it: Kick-offs at the 35 yard line and the kicking team with ten players on the other side at the 40 yard line. I can see some confusion happening there too.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:21 am
Joe … ‘If Lavonte David or K.J. Britt go down, the Bucs could be in a world of trouble.’
Agree 100% Joe, but have to ask … ‘Where was that assessment BEFORE the draft?’ Personally think that ILB is the weak link on defense this season. Can’t believe that we didn’t draft one of the ILBs in the first 4 Rnds.
Agree with Buc4evr that Coen may use Devin Culp in a WR role. Like Mike Evans, he’s a mismatch against some of the smaller CBs & Safeties because of his size (6’3″ & 231 lbs) & speed (4.47 secs in the 40). His 10-yd time (1.55) & his vertical (35″) were also exceptional. Bucs gotta find ways to use those advantages.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:49 am
You prefer Joe to close the site down for six weeks? The NFL shuts down in June. Kinda hard to write about make believe practices or games.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Both Thompkins and Palmer fumbled three times last year, fortunately each only lost one. Not good considering they didn’t have many touches. You know the DB’s this year will go after the ball. Work to be done in the offseason.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:52 am
JimBobBuc:
Good point.
May 13th, 2024 at 8:54 am
Of course they can use weights. Joe has no idea about the team cafeteria rules.
May 13th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Half the league is bleh after their first four WRs.
May 13th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Still some free agents that can make the Bucs substantially deeper and that makes them much much better …… Licht does get a lil cute with his draft pick starters and if he does have some weaknesses as a GM it’s building quality depth . He sprinkles the o line but doesn’t treat DB s , LB or Rec the same as that beloved o line. Let’s Go Cold Beer Jason , Free Agency isn’t over , Starting Left Tackle in the 1 st Bucs Super Bowl was signed in June ish . Read it again , Starting Left Tackle . Take a look at the Vet Free Agent sprinkles that team had . Look it up JL , get out and continue to build this team . Licht gets caught up a touch with building his team where lil Rich McKay just continually built the Bucs . Both good GM s ; but McKay was all about upgrading any how any way and Licht a lil more My Way which I think he misses allot of late FA depth building and perhaps even a starter . Even bigger weakness with the longer Season !!
May 13th, 2024 at 11:28 am
I watch some videos of Bucky Irving over the weekend and I’m concerned that the ball could be stripped out of his hands while running. I hope the Bucs work on ball security with Bucky as well as with the entire team.
May 13th, 2024 at 11:31 am
New rules won’t make a difference, Thompkins sucks as a returner. I’d put Bucky Irving, and Devin Culp back on kickoffs. Culp with 4.47 speed at 245 lbs would be a problem to bring down, or catch. Irving always makes the first guy miss, huge as a returner. Thompkins runs for the sidelines like his panties are on fire.
May 13th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
I’m pretty happy with the room as it stands. Palmer and Jarret entering year 2, McMillan should be decent. That’s better depth than last season. ILB, DT and T are the low depth areas. WR, RB, IOL, Secondary are all deeper and improved heading into the season.
May 13th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
I think the Bucs should sign free agent WR Mecole Hardman. He could help out Baker, Evans, and the rest of the offense. He’s only 26 & also has playoff experience.
May 13th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Toad Bowels Says:
May 13th, 2024 at 11:28 am
I watch some videos of Bucky Irving over the weekend and I’m concerned that the ball could be stripped out of his hands while running. I hope the Bucs work on ball security with Bucky as well as with the entire team.
————————-
484 college carries – 1 fumble. I think he’ll be fine.
May 13th, 2024 at 6:50 pm
I mean… how many teams are deep past their #3 wide receiver anyways?
That’s probably the 1 position group I’m not worried about at all (barring injuries of course, god forbid)
May 14th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Palmer has to get better at finding the deep ball when its in the air. He missed some opportunities to make some big plays because of timing issues.
McMillan’s college routes look as smooth as many receivers in the NFL. If he is sure handed he has the upside over Palmer because Palmer doesn’t run routes as crisp or smoothly as McMillan.
Thompkins doesn’t belong in the NFL. He tries but doesn’t make enough plays when his number is called. He is mediocre as a returner.
May 15th, 2024 at 6:34 am
I don’t think any All Pro WRs are gonna magically appear at One Buc eager to sign a league minimum 1 year deal… Just saying.
Let David Moore go back to Carolina with our savior OC. Despite some questionable ball handling he did a good job here. Better hands and better route runner than Palmer and company.
Can we upgrade some positions? Maybe but I doubt WR will be one. Skill positions cost money we are not spending right now. Free agent DL, LB, maybe another CB is more likely me thinks.
Go Bucs!
May 15th, 2024 at 6:35 am
(We let)
Go Bucs!