Two Bubble Receivers Making Most Of Limited Chances
August 21st, 2024
Decisions.
Two weeks ago, if you had asked Joe, the Nos. 5 and 6 receivers (provided the Bucs keep six receivers) would have been Sterling Shepard and Rakim Jarrett.
Now? Joe isn’t nearly as confident.
A couple of guys who Joe had written off as camp meat have made a decent case for being kept by the Bucs when the team is required to shave its roster down to 53 by 4 p.m. next week Tuesday.
Cody Thompson and Kameron Johnson have had an increased workload in targets the past week or so. And so far they have been up to the challenge.
Like today, Thompson made a huge play on a Baker Mayfield throw in the Bucs joint practice with the Dolphins at One Buc Palace. Mayfield threw to the near left corner of the end zone. Dolphins corner Kendall Fuller was on Thompson like stink on Jaelon Darden.
The ball was a little high. So Thompson and Fuller skied high for the ball. Thompson outfought the six-year starting NFL corner for the ball and came down in the end zone for six.
It’s plays like that that have Bucs types thinking. You hear coaches talk about this all the time: Make the most of your opportunities. Thompson and Johnson are doing just that.
And two guys who Joe thought would be on the Bucs roster late next week when the smoke clears after cutdown day may instead be looking for work elsewhere.
Like all bubble players, their chances likely hinge on special teams play.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Chase Edmonds called it on Kam Johnson. He said he’d make the team before camp and that he reminded him of Randall Cobb.
I think it comes down to Thompson/Jarrett for WR6. Like Joe states it will come down to special team value. Shepherd won’t/should not make the team unless he goes one the PS and is elevate due to injury.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Thompson deserves to make the team. I like what I see with him.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:57 pm
“was on Thompson like stink on Jaelon Darden.”
damn near spit out my coffee on that one! Nice haha
August 21st, 2024 at 1:08 pm
Joes
“Dolphins corner Kendall Fuller was on Thompson like stink on Jaelon Darden.”
ROTFLMAO! One of your best ever!
August 21st, 2024 at 1:13 pm
That was a great one, Joe.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Look at Kams return record in college. I expect his help there too.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:42 pm
I like Miller and Knoe too.
August 21st, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Cody Thompson is pretty safe I think, mainly because he’s a special teams guy. He’s 28 years old – so I seriously doubt he’s going to suddenly break-out at WR, he has one career catch. However, as a special teams guy who can fill in just about anywhere (gunner, returner), he’ll likely take that last spot.
August 21st, 2024 at 2:11 pm
From the little I’ve seen of Kameron Johnson, I like him a whole lot more than I like basic north/south dullard Sean Tucker. But I assume the Bucs keep 4 backs, and certainly Johnson will help the team more than Edmonds who is constantly injured.
Also Bucky looks so good, I can’t wait to see him vs some real NFL talent and not the scrubs he’s been eating up. Bucky has the most important trait an NFL RB can have, that is vision – and it helps he has the quickness to use that vision. He’s a different type of runner compared to White, so the two should compliment each other.
Tucker … I still don’t get what people see in him. He lacks vision, burst, agility – his speed on-field speed is fine but nothing special. In Madden I moved him to FB as they gave him a decent blocking rating for some reason – maybe the Bucs could try that.
August 21st, 2024 at 2:11 pm
I heard comparisons between Kameron Johnson and a younger Antonio Brown.
August 21st, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Rod – Kameron Johnson is a receiver.
August 21st, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Kam is by far the quickest and shiftiest receiver we have. I’m looking to see if he can add some YAC on Friday. Shepherd had looked good before getting hurt – but I think he has a negative availability history? Maybe the Bucs will go with a young guy with better availability?
August 21st, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Looks like Johnson has too much juice to leave off the team. He’s the upgraded version of Thompkins. Thompson or Jarrett, whoever is better on special teams should make it, as hopefully they aren’t called on to play much this season.
August 21st, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Really good problem to have.
August 21st, 2024 at 6:00 pm
“like stink on Jaelon Darden” – HaHa – thats a good one Joe….
Miller has caught about everything thrown to him in the games as well….
Bucs are very deep with young WR talent this year.
August 21st, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Tim – Ooops, I was talking about the kid out of KY, Ramon Jefferson.
That was stupid on my part – not sure how I mixed them up. Just do a find/replace with the names.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:46 pm
Rod… seriously dumb take on Tucker. You couldn’t be more wrong.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:36 pm
I too like KY Jefferson. He’s gonna supplant Edmonds and Williams. He’s the 4th RB.
August 22nd, 2024 at 11:45 am
Miller? I think he is way way in this conversation.
Go Bucs!