“That’s Not In My Wheelhouse”
August 22nd, 2024
So the Bucs craved Baker Mayfield’s input into who to hire as offensive coordinator seven months ago, but now they won’t want his input into what receivers make the roster?
Joe’s not buying it.
The Bucs haven’t expressed clarity when it comes to who might win jobs as their fifth and sixth receivers, if they keep that many.
The top-4 receivers are obvious: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer and rookie Jalen McMillan. (Flip-flop McMillan and Palmer if you wish.)
Then there’s Rakim Jarrett and Sterling Shepard. Jarrett was on the team as a rookie last year (4 catches) but got hurt. And now he’s hurt again. Bucs officials love the guy, but enough to keep him?
Veteran newcomer Shepard, 31, flashed a good amount early in training camp before getting hurt.
The Bucs haven’t disclosed the nature of their injuries but Shepard appears further along in his recovery than Jarrett and is a very close friend of Mayfield.
Getting lots of action has been journeyman Cody Thompson (1 career catch) and undrafted rookie Kameron Johnson, who also has battled August injuries. Thompson has made plenty of plays and Johnson has drawn lots of praise from Mayfield. Johnson also has some juice to his game and looks very smooth in practice as a returner.
So what will the Bucs do?
Joe asked Mayfield what kind of input he expects to have in the final decisions on the receiving corps.
“I think those guys have put everything on tape – their tape is kind of their résumé when it comes to roster cuts and knowing what guys are capable of. That’s not in my wheelhouse,” Mayfield replied. “Whoever is out there, I expect us to be pretty damn good and be on the same page. I’ll let [coaches and the front office] make those decisions.”
Again, Joe expects the Bucs will seek Mayfield’s input. Joe also thinks Mayfield will be quick to give his opinions, and he should be eager to share.
Mayfield is a seventh-year quarterback who just got a long-term contract. His evaluation is valuable.
Ira Kaufman Talks Dangerous Bucs Mindset, Two Sides Of The Receivers Battle, Dolphins Joint Practice & More; Sal Paolantonio Makes A Guest Appearance
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Would love for Kameron Johnson to make it. Developing young is always my preference in the long run.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Most teams have the deepest WR positions in their history. The Bucs advantage isn’t what it use to be at WR. So many deep WR drafts has most teams stacked. The Bears are a good example. Their top 3 are Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Collin Johnson. Johnson has looked unstoppable in preseason. If Caleb developments fast they’re going to be a really good team. I’m no Bears fan but I think lots of Bucs fans aren’t looking on other rosters, only comparing the Bucs to past Bucs teams.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Kameron Johnson looks like the real deal…hope he makes the cut.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Maura Carey has the Bucs keeping 4 TE’s which I don’t know why. I think Shepherd should fill a spot instead of a TE….. He always had ways of making 3rd down conversions with NY, which spreading them out and let the opposing team to try to cover them will be fun to watch.
Carey Predicts
Tight ends (4):
Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Devin Culp
Ko Kieft
The Buccaneers keep all four tight ends despite Coen’s low-usage scheme.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Absolutely agree. Baker had some input. And the reminder on Ira’s podcast today was that Baker did have a history with Shepard at Oklahoma, and he was brought on board this season with a one year contract. There has to be the chemistry too. And that seems to be there. And from Joe’s notes, Shepard seemed to do well with Trask too. Hope he does well this season.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:24 pm
I don’t know if the front office will ask BM6 for his input. They probably will ask him if he’s ok with their decisions. Not that it would change anything, but it could.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Still a week left! What he really means is they haven’t asked my opinion yet.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:29 pm
@Joe was there ever any update on Payne’s injury? I haven’t seen anything out there since he went down
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:38 pm
I haven’t looked at special teams to evaluate some guys. Not sure Kam would last long on PS but maybe some of the other young guys might. Joe said Shep looked good but his availability is not great. Let the coaches make the call…
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:40 pm
The last one or two will probably make the team based on their special teams play, so Baker is right that he wouldn’t have much input there.
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:45 pm
So Joe, cuts by committee? Na, i wouldn’t think so….
August 22nd, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Knee.
August 22nd, 2024 at 3:29 pm
I can see one reason he wouldn’t want that known–if he had to recommend to the team that Shepherd, his old friend, be cut
August 22nd, 2024 at 3:52 pm
He knows the answer. You Know the Answer. He can’t say the answer.
It’s kind of rude to ask the question.
August 22nd, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Tough decisions.. Due to our depth at the position, we’ll be letting go a few good WRs.. Don’t think the rest of the league isn’t watching, waiting..
August 22nd, 2024 at 6:19 pm
They’re all pretty good. I’m glad I don’t have to decide.
August 22nd, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Thanks to Mike and Chris, we are elite at WR. Then plug in Mac and Palmer, one or the other or both should blow up. Probably keep 6, so that’s two more WRs. Like others have said, thankfully I don’t have to decide. If Shep is projected healthy by week 1, I’d bet he makes it based on experience.
The remaining guy out of a scrappy bunch makes it by being the best special teamer.
Baker >4500 yards, 30TDs, >25ppg. That may not be enough for 10 wins thanks to porous, soft and confused pass defense with no real edge rusher but at least the O will be fun to watch.
August 22nd, 2024 at 8:13 pm
We’re going to be loaded at WR regardless it appears.
More interested in who we keep in the secondary. To my eye, especially against Jax, that’s were we sucked the most.
August 22nd, 2024 at 9:46 pm
The bottom of the roster players are not the QB’s call. Kameron Johnson seems to be the guy for WR6 because he’s got the juice and can play special teams. Baker’s relationship with Shepherd isn’t going to override the HC/GM decision. The QB may have input on an OC because that relationship is crucial, but not on WR6.
August 22nd, 2024 at 10:14 pm
I am still pondering Stanglassman’s point about many other teams being stacked with wide receivers. Something I will pay attention to regarding teams on our schedule especially.
Go Bucs!!
August 23rd, 2024 at 4:43 am
Put Jarrett and Shep on IR were they can come back week 6, that gives Bucs time to see what Kam and Cody can do in real games. Put Miller and Knue on practice squad along with Kieft be
cause it appears Culp can catch and block with 4.4/5speed.
August 23rd, 2024 at 6:54 am
Ko Kieft should be cut. He can block. That’s it.