“I Don’t Call Many People”
August 13th, 2024
Adam Humphries is one of several standout Bucs undrafted free agents of years past.
The Bucs have pulled the curtain back again on their front office.
It’s a beautiful thing if you’re obsessed with the offseason or with player acquisition.
If you’re the kind of fan, who says, ‘Who cares how the Bucs landed a practice squad guy?’ then this isn’t for you. However, Joe knows former undrafted practice squad members like Cameron Brate, Adam Humphries and Earnest Graham earned tens of millions in the NFL and became fan favorites.
So the Bucs dropped a video on their website titled The Untold Story of Undrafted Free Agency. It’s about a four-minute look at the frenzied stock-exchange-like player auction that runs for a couple of days as the NFL Draft ends.
Buccaneers senior personnel executive Byron Kiefer noted that undrafted free agency is a time for scouts to get the ultimate trust because “maybe not all the bosses know who these guys are.” (Man, Joe found that to be an intriguing quote.)
Also highlighted, via Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, is the pursuit of what appears to be University of Toledo cornerback Chris McDonald. The scene reminded Joe of an old school car salesman handing his phone over to a potential customer so the guy could talk to the big boss of the dealership.
In this case, it was a scout handing the phone to Todd Bowles, who explained to the target, “I don’t call many people …”
Yes, the Bucs got their man.
It’s one big educated guessing game, and Joe is glad the Bucs shared a look. As Kiefer said of the 300+ undrafted free agents across the NFL. “There’s a Pro Bowler up here somewhere.”
August 13th, 2024 at 2:58 pm
YaY for Joe! I was dying to find out who that player was without looking through 90+ players trying to find the right “Chris”. JBF saved me the trouble! TY.
No stone unturned!–Joe
August 13th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
That is cool, what a video. It’s a crap shoot, but sometimes that crap shoots.
August 13th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
you know toilet bowl aint be callin no peoples right?
maybe he should pick up the phone more and talk to his players. He is the definition of the peter principal
August 13th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Todd Bowles is too busy devising schemes to make guys like Daniel Jones, Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields, Desmond Ridder, Gardner Minshew, and other non descript QB’s look like competent NFL Starters than take a phone call to a potential acquisition
August 13th, 2024 at 4:39 pm
Fantastic video!
Coach Bowles should make more phone calls.
August 13th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Why have you got such a hard on for Dave Pear?
That said, last year we had a bumper crop of USFAs and looks like we landed at least one this year too…maybe two too. Darn, I’m sounding like Harris too.
August 13th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Cause Dave pear is a piece of work
August 13th, 2024 at 10:43 pm
I just got told by a pretty darn reliable source that the Bucs are inquiring about Reddick.
August 13th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
He was a good player for the Bucs. One of the few standout players during dark times.
August 14th, 2024 at 4:48 am
Anyone else reminded of Hump and the other Miller this week?
Ryan Miller impressed the heck out of me. Did the same last year.
Go Bucs!
August 14th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Go Bucs